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Hartwell News: updated 26th Jan 2006
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Yemay: a CD of shamanic songs by Danu Fox Sun Moon Dance |
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| We hear that in the north of Finland, the Finnish government's own logging company (Metsahallitus) is logging in areas crucial for the traditional livelihood of indigenous Sami reindeer herders, despite the recommendations of the UN Committee on Human Rights. These are some of the northernmost forests in Europe and conditions are so harsh that the trees and lichen grow extremely slowly - the lichen at around 2 mm a year. 'The trees may be three to four hundred years old, but it has been forested for much longer than that' says Kalevi Padaar, who has herded reindeer here all his life.
The destruction of old-growth forests means the destruction of tree hung lichen which is crucial for the survival of reindeer especially in late winter. Eino Lansman explains: 'There are reindeer tracks around every tree…It's been the tree-hanging lichen that has saved the reindeer again. At this time of year the reindeer are losing weight. If conditions are really hard they will miscarry their young, and I've already seen a lot of that this year.' The Sami people are some of those who have maintained traditional ways of life and teachings that remind us of how it is when humans live close to the earth and work in harmony with the animals around them. Over the millenia they have kept alive teachings that we now realise hold great importance for us if we are to regain a way of living that reminds us to respect our relations on this earth and to live in harmony with all other living beings. It would be good to support them as much as we could. Greenpeace are working to help the reindeer herders halt the deforestation of their land. Donations can be sent to Greenpeace either online via www.greenpeace.org.uk/donate.htm, or by sending a cheque to Greenpeace, FREEPOST ND944, Northampton, NN001GP. And you could copy this information and send it around to your friends. And don't forget to pray for the Sami people and for the Greenpeace activists who have been facing violence, intimidation and death threats as they continue to campaign. Thanks to Greenpeace and Richard Cookson of the guardian for the above information. |
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| Hartwell Library |
The library continues to expand and now houses nearly 400 books, and our magazine collection is building fast. Books range through Native American, Mayan, Celtic Shamanism, Women's Spirituality and related art, craft and fiction. For joining details and a full library list please send a large SAE to Library at Hartwell, 14 Eastville, Larkhall, Bath BA1 6QN. Or email your request to info@Hartwell.eu.com. |
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| We are collecting examples of the ways in which Medicine Wheel teachings can be applied in everyday life. If you have experiences that you would like us to include, please email us: info@hartwell.eu.com |
| I have written about one example - the time we in Bath held a ceremony during the Foot and Mouth crisis in Britain. See my article Ritual Politics in the Articles section.
Christianne describes how the Medicine Wheel teachings for the Four Directions worked for her in a teaching situation: "I started teaching hairdressing at a local college. My students were aged between 16 and 18. I picked up the group after a difficult six months: tutors leaving, no organised lessons. They were despondent and disruptive. A small group who had run the show before |I arrived caused total mayhem. I was being tested. It struck me one day that the ringleader was probably sitting in the West. Sure enough she was in the Northwest. Before the next theory session, I labelled the seats, moving the ringleader into the South. The dynamics of the group changed that day. When I chose the seating I had control of my lesson." Christianne further describes how the Four Directions helped a woman set boundaries in a business situation: "I had been working with a young woman who has her own successful business. She was concerned about one of her clients. He was rude, aggressive and made her feel powerless. She was dreading their next meeting. Despite meeting all their agreed targets and exceeding them during the course of the year, he did not want to pay her for work already done and appeared to be angling for some future free business, using intimidation. We talked about power and formulated a plan so she would dictate where they both sat to discuss contracts, payment and future work. We thought she should direct her meeting from a position of power. He was placed in the South, a position of trust. The meeting was a resounding success. Her client paid her in full and she felt empowered enough to refuse him a future contract." Here is a more personal example from Christine: "Going to and from work I use gateways at particular places and birds, sometimes animals, trees, clouds, the sun, the wind, offer omens and teachings. I sing. At work, I work with the land, the trees, squirrels and birds. I'm often aware of the Directions - who sits where. I call on a particular Direction in a particular situation, or work with a Direction long term." |
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| PRAYER FOR ALWAYS PEACE |
I ask all the animals to open their mouths I ask all the birds to lift their songs to the winds I ask all the trees and flowers, all that is green growing I ask the rocks to dream this prayer for peace I ask the sand to rearrange its grains I ask the ocean wave to shout this prayer for peace I ask the deep wells to give rise to this prayer for peace I ask the holy hills to toll this prayer for peace I ask the stars to shine the spelling and the moon and the sun pause in the sky I ask for every candleflame to ignite this prayer for peace © 2003 Rose Flint, 8 Grosvenor Terrace, Larkhall, Bath BA1 6SR |