This page includes descriptions of the two distinct year-long 2009 Earth Medicine progressions (Mount Diablo and the Guadalupe Watershed). Both of these series are the outgrowth of the year of ceremony described on the page Earth Medicine 2008. Both progressions were a big success with participants offering over 30 distinct ceremonies and other events in 2009 with/for the land in these two areas.
2009 Earth Medicine on Mount Diablo:
Plant Medicine Circles and Autumn Prayer Walk
From a collaborative statement issued by Save Mount Diablo, California Native Plant Society, U.C. Berkeley and others, "The mountain is the most important wildlife habitat in the East Bay. Mount Diablo includes appoximately 253 vertebrate animal species. 900 plant species, three quarters of which are native, are found on and around the mountain, representing one tenth of the native plants found in California. More than 150 species are rare or listed, and fourteen are endemic [native only] to the Mt Diablo region." Towering over the East Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Mt. Diablo is one of the Bay Area’s highest peaks, a sacred mountain for the region’s Native peoples, and teeming with biological diversity
Plant Medicine Circles
Intention: Unlike much of modern Western culture, earth-honoring cultures and individuals view plants as intelligent beings and sources of not only physical medicine and food but also wisdom, perspective, and companionship. In the vessel of nurturing ceremony, we will walk the land sharing stories, songs, and direct visioning with the plant relations of Mount Diablo. Consider joining us in to celebrate and learn from our often overlooked green-blooded relations.
Structure: Monthly plant medicine circles are from 12noon-3pm on the Saturdays of: 1/10, 2/7, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2, and 6/6.Gatherings are open to all and by donation ($25 suggested). Circles will be held in light rain, cold, and wind and rescheduled for heavy rain or lightning. Locations on the mountain will vary throughout the season; be in contact for details.
Summer Day-long Series: Mountain Spirits and Meditation
These day-long gatherings (and an optional overnight in Sept) are stand-alone events that are open to people of all backgrounds and levels of prior experience with ceremony and/or meditation. They will also serve as preparation for those intending to participate in the 5-day Autumn Prayer Walk on the mountain. The series is a co-creation of several different local teachers entitled: Mountain Spirits and Meditation and each day has its own unique flavor and focus. We hope you'll consider joining us!
Autumn Prayer Walk
After six plant medicine circles on the mountain, and summer day-long events we will arrive at the multi-day autumn prayer walk. Combining a spirit of pilgrimage with practices of ceremony and silent meditation, we will step into the symphony of energies that compromise this sacred mountain. Walking with prayers for both ourselves and the collective good, we will affirm the sacredness of this very land, our Bay Area home. Dates are Fri, Oct 23rd – Tues, Oct 27th. Remember as with anything, there can be flexibility around cost as needed. Early committment is encouraged and spaces are limited.
2009 Earth Medicine Training:
Healing in the Guadalupe Watershed
The Guadalupe Watershed includes a sacred mountain, an important Bay Area river, and hundreds of thousands of South Bay residents. Despite profound ecological disruption and enormous population increases over the past two centuries, the spirits of this land continue to invite intimate, reciprocal relationships with the area’s human inhabitants. Throughout 2009 our community will dedicate diverse ceremonial and eco-service gatherings to the healing and wellbeing of this magical and often-disrespected region of our Bay Area home.
Structure. Through day-long intensives participants will learn and help to craft shamanic-style earth healing ceremonies for the diverse beings of the Guadalupe Watershed. Each day training can stand along; however, ongoing involvement is encouraged. Each day is from 10am to 5pm and may involve mild to moderate hiking. Cost is $50 per day-long intensive.
Winter Series: New Almaden Mines
Just south of San Jose, from 1845-1976, over 83 million pounds (40,000 tons) of mercury were mined in what is now Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Often mined under terrible conditions, this mercury continues to pose health risks to the land’s inhabitants in the South Bay and beyond. Together we will weave ceremonies to honor those who died in the mines or from mercury poisoning and bring healing intent to the enduring presence of mercury in Bay Area ecosystems. Winter gathering dates are 1/31, 2/28, and 3/28.
Spring Series: Mount Umunhum
The highest peak in the Guadalupe Watershed, Mt. Umunhum is a sacred mountain to the Native peoples of this area. From 1958-1980 the U.S. Air Force operated a now abandoned site on the mountain’s summit. Although this land has returned to the public domain (http://www.openspace.org), unaddressed lead and asbestos toxicity from the Air Force site prevents public access. We will make ceremony to honor the spirits of this sacred mountain and support the restoration of Mt. Umunhum as a place of healing sanctuary, ecological health, and public access for all peoples. Spring gathering dates are 4/25, 5/30, and 6/20.
Summer Series: Guadalupe River
From the slopes of Mt. Umunhum, creeks and streams descend northward and converge to become the Guadalupe River. After flowing for miles through the heart of San Jose, the waters of the Guadalupe nourish the southernmost wetlands of San Francisco Estuary. This river’s namesake Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), for some, is also a manifestation of the indigenous Aztec earth mother, Tonantzin. Working in partnership with the spirits of the land, we will co-create earth healing ceremonies to help realize the vision of a vibrant, living river that is well-loved and well-respected by surrounding Bay Area residents. Summer gathering dates are 7/11, 8/15, and 9/5.
Fall Series: South Bay Wetlands
In 2003, thousands of acres of former Cargill salt ponds in the South Bay entered public ownership as part of the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the West Coast. We will make ceremony with and for the land in this healing place where the Guadalupe enters the south end of S.F. Bay. Fall gathering dates are 10/10, 11/14, and 12/12. December 12th is Our Lady of Guadalupe’s traditional feast day and will include a community celebration, guided by fall quarter’s participants, to give thanks for our relations in the Guadalupe Watershed.
Community Ceremonies and Service Events In addition to the four seasonal Earth Medicine trainings, there will be at least one drop-in community service event or ceremony each quarter of 2009 in the Guadalupe Watershed. If you would like to participate in or organize one of these events for the land, check the calendar of events or just be in touch. Through right effort, community involvement, and partnership with the spirits of the land, together we can establish a healing vibration in this area that continues for years to come.
