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 approximately 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, indigenous and shamanic traditions 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.
Autumn Prayer Walk
After six plant medicine circles on the mountain, we will begin summer preparations for a 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. This event will also serve as a fundraiser for native plant conservation on Mt. Diablo. Dates are Wed, Sept 29th – Sat, Oct 3rd. Spaces limited.
