Sacred Actions

 A few weeks ago, I participated in the Sacred People, Sacred Earth Global Multi-Faith Day for Climate Action. Hosted by GreenFaith International Network, I felt deeply aligned with the call to action, which begins: 

We are united by a fundamental belief that all people, all living things, and the Earth are
sacred.

It goes on to say that we envision shared reverence, connectedness, flourishing life, just distribution, and healing for people and the planet.

The set of demands are for political leaders and government, corporations and financial actors, religious institutions and individuals. From a place of faith and principles and universal values.

I signed on and I signed up, aligned in this call. 

My "action" was simple: an offering to Mother Earth. Based in the Andean tradition of ofrendas, this act of gratitude and reverence is a ceremony of relationship and interaction with the earth. Taking my Quechua manta to a pine-needle strewn spot in our favorite local park, my son and I placed treats and nourishment for Mother Earth (Pachamama) and some toy animals on top. We lit the candle, poured some water, waved the feathers, and gathered rocks and leaves to have fire, water, air and earth represented. We recognized the four directions, the past, present and future, and the interconnection of all creation. 

Shaded by millenial olive trees and Mediterrenean pines, he and I both sounded the conch shell (pututu), calling for climate justice. We sang a song together for Pachamama, with maracas and tambourines clattering, drawing attention from passersby. We said a prayer of thanks and held a moment of silence. 

He helped me find a perfect place at the foot of a tree for Pachamama´s offering. He dug through the pine needles and dirt to make a hole, and we placed the water, bread, fruit and seeds into the hole along with prayers for nourishment, abundance, healing and health. We covered over the offering, giving our thanks to Pachamama for providing for us in selflessness and bounty. 

Then of course, he wanted his snacks too, and the ceremony turned to play, enjoying a sunny day in the wonders of creation. 

This simple yet profound act requires little in terms of logistics and planning, but much in terms of intention. It is a practice I learned from the Andes, and do not practice often enough. And it represents how I believe we can be in better relationship with Mother Earth and all creation: recognizing their contributions, giving thanks for their gifts, kneeling down in humility, and offering reciprocity, stewardship and nourishment. 

People around the world did actions and ceremony on 11 March for the Global Multi-Faith Day for Climate Action. Watch the video below, see the thread about actions across the world and get involved in the advocacy that needs to follow to change the systems and structures destroying out planet.