Dedicant’s Path Through the Wheel of the YearWeek 39: Nature Awareness (Final Essay) : Dedicant’s Path Through the Wheel of the YearWeek 39: Nature Awareness (Final Essay) Presented by
Rev. Jessie “Medb” Olson
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Based on Our Own Druidry and The ADF Dedicant Path Through the Wheel of the Year
Review : Review How is your work with nature going?
Have you been working on your books?
How is your work with your home shrine going?
Related to Requirement : Related to Requirement Related to Requirement:
#7 – Nature Awareness; #10 – Personal Religion
Introduction : Introduction You've now been visiting your spot in nature for over thirty weeks
You should have a very good idea of how you interact with that spot, and what goes on there.
Now, it's time to think that through and turn out an essay!
Criteria : Criteria The requirement reads as follows:
"An account of the Dedicant's efforts to work with nature, honor the Earth, and understand the impacts and effects of the Dedicant's lifestyle choices on the environment and/or the local ecosystem and how she or he could make a difference to the environment on a local level. (500 word min)"
Discussion : Discussion The requirement itself asks a lot of questions. Because you're probably going overboard in terms of sheer information at this point, this will probably work in your advantage.
Breaking it down, we have the following points:
1. Describe your efforts to work with nature
2. Describe how you honour the Earth
3. Give an understanding of how your lifestyle affects the environment/ecosystem
4. Describe how you can make a difference on a local level.
Discussion : Discussion First, talk about your connection to nature. How do you connect?
Do you go to a specific place?
Is that place mental or physical? C
an you find yourself connected in the city?
What makes up nature to you?
Do you meditate in nature?
Are you able to find a connection?
If not, what have you tried to obtain one?
Do you usually have a very strong connection to nature, but sometimes not manage to connect at all?
What do you do then?
Is nature something that you always feel connected to?
Is this a result of where you live, or lifestyle choices you made?
Discussion : Discussion Second, talk about how you honour the Earth.
Here, you can talk about the Earth Mother as a Goddess, archetype, or mother.
You can describe your concept of the sacred Earth, and discuss whether you find the Earth or Nature or the Universe to be something you worship or simply honour. I
s honour something simple, like not littering, or is it more complicated, like organizing Earth Day events?
When you think of "honouring" the Earth, what is it you think of?
Discussion : Discussion Third, how do you live on the earth right now?
Describe your lifestyle to some extent.
If this different from how you lived on the earth when you started the DP, describe any changes you have already made.
Do you see things you'd like to change?
How much trash do you create, and do you recycle? Is this important to you?
Where does your power come from, and do you have alternative energy choices?
Are there wetlands near your house that have a sewage overflow?
How do you take care of your landscaping and how do you water your plants/lawn?
Are you doing things efficiently?
Discussion : Discussion Finally, the fourth part is rather subjective: you need to consider what meant by "make a difference".
What size difference are we talking about?
What feels right to you?
To make a difference, you could do something as simple as start recycling, or something as complex as joining a local environmental action group.
So, first, you need to figure out what kind of difference is important to you, and then you need to figure out how to execute that.
Note that it doesn't say, "Describe how you will make a difference", but now you "could" make a difference.
There is no requirement for you to actually do it (though we would encourage you to do so).
Make sure you're clear on what difference you would like to make, and how you would like to achieve that difference.
Discussion : Discussion If you have all that down and have more than 500 words, you've just finished another requirement!
Next week, your second book report is due, so finish it up if you haven't already!
Homework : Homework Remember to continue your meditation.
Go to your special spot in nature.
Keep reading your book!
Begin writing your book report.
Keep working with your home shrine.