(These rituals) act as an intermediary between the human community and the larger ecological field, ensuring that there is an appropriate flow of nourishment not just from the landscape to the human inhabitants, but from the human community back to the local earth. By his constant rituals …he ensures that the relation between the human society and the larger society is balanced and reciprocal and that the village never takes more from the living land than it returns to it, not just materially but with prayers, propitiations and praise. (1996) - David Abram
The event 'Nature-based rituals and co-creation' was a part of Re-generative Evening held in De Groene Hemel - Nemo Westerpark, Amsterdam.
This event was hosted by Deepali Pahwa with the help of Marjorie Lumet. The intention of the event was to share research and create a conversation on nature based rituals led by Deepali, followed by collective soil painting with the soil collected from the location.
~ Marjorie led a grounding meditation, inviting us to land in the moment with everything that is present within us. We took a moment to be mindful of the sound of birds, leaves, the temperature of the air, our breath, and the place we stand in today.
~ We invited participants to collect soil with an intention of connecting to the land, and some leaves from herbal plant to prepare tea.
~ Soil collection
~ Washing our feet before we enter indoors.
~ After our conversation, we start to paint with soil. First step is to mix the soil we collected with water.
~ Deepali sharing research from her creative practice. We had a talk about past and present perception of the natural world. With concluding, what should be the future perception.
~ Through painting, soil becomes a tool to express our reciprocity on paper. We gather together to acknowledge the place, the land because of whom we're able to share this moment. We remember the lands, from near and far who have supported our journey. To honour them yesterday, today and tomorrow, we create a painting, by letting the intention of gratefulness flowing through the energies of our hands, we sit together sharing our stories with each other. Listening and connecting to the land and each other.