planet ocean

We are stardust, we are golden,

We are billion year old carbon,

And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

Joni Mitchell - "Woodstock"

These lyrics were replaying through my head while on our hike along the 'River Run Trail' in Mazama... Given the situation in the Gulf of Mexico, I have been thinking lately about what I can do as an individual to decrease my personal consumption of gas and petroleum. Because our precious planet is made up of more than 70% water, I have also been thinking how much I want to honor the watery element of our planet (and ourselves which is about 70% water, too) and instead of "Planet Earth" I think "Planet Ocean" makes more sense...

This trail was so incredibly sensuous to the body and soul - the air smelling of wild flowers, pine needles and sap, the moist soil after many days of rain... the sounds of spring birds in the trees and foraging on the earth, and the wind blowing through the leaves of the aspens... the sensation of the sun on the exposed skin, and the touch of the wind blowing through the hair... and the taste of the salmon berries... I was feeling so grateful to be 'back to the garden' in this verdant valley and realizing how important this deep earth connection is to maintain sanity in a life often too full of responsibilities and concerns for the future of our planet... a longing for that which really matters... connecting to the beauty of Planet Ocean....

Meet me in the garden.

Meet me where spirit walks softly

in the cool of the evening.

Meet me in the garden

under the wings of the bird

of many colors.

Meet me

in the garden

of your longing.

Every breath is a pilgrimage...

Drew Dellinger - from "Love Letter to the Milky Way."

After finding a Canadian Goose feather by the fast flowing river's edge, I couldn't resist this dance with one of my most favorite dance partners, Spirit Wind... It is amazing how much one feather 'catches' the wind...

"Sometimes even a single feather is enough to fly." Robert Maclean

In my medicine woman mentor's tradition, Canadian Geese represent such endurance in their ability to migrate so many miles each year - masters of the journey and I also love the idea that they symbolize creating a new mythology. I was reminded of the importance of creating a new relationship with Planet Ocean - one in which I stop and reflect more and more the repercussions of my thoughts, words and actions in regards to contributing to her health and balance... Although this was an exchange with earth and wind, I was also feeling very connected to Grandmother Ocean in the wind-blown sea of grasses...

This is a dance prayer for the winged-ones and all living beings that we share our planet with - especially for all those that are suffering due to the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico..

Lokaha Samastaha Sukhino Bhavantu

May all beings everywhere be happy and free from suffering and may our thoughts and actions contribute to that happiness and freedom from suffering for all beings.

Thank you for viewing this blog... I hope it may inspire in some way,

Lee

Music: Claude Debussy

Filmed by Brooke

View my butoh mentor's inspiring blog here: Maureen 'Momo' Freehill