Thank you Rowen for this beautiful reminder to pay attention always, to flow with the shifting cycles, to make room for spontaneous ceremony when the time is right.
I don't have the depth of cultural tradition with which to reconnect - my own ancestors' cosmo-phenology has largely been lost and would have been attuned to different timings on a different continent - but I have also been surprised at the level of connection and reciprocity that can be achieved within a single lifetime, or even just within a few years of really tuning in and getting to know a place by feel.
Here in rural South Australia after months of dry we watch eagerly for the flutterings of the rain moth “tainkila” that emerge from their chrysalids deep in the earth. Their taking flight tells us to expect the arrival of rain in twenty one days.
What a gorgeous essay to read on Earth Day. I couldn't possibly pick out a line or paragraph I loved most because it ALL moved me, sometimes to tears. Thank you Rowen!!!
Returning home for me is leaning into reciprocity with the natural world and allowing my despair about the climate crisis to lead and teach me, instead of shut me down with sorrow. Reading work like yours inspires me to continue to do this, and honor what is every living being's true nature which is integral to all of creation. We are one.
This writing touches me so deeply, Rowen. Thank you. I aspire to live in the Cosmo-phenological way of tending to what is the now rhythm of seasons and cycles, to pay attention to my feathered kin, cloud kin and plant kin to know how to live, what to contribute when and the earth's time to hold ceremonies of gratitude and anticipation.
Where to start? Thank you for the teachings of cyclical life. It would bring us all into deeper tuning if we would spend more time listening to the earth and living through her cycles with greater intention. Seeds are sprouting here after planting with the thunder. Lambs are dropping as the fresh new buds burst forth to feed nursing ewes. The goslings hatched on 4/20, five new babes wandering with their devoted parent's across the grassy fields in search of sustenance. Dandelion and nettle dominate my diet now, with flowers from all types of amazing wild plants- current, oso, fruit blossoms, and more. Coming out of winter slowly, but the leaves are now unfolding into full abundance as the growth cycle returns.
It was beautiful to listen to this post this morning, after a long lovely day of rain yesterday, which has caused all the plants to quickly reach skyward. Watching and listening to what is going on around us necessitates us slowing down to notice all the tiny details. Something we all need to practice doing. As I have been transitioning to this way of life for a little while now, more and more I realize the importance of it for us and for the earth herself. The world is full of so much richness that we can see, as we learn to re-tune our senses to what our ancestors knew. As always - thank you.
Relational living, remembering what is in our bones. So beautifully written Rowen. Easing into the daily turning and relearning with the thunderers here last week in Minnesota and the rains that followed, and the wild ginger that emerged and then the peepers that have followed and the painted turtles on the log in the pond that is refilling. Thank you for the gifts of pointing to what is right here with us, holding us, holding each other. To live int his way is a form of activism in these tumultuous times. Rose Gagne'
One think we do here in Thailand at this time of year, which is called Songkran, or Thai New Year, is we honor water. Water is everything in this part of the world so there are many rituals throughout the year for feeding and remembering and honoring the many aspects of water, the spirits and various deities within. Somethings I really enjoy are when we offer water to the hands and feet of our parents, and we ask them for forgiveness. (aaphayathaat). Where I come from, in the "west" asking forgiveness is extremely difficult, but it is built into the culture here. Its so beautiful. So healing. We ask forgiveness from neighbors we may have unknowingly hurt and so too the river and the land, etc. Another practice is to return dirt to the temple and build little buddhists "stupas" there with the returned soil. The idea being that whenever we leave a temple, we unconsciously steal soil from the land there. So once a year, on songkran, we give the soil back and make beneficial beaity from these offerings.
Thank you so much Rowen for this gift today. My favourite cosmo-phenological ritual I share with my partner is drawing to a closr: watching the sky dance of the timberdoodle (American Woodcock). Each year we await their arrival and admire their nightly displays. Tonight he was quiet, which tells me he attracted a Mrs. and they are now busy with their nest. Spring is moving on and today I heard the serenade of the Brown Thrasher for the first time. New friends to welcome back daily!
Thank you Rowen for this beautiful reminder to pay attention always, to flow with the shifting cycles, to make room for spontaneous ceremony when the time is right.
I shared some of my own "cosmo-phenology" last year: https://dendroica.substack.com/p/a-cycle-in-eight-parts
I don't have the depth of cultural tradition with which to reconnect - my own ancestors' cosmo-phenology has largely been lost and would have been attuned to different timings on a different continent - but I have also been surprised at the level of connection and reciprocity that can be achieved within a single lifetime, or even just within a few years of really tuning in and getting to know a place by feel.
Here in rural South Australia after months of dry we watch eagerly for the flutterings of the rain moth “tainkila” that emerge from their chrysalids deep in the earth. Their taking flight tells us to expect the arrival of rain in twenty one days.
What a gorgeous essay to read on Earth Day. I couldn't possibly pick out a line or paragraph I loved most because it ALL moved me, sometimes to tears. Thank you Rowen!!!
Returning home for me is leaning into reciprocity with the natural world and allowing my despair about the climate crisis to lead and teach me, instead of shut me down with sorrow. Reading work like yours inspires me to continue to do this, and honor what is every living being's true nature which is integral to all of creation. We are one.
I am very much loving this gentle reminder of what is intrinsically true & important in these times
Thank you Rowen White, for this timely piece in your beautiful writing style💙🌱⛈️🌿
This writing touches me so deeply, Rowen. Thank you. I aspire to live in the Cosmo-phenological way of tending to what is the now rhythm of seasons and cycles, to pay attention to my feathered kin, cloud kin and plant kin to know how to live, what to contribute when and the earth's time to hold ceremonies of gratitude and anticipation.
Where to start? Thank you for the teachings of cyclical life. It would bring us all into deeper tuning if we would spend more time listening to the earth and living through her cycles with greater intention. Seeds are sprouting here after planting with the thunder. Lambs are dropping as the fresh new buds burst forth to feed nursing ewes. The goslings hatched on 4/20, five new babes wandering with their devoted parent's across the grassy fields in search of sustenance. Dandelion and nettle dominate my diet now, with flowers from all types of amazing wild plants- current, oso, fruit blossoms, and more. Coming out of winter slowly, but the leaves are now unfolding into full abundance as the growth cycle returns.
I will never look at 'thunder' the same way again. Thank you for sharing.
It was beautiful to listen to this post this morning, after a long lovely day of rain yesterday, which has caused all the plants to quickly reach skyward. Watching and listening to what is going on around us necessitates us slowing down to notice all the tiny details. Something we all need to practice doing. As I have been transitioning to this way of life for a little while now, more and more I realize the importance of it for us and for the earth herself. The world is full of so much richness that we can see, as we learn to re-tune our senses to what our ancestors knew. As always - thank you.
Migwech! For this prayer of life.
I'm with you kwe and all of the others in this song.
The strawberries are blooming.
Wabaksekwe
Dawnwoman
Relational living, remembering what is in our bones. So beautifully written Rowen. Easing into the daily turning and relearning with the thunderers here last week in Minnesota and the rains that followed, and the wild ginger that emerged and then the peepers that have followed and the painted turtles on the log in the pond that is refilling. Thank you for the gifts of pointing to what is right here with us, holding us, holding each other. To live int his way is a form of activism in these tumultuous times. Rose Gagne'
One think we do here in Thailand at this time of year, which is called Songkran, or Thai New Year, is we honor water. Water is everything in this part of the world so there are many rituals throughout the year for feeding and remembering and honoring the many aspects of water, the spirits and various deities within. Somethings I really enjoy are when we offer water to the hands and feet of our parents, and we ask them for forgiveness. (aaphayathaat). Where I come from, in the "west" asking forgiveness is extremely difficult, but it is built into the culture here. Its so beautiful. So healing. We ask forgiveness from neighbors we may have unknowingly hurt and so too the river and the land, etc. Another practice is to return dirt to the temple and build little buddhists "stupas" there with the returned soil. The idea being that whenever we leave a temple, we unconsciously steal soil from the land there. So once a year, on songkran, we give the soil back and make beneficial beaity from these offerings.
Thank you so much Rowen for this gift today. My favourite cosmo-phenological ritual I share with my partner is drawing to a closr: watching the sky dance of the timberdoodle (American Woodcock). Each year we await their arrival and admire their nightly displays. Tonight he was quiet, which tells me he attracted a Mrs. and they are now busy with their nest. Spring is moving on and today I heard the serenade of the Brown Thrasher for the first time. New friends to welcome back daily!