There are all kinds of revolutions — astrological/cosmological/seasonal (all connected, of course, as similar engagements), political, personal, and ecological, as a few in mind. Our wytchy selves here focus on all of these as a piece — to be connected to ourselves, we have to be connected in nature (or aware of this nature, we’re connected either way) and work towards safety, health, and for the future of all. Teleological directives (those with a specified ‘end’) are not useful tools to foster diversity, care, and foresight. That’s where response-ability comes into play.
We can only respond appropriately when we pay attention; when we listen. Listening takes a selflessness (or a universal self) to be able to engage with the openness to someone else’s needs — this plant’s need, this family’s need, this community’s need, the world need. And we do what we can when we can. The world (especially the political one) demands compromise but rarely consensus and it is this place we need to find. Systems built on heirarchies only have teleological ends; they require that someone be on the bottom, and that there IS always a bottom. There is a bit of a kerfluffle about how democracy works but in a majority rules situation, there is always a minority — and generally one that is exploited, subjected, and their needs pushed aside. The Western world has been doing it this way for a long long time building an anthropocentric (human-centered) impact which disregards relational thinking and being. We have been taught/guided/misguided in the ability to respond to each other and the world we live in.
How can we get out of this trap and abide by a more consensus directive where everyone has a voice that matters? It is going to take a slow and careful consideration of how we do things — everything…because our foundations are flawed (all of them). I love how permaculture-warrior Looby Macnamara approaches the living well concept. I love how folks come together to find solutions in direct community action (and remember, community is not your neighborhood or town, it’s the people that show up for each other). I love how the baker spent the day fixing the kid’s sewing machine. I love the projects I hear about from other brilliant like-minds and care-full thinkers. I love a quiet pond with bobbing loons. I love the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds who live in our Weeping Willow tree across the drive from the exploding Scarlet Bee Balm. I love the medicines and food, a real bounty, available at our little patch.
(R)evolutions abound.
Rock Bottom Homestead 