Earth Apprentice Training – fall 2023

We apprentice ourselves to the living earth around us.

We ask help from river, creeks, hills and sandstone bluffs, maples and buckthorn and berries, grasses, mosquitoes, eagles and deer.

We listen to their reply and act on their instructions.

These words describe an intention for how we relate to the land: mutuality, interdependence, and communication. It’s an ongoing learning.

For the first time, we offer an introduction into this kind of relationship with the land, a series of three Saturday afternoons in fall 2023. date is Planned dates are October 7, 14, and 21. Limit 6 participants. Sessions are 1-5 pm.

Expect a clear introduction, meditative time in the natural world, council meetings for gathering and deepening, a short outdoor work project, and closing circle.

We’re inviting you to join us in learning sacred and intimate relationship with the land. This is an act of trust. In joining us, please honor the land, the leaders, and yourself.

On the first Saturday, we’ll explore a space between house and creek, mixed garden and wild. We’ll do practices of listening and opening, returning to the human circle, returning to the wild beings, supporting each other in finding the way. We’ll do some small project requested by the land spirits. On the second and third Saturdays, we’ll return there or to another location on the land, and do the same. At the end of the third Saturday we’ll consider next steps for those who will continue.

Suggested donation is $100 for all three afternoons. Additional contributions are welcome to provide support for those who can’t pay the full cost, which includes a modest stipend for the teacher (Shodo Spring). No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

If you’d like to check us out before committing, you might come to the September 30 volunteer event, sowing wild rice in the creek, 1 pm until finished (2-3 hours).  Email Shodo to set that up. On the first Saturday, we’ll explore a space between house and creek, mixed garden and wild, and do practices of listening and opening, returning to the human circle, returning to the wild beings, supporting each other in finding the way, and do some small project requested by the land spirits. On the second and third Saturdays, we’ll return there or another location, and do the same. At the end of the third Saturday we’ll consider next steps for those who will continue.

People with questions about accessibility also are invited to ask first.