Community News

Why pagans need to support biodiversity act

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The Tree of Life is one of my preferred visualizations and methods of grounding.  Often, I’ll consider which large trees are close by when doing it, and use their shape and form to assist the visualization.  Old willow trees are a favourite, especially trees that reach high to the sky, and low to the earth with their weeping branches.

This love of trees, and nature more generally, is one of the things that sets pagans apart. Our relationship with nature often develops early in life. Many people describe their discovery of paganism and/or the Goddess as a homecoming, forged in childhood memories of babbling brooks and forests and farms. Our sacred spaces are often marked by natural phenomena. Some temples, marked simply by groves of trees, form circles reaching above and below - as in the mystery of all things.

So when the corporations who clear-cut our forests start interfering in politics, pagans need to get involved as well.

That’s what is happening right now around the Biodiversity Act, proposed legislation that is designed to help protect wildlife and plants that are increasingly endangered as a result of climate change and unsustainable harvesting practices.  The corporations who clear-cut our forests are opposed to this legislation because they want to continue their destructive practices. 

The truth is that this legislation doesn’t go nearly far enough.  It is a start, but even with this legislation, we will continue to see a major loss of biodiversity as climate change accelerates. Even with this legislation, clear-cutting and destroying forests will still be legal in Nova Scotia. 

But the weakness of this legislation has not stopped the clear-cutting lobby from telling lies and half-truths about it. The so-called "Concerned Private Landowners Coalition" isn't a real group. It is a front set up by Forest Nova Scotia, who represents the clear-cutting industry. They do not speak for the thousands of tiny and small woodlot owners, or small farmers, who make up the vast majority of people that own rural land in our province. 

Our forests have become so degraded that they are growing back much slower, with much less biodiversity. The impacts on our natural environment are easy to see. The impacts on human health, emotions, state of mind, and spirituality, are as intense, but more difficult to see.

Consider: Our native Beech, Elm, and White Ash trees are dying off due to disease and the impacts of climate change and globalization. Our Sugar Maples and White Birch are also threatened. 

This is not to say that we can't have a forestry and lumber industry. With time, sustainable harvest practices and higher-value forestry much are still possible. To get there, we need to press pause, and allow our forests time to heal and grow. We need to make a shift as a society toward saying that extractive industries like clear-cutting are unacceptable - whether on public or private land. Ecosystems do not respect property lines. 

For pagans, and everyone who cares about our forests, the intense campaign against the Biodiversity Act should raise alarm. Even a fairly minor attempt to support a more sustainable future is being vocally opposed by the clear-cut lobby.  The only solution, that I can see, is to be equally as vocal.  To say that we must go further.  To say that we cannot allow any further destruction of the earth. To say that the land, trees and animals are sacred and that they have usefulness beyond human greed.

So please, take a moment to call your Member of the Legislative Assembly and ask them to support this legislation. A phone call to their office, even in evening hours when it will go to an answering machine, is much more effective than sending an email. Speak out against the lies of the clear-cutting industry.

Then, close your eyes, breathe deep, relax your muscles, and form in your mind the vision of glorious, mature, diverse forests from Yarmouth to Glace Bay.  Dig your roots deep into the crust of the Earth, draw up the earth-fire, let it flow and grow and crescendo, then let it sink back to the Earth itself, and let us weave the strands of a different vision.

Another world is possible. 

Learn more about the so-called “controversial” parts of the legislation: https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/local-perspectives/lisa-mitchell-nova-scotias-new-biodiversity-bill-is-reasonable-not-radical-565284/

Update from ADF

Greetings to the grove organizers of ADF,

Due to the health concerns around COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are suggesting that groves re-consider their plans for public rituals and act for the safety of all the folk. If your grove determines that it is unsafe to hold in-person public rituals, there will be no impact on your grove standing based on your decision. The MG trusts your judgment and supports your decision.

If you choose not to host in-person public rituals, we urge you to consider one of the following alternatives:

- Provide the script of the rite to the folks and have everyone perform the rite at home on same day as was planned and then have everyone compare notes and omens online.

- Perform your rites over Zoom. Free Zoom will give you 40 minutes of meetings, or you can request to use the ADF Zoom for longer sessions by emailing secretary@adf.org. The ADF Zoom is first-come, first-served.

- Virtual rites via the internet using Facebook, Discord, Slack, Skype, or other online interactive social media.

If you do host in-person public rituals, please remember the basic safety rules:

- Have Sanitizer on hand for folks to clean their hands

- Remind everyone to wash their hands if there are facilities available

- Do not share drinking vessels, utensils or eat off the same plates

- Avoid hugging if possible - elbow bumps, foot taps, or small bows are preferable

- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a disposable napkin/tissue

- Try not to touch your face

And above all, please remember, if you feel sick, stay home.

May we all stay safe and healthy.

Kindreds Blessings

The Mother Grove and the Council of Senior Druid

Park cleanup

This weekend we had a fantastic cleanup at a local park. Even though it rained (it always rains here) we had a great turnout and managed to collect 3 full bags of garbage from around the small park.

The experience was lovely, we walked a joked in a group and discussed ways to make it more fun and appealing in future. We were privileged to have a visitor who was knowledgeable in fungi and had done several park cleanups themselves. They suggested that we link a learning walk with the nature clean up and try themes for the events.

After a couple years of working hard to get the right permits we finally, gave up, got out and just did the right thing. We had gloves, tongs and bags along with great attitudes.

Thank you to everyone who made it out, lets hope this is the first of many cleanups.

Blessed be.

Hiking & Sage Harvesting

HEY! Remember when I wrote that blog about Harvesting Sage in September and how to make your own sage bundles? (No — Here, I will help: http://novascotiadruid.com/?p=864) Either way, we finally got to do it as a grove.

It was a fantastic day where we did a little hike in a local park and then we all came back to the Larter house to pick, bundle and tie up our very own sage bundles. We also had BBQ and someone was nice enough to bring clay for some bowl and goddess making which I will totally have to revisit another time.

Needless to say this was a resounding success. Everyone enjoyed themselves. We all got a little exercise; some time to commune with nature and we enjoyed the companionship of our amazing grovies.

I would encourage you to push for things like this with your own groups. I have been on a week long high from spending time with people who warm my heart and doing this that enrich my soul.

P.S. For your viewing pleasure, I tried to take a selfie…

The Grove of Nova Scotia Druids and ADF

We are aware of the recent allegations brought forth concerning sexual misconduct by a former ADF Leader, the late Isaac Bonewits and we extend our compassion and care to those affected.
We want to affirm to our community that this type of behavior has no place within GNSD; it is directly opposed to our values; and is, quite simply put, wrong. We abhor any such behavior against any person, whether they are members of GNSD or not.

We understand many in our community are seized by these recent allegations; we are too. If you have suffered harassment or abuse, within our community our without, please know that we support you with compassion and care. We have clergy and leaders available should you wish to speak with someone. [The ADF Human Services Specialist and Member’s Advocate are available to listen and care and are reachable at humanservicesspecialist.adf@adf.org and adf-members-advocate@adf.org respectively.]

GNSD continues to be an open society focused on our family-knit structure. We remain committed to all practices of the ADF such as love and kindness for one another; courtesy and respect in language and actions; and refraining from actions that hurt or damage any person or property. We will be reviewing our own policies to ensure our community continues to grow with compassion and love.

If at any point you wish to speak on this, or any matter, do not hesitate to reach out.

The 20th Annual Witches' Ball and GNSD Raffle Basket!

 

Come out to support your local Pagan CKDU Radio Show, The Witching Hour, and to just have a ball. There will be music, drinks, and a costume contest!

The event will take at Menz & Mollyz Bar (2182 Gottingen St.), November 4th, starting at 9PM.

The Grove of Nova Scotia Druids will be hosting a raffle to raise funds for our “Land Acquisition Project”.  The basket will include lovely gifts from Rustic Revolutionary Pottery, Nude Bath Products, Mighty Oak Workshop, and much, much more. Tickets will go on sale at the event, so be sure to pick yours up for a chance to win a lovely basket of goodies.

Imbolc 2017

Now is the time of stirring, when the earth begins to soften and the waters to flow. While frost still bites and winds blow, and the light is growing stronger, and life begins to wake.

Imbolc is the day that we celebrate the passing of Winter and make way for Spring. It is the day we honour the rebirth of the Sun. It is also a day of celebrating the Celtic Goddess Brigid. [...] This is a time for communing with her, and tending the light of her sacred flame. At this time of year, we will light multiple candles or lanterns to remind us of the passing of Winter and the entrance into Spring, the time of the Sun.

     

This past weekend, we joined the Pagan Presence Committee in the celebration of Imbolc as part of the 2017 Interfaith Harmony Week, a week which sees groups of multiple and diverse religions, faiths, and spiritualities open their doors to the public, inviting anyone interested in learning about and experiencing various traditions.

The evening opened with our Grove hosting a ritual, and followed with a “meet & greet”, where attendees got to explore a number of pagan tables and ask questions about the different paths and denominations. Snacks (including a chocolate fountain!! —yes, too exciting not to mention) were shared, and wonderful conversations were had. It was a lovely event, and we were pleased to be a part of it.

Happy Imbolc, everyone! <3

(All quotes are excerpts from the evening’s ritual, and photocred goes to Karen.)

Imbolc 2017 & World Interfaith Harmony Week

We are happy to announce that we will be conducting our 2017 Imbolc ritual as a part of Halifax’s World Interfaith Harmony Week, in conjunction with the Earth Spirit Society of Nova Scotia (ESSNS), on Saturday, February 4th.

The ritual will take place in south end Halifax, at the Universalist Unitarian Church (5500 Inglis Street), and will be followed by a “meet & greet” where various pagan organizations in the city will have displays and information about their traditions

Doors open at 6:30pm, and the ritual (with an opening welcome statement and introduction) will begin promptly at 7:00pm.

Thanks to the hard work of the Pagan Presence Committee and ESSNS, the Pagan community has had an increasing involvement with interfaith in Halifax, and the Grove of Nova Scotia Druids is happy to be a part of it again this year.

For more information about Interfaith Harmony Halifax, visit:  http://ihhalifax.ca/home/

For copy of the 2017 event guide, including all the events put on by different faith groups click here.