We’ve had several Work/Play weekends here at Landsong, but last weekend was the first official Elohee Volunteer day!  Bald Mountain got its namesake because when we bought the property it was cleared of trees, and well, bald.  Since our introduction in 2010 we’ve spent many an hour working to breathe life back into her.  She’s also become the epicenter of Elohee, with the introduction of the firepit, the natural swimming pond and hot springs, and now Mandala Hall.  We’ve seen that with this process of creation, destruction also happens.  Our lady Bald has taken a beating through a century of gold mining, logging, and now retreat development.

So, our intention for Elohee’s first official volunteer day was to begin the healing process of this land.  Thanks to encouragement from our geomancer, we set out to rake the hard red clay, spread compost, scatter red clover and winter pea, cover with straw, water, and give words of honor to this earth who is bringing healing to us all.  It was a wonderful day, full of laughter, dirt, accomplishment, and of course, love.

As the day came to a close we took a dip in the hot springs (some of us in the pond!!), and ended the night with good food and an awesome dance party.

This is the first step towards healing, giving back, and honoring our blessings we’ve been given.  I look forward to many more opportunities for this practice.

Here is a poem Lucia read to start out the day with:

We join with the earth and with each other.

To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air

We join with the earth and with each other.

To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures

We join with the earth and with each other.

To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars

We join with the earth and with each other.

To recreate the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children

We join with the earth and with each other.

We join together as many and diverse expressions
of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth
and the renewal of all life.

– U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program

Me and my Aunt Patty.