Earth Odyssey September 2009 by Earth Odyssey

Vol. 2, No. 1

September 2009

An Educational Guide

to Sustainability and Spiritual Well-being

Homolovi Ruins State Park preserves Hopi legacy INSIDE:

5 8

Shaman honors New Zealand’s native ﬂora Permibus criss-crosses country touting green living

Page 16

12 Cliff dwellings give glimpse into history 14 Working to keep ancient Lacandón beliefs alive

Sustainable Architectural Design Solar-Efficient & Resource-Efficient Design Solar PV, Solar Hot Water and Rain Catch

SolarTerra LLC

928-310-6654 www.solarterra.com 14826 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ

A Gold

Join our Salute To Green Living and change the way Sponsor the world thinks about sustainability Learn to live in harmony with the Earth instead of it—even marginal lifestyle changes can enhance of the against our environmental sustainability, our social structure not using them. A power strip that cuts off power automatically when electronics are not being used is the easiest way to do this.

Creative

and our economic condition. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started. Water in the evening if you live in a warm climate. Long stretches of cooler temperatures give the water a chance to permeate the soil.

Energy Fair

Page 2

Replace your older glass CRT monitor with a new flat-panel LCD screen. LCDs save tons of desk space, ease eyestrain and use two-thirds less power than CRT monitors. As always, look for the Energy Star label when purchasing any home or office electronics and appliances. Install ceiling fans and change the thermostat a few degrees. In the summer the breeze will cool you, in the winter they’ll circulate rising warm air.

Select paper napkins with high post-consumer recycled content. If every household in the United States replaced just one package of virgin fiber napkins with 100 percent recycled ones, we’d save 1 million trees.

Make the switch to more efficient lighting. Replace all your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or new LED lamps.

Turn off your computer monitor and other external gadgets when you’re

For more simple, inexpensive conservation tips, see SimpleSteps.org.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

Columns Vol. 2, No. 1

September 2009

News and Features

Cover Story: Homolovi Ruins State Park preserves Hopi legacy

By Christine Bollier

Page 11

4 Bald eagles in Arizona continue to ﬂourish Shaman honors New Zealand’s native 5 ﬂora squirrel stands strong in face of 6 Rock predators

Page 20

7 Indigenous wisdom keepers to share traditions 7 Creative Energy Fair focuses on green products, energy 9 Healing Nautilus turns 4 years old Arizona Solar Power has answers 10 to your questions

By Mike Davis

Page 21

shaped much 13 Volcanoes of Arizona’s landscape

8 Green living

Permibus criss-crosses country

For prints of photographs in this issue, contact Pia Wyer at pia@animistarts.com.

to keep 14 Working ancient Lacandón

Page 22

beliefs alive

Columns and Entertainment 21 Yes! You Can Recycle That by Patricia Melchi 23 Tracks Across Your Horizon by Bob Matthews 23 Organized Living by Tanya Allason 24 Staying Healthy the Natural Way by Leilah Breitler 25 Puzzle Page 26 Calendar of Events 28 Pet CAM Q&A by Ken Crump, AAS, AHT 28 Awakening Spirit by Maya Joy Angeles

Movie Reviews by Jason Allen

Movies that won’t make you dumber

Page 29

Walnut Canyon Cliff dwellings give glimpse into history

ON THE COVER: The rich floodplain of the Little Colorado River not only provided fertile farmland, but also provided driftwood that served as timber for construction and wood for fuel. Hopi produced crops of corn, beans, cotton and squash in the floodplain. See story on page 16. Photo by Jason Allen September 2009

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

By Sarah McLean

Page 30 Page 3

An educational guide to sustainability and spiritual well-being

Our Mission The mission of Earth Odyssey is to encourage individuals to develop sustainable lifestyles and healthier well-being by providing educational information needed to make wiser choices. We envision an extended community of individuals who care passionately about their environment and their own spiritual well-being and recognize the symbiotic relationship between the two.

Magazine Staff Publisher/Editor Ann Haver-Allen Photographer, Photo Editor, Web Master and PR Director Pia Wyer Advertising Art Director Distribution Manager Jason Allen Advertising Representatives Bill Allen Jo Ann Johnson Pia Wyer

Contributors

Photo courtesy the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee Bald eagle numbers have grown more than 400 percent over the past 30 years in Arizona. In 2009 a record 77 eggs were laid, with a record 67 of those eggs hatching successfully. Forty-seven eaglets reached the critical point of taking their ﬁrst ﬂight.

Bald eagles in Arizona continue to ﬂourish

ith the last bald eagle nestling finally out of the nest, the numbers are in for the 2009 breeding season, and the species continues to flourish in the state under the careful watch of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and a coalition of 22 other partners. This year, two new records were set: A record 77 eggs were laid, an increase of six over last year, with a record 67 of those eggs hatching successfully. In addition, the state celebrated the second-best year on record for the number of fledglings that took to Arizona’s skies in 2009. Forty-seven eaglets reach the critical point of taking their first flight, an important milestone for a young bird’s chances of survival. Bald eagle numbers over the past 30 years have grown more than 400 percent in the state. “Arizona’s intensive management of the species is paying off,” said Kenneth Jacobson, Arizona Game and Fish Department bald eagle management coordinator. “The period between the bird hatching and taking its

Page 4

first flight is a critical time. The bald eagle nestwatch program and regular monitoring played a significant role in helping these nestlings develop from eggs into independent fledglings.” The breeding season for bald eagles in Arizona typically runs from December through June, although a few bald eagle pairs at higher elevations nest later than those in the rest of the state. The eaglet at Woods Canyon Lake was the last to fledge. The closure area enacted to help protect that nest was lifted on Monday, Aug. 17. The Arizona Game and Fish Department, a leading partner in recovery efforts for the species, attributes the success to cooperative on-the-ground management, including monitoring and survey flights; recreational area closures during the breeding season; banding and visual identification; contaminants analysis and a nestwatch program to protect breeding activities. Through the Southwest Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC), a broad coalition of 23 government agencies, private organizations and Native American tribes, a plan is in place to help ensure the contin-

ued success of the bald eagle population in Arizona. Management of the bald eagle falls under the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s program to recover species that are threatened, declining or that have been extirpated from the state. Through its partnerships with other public agencies, nonprofit organizations and the science community, the department’s wildlife recovery program aims to prevent species from becoming endangered and conserve them in a more cost-effective manner. State-level involvement provides closer oversight of wildlife species on a day-to-day basis. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying and managing the wildlife and habitat of greatest conservation need, or those species that are no longer abundant and facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, disease, introduction of nonnative species and climate change. Adaptive management of these species helps ensure their continued presence in Arizona and protects the delicate balance of the ecosystem for future generations. For more information on bald eagles in Arizona, visit www.swbemc.org.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Tanya Allason Maya Joy Angeles Leilah Breitler Ken Crump Mike Davis Tobias Hughes Theodore G. Manno Bob Matthews Sarah McLean Patricia Melchi Kimberley Patterson Jill Russell Dominique Shilling Carla Woody Pia Wyer

Earth Odyssey is published monthly by Pinon Pine Press LLC and is available online at earthodysseyonline.com. Send comments and suggestions to: editor@earthodysseyonline.com OR via U.S. mail to: Editor 1042 Willow Creek Road Ste A101-PMB 486 Prescott, AZ 86301 Phone: (928) 778-1782 The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers. Copyright © 2009. Pinon Pine Press LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission. For prints of photographs in this issue, contact Pia Wyer at pia@animistarts.com. Printed by Prescott Newspapers Inc. 8249 East State Rt. 69 Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Earth Odyssey is printed on recycled paper using soy inks.

September 2009

‘Divine children’ of Aotearoa

Shaman honors New Zealand’s native ﬂora By Kimberley Paterson Earth Odyssey Contributor

he emanates a tangible sense of power—reflective of the deep work she does. Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber is a shaman, a healer, but most of all she is totally dedicated to honoring and working with the plant intelligence of New Zealand. Franchelle said native plant essences from this land can lift emotions, heal wounded spirits, give hope when it has been lost and help restore physical vitality and wellbeing. She said they are tools for personal transformation. She comes to her work through a long and winding path. As a child, Franchelle was deeply aware of the plant world—even saw nature spirits—and lived beside a Maori family who cultivated her innate spiritual sensitivity. She is descended from a long line of healers. On her father’s side, she comes from a line of Cherokee medicine men; on her mother’s side, a lineage of Russian healers and shamans. Both her great grandmother and great grandfather were actively involved in healing and psychic work. Franchelle began to learn about Rongoa Maori, or traditional Maori plant medicine, at age 7. By then she could already see the patupaiarehe, the mysterious fairy people of Aotearoa—elemental nature spirits that varied greatly from the plant fairies she saw illustrated in children’s story books. Today, her passion and knowledge of the plant world sees people travel from around the world to study with Franchelle. She is a tutor at the Wellpark College of Natural Therapies and also founder of a range of native flower essences in the tradition of the Bach essences (developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s). Franchelle’s work has involved decades of work, preparation and shamanic initiation to develop a range of sacred healing tools using the native flowers, ferns, trees, seeds and plants of New Zealand. “What most people do not realize is that flower essences are a very ancient form of

Courtesy photo Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber, shaman and healer, is totally dedicated to honoring and working with the plant intelligence of New Zealand.

indigenous medicine that has been in use for many thousands of years and recognize the powerful spiritual link between plants, humankind and holistic wellbeing,” Franchelle said. “Down through the ages, healers and wisdom systems of all cultures have been aware of the extraordinary intelligence that is imbedded in nature. “All ancient and indigenous peoples insist their knowledge of plant medicines comes directly from the plants themselves—and not through trial and error experimentation.” She said Hawaiiki Tautau is the ancient name for Aotearoa, which means “the pulse of ancient Hawaiiki”—and that our land has long been recognized for its unique flora and pristine energy.

Part of her work includes the invocation of ancient chants prior to gathering the herbs needed to make sacred plant medicine. Akin to the way Native Americans sang to the spirit of an animal before they took its life for food, Franchelle undertakes such deep esoteric and spiritual protocols for collecting plants. “Chants are in the ancient mother language that first developed in Hawaiiki or Lemuria; the ancient language that the forces of nature quickly respond to and easily recognize ... primordial sounds and vibrations, magical keys from and of creation,” she said. “In this way, we formally honor the native plant as being a divine child of the land of Aotearoa. The native flora of Aotearoa is some of the most ancient on the planet and here we have some of the oldest forests on Earth.” Franchelle collects plants where the power of the land is most potent. It is not permitted, for instance, to collect plants any time a shadow is cast on them from a mountain or from places considered tabu or restricted. Franchelle works alongside her husband Tony, a horticulturist and deeply spiritual man who has studied the power of plants in New Zealand and overseas.

RINGING

ro ck s

Foundation

Kimberley Paterson is New Zealand’s leading mind/body/spirit writer and can be reached at www.soulpr.com.

Global Wisdom Conservancy

Ringing Rocks Foundation conserves indigenous healing practices and cultural traditions, through education, documentation, and grassroots partnerships.

SPECIAL EVENT

EVENT Alonso Mendez

Mayan Archaeoastronomer

September 4th, 7:00 pm Alonso Mendez spent much of his youth surrounded by the vibrant highland Maya culture of the Tzeltal and Tzotzil in southern Mexico. He used his skill as an artist to produce drawings that documented the discoveries at Palenque in the 80s & 90s. In this atmosphere of discovery, he began to conduct astronomical investigations at Palenque and other important Mayan sites in the area. He discovered many new astronomical alignments in the major temples as well as new understanding of the hieroglyphic texts. This event is being cosponsored by

Kenosis Spirit Keepers. Seating is limited, reservations required, call 282-1298 Donations are gratefully accepted.

September 2009

Together they sell their First Light Flower Essences around the world—Australia, Japan, Chile, Spain, Malta, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Holland, Scotland, Hawaii, Malaysia, Canada, Korea and the United States. Franchelle has also been featured in a number of international documentaries. “As my work has progressed over the years, I was made increasingly aware through direct personal experience of the enormous spiritual power associated with New Zealand’s native flora,” she said. Franchelle said the nature power of New Zealand is to provide people of the world with the healing necessary for the many physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges to be faced by them and the planet in the 21st century. “To Maori elders, this age is known as Te-wa-o-nga-wai-ahuru or ‘Age of Cherishing Waters’ and to the Native American as ‘The Age of Floral Waters’ or ‘The Age of the Mother,’ where humankind will once again remember that we are all one and how to work in dynamic co-operation with nature.”

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Celebrate With Us Sat, Sept. 19th, 7:00 pm The party kicks-off at 7:00 pm with dozens of unique items for auction, plus an engaging, high energy performance by West African style drumming group, Arizona Dunun Ensemble and lot’s of fun surprises. Also featuring a talk by Pilisa Connor, founder of Ringing Rocks. Refreshments, door prizes & lots more.

Call 282-1298 for more info Ringing Rocks 3190 W State Route 89A at Dry Creek Rd.

(928) 282-1298

www.ringingrocks.org Page 5

Like a rock

Squirrel stands strong in face of predators By Theodore G. Manno, Ph.D. Earth Odyssey Contributor

estled beneath the Angel Canyon near the Arizona border along Route 89, the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is centered within the Golden Circle of National Parks in extreme Southern Utah. A half-an-hour tour of the sanctuary takes you through the massive area that houses about 2,000 dogs, cats and other animals that come from shelters and rescue groups around the country for special care. The tour is useful and interesting, but my attention is turned elsewhere after 10 minutes into the experience. To my left, a small, plump animal crawls under a fence and helps itself to some of the hay that is apparently meant for the horses in the corral. Pear-shaped with ashen fur, the animal stands chewing a mouthful, looks around and emits a cheeping sound. Having written a dissertation on ground squirrel behavior, I have yearned for the sighting of this particular species for quite awhile. I look again and indeed, the hay thief is who I think he is. He’s a rock star. Rock squirrels (Spermophilus variegatus) are found all over the American Southwest, weighing in at about a pound and a half with white bellies and mottled grayish brown bodies. As is their namesake, they nearly always live in canyons, cliffs, slopes, boulder piles or other rocky areas. Here, they seek refuge and build burrows, making them part of the family scientists refer to as “ground squirrels.” My excitement is due to their three-fold charisma: They are the largest species of ground squirrel, the most solitary and one of the few ground squirrels to climb trees with regularity—a characteristic typically exhibited only by “tree squirrels,” the type that hoard acorns and have bushy tails. Rock squirrels can climb 5 to 10 meters up in trees, such as agaves and mesquites, to feed on nuts, seeds and berries. “They spend most of their time on the ground or in their burrows, but I have definitely seen them climbing trees to forage or to evade predators…or to get a look at their surroundings,” said Barbara Clucas, a University of Washington researcher who has studied rock squirrels in the Southwest. “I think this makes them very charismatic because they’re easy to spot.” Their tails, which are obviously bushier than those of other ground squirrels, also add to the tree squirrel flavor of this unique ground squirrel. But perhaps the main claim to fame of rock squirrels is their ability to deter predation. Venomous rattlesnakes are a major predator of squirrels in the Southwest, and rock squirrels have evolved adaptations that can often prevent their demise. In contrast to other ground squirrel spe-

Page 6

Photo by George Andrejko, Arizona Game and Fish Department Rock solid: Rock squirrels are large, solitary, ashen-colored rodents that live in the rocky areas of Arizona and other western states. Known for peculiarities such as their ability to live underground and forage in treetops, rock squirrels stand their ground in the face of predatory rattlesnakes by ﬁercely attacking their adversary and masking their scent.

cies, where individuals often retreat to their burrows, a snake attack means it’s time for rock squirrels to rock ’n roll. “Rock squirrels readily approach rattlesnakes, waving their tails and throwing dirt,” Clucas said, “these behaviors are effective because rattlesnakes…sense the heat in the squirrel’s tail with their pit organs [on the snake’s face].” “Also, by kicking dirt at the snakes, squirrels elicit rattling, which tells the squirrel how big and warm the snake is. A big, warm snake is the most dangerous because they move quickly and have a stronger bite.” Scientists believe these reactions may warn other squirrels or direct the snake’s

attention to them and away from a burrow full of pups. It proves to be a worthwhile strategy, since adult rock squirrels are resistant to rattlesnake venom and only babies can be snake prey. Armed with their immunity, adult rock squirrels have been seen taking an even more pro-active approach to protect their family—biting the snake. “At times,” Clucas said, “they actually kill the snake.” With her mentor, Don Owings (University of California at Davis) and graduate students from his research lab, Clucas has seen rock squirrels chew shed rattlesnake skins and then lick their fur, applying odor derived from their major predator. Through

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

experiments, the research team has shown that the “eau de snake” helps to mask the squirrel’s own aroma. “It seems to camouflage the squirrel odor to snakes,” Owings said, “perhaps it does so by switching the hunting snakes out of hunting mode and into encounter [another snake] mode. It’s a great example of opportunism in animals.” Clucas thinks this strategy is probably helpful for squirrels that are in their burrows at dusk and at night when rattlesnakes are out hunting because “rattlesnakes may bypass burrows with snake-scented squirrel babies.” Rock squirrels can even distinguish between venomous rattlesnakes and nonvenomous gopher snakes if they encounter snakes in their environment often. These abilities are very similar to that of their closest cousins, the California ground squirrel, and prairie dogs that have predator-specific vocalizations to warn their family members. The Utah location of my first rock squirrel sighting was surprising because the squirrels are fairly common, highly adaptable and often found rummaging around yards and patios near my home in suburban Phoenix. Indeed, Owings said that he studies rock squirrels largely because they live in open country and are active during the day, which makes them very easy to observe in the field. Perhaps my sighting was because of the flurry of activity during rock squirrel mating, which begins in March and continues into July. Courtship occurs when males and females sniff and “kiss” each other. The male then strokes the female’s head with his paws, and if the female is “in heat,” she arches her back, raises her tail to be responsive and leads the male into a burrow to copulate. Pups are raised in a natal burrow until they appear above ground at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Litter size ranges from two to five, and little is known about the birth and early life of the pups. Places where rock squirrels are seen commonly in Arizona include the areas around Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff, as well as recreational areas like Tonto National Forest and Saguaro National Park. Rock squirrels can also be found throughout the Four Corners states south into Mexico as well as western Texas and Oklahoma, southern Nevada and Idaho, and extreme eastern California. Modified by millions of years of natural selection, rock squirrels have developed myriad tactics to stay alive and the sight of this unique rodent is a pleasure indeed. “Rock squirrels are very cute,” Clucas said, “especially as young.” They better watch out for snakes. Theodore G. Manno, Ph.D., is a teacher and freelance writer based in Yuma, Ariz. His research on squirrels has been featured in international new sources such as New Scientist, Discovery Channel News and Science News.

September 2009

Indigenous wisdom keepers to share traditions

reat yourself to a “vacation at home” this fall as speakers from Palenque, Mexico, the Equadorian Amazon rainforest and New Mexico, travel to Prescott to share their indigenous wisdom and sacred cultural practices as part of the Spirit Keeper Series. The Spirit Keeper Series is sponsored by Kenosis Spirit Keepers in Prescott in cooperation with the Ringing Rocks Foundation of Sedona. The series features Saturday evening talks and Sunday afternoon circles that introduce cosmology, ceremonies and the ways of native people. The Chakaruna’s Offering, a talk on indigenous wisdom, takes place on Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture, 147 N. Arizona Ave. in Prescott. The Spirit Keeper’s Circle, a follow-on gathering, takes place Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3755 Willow Creek Road. “Diverse ways of ancient wisdom and traditions make for a better world,” said Carla Woody, MA, founding president of Kenosis Spirit Keepers. “As people experience different ideas and cultures, we discover commonalities and develop a greater respect for one another, a chance to enhance our lives. In these times, there are indigenous healers who act as a bridge and unite cultures. In the

The Spirit Keeper Series schedule September Saturday, Sept. 5—Tzeltal Maya archeo-astronomer from Palenque, Mexico, Alonso Mendez, talks about “Maya Hieroglyphs and Philosophy.” Sunday, Sept. 6—Mendez talks about “Maya Concepts of Sacred Geometry.” Mendez’s expertise has been featured in documentaries on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic and most recently, “2012: Science of Superstition” and co-scriptwriter for “Maya Skies” for the Chabot Planetarium in San Francisco.

October Saturday, Oct. 10—Shuar Uwishin (traditional healer) from the Equadorian Rainforest Anank Nunink Nunkai speaks about “Mythology: The Legend of Nunkui.” Sunday, Oct. 11—Nunkai speaks about, “Peace, Love, Understanding and Respect: Tools for a Happy Life.”

November

Courtesy photo Maya Archeo-Astronomer Alonso Mendez from Palenque, Mexico, will speak in September about “Maya Hieroglyphs and Philosophy” and “Maya Concepts of Sacred Geometry.”

Quechua language of the Andes, a person who undertakes this role is a chakaruna. They help us remember what we already know.” Discounts are available for advance ticket sales. Full-time students with valid ID and

Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15—Diné (Navajo) Medicine Woman from New Mexico, Walking Thunder, will share what it means to be a healer and demonstrate sacred medicinal practices. A chance to spend time with a living library of wisdom spotlighted in the books, “Walking Thunder: Diné Medicine Woman” and “Shamans of the World,” by Bradford Kenney, Ph.D. She has also shared her sand paintings at the Smithsonian.

seniors 65 or over qualify for discounts. Season tickets, a “Passport,” includes three talks and three circles. Purchase tickets in advance online at www.kenosisspiritkeepers. org. Tickets will have limited availability at the door. Kenosis Spirit Keepers, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, honors and preserves the

integrity of indigenous wisdom and sacred cultural practices by providing cross-cultural exchanges, education and community-building opportunities. For Spirit Keeper Series information, see box above, call 928-778-1058, see the Web site www.kenosisspiritkeepers.org, or e-mail info@kenosisspiritkeepers.org.

Creative Energy Fair focuses on green products, energy

arth Odyssey is a proud to be a gold sponsor of the 2009 Creative Energy Fair—Solutions for Green Living at Tims Toyota Center on Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This second annual event for the Town of Prescott Valley promises to be bigger and better with additional outside food and entertainment venues. The Fair focuses on energy saving and green products and methods that are fun, functional and affordable. This year’s event will begin earlier and end later than previous events. There will be many hands-on demonstrations of how to reduce home energy costs, conserve resources and GO GREEN. Information on alternative building materials, methods, energy systems and green educational opportunities will be available. This year’s event will include a food pavilion that will provide many healthy food choices and alternative energy cooking methods; the event will culminate with entertainment for the whole family! Join us for an interesting, informative, fun day in Prescott Valley. Admission is free. The Town of Prescott Valley is handling booths and sponsorships. All green product, building and alterna-

September 2009

tive energy exhibitors wishing to participate should contact Kristi Jones of the Prescott Valley Community Development Department at 928-759-3069 or Kate Tittle of Green Place at 928-925-2001 or greenplace@ cableone.net for more information.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 7

Permibus criss-crosses country touting By Jill Russell Earth Odyssey Correspondent

ook in the dictionary under “sustainable living” and you are sure to find a picture of the Wilson Family. This kooky, modern-day hippie clan has been traveling around the county with one mission—to teach communities how to live green. They have transformed their lives and the lives of others with the “Skills for a New Millennium Tour,” which is featured aboard the Permibus, a renovated, ecologically friendly traveling school bus. Delyla Wilson, program coordinator for the Skills Tour, has been an activist and organizer for more than 20 years. She grew up on farms, growing and butchering her own food. Through her role on the tour, she hopes to provide communities with skills to support social change activism, ecological awareness and economically sustainable patterns of living. With help from her husband Stan (who is also known as poet, “Dogman”), daughter Megan and intern Lorca Blanco, the tour travels almost year round. What most people don’t know is that the first bus broke down when the group initially set out and Wilson said it had to be completely replaced. But, they were able to raise enough money to buy a second bus, and have been on the road ever since. In an average year, the Wilsons’ give about 3,000 tours and 1,000 permaculture demonstrations. In a nutshell, permaculture is a system for creating sustainable human environments, which use concepts from ecology and agriculture. It’s a lifestyle that puts an emphasis on designing sustainable food production, housing, appropriate technology and community development. Permaculturists try to live by caring for the Earth and interacting with the environment in mutually beneficial ways. Although the family’s home base and garage is in Montana, their message has been spread as far south as Georgia and as far east as Maine. The tour is especially diligent to stop in big urban centers, like inner city Philadelphia. Wilson describes her experience in this city, interacting with the locals. “Most of the white people in the community were urban farmers, but when the minority residents saw the chickens out in front of the bus, all gaps were bridged. It really brought everyone together,” Wilson said. The family also prides itself on educating the masses about nonviolent demonstration techniques, which empower groups to demand accountability from local corporations and their government. “People can grow all the food they want, but if a company builds a smelter down the street, then the food’s not going to be very organic,” explained Wilson. With more than 40 years of social activism among them, the Wilsons try to teach by example. At the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minn., the Permi-

Page 8

Above, Delyla Wilson holds one of three chickens traveling with the Permibus. At left, the Permibus features a sustainable garden made using PVC tubing. Photos by Jill Russell bus was impounded and police threatened to confiscate the animals aboard. But, Wilson said supporters far and wide demanded the bus be released and all charges dropped. Police eventually agreed. “It was truly people power,” she said. Since then, life on the Permibus has mellowed out a bit. The crew understands that changing the way the world thinks about en-

vironmentalism does not happen overnight, but they remain committed to showing how it can be done on a small scale. The bus is powered with biodiesel, supplied by companies like Earthwise Essentials in Snohomish, Wash. Wilson said recently the company has begun experimenting with Montana scratch grass, an invasive species, as a new form of biodiesel.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Everything inside the bus is reused and recycled. Curtain rods are made from old tent poles and the curtains hanging from them are made from a salvaged blanket the Wilsons’ friend bought 30 years ago in Guatemala. A wood stove, used for heating and cooking, rests upon clay tiles saved from a swimming pool built in 1896, which was located in Maine. Wilson said the wood floor was

September 2009

green living message made from a hodge-podge of odds and ends donated by a flooring company they met along their journey. The crew’s laptops and lights run on electricity derived from solar power. “Permaculture is just a long word for pack rat,” joked Stan Wilson. Community members who stopped by to visit were intrigued to learn that the bus also yielded a hydroponic garden to grow herbs and small vegetables. Tacoma, Wash., resident Susan Dean said the tour was wonderful because it makes sustainability look so easy. Ana Sierra, also a Tacoma resident, accompanied Dean on a tour of the bus. She said it was interesting to learn how the crew reused everyday items. “They just thought of everything. It’s better than a $50,000 RV,” said Sierra, who is a

member of a local holistic mothers networking group. She was impressed by the Wilson’s daughter, Megan, and her knowledge of eco-friendly issues. “It’s nice to see a young person so excited and knowledgeable about sustainability,” Sierra said. “I know she could probably go out, get another bus and start the same thing if she had to.” As the sun began to set and the crowds began to dwindle, the Wilsons hope to have somehow left their green mark in the minds of Tacoma’s locals. “We want to just spark the imagination,” Wilson said. “It’s essential to change the way we live and to reduce our footprint.” For more information on the Skills for a New Millennium Tour, see www.permibus.org.

Photo by Pia Wyer The Healing Nautilus at Ringing Rocks Foundation in Sedona is having a birthday party Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m.

The Healing Nautilus turns 4 years old Celebrate four years of indigenous events and exhibits in the Healing Nautilus museum and exhibition gallery

Photo by Jill Russell The Permibus is kept warm with a wood-burning stove. The tiles around the stove were salvaged from a swimming pool built in 1896 in Maine.

September 2009

oin Ringing Rocks Foundation for a fun-filled birthday party at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19. Enjoy food, wine, door prizes and special musical guests the Arizona Dunun Ensemble performing West African style drumming, which is sure to get you up off your feet and dancing to their rhythms. The evening will also feature Ringing Rocks’ first fundraising silent auction with fabulous items donated by some of Sedona’s finest restaurants, hotels, spas and businesses, as well as original artworks created by Sedona artist, Peggy Sands. Plus, you can bid on unique indigenous

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

crafts, experiences and many other one-ofa-kind items. The auction will begin at 7 p.m. and will close at 8 p.m. Meet some of the area’s most respected indigenous healers, who will be on hand to celebrate with Ringing Rocks Foundation, whose mission is to conserve indigenous healing practices and cultural traditions through education, documentation and grassroots partnerships. Tour the Healing Nautilus exhibit that is currently showing, “Sacred Art of Diné Sandpainting,” a visual narrative of a sandpainting healing as performed by Walking Thunder and photographed by well-known Sedona photographer, Larry Lindahl, whose work has appeared in Arizona Highways magazine as well as several books of beautiful landscape photography. Hear a talk by Pilisa Connor, founder of Ringing Rocks, as she shares her vision for the Healing Nautilus and her desire to share indigenous wisdom with our community. For more information, call 928-282-1298 or visit www.ringingrocks.org.

Page 9

Arizona Solar Power has answers to your questions By Ann Haver-Allen Earth Odyssey Editor

ave you been thinking about going solar but don’t know where to start or what it will cost? Are you overwhelmed trying to sort through the new stimulus measures and tax incentives to determine what it all means to you? Arizona Solar Power (ASP), a familyowned business with three locations in Arizona, is here to help you. “We have seminars to introduce people to solar and what solar can do for individuals and for the environment,” said Wayne Wilmot, Prescott Area Manager for ASP. Part of that introduction includes providing clear, concise information about the various incentives available to individuals who opt to install a solar system. “The recent changes in the federal tax incentive have changed the face of solar,” Wilmot said. “The credits help make the systems more affordable.” He said that ASP plans to “cover the state” with local stores and service. “Our business plan is to provide local service through local stores,” Wilmot said. “We will have solar consultants in different towns throughout Northern Arizona so that customers will have service available locally.” ASP opened stores in Cottonwood and Prescott Valley during its first year of business. The third store, in Scottsdale, will celebrate its grand opening beginning Sept. 14 and running through the end of the month. As a grand opening special, ASP will pay all electric bills—up to $3,000—for customers who purchase a solar system during the grand opening. Some restrictions do apply, so check with the store. The Scottsdale store, located at 14870 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 109, will begin holding Saturday Solar Seminars on Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. Call 480-607-5339 to reserve a seat. “Our experience has been that when we help educate people on solar power, they can then make an informed decision as to whether or not they wish to convert to solar energy,” said Jack Stock, ASP president and Scottsdale area manager. “Whether they

Courtesy photos At left, is a universal Track Rack passive solar tracker from Zomeworks Corp. with SunPower’s high-eﬃciency solar panels. This hydraulic tracker has no motor or gears. The sun’s heat moves liquid from side to side using gravity to turn the Track Rack. This system features an integral early-morning rapid wake-up system. Above, SunPower’s solar panels have an attractive, all-black appearance that not only are more aesthetically pleasing, but also generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies.

end up purchasing a system from us or not, people will at least have an understanding of our products, the rebates and incentives, and can then more knowledgeably compare, evaluate and choose. It’s an investment in perhaps one of your largest assets—your home—and we understand the importance in customers making the right decision for them and their futures.” Immediate plans include opening a fourth store in Flagstaff. ASP is evaluating Kingman and Payson for future expansion. ASP is the exclusive dealer for SunPower Corp. in Northern Arizona. SunPower’s solar cells have an anti-reflective coated black glass that generates up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies. Wilmot said that in addition to producing clean, energy efficient electricity, SunPower system’s shade-canceling diodes and black-tempered glass produce an array that is more attractive and less noticeable. And, the systems are expandable, meaning you don’t have to install an entire system at once if you can’t afford it. ASP and SunPower provide a 10-year warranty on all parts and labor. Additionally, they provide a power efficiency guarantee.

“We guarantee that a solar system will be functioning at 90 percent of its original capacity at 10 years and that at 20 years, it will be producing at 80 percent,” Wilmot said. SunPower solar systems come with a wireless, in-home, wall-mounted LCD display that provides real-time power production and cumulative energy information. Customers can access information about their energy generation via the Internet, or from their iPhone or iPod. They can view a system’s energy performance and environmental savings on an hourly, monthly and annual basis. There is no charge for the monitoring service and all warranties are transferable. ASP offers a complete service package, not only helping customers with paperwork to ensure they benefit from all the tax incentives and rebates, but also assisting with design, permits and installation. “We do a site visit to determine where the solar system will be positioned and to make sure the structure is capable of supporting it,” Wilmot said. “We make sure everything is to code and that there is good orientation to the sun.”

Additionally, they inspect the roof to ensure that it is good shape and will not need replacing within a few years. “We don’t want to put an array on a roof that is going to need replacing in just a few years,” he said. “If the roof does need replacing, we will recommend that it’s done prior to installation.” Wilmot said that many people do not know that the cost of replacing a roof on the portion under the solar installation also qualifies for the investment tax credit. Wilmot said business is doing well. “SunPower is setting the standards in the solar industry,” Wilmot said. “The company has been around a while and has done a lot of research and testing. SunPower is a silicon-based solar cell and the product represents more than two decades of research.” Prices of solar systems are coming down as demand increases, he added. “Solar power will one day be the primary source of energy for humankind,” Wilmot concluded. To reserve a place for the Saturday Seminar at the Cottonwood ASP, call (928) 634-7341. For Prescott Valley/Dewey, call (928) 632-5525.

is f lying off the shelves An annual subscription of $36 guarantees that you will get your copy delivered in the mail. Send name, address and check payable to Pinon Pine Press to 1042 Willow Creek Road, Ste. A101-PMB 486, Prescott AZ 86301. Please include a phone number. Earth Odyssey is always available online at www.earthodysseyonline.com as a PDF in its original published format. Page 10

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

Artiﬁcial sweeteners may leave a bad taste

accharin, aspartame and sucralose are the chemical names for the three most popular artificial, nonnutritive sweeteners on the market. Most of us, at one time or another, has heard someone recount an anecdote about a friend or co-worker who relived their symptoms of multiple sclerosis or another neurological disorder by cutting out artificial sweeteners. For many years saccharin carried a warning label that claimed human consumption may be hazardous, so why are these sweeteners still on the market? In 1977, when Donald Rumsfeld (our former secretary of defense for Gerald Ford and George W. Bush) was CEO of the Searle Corp. (that developed aspartame), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was reportedly reluctant to approve aspartame (NutraSweet) because of adverse effects on animals in testing. (See Earth Odyssey’s movie review of “Sweet Misery” in the November 2008 issue, p. 29). Some believed that Rumsfeld used his political muscle to get aspartame approved by the FDA despite objections of many FDA health researchers and negative studies. One such negative study, published in Psychology Today, March/April 2001, Vol. 34 Issue 2, p.20, claims “aspartame users were more likely to report long-term memory lapses like forgetting details of personal routines or whether or not a task had been completed.” In another study done by Annals of Pharmacotherapy, (2001 June 35(6):702-6) claims that fibromyalgia symptoms were reversed when aspartame and MSG were removed from the diets of participants. Another concern arose in the study “Formaldehyde Derived from Dietary Aspartame” Trocho, C., et al., 1998. Formaldehyde formation from aspartame ingestion is very common and does indeed accumulate within the cell, reacting with cellular proteins (mostly enzymes) and DNA (both mitochondria and nuclear). The fact that it accumulates with each dose indicates grave consequences among those who consume diet drinks and foodstuffs on a daily basis (Neuroscientist Russell Blaylock, MD). Even the manufacturer warns not to bake with aspartame, due to the fact that when aspartame is heated it decomposes into diketopoperazine (DKP) a known carcinogen. Studies in laboratory rats during the early 1970s linked saccharin with the development of bladder cancer. For this reason, Congress mandated that further studies of saccharin be performed and required that all food containing saccharin bear the following warning label: “Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin, which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals.” Subsequent studies in rats showed an increased incidence of urinary bladder cancer at high doses of saccharin consumption, especially in male rats. However, mechanistic studies (studies that examine how a substance works in the body) have shown that these results apply only to rats. Human epidemiol-

Page 11

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Snack Cake If you are going to indulge in a little something sweet, this Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Snack Cake is the way to go. This snack cake is quick and easy to make and easy to eat, but as always, enjoy in moderation.

By Christine Bollier ogy studies (studies of patterns, causes and control of diseases in groups of people) have shown no consistent evidence that saccharin is associated with bladder cancer incidence. Because the bladder tumors seen in rats are due to a mechanism not relevant to humans, and because there is no clear evidence that saccharin causes cancer in humans, saccharin was delisted in 2000 from the U.S. National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens, where it had been listed since 1981. Sucralose has the fewest studies behind it to prove its safety as a diabetic friendly sweetener (in other words it may have an effect on blood sugar). Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar, so a bulking agent is added to Splenda® to make it easier to substitute in recipes. The bulking agents, dextrose and maltodextrin, are sugars. They add about four calories a serving, but those four calories are not listed on the label because of the government loophole that claims if there is less than 1 mg of a sugar, fat, carbohydrate, etc., in a serving, it does not have to list it in the nutrition facts. Splenda® lists its serving size as 0.5 mg, so those calories are not listed on the label. Research conducted with mice, rabbits and rats has shown that sucralose consumption can cause shrinking of the thymus gland (up to 40 percent) enlargement of the liver and kidneys, decrease red blood cell count and diarrhea. Many of the concerns about sucralose are raised due to the fact that sucralose is a chlorinated molecule and chlorinated molecules are often the basis for pesticides—such as the banned DDT—and tend to accumulate in

Artificial sweetener Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal)

Ingredients: ½ C. natural peanut butter (no sugar or salt) ¾ C. agave nectar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ C. rolled oats 1 C. unbleached flour ½ tsp. sea salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. baking powder 2 ripe bananas Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour an 8x8 square baking pan, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, stir together peanut butter and agave nectar. Stir in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, oatmeal, cinnamon and baking powder. Stir dry mixture into wet and pour into prepared baking pan. Mash the bananas and spread over top of cake batter. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. body tissues. Another major concern is that sucralose’s safety has never been tested on pregnant women or children. In a recent study at Purdue University, rats that were fed saccharin-sweetened yogurt ate more and gained more weight compared to rats that were fed glucose-sweetened yogurt. Some researchers, including those involved with this study, say that this effect translates to humans, too. These researchers say that no- or low-calorie sweeteners such as saccharin, sucralose and aspartame signal a sweet taste to the body, without “delivering the goods.” The body then cannot properly determine how many calories have been eaten and how many are used up, making weight control difficult. Personally, I believe anything artificial that contains no nutritive value should not be consumed. Just removing sugar from cookies and chocolates doesn’t make them low-calorie,

ADI*

low-fat foods. If you eat too many, you’ll still get more calories than you may need, and you may not get enough nutritious foods. Unlike fruits, vegetables and whole grains, sugar-free soft drinks, candy and desserts often provide few—if any—beneficial nutrients. The table below shows the maximum amount of artificial sweeteners considered safe to eat each day during your lifetime. According to the government, ADIs are intended to be about 100 times less than the smallest amount that might cause health concerns. If you have an issue you would like to see discussed, send me an e-mail at Greencrusader@thevitamart.com. All of the ingredients for this recipe can be found at VITA-MART 512 S. Beeline Hwy., Payson, AZ 85541. Questions can be answered via e-mail: Christine@thevitamart.com; or by calling 928-474-4101.

Estimated ADI equivalent†

50 milligrams (mg) per 18 to 19 cans of diet cola kilogram (kg)

OK for cooking? No

Saccharin (Sweet ’N Low, SugarTwin)

5 mg per kg

9 to 12 packets of sweetener

Yes

Acesulfame K (Sunett, Sweet One)

15 mg per kg

30 to 32 cans of diet lemon-lime soda§

Yes

Sucralose (Splenda)

5 mg per kg

6 cans of diet cola§

Yes

*FDA-established acceptable daily intake (ADI) limit per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight. †Product-consumption equivalent for a person weighing 150 pounds (68 kilograms). §These products usually contain more than one type of sweetener.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

Cliff dwellings give glimpse into history By Ann Haver-Allen Earth Odyssey Editor

alnut Canyon National Monument is a worldrenowned jewel in Arizona’s crown of historical indigenous sites. Visitors to the canyon come from all over the world to catch a glimpse into Arizona’s past. “We’ve gotten university groups from England and Germany,” said Park Ranger Jessica Sillin. “They are usually accompanied by a professor and spend about one-half again as much time as the average visitor.” Sillin said the canyon is a popular destination for school trips as well. Some groups come from out of state, but most are from Arizona schools. “We get about 100 to 120 school trips a year,” she said. “Spring is definitely the busiest season.” The Sinagua —thought to be the ancestors of today’s Hopi — moved to Walnut Canyon and began to build cliff dwellings after Sunset Crater exploded (see related story, p. 13). They occupied the canyon for a little more than 100 years (between 1125 and 1250) and left for reasons still unknown. Although the Sinagua were the canyon’s only permanent residents, artifacts found in situ indicate that Archic peoples who traveled throughout the Southwest probably occupied the canyon seasonally. These nomadic peoples were long gone by the time the Sinagua arrived. Sinagua—Spanish for “without water”—is a commentary on this tribe’s ability to live in a relatively dry region. Walnut Canyon, however, provided a reasonably dependable source of water. “Before the dam for Lower Lake Mary was built, the creek in the base of the canyon ran seasonally—during monsoon and after the snow melt,” Sillin said. “Now, only when Lake Mary fills and overflows is there water

Photo by Ann Haver-Allen The Sinagua —thought to be the ancestors of today’s Hopi — moved to Walnut Canyon and began to build cliﬀ dwellings after Sunset Crater exploded (see related story on p. 13). They occupied the canyon for a little more than 100 years (between 1125 and 1250) and left for reasons still unknown.

in the creek.” The dam, which was constructed in 1904, prevented the creek from flowing and changed the geomorphology and ecology of the canyon bottom—centuries after the Sinagua had abandoned the area. The Sinagua dwellings at Walnut Canyon are built in natural recesses in the canyon’s walls, which were created over millions of years by flowing water eroding the softer rock layers and creating shallow caves. Archeologists believe that Sinagua women made the homes. To wall up their cliff dwellings, they gathered limestone rocks, cut and stacked them and cemented them together with clay found in the canyon. The walls were plastered with clay inside and out. If

one examines the clay walls closely, handprints can still be seen inside at least one of the dwellings. Homes in Walnut Canyon were generally built on the south and east facing cliff sides to take advantage of the sun’s warmth. A few homes face north and west and may have been “summer homes” to escape the heat. The Sinagua farmed the flatter land on the canyon’s rim. They cultivated corn, beans and squash. Additionally, their diet included many wild plants, including yucca, serviceberry, elderberry, Arizona black walnut and wild grapes. Sinagua also hunted deer, bighorn sheep and many smaller animals. The proximity of five distinctive biological communities makes Walnut Canyon an ideal

location for settlement. Within the canyon and its rim, one can find a riparian community, mixed conifer forests, upper Sonoran desert, pinyon and juniper woodland and ponderosa pine and Gambel oak forest. One can hike from top to bottom (about a 400 foot descent) and encounter all five biological communities. Such diversity would undoubtedly increase odds of survival. The cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon remained largely undisturbed until the 19th century when the area was opened to souvenir hunters by the coming of the railroad. Subsequent looting and destruction prompted locals to undertake conservation measures that drew national attention. In 1915 Walnut Canyon was declared a national monument. Sillin recommends visiting the canyon in the fall. “You can almost have the place to yourself,” she said. “You can see wildlife and enjoy the setting. You can have an intimacy here with 800-year-old ruins and that’s my favorite thing.”

If you go Walnut Canyon National Monument is 10 miles east of downtown Flagstaff. Take exit 204 off 1-40 and follow signs to the entrance. Walnut Canyon is open every day except Christmas day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee is $7 for adults. Free to children younger than 16. NOTE: The Island Trail, which descends from the visitor’s center to the cliff dwellings, has 240 stairs.

September 2009

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 12

Volcanoes shaped much of Arizona’s landscape By Ann Haver-Allen Earth Odyssey Editor rizona is a land shaped by water and fire. Everyone knows the Grand Canyon was carved by the mighty Colorado River. Harnessing some of that great river’s energy enabled desert cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix to develop. Few people today want to live in the desert without air conditioning—and apparently green golf courses and petunias, also made possible, at least in part, by the Colorado River. But fire has been equally responsible—if not more so—for shaping the state we call home. Volcanoes dot the landscape of Arizona. In fact, almost all the hills and mountains between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon are geologically young volcanoes of the San Francisco Volcanic Field. This area of Arizona would be a flat, arid plateau without the volcanoes. Sunset Crater, 25 miles north of Flagstaff, is the state’s youngest volcano. Its last eruption was about 1,000 years ago. Today, as a national monument, it is one of the few places in the continental United States where you can walk through a lava flow. The Lava Flow Nature Trail is a mile-long loop through the Bonito lava flow. Markers along the trail call attention to many interesting features, including a squeeze-up, a lava tube and a xenolith. Sunset Crater, and many of the other volcanoes in the area, are basalt cinder cones. Cinder cones tend to erupt for short periods of time and then die off forever. Another eruption at Sunset Crater is unlikely, although a future eruption in the San Francisco Field is likely to create a new volcano elsewhere. The United States Geological Service has classified the entire region as being a potentially active volcanic area, but with an average interval of several thousand years between past periods of volcanic activity, it is impossible to forecast when the next eruption will occur. San Francisco Mountain—a stratovolcano—will likely erupt again, although it’s been about 400,000 years since its last eruption. That technically means San Francisco Mountain is extinct.

September 2009

The term “extinct volcano” is reassuring to some. But it shouldn’t be. Extinct simply means that a volcano has not erupted during the past several thousand years. Dormant is the term that applies to volcanoes that have erupted in the past several thousand years, but NOT during the last few hundred years. Classifying volcanoes is not an exact science, but with a 40-million-year plus history of volcanic eruptions in Arizona, it’s pretty safe to conclude that we are fortunate to be living in a “quiet period.” The area was “quiet” when Native Americans occupied nearby Wupatki pueblo, about 20 miles from Sunset Crater. The Sinagua, ancestors of today’s Hopi and Zuni cultivated this land for 400 years before Sunset Crater erupted. After the crater’s first eruption, people stayed on because the volcano produced a thin layer of ash that improved agriculture. The ash absorbed and held moisture and helped prevent evaporation—good things for farmers. But a second eruption produced a river of black lava that covered almost two square miles—about 100 feet deep in places—led to the abandonment of Wupatki. When archeologists excavated the homes, few artifacts were discovered. Most of the building timbers had even been removed, which led scientists to conclude that the people had enough warning of the impending eruption to gather their belongings and leave. Archeologists suspect that dozens of native homes are buried beneath Sunset Crater’s lava and cinders. In the 1930s, some of the homes were excavated and studied, but most will probably never be found. Volcanoes, like numerous other natural occurrences, still hold many of their secrets. The eruption of Mount St. Helens provided a wealth of information for scientists. In fact, that explosion caused scientists to re-examine previous assumptions about the last explosion of San Francisco Mountain. Most scientists now agree that San Francisco Mountain exploded in a fashion similar to that of Mount St. Helens—only twice as large. While Mount St. Helens lost 1,300 feet of its summit, between 2,500 and 3,000 feet of summit was blown off San Francisco Mountain. Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki

Photo by Pia Wyer Most scientists now agree that San Francisco Mountain exploded in a fashion similar to that of Mount St. Helens—only twice as large. While Mount St. Helens lost 1,300 feet of its summit, between 2,500 and 3,000 feet of summit was blown oﬀ San Francisco Mountain.

National Monuments are reached via U.S. 89. Their entrances are located 12 miles and 26 miles north of Flagstaff, respectively. The parks are connected by a 35-mile loop road. These two national monuments are a great weekend outing destination. It’s not only fun and beautiful, but also it’s very educational.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

The U.S. Forest Service operates Bonito Campground near Sunset Crater. The facilities include running water and restrooms, but no showers or trailer hookups. The campground is open from mid-April through mid-October. For more information, call the U.S. Forest Service at 928-526-0866.

Page 13

Kenosis Spirit Keepers

Working to keep ancient Lacandón beliefs alive Carla Woody Earth Odyssey Contributor

bout 13 years ago, I went to the Chiapas region of Mexico for the first time. The place and the people captured my heart. I was especially taken with the Lacandón Maya who live in the rainforest between Palenque and the Usumacinta River that serves as the border with Guatemala. They are very different from other Maya in appearance, dress and spiritual practices. This fact offers at least a couple of possibilities. They migrated to the area from some faraway land. Or, perhaps because they were sequestered deep in the rainforest for eons, their culture developed uniquely. Such gentle people, their beliefs are based on inclusion instead of exclusion. Within their pantheon of gods, there is one named Aykantho, who is the god of the foreigners responsible for commerce. When the Jesuits showed up centuries ago with stories of Jesus Christ, the Lacandón Maya incorporated Hesuklisto as Aykantho’s son. Each is represented through a godpot and may be chosen for use during the traditional ceremonies. I was fortunate to be introduced to elder Don Antonio Martinez through Alonso Mendez, who is now my partner in the Maya programs. We began bringing small groups for exposure to the Lacandón traditions that are nearing extinction. Don Antonio, a sweet man displaying much humility, is the last Spirit Keeper practicing the timeless traditions of his ancestors. I could tell that initially he really didn’t know what to think about us. While he was absolutely welcoming, I could sense he was hesitant to engage fully with us at that time. And I can understand that perfectly—because his people have been told that their ancient practices are evil. Back in the 1950s, a slow influx of missionaries began making headway in the Lacandón Rainforest. Only the hardiest would venture into that then dense environment that for centuries kept outsiders at bay. Now, due to greatly increased accessibility via roads cut by loggers, the evangelistas have arrived in great numbers. They teach a message of exclusion—only their way is true. All other ways, including the ancient traditional ways, are sinful. They offer food and medicine in return for conversion. It is an aggressive dogma. This is a sad pattern that has occurred across the globe, a proselytizing, exclusionary religion enters an area where the religion is inclusive and sees value in all approaches, with the result that the former wins the war that the latter refuses to fight. The peace-loving Lacandónes have simply been overwhelmed, from the outlying hamlets to the most interior jungle settlement. Not Don Antonio though. He was the son-in-law of Chan K’in Viejo, perhaps their greatest spiritual leader of the last century.

Page 14

Photos by Darlene Dunning Above, Don Antonio Martinez lights the godpots. At right, Carla Woody, center, with Maya friends Fernando Hernandez, left, and Alonso Mendez outside the godhouse.

Now, Don Antonio alone is holding the torch to the godpots. His belief and intent must be incredibly strong. Rather than giving up, taking his godpots to the burial cave as others have done, he continues his rituals, making the connections just as his ancestors did. I sensed a real sadness in him last year when he said he had no one to whom he could pass on teachings. His sons weren’t interested. As an elder in his traditions, I can only imagine the loss he feels. But perhaps there’s hope. Aside from my original intent in sponsoring small groups to this jungle enclave to undertake a heartopening experience, there is another purpose I hold dearly. That is, as we continue to come showing our great respect for the teachings and practices, the younger Lacandónes would begin to note that there is great significance in the beliefs of their ancestors if visitors are so interested. Perhaps then they wouldn’t completely abandon their values based on the interconnection of all things. They could at least engage in a syncretistic approach as most other Maya have finally done. There are small signs that my intent may be unfolding. After the first time with Don Antonio, he began to trust us, understanding our reverence. As a result, he has increasingly

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

offered us more in the way of his rituals, stories and perspective on the world. We are now fortunate that we can engage in the full balché ceremony during our programs. This is indeed an honor since it’s a ritual that historically has been closed to anyone outside the community, except those who are most trusted. And last time there were younger Lacandónes taking part just as I’d envisioned. If any of you have ever experienced a crisis in your life where how you lived and everything you ever believed is somehow called into question, you know the confusion that sets up. Imagine if you were told that not only what you, but also your entire ancestry, believed is untrue and even evil—and you ingested the missal. There is a silent war still going on as it has for centuries. This one gets little coverage, if any, except through publications like this, because much of the time it happens in remote areas to native people. It’s the struggle to claim the “soul” of a population. When the perpetrators are fully successful, the spirit of the targeted people is lost. Historically, the worst aspects of human nature take its place: despondency, forms of addiction and violence, a sense of helplessness. It can be equally as devastating as a war whose weapons kill the physical body. The body will usually follow the state of the mind and spirit anyway. I absolutely know that the health of the world community depends on integrating

the beliefs from native spirituality that says there’s a web of life that connects us all. What you do here will have an effect there. To the mainstream population, it may seem as though the work we undertake by engaging with native traditions, supporting their preservation, learning through them, is inconsequential or even meaningless. I see otherwise. The positive effect on all who are involved is pronounced. Ours is a way of peacemaking through honoring, a quiet antidote that contains its own powerful influence—one that carries on the wind. Kenosis Spirit Keepers in Prescott, in conjunction with Ringing Rocks Foundation in Sedona, is sponsoring a series of Saturday evening talks and Sunday afternoon circles that introduce cosmology, ceremonies and the ways of native people. Alonso Mendez will be in Prescott Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. Advance tickets for the Spirit Keepers Series may be purchased at Adventure Travel, 130 Grove St., Prescott. Join Kenosis Spirit Keepers Jan. 5-16, 2010, for Entering the Maya Mysteries expedition and observe Lacandón Maya ceremonies first-hand. See the calendar for details of these events. Carla Woody, MA, is founding president of Kenosis Spirit Keepers, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that honors and preserves the integrity of indigenous wisdom and sacred cultural practices by providing cross-cultural exchanges, education and community-building opportunities.

Photo by Darlene Dunning

Photo by Darlene Dunning Balché ceremony.

September 2009

Navigating Lake Najá.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 15

Photo by Ann Haver-Allen Looking west from the Homolovi II mesa, one sees the green ribbon of the Little Colorado River and, in the distance, the San Francisco Peaks. This land has been occupied for centuries by the Hopi people, who still consider Homolovi and other pre-Columbian sites in the Southwest to be part of their homeland. They continue to make pilgrimages to these sites, renewing the ties of the people with the land.

Homolovi Ruins State Park preserves legacy of those who walked this way before By Ann Haver-Allen Earth Odyssey Editor

n the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, the children leave a trail of breadcrumbs so that they can find their way home. Animals, however, ate their trail of breadcrumbs and Hansel and Gretel become lost in the forest and faced great danger. The broken pottery and stones that are scattered across many pre-Columbian sites in the Southwest are to the Hopi what the breadcrumbs were to Hansel and Gretel. Hopi tradition teaches that when the people arrived in the Fourth World—the current one—they divided and went on a series of migrations throughout the land. Sometimes they would stop and build a community, but eventually, they would abandon their structures and farms and continue their Great Migration. But they left behind pottery sherds, stone tools and symbols in the rocks to show that Hopi people had lived there. These artifacts leave a trail so that the Hopis—who eventually settled at the center of the world when the Great Migration ended—can be found. The Hopi began settling on three fingers of Black Mesa commonly known as

Page 16

First, Second, and Third Mesa in northeast Arizona in about 1100 A.D. The first Hopi Village, Old Oraibi, is located on Third Mesa and is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States.

About Homolovi

omolovi, which is located along the floodplain of the Little Colorado River, was one of the last settlements for the Hopi prior to completing their Great Migration. Homolovi translates from Hopi to “Place of the Little Hills” and archeologists believe that Homolovi has been periodically occupied since about 6000 BC, although crop cultivation did not begin until about 600 AD. The first houses at Homolovi were pit houses—semi-underground dwellings that were about 9 feet by 9 feet. “These are the first houses in the Southwest that archeologists can find,” said Lisa Young, assistant research scientist at the Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, who has been conducting research at Homolovi for more than 20 years. The Hopi moved from the pit houses to See Homolovi, page 18

Photo by Jason Allen The ﬂoodplain of the Little Colorado River made life in the high grasslands possible for the Hopi people.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

New food, new vistas, new adventures encountered at Homolovi Ruins State Park By Tobias Hughes Earth Odyssey Youth Reporter

a.m. Most teens think waking up at 6 or 7 is balderdash. Even more think waking up before noon is weird. Then again, I am not most teens. I have a job as a youth reporter for a magazine that travels a bunch, nevertheless; 4 a.m. is early. 4 a.m. was the time that Ann Haver-Allen, Summer Allen, Jason Allen and I entered the car and started driving for hours. On the way, we stopped at a lake, luckily placed at sunrise, so the photos were amazing. I think I might have fallen asleep right then, because I do not remember hitting Ash Fork, but then again, it was still a few hours before I normally wake up. Later along the road, we rolled up at McDonalds, which had sort of an industrial theme, with truck and road photographs. Made it feel roomy, yet I don’t know how. From what I remember, Summer got apple juice, Ann ordered a coffee and I ordered an Iced Mocha. Now that I remember, why I got it iced completely bewilders me. We arrived at the camping area still a tiny bit early. We managed to setup an oddly shaped tent and get back in the car. We arrived at the Homolovi Visitors Center and went into the gift shop. I personally saw the most expensive book of my life. A Hopi dictionary: $750. After a sad attempt to find any other high price, we went outside and ate freshly roasted corn. Halfway into corn heaven, Ann pulled us inside for a lecture and tour. It was given by Lisa Young. I learned three things during this tour. A midden is basically an ancient trash area. Next, I learned that these natives favored pithouses as much as pueblos. Lastly, I learned never to step in cactus, but that is, in truth, a whole other story. After this, we had an amazing lunch of freshly roasted corn kernels, Piki bread and fry bread. Corn kernels and fry bread are easy to recognize, but Piki bread is a special dish. It is a combination of corn and ash. You make it by making dough and spreading it along a heated rock very quickly. Next, we went in for a second lecture about the Hopi way of life. This was given by Micah B. Loma’omvaya. I learned that the Hopis way of life revolves around corn. I also learned that there are countless Hopi clans. During all these lectures, there was a pottery firing by Gwen and Dee Setalla. The way they fire is much more quick and effective than the normal pottery firing method. They covered the pots in sheep dung and let it sit for two hours. After these two hours, Dee uncovered them. It is really simple, so I wonder why modern potters use a 10-hour electric method. After this, we headed down to the Little Colorado River, and it was a blast. Forget-

September 2009

ting the many times I was sinking down in quicksand, it was an amazing trip to the river. Some of the mud was so slippery, I felt like I was ice skating—and when I fell, it felt like it, too! We headed down to the river again later, so Jason could take pictures of the sunset. It was the reddest sunset I had ever seen in my life, due to the sun directly in line with wildfire smoke. Also while down there, Summer and I slid on our knees into the deeper portions of the river. We drove back to the campsite with smiles on our faces. We took showers and came back to play cards. We played Blackjack, Texas Hold’em, and a new addition to my stockpile of card game knowledge, Rummy. It was about 11 p.m. when our final game ended, so I had no trouble getting into a deep sleep. We woke up early in the morning and started breaking camp. We had a big breakfast and then left. We had a long drive ahead of us. We were heading up to the Second Mesa. It was a 60-mile drive, and according to Google Maps, it takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. We stopped once at the Little Painted desert. It was a beautiful sight, besides all the litter and a couch thrown off the ledge. It was an odd illusion, things close seemed far away, and far away looked extremely close. After about 10 minutes at the Little Painted desert, we took off again. It was late-morning when we arrived at Second Mesa and it reminded me a bit like an old western town. We got a tour and it turned out to be much bigger than meets the eye. We learned about many of the dances, and what time they perform them. We also learned about the altar. When you are a baby, you receive a birth toy, and if you break it, you put it under the altar in hope of receiving a replacement. We bought some Piki bread, and our guide gave us some watermelon. The combination was amazing. After we ate the snack, we went into the main room to watch a video about the history of Second Mesa. After this, we thanked our guide and left. We ate lunch at a local restaurant. Summer had a cheese dish, Ann and Jason split a huge fry bread dish, and I had a half-order of the fry bread dish, which really sized out more as 1/4 or 1/3 of the dish. It was the smallest half-order I have ever seen. The drive home was supposed to be four hours, but it was prolonged by multiple picture, bathroom and Sonic stops for ice cream treats. It was a very fun trip, and I enjoyed every bit of it. In tradition with my last article, here are my three lessons learned. 1. Middens are ancient trash dumps. 2. Getting stuck in quicksand up to your chest is not fun. 3. Dictionaries should not cost $750. Tobias Hughes is an eighth grader at Mile High Middle School in Prescott.

Photos by Jason Allen Above, Archeologist Lisa Young, left, took visitors on a short walk to a site just behind the visitor’s center that she and her students have been studying. Tobias Hughes, Earth Odyssey’s youth reporter, listens to Young’s description of the site. Below, Tobias Hughes has “a blast” in the Little Colorado River.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 17

Homolovi continued from page 16

pueblos, with rooms that measured about 12 feet by 12 feet. Pit houses were individual units, whereas the hallmark of pueblo living is shared walls. Young said that living in pit houses or pueblos is equivalent to living in the suburbs or an apartment complex. Homolovi was the site of at least eight Hopi communities from the 1200s to the late 1300s and was home to an estimated 2,500 people, although not all villages were occupied at the same time. The rich floodplain of the Little Colorado River not only provided fertile farmland, but also provided driftwood that served as timber for construction and wood for fuel. Hopi produced crops of corn, beans, cotton and squash in the floodplain. Hopi oral histories say that mosquitoes became overwhelming and that was a sign to the Hopi to continue their migration. For years, Homolovi was a treasure trove for amateur pothunters who hand-excavated the pueblos in search of pots. But Homolovi almost didn’t survive the 1960s, when pothunters and treasure seekers upped the ante by bringing in backhoes and other heavy equipment desecrating the ancient site.

Homolovi Ruins State Park

Photos by Ann Haver-Allen Above left, pueblo ruins at Homolovi I were abandoned in the late 1200s. Hopi oral histories say mosquitoes became overwhelming and were a signal to the Hopi that it was time to continue their migration. At least eight ancient Hopi communities are located near modern day Winslow, although they were not all occupied at the same time. Center, this preserved kiva is the largest of the kivas at Homolovi II. The kiva, like the pueblos, was badly vandalized by treasure hunters in search of pots. Left, these ﬁve rooms, stabilized by Arizona State Parks, would have slab-lined ﬂoor pits for cooking and heating. Above, the Hopi people left behind pottery sherds, stone tools and symbols in the rocks to show that they had lived there. These artifacts leave a trail so that the Hopis—who eventually settled at the center of the world when the Great Migration ended—can be found. The Hopi left Homolovi and began settling on three mesas in northeast Arizona in about 1100 A.D. The oldest occupied Hopi Village, Old Oraibi, is located on Third Mesa and is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States.

Page 18

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

any Hopi clans consider Homolovi and other pre-Columbian sites in the Southwest to be part of their ancestral and spiritual homeland and Hopi people continue to make pilgrimages to these sites, renewing their ties with the land. Homolovi is still a “living part of the Hopi way of life.” It was the blatant destruction of their ancient homes and digging in sacred sites—including graves—that prompted the Hopi people to support the idea of Homolovi Ruins State Park, which was established in 1986 and opened to the public in 1993. Archaeologists study the sites and confer with the Hopi to unravel the history of Homolovi. Homolovi Ruins State Park is a center of research for the late migration period of the Hopi from the 1200s to the 1300s. More than 400 archaeological sites exist at Homolovi Ruins State Park, including four large pueblos, numerous one-room pit houses, artifact scatters across the area and panels of petroglyphs depicting kachina and clan symbols. The sites date from three main periods: 620-850, 1050-1225 and 1260-1400. Homolovi I is the site nearest the park’s campground. The ruins are reached via an old dirt road. The trails that wind through the site are dirt paths and not easily negotiable by wheelchair. Homolovi I is perched on the banks right above the Little Colorado River. The largest site is Homolovi II, a pueblo of 1,200 to 2,000 rooms. This site is the most developed and easiest to access, with concrete walkways leading up to and through the ruins. The park has a recorded audio walking tour that takes visitors through Homolovi II. That tour can be downloaded from the park’s Web site at http://azstateparks.com/parks/ HORU/index.html.

September 2009

The Little Colorado River is visible as a green stripe from the Homolovi II mesa. Rising in the distance are the San Francisco peaks, home to the kachinas—supernatural beings who represent and have dominion over various aspects of the natural world. Homolovi III and Homolovi IV are on the opposite side of the Little Colorado River. Homolovi III is closed to the public and I did not visit Homolovi IV.

Suvoyuki Days

uvoyuki, which means “joint effort” in the Hopi language, is a two-day open house that celebrates the partnership between the state parks and the Hopi people to protect and save Homolovi area archaeological and cultural sites from destruction. Suvoyuki Days, an annual celebration, begins at Homolovi Ruins State Park, where visitors are introduced to Hopi culture and archeological work taking place at the park. On the second day, visitors are invited to Second Mesa for personal tours of the Hopi village. This year’s Suvoyuki Days featured presentations by Lisa Young, assistant research scientist at the Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan; and Micah Loma’omvaya, a member of the Hopi Bear Clan from Soongopavi Village. Rich Lange, assistant director of the Homolovi Project, Arizona State Museum, lead a tour at Homolovi II. Other demonstrations included a traditional Hopi corn roasting, a pottery firing demonstration by Gwen and Dee Setalla and a traditional Hopi social dance performance by the Homolovi Dancers. Young, who has been conducting research at Homolovi Ruins State Park for more than 20 years, presented her research at Suvoyuki Days the first weekend in August. Young earned her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1996. “Homolovi is best known for its large pueblo sites,” she said. “But before the pueblos, the people lived in pit houses. Homolovi once had plentiful water. When the natives lived here, there were no dams upstream and the Little Colorado River had much more water.” Young took visitors on a short walk to a site just behind the visitor’s center that she and her students have been studying. She said they do not do random digging, but rather use an auger to take samples and determine where to dig. She told us that the Hopi have asked the archeologists not to excavate graves. “The sites here were badly looted as people were looking for whole pots,” she said. “Looters went into the graves and just threw bones all about.” Park visitors do not see the past that Young has uncovered. That’s because the sites are reburied after excavation work has been completed. Reburying the site protects it from the elements and further degradation, Young explained. Loma’omvaya talked about Hopi culture and ethnobotany. He said Hopis have knowledge that comes from being in the same place for almost 1,500 years. “Hopis have an agreement to take care of the land and to live as farmers,” Loma’omvaya said. “Farming is a Hopi way of life. Hopis started with maise, which is the

September 2009

basis for our way of life. Corn is our mother and the crops are our children.” Loma’omvaya shared a few traditional uses for common plants found on the high desert landscape. • All parts of the cactus are edible, he said—the pads, the seeds and the fruits. • Globe mallow sap can be put on ant bites and will take away the sting. • The berries of three-leaf sumac can be eaten fresh or crushed to make a type of lemonade. Siblings Gwen and Dee Setalla demonstrated traditional pottery techniques, including a firing. Setalla pottery is hand-coiled and fired outdoors using sheep dung as fuel. Dee explained that the outdoor firing produces “clouds,” which shades the underlying colors in ranges from orange to buff or tan. He said clouds are a sure indication that the pot was fired the traditional way because clouds are not produced by any other firing method. The outdoor firing takes about two hours. Dee said Hopi potters began using sheep dung—usually acquired from Navajo herders—in the late 1800s. Prior to that, he said, coal was used to fire pottery. He said he began making pottery when he was 8 or 9 years old. His pottery is available in many art galleries and in the gift shop at Homolovi Ruins State Park. Other demonstrations during Suvoyuki Days included a traditional Hopi social dance by the Homolovi Dancers, and a Grandmother roasting corn kernels in a traditional pot over an open fire. When the kernels were done, she coated them in salt that was collected from along the Salt River. The kernels make a tasty snack. The Hopi Mesas are about 60 miles north of Homolovi Ruins State Park via Highway 87. Visitors are generally welcomed, but are advised to plan ahead. Outsiders are not allowed to observe some ceremonies and it’s best to know ahead of time what’s on the agenda. A good starting point is to check the Web site www.sipaulovihopiinformationcenter. org for a listing of special events and contact information pertaining to each event. Photography and recording of any kind is strictly prohibited throughout the Hopi Nation. Visitors are advised to leave cameras and cell phones locked in your car. Using photography or recording devices can result in your eviction and the loss of your equipment.

Hiking trails

omolovi Ruins State Park has five hiking trails, which are not identified on the official park brochure. A good map of the trails is posted outside the restrooms in the campground. The trails are: 1. Nusungvö Trail —"Place of Rest" in Hopi. This primitive hike is 1.2 miles across high prairie grasslands. This trail goes from the Visitor Center to the campground area. 2. Tsu'vö Trail —"Path of the Rattlesnake" in Hopi. This loop trail wraps 1.2 miles between the park’s twin buttes. Along the way, you can see milling stone areas and petroglyphs. 3. Diné Trail —A 1½ mile trail to Diné Point from which one has a scenic view of the park. 4. Homolovi I Trail—A ¼ mile trail along a

Photos by Ann Haver-Allen Above, Homolovi II was badly damaged in the 1960s, when pothunters and treasure seekers brought in backhoes and other heavy equipment desecrating the ancient site in search of pots. Below, the Homolovi Ruins State Park campground has 53 camping spots with 30 amp hookups. Reservations are not accepted.

dirt road leads to the ruins of Homolovi I. The parking lot for this trail is about a mile past the campground next to the Little Colorado River. 5. Homolovi II Trail—A ½ mile paved trail that is wheelchair accessible. The 100yard trail allows access to the park’s largest archaeological sites, which contains an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 rooms.

If you go

ake Interstate 40 east and exit 257 (Arizona Highway 87) toward Second Mesa. Brown information signs along I-40 also indicate the exit for Homolovi Ruins State Park. Take Hwy. 87 north toward Second Mesa. The park entrance is a little bit more than a mile on the left at Honani Road. The Homolovi Ruins Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas Day, when the park is closed. The visitor center is fully accessible by wheelchair. The Homolovi Visitor Center museum includes exhibits explaining the archaeology of the ancient people of Homolovi. Addi-

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

tional exhibits tell of the continuing tradition of Hopi pottery, carving and other art forms. The work of various artists—including the art of Hopi children—is incorporated in a changing exhibit. In addition, the park maintains a collection of returned artifacts from within the Winslow area. These include prehistoric pottery wares, stone and bone tools. There is also historical art works by Fannie Nampeyo, Charles Loloma, Paqua Naha (First Frog Woman) and Helen (Feather Woman) Naha from the late 1880s to the late 1960s. The gift shop, located in the visitor center, is operated by the Homolovi Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society. They offer books on the natural and cultural history of northeastern Arizona, including unusual and rare books. They also have an excellent selection of Hopi and Navajo artwork. Homolovi Ruins State Park has 53 camping spots. Reservations are not accepted. All sites have 30 amp hookups. Pull-through sites have both 30 amp and 50 amp hookups. Showers are available throughout the year for use by people registered at the campground. Camping is limited to 14 nights.

Page 19

Relinquishing the trance and discovering true community Noteworthy On Sept. 26, at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Phoenix, there will be a free three-hour introduction to the Sacred Art of Living and Dying Units taught by a faculty member of the Sacred Art of Living Center, Bend, Ore. I encour-

miss the community of learning one finds in a certain type of program, the rare school devoted to mystery traditions, creativity and soulwork. The particular energy shared by a group of spiritual wayfarers, called from diverse geographical, professional, intellectual and spiritual worlds, to arrive with hearts open to possibility and grace. People I encounter in everyday life say things like “you can’t be a professional student,” implying that school is something one graduates from when one is too young to know what to study, as though learning were finite. Maybe the people who tell me this have never been to a mystery oriented school? Maybe they have closed their experience down to what they already know, or find it too great a leap to risk that security of thinking they understand how things are put together? Maybe they have never walked into such a space and felt every cell in their body vibrate to a higher resonance, feel their breath exhale in homecoming? Maybe they have only been to those other schools that offer a leg up to a prescribed elevation but no higher? Those schools (in which I include many– –but not all––religious institutions and 12-Step programs) have a specific message, reinforced within clearly delineated guidelines. The individual is trained to adopt the “group-speak” and “dogma” as Truth, and veering off the well-worn path is met with alarm and negative reinforcement. Many of those schools actually do more to hold a person back, having developed a self-limiting group consciousness, grounded in separation rather than integration. They confuse their message as the destination rather than the bridge to possibility it needs to be. As parents who cling to their offspring and refuse to relinquish them to live their own lives, these schools exchange one pattern for another, yet turn their face from mystery. I do not mean to imply that these schools are not important, they provide the foundation that we all need to begin our conscious life, but the foundation is not the house, the icon is not the object of worship. Thinking for oneself is not a recipe for disaster, rather an essential aspect of being a maturing human being. At some point, a person needs to learn to trust his or her self to explore the world without self destructing, needs to rediscover a sense of awe, imagination and curiosity. Superficially, it seems easier to adopt the

Page 20

age you to attend and learn more about these unique and valuable programs. See Photo by Pia Wyer

calendar listing on page 26. Register via

To order prints of this and other photos, please visit www.animistarts.com.

e-mail to registration@thecasa.org or

status quo, lapse into a functional unconsciousness. Forging one’s own path takes a lot of energy and commitment, and necessitates encounters with personal demons and other obstacles most of us would rather leave alone to their lairs in our psyche. For example, it is easy to succumb to the business and clamor of technology. I should know, my computer spins a different sort of web than the Internet, one that, at times, seems to draw my very life into its luminous screen. Having an addictive personality, I find it more challenging to balance realities that are potentially addictive, yet need to be a part of everyday behavior, over ones I can eliminate. Somehow, although not a walk in the park by any means, it was simpler to learn to become sober, give up alcohol altogether, take a stand on that exclusion and integrate it into my spiritual practice, than balance subsequent things. Sept. 15 I will have 23 years continuous sobriety, hard to believe it has been that long really, a miracle of partnership between grace and persistence. Given the addictive nature of our north American culture, and institutional addictions to their own ideologies and self-interest, it is not always obvious that certain behavioral patterns possess the same destructive qualities as substance abuse. An obstacle I see to maturing in consciousness is the compartmentalized aspect of our culture. Even in spiritual and recovery circles, this compartmentalization exists. One can go to A.A. or Al Anon, but seldom shall they truly integrate. One can be a Christian or a Wiccan, but rarely in the same room and certainly not both at the same time. We can learn this, but not that; this is good, that is evil; this is right, that is wrong. On a certain level, these distinctions have merit, but they belong to a particular level of awareness. The further one travels in depth and maturity, the clearer it becomes that these distinctions are constructs and only offer part of the story. In this case, language becomes a barrier, offering a convenient code by which to embrace or dismiss entire religions, countries, individuals, ideas and species, without really seeing or understanding them. Fear or prejudice chase us away from seeing the

call 800-356-3247.

thread of universality that weaves through all human experience. As the specters accumulate in our psyche, we are left with a smaller and smaller space from which to live. Recovery medallions sport the Shakespearean quotation “To thine own self be true,” yet how long it takes to begin to understand what that really means. The completion of the quote adds “And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” I understand this to mean that until we become self-aware, learn to see with new eyes what is in front of us, learn to uncover the voices behind the curtains in our own mind, we are allowing a series of fragmented experiences (mostly not even our own) to run the show. How can we be congruent this way? Does the clamor of all those other voices not become overwhelming? How can we trust a person who has not learned to trust her/himself? Is addiction not a mirror image reflecting how far off course we are from the life we are born to live? I never used to understand what people meant by “learning to trust oneself,” but now I see it as learning to live from a place of self-aware authenticity, discovering, accepting and learning to trust one’s inner knowing. This takes time, and a certain space of community where one will not be ridiculed, intimidated, judged or expelled because one dares to be different. Perhaps I should say dares to be real, because not being real most often is not a conscious choice, rather a person never had the opportunity to learn how, or has forgotten. If we live consistently in an environment that does not welcome diversity, wearing a mask seems natural. Even so, our soul spills out into the night through dream images and peeks out through chance encounters by day. No matter how far along the path of awareness, education, spiritual development, recovery, etc. we like to think of ourselves to be, we always need the accountability to and feedback of others to keep us honest, authentic. The program I experienced in Oregon distilled this point through use of the Gaelic term “Anamcara,” which means soul friend. To be an anamcara is to be in a mutually

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

enriching committed spiritual relationship through which each person encourages and facilitates the blossoming of soul authenticity in the other. It is inclusive and non-hierarchical, embodying openness, humility and generosity. While it may be recognized that one person has gathered more wisdom in certain areas, this does not diminish the value of the other person’s gifts. Inherent in this relationship is the ability and willingness to enter into the dark places without getting lost. The only real blindness is refusing to see. The only real ignorance is believing we already know everything. Healthy spirituality is about relationship. A healthy spiritual community encourages diversity, growth, creative expression and the courage to navigate our demons in order to enter the temple of higher consciousness. It allows us to ask questions, encourages dialogue without attempts at conversion. This type of community heals rather than binds. It is what I miss, and when I was invited to develop a program in my local community, I understood the wisdom of a recent meeting with my spiritual director. Part of going to school is returning home and offering the gifts we are given to others. To hide in the forest and feel inadequate dams the river. It is the damming of the river that creates addiction. As has been said, “addiction is covering the abyss with trance.” The purpose of spiritual community is to help one another live on solid ground. If you are interested in group development in the Payson area, please contact me by e-mail at pia@animistarts.com and I will provide more details as the programs develop. Pia has been a part of Earth Odyssey since the beginning. She has a Master’s degree in Culture and Spirituality from Holy Names University, Oakland, Calif., has completed all four SALD units and the two-year Anamcara program through the Sacred Art of Living and Dying Center in Bend, Ore. She is a freelance photographer, artist and writer based in Payson. Her photography and design Web site is www. animistarts.com.

September 2009

Andean shamanism: The Earthkeepers

hamanism, in a variety of forms, has been found in virtually all cultures, spanning thousands of years. While there is remarkable similarity in these practices, and many of you may be familiar with Native American shamanism, I will focus here on Andean shamanism, emanating from Peru. I do this because I have been a privileged recipient of the Munay-Ki and the Karpay shamanic rites. Andean shamanistic practices were once thought to be destroyed by the Spanish Conquest and the Catholic Inquisition in the 1500s, but in 1950, practitioners of these ancient techniques, the Laika, came down from their mountain-top seclusion and revealed themselves. These “Earthkeepers” predate the Incas. Dr. Alberto Villoldo has brought much of this wisdom to the West, and I recommend any of his many books on the subject, as well as those of Joan Wilcox. But just what is Andean shamanism? It is characterized philosophically by two central ideas. One is that this world is but an illusion, that physical and material reality are

By Mike Davis literally dreamed into being. This parallels the teachings of A Course in Miracles, for instance. The second is that all of creation has a luminous energy field, a “living energy,” which can be interacted with and manipulated by shamanic practitioners. It is interesting that modern science was not able to prove the existence of the “subtle energies” of the body until the 1970s.

The shamans, or paqos, uses a variety of tools, the mesa, palo santos wood, prayers, rattles, cocoa leaf, etc., but the focus is on “cleansing” the energetic body. Centuries before the energetic body was even discovered in the West, these practitioners brought peace and healing to their people through interaction with the luminous body. The goal is to cultivate sami, or natural, ordered energy, and to dispel hucha, or heavy, disorganized energy, produced only by human beings. The luminous body is full of our negative thoughts, judgments, and our past. There is little hands-on healing done by paqos, for once the luminous body is cleansed, significant physical results will follow. I have experienced this myself. The Earthkeepers are intimately connected with the prophecy of 2012. Indeed, we are in the Age of Meeting Ourselves Again, a time in which we can accelerate our spiritual progress and strengthen our energetic body. The latest developments in quantum physics suggest this is so much more than an ancient legend. I have attempted to integrate these ancient

practices into my own work. In particular, I have found soul retrieval to be of utmost importance. A simple and gentle procedure, soul retrieval can initiate a whole host of other changes. Think of yourself as not being “present,” literally not being fully here, or ungrounded, when you are suffering from soul loss. Once this is remedied, many of the other things that you have been doing without success will become much easier. Soul loss can occur from many factors, including physical trauma, emotional distress, etc. I have been drawn to Andean shamanism because of its congruence with the latest discoveries in quantum physics and energy medicine. But it can be celebrated on a variety of levels, including its deep connection with nature, and its belief that within every mountain lives a very special spirit. Mike Davis is CEO of Energy Medicine Foundation and a member of the Mountain Spirit Co-Op in Prescott. He is the creator of Vibrational Realignment, a unique approach to spiritual healing, and can be reached at 928862-0594 or at VibrationalRealignment.com.

Recycle and reclaim old wood, bones and stones

ver the years, I have hiked and wandered on beaches, parks, dried wash beds, along riverbanks and explored many trail heads in state forests. It is lots of fun. I have also explored back alleys in the cities. I always manage to find great pieces of wood and what is left of animal bones and all kinds of neat looking stones. I have to admit I like to gather unique looking things that inspire my creative imagination. On my journey, I have recycled all kinds of natural elements that I have found just laying in the dirt. I find that certain wood can make wonderful pieces of art, as well as functional furniture. Simple tree stumps, for example, make fine seating around a fire pit. Or, if you have several sizes of cut logs from a downed tree, you can create a pier wall to decorate along a walkway. You can also use larger pieces of wood to make raised flowerbeds or gardens. I found an old wooden cable spool left in an alley and rolled it home and made a great picnic table out of it. They also come in handy as a great little workbench. Cable companies will let you have them if you ask. When you’re hiking in a state forest or in a national park, check before removing anything. Sometimes with a permit you can gather wood and stones—but be careful, you can be heavily fined if you remove artifacts of any kind. So check first with parks and forest lands. I have collected many specimens of tree roots, along with stones, to create unique garden art or just to have something different for my fireplace mantle. I collect heart shaped rocks and have given them to people I love to show my appreciation. Some stones naturally look like an animal and can be painted for

September 2009

your garden, or you can give it as a gift. Bones are really neat to recycle. I have made necklaces out of tiny pieces of bone, as well as painted them to create a unique look for an outdoor piece of yard art. Animal skulls are easy to clean by soaking them for a day or two in bleach water and then drying in the sun. You can paint with spray paint or acrylic paint and adorn them with a string of beads to give them a Southwestern flare. They look great on summer cabins or hanging over doorways. I have even painted some for the garden as well. Then, there is my old wooden furniture. You can repaint and sand out wooden crate boxes to look like an antique just by scuffing it up a bit. I have used old apple and orange crates for storing books or as side tables for outside yard furniture. All these things are functional, so think twice before throwing anything away. If you no longer want these things, try consigning them with an antique store. Some things that appear to have little to no value

Photo by Patricia Melchi Animal skulls are easy to clean by soaking them for a day or two in bleach water and then drying in the sun. You can paint them and adorn them with a string beads to give them a Southwestern ﬂare.

could be a treasure to someone else; so think twice and remember things we find in nature can have a very useful purpose. Ancient cultures always knew the purpose and use for things of the Earth. We have only forgotten

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

that the simplest things in life can be some of the finest treasures. Patricia Melchi is a writer, artist and avid recycler who lives in Strawberry, Ariz. She can be reached via e-mail at patriciamelchi@yahoo.com.

Page 21

Monthly horoscope from Dominique Read your Sun, Ascending and Moon sign. An astrologer can help you find all of the planets places on the day that you were born. f Virgo—August 24–September 23 Luck is yours. Something you love to do could bring you reward or payment. Trust yourself. Finances or handling money could be on your mind. Take time to think about what you want to have a year from now. g Libra—September 24–October 23 You attract others to you. You have the ability to turn your life around just by changing what you think. Positive thoughts cause positive outcome. Pay close attention to details. Focus on what is good about your work and/or health in order to bring more improvement in these areas. h Scorpio—October 24–November 22 You have many talents. You are known for your ability to keep secrets. Trust your “feelings” about things and people. A friend has information for you. It could involve an opportunity. Decide what you want and get out of the way. Changes around romance and/or creativity are likely now. i Sagittarius—November 23–December 22 You may be focused on career at this time. Do something to point yourself in the direc-

Dominique Shilling, MAFA, is a counselor and astrologer with a practice in the Valley. For an appointment, contact her at Way to the Light Within, (602) 279-2941 or check out her Web site at www.way2light.com. tion you want to go toward. Just thinking about it is not enough. Look for possibilities. Make a list of what seems to be impossible, decide if you want any of them. Then get creative. New opportunity is coming. j Capricorn—December 23–January 20 Connect and communicate with loved ones. You could have a powerful influence over

those close to you now. You may be keeping a secret, wait until you have all the information before you tell anyone. Health and work are highlighted. Opportunity to travel is possible at this time. k Aquarius—January 21–February 19 This is a good time to renew and recycle some old things. Let go of any situation or thing that no longer serves you. A secret could be revealed. Will you be the teller or the listener? Take time to focus on the talents and abilities that you have and you will attract more good things. l Pisces—February 20–March 20 You learn about yourself from others now. People in our lives reflect a part of ourselves. How we deal with our feelings is either reactionary or a conscious choice. Change in close relationship is likely now. You will benefit from any creative endeavors this month. a Aries—March 21–April 19 Your daily work is like a role you play. It is not who you are. It is a choice. Our choices are based on needs and desires. Remember that you always have a choice. Be true to yourself. Now is a great time to improve your home as well as your security. b Taurus—April 20–May 20 Lessons around your closest relationships

could seem to mess with your life. Handled correctly, they will bring positive change for both parties. Focus on health, pets and your work to catch any signals that attention is needed. You get a chance to try something different this month. c Gemini—May 22–June 21 This is a great time to make improvements big or small around your home. Positive energy of Mars can be used to help you feel more valuable, to gain more money and other benefits. Decide what you want to improve and get going on it. In love or romance, communication is important. d Cancer—June 22–July 23 You listen, but sometimes you need to speak up. You are known as a nurturer, so do something nice for yourself. Lots of love is coming to you. Accept it! Is there a trip you want to take someday? Put energy into the idea and let it go. Now is the time to plant the seed for a dream come true. e Leo—July 24–August 23 Get rid of old and gain new. Call it fall cleaning. You get a chance to make money and it will take persistence and hard work. Do what it takes and you will get what you are working toward. Do something you have been wanting to do for a long time! Communicate.

Dominique takes an in-depth look at the stars

he constellation Virgo is known as the maiden. The Hebrews called her Bethulah, meaning “Abundance in Harvest.” The maiden is usually shown carrying two sheaves of wheat. The Greeks named this constellation Demeter, the Earth Goddess. They associated her with the arrival of spring, as she was seen in the sky at this time of year. The sun going through this constellation marked the time of the growing season. Hades, the God of the Underground, was in love with Demeter’s daughter, Persephone. He promised himself that he would marry Persephone and make her his queen. Demeter vowed that she would not let this happen. One day, Hades, in a black chariot drawn by four great black horses in golden harness and reins, rode up to Persephone and carried the girl off with him back to the Underworld. Demeter became worried when her daughter did not return home. She went out to search for her daughter. Demeter searched without food or sleep. When Zeus pleaded with her to return to Olympus and accept Persephone’s marriage to Hades, she refused and continued her search. While doing so, she neglected her duties as goddess of agriculture. People everywhere were starving and could not understand how their Earth Goddess could be so cruel. Zeus sent Hermes, messenger of the gods, to visit Hades and tell him that Persephone must return with him. Hades, knowing that the gods of heaven were stronger than he, agreed to let Persephone go. There was a happy reunion, but Persephone told her mother that she loved her husband Hades.

Page 22

Zeus solved the problem by saying that Persephone would spend half of her time in the Underworld with Hades and the other half on Olympus with her mother. During the months when Persephone goes down to the Underworld to be with Hades, winter comes. Then, when Persephone returns to Olympus, the winter cloak of death melts and there is a rebirth of life over the land and crops begin to grow. Mother Demeter is happy as she makes the fields rich and productive again. This month’s Retrograde Planets: Mercury starts its backward motion on Sept. 6 at 6 degrees of Libra. It moves into Virgo on the 18th. Just before this month is over, it stops and starts moving forward again at 21 degrees Virgo on the 29th. Jupiter, still retrograde, goes from 19 down to 17 degrees of Aquarius this month. It will go direct on Oct. 13. Uranus went retrograde July 1st at 26 Pisces. It will start moving direct again Nov. 30. Neptune will be at 24 Aquarius all month. It will go direct on Nov. 3. Pluto is still at 0 degrees of Capricorn at the beginning of this month and will go direct on the 11th. The following paragraphs are divided by weeks. Thursday, Sept. 3, has Venus Libra square Mars Capricorn. These are usually the love planets—but not at this angle. Libra Venus has the kind of energy that is peaceful and enjoys companionship. But Capricorn Mars is practical and energetic and would want to get some work done. So this would not be the best time for love and romance. The 4th’s full moon at 12 Pisces will be exact at 9:04 a.m. MST. Pisces moon intensifies awareness of feelings and is also good for imagination and intuition.

Mercury goes retrograde at 06 Libra at 9:40 p.m. MST on the 6th. Retrograde is used to describe the illusion that a planet is going backward. Mercury rules communication and transportation. Double-check any written work. It is best to wait until Mercury is direct to make important agreements or sign contracts. Be more careful when traveling and give yourself extra time to get where you are going. Friday the 11th could have people wanting to take it easy and relax rather than focusing on required tasks. Venus Leo opposite Jupiter Aquarius is made up of two very positive planets that seem to be at odds with each other. We could see exaggeration, laziness and/or excess. Take it easy and be practical. Also, on the 11th, Pluto goes direct at 0 degrees Capricorn. With Pluto in direct motion it will be easier to make progress with work that is being done to heal our planet. Pluto is the transformer! Capricorn is a practical Earth sign. The symbol for Capricorn is a Goat-Fish—a goat with a fish’s tail. Capricorn energy is steadfast and can climb the highest mountain and swim to the depth of the ocean. The highest and lowest parts on Earth! Transformation includes the tearing down before building up again. Change will happen to us, or thorough us. Tuesday the 15th Saturn Virgo opposite Uranus Pisces sets the practical up against the unusual. This does not work too well. It is like feeling unsettled and having no direction. Take a break, read “New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle or listen to the recorded version. It is practical and wonderfully uplifting at the same time. Also, on this day Venus Leo opposes Neptune Aquarius. Save important decisions and large purchases for another day.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Thursday has lots going on. Sun Virgo opposite Uranus Pisces, could find people in general to be less patient. Mercury Libra square Pluto Capricorn could be stifling to creativity. Sun Virgo conjunct Saturn pairs practical mind with attitude of responsibility, which could be helpful for getting things done. Retrograde Mercury Libra leaves the zero degree mark as it slides back into constellation of Virgo. The new moon is at 25 Virgo on the 18th is exact at 11:44 a.m. MST. A new moon is great for starting new things! With this one in Virgo, it would be good for learning something new, starting a program to improve health, or sorting out and putting things in order. The first day of the third week in September has Mercury in Virgo conjunct the sun. This combination gives strength to analytical ability as well as creativity. Venus goes into Virgo, where it trines Pluto in Capricorn. This positive pairing is good for monetary gain and enhanced intuition, and can also make it easier to work through sensitive issues. Tuesday the 22nd’s Mercury Virgo conjunct Saturn is good for disciplined thinking and may find many of us more meticulous than usual. On this same day, the sun moves into Libra, the sign of balance. Wednesday’s sun 0 Libra square to Pluto Capricorn could reveal pre-existing mechanical problems in any type of machinery. If anything is going to go wrong with it, this would be the day. On a nonphysical level, one may find it harder to quiet the mind. Mercury Virgo opposite Uranus in Pisces is not the best aspect for creativity or accuracy. Mercury goes into direct motion at 21 Virgo on Tuesday the 29th. What a good way to end the month!

September 2009

Litter makes environment unappetizing for all animals

here is your horizon? My own is set at a distance of time, not in feet or inches. One of the life skills that I took as a gift from my father was to learn from the signs left behind as each being passes upon the surfaces of this planet. What is learned varies according to what is sought, as well as other elements that motivate the start of a track. How does the start of a track occur? This is best described by example. I had taken a walk into the backcountry of Granite Dells, Ariz. The purpose of my venture was relaxation and contemplation. The track was clear and deep-set in wet sand along the course of a gully runoff. It was a single track, almost circular, approximately 5 inches across at its widest. One large pad print with three smaller toe pads in an arc at the front. No sign of any claws and no track edge damage. This implied the animal directly indicated and moved forward. It was about five minutes since I had first observed this sign, unmistakably that of the American lion, puma, cougar or any one of the many names given to the master of elusiveness, “felis concolor.” The story told in one animal print can be simply read, or it can become a master novel that requires study at length to understand the plot and/or reach a conclusion from just one chapter taken from an abstract volume

By Bob Matthews in a series. The foot was placed firmly upon the sand; this indicates a feeling of confidence and security. The cat is sure no human is close. But as the foot is placed something happened still out of reach of water, in a shallow pool across the sand. The foot was removed slowly back to the granite that might leave no trace. It is possible to experience only a part of this cat’s moment by assuming what must seem to be a weird position to any who might watch my own movements: Feet placed with weight on toes, one hand placed in the track, head at an angle, eyes scan, nose strains to analyze, a memory of the vegetation, sand and rock. It is not clear at this time what has occurred. My horizon is a stand of scrub oak with one solitary pine tree charred on one side and shattered upon one side by a long ago lightening bolt. The water trickles down the gully—90 percent on the granite base, but out of sight under the fine sandy deposit. There is a vague, strangely out-of-place scent,

that wafts unidentified. It comes down the gully riding piggyback on this trickle of life. Turning my head to use eyes to scan nothing but rock, sand, water and again a smell, it makes me feel nervous in placing my hand in this track. Part of the cat and I are becoming one, both feel disturbed. Something in this micro wilderness is out of place and badly so. Pulling my hand back, I adjust my body for flight. But from what? A smell, faint but still disturbing, not belonging in this place. Yes, there is enough traction to get up the gully, not to the top, but to a safe look out. It gets increasingly uncomfortable here— too exposed—the cat would almost blend here with the granite and lichen backcloth. The view from the top of the gully provides a means to study around the corner. Still nothing visible at this height. I can smell only the familiar smells of rock, pine and that smell that seems born from the sun. I try to restrain my senses enough to analyze. I know this smell!

Further along, I must go down back into the gully, scenting again it’s still there. It feels that the nature of the cat will make curiosity draw her to try and learn about this different smell. Down to the gully floor—almost missed it there half on the rock, half on soft sand and a bed of rotting oak leaves. My other self has left a sign from her moving, still intent to solve this puzzle. In front, a small side drains into the gully—a dry waterfall save for a vague green stain where water escapes to avoid evaporation. It is difficult in human form to reach up to this next mini pool. The solution to the puzzle is sitting like a treasure, bright green and yellow, cap off the bottle, oily film on the surface of a cup-sized pool. The last of the humans who enjoyed this place was so entranced that with careless action, they dropped a bottle of “OFF” into this source of life. Pollution so slight, but I feel the disgust of the cat. The water is still safe to consume, but to put my nose near the surface will ruin any pleasure from refreshment. I get away, to look for a route up the narrow drain, looking to other pools with good-tasting water. Bob Matthews likes to spend time out in wild places. He was born in England, but Arizona is his choice for home and the United States is his choice for country of citizenship. “My planet is yours, but my world is what I try to share.”

Organizing for pets begins at the beginning

rganizing can be used in any area of your home or office and in everyday life. Whether you’re de-cluttering a closet, planning a party or just going to the shops, being organized will assist in getting things done efficiently, economically and effortlessly. When buying a pet of any kind, there are many things to consider, purchase and be prepared for. It’s always a good idea to figure out in advance the best type of pet for your family and lifestyle. Disorganization can affect our family pets. They need organizing, too! Even though they can’t communicate with you about their environment, clearing clutter equals a happier, healthier pet! Having adequate storage, i.e., shelving, different size containers, etc., to keep all your pet’s food and accessories, is the first step to keeping your home organized. If you already have pets and find that keeping everything organized is or has, developed into: “Where is the_______” or “Ouch! I just stepped on the_________” or “There has got to be a better way to store this stuff ” here are some storage ideas and solutions to get you back in shape.

Organizing for your new dog

Purchases: • Dry/canned food: Many different kinds: natural or organic, vet recommended.

September 2009

• Two collars, two leashes: Have an extra for travel, to leave in the car, or for when one gets lost or breaks. • Potty training pads: For accidents that happen in the home while potty training. • Brushes: To be used in-between grooming appointments for dogs that shed hair. • ID tags: Name, address and phone number. Have an extra one in case one gets lost or breaks. • Toys: Many to choose from. Check with pet store for breed/size specific dog. • Crate: For travel (several different types) and for sleeping in at night. • Two doggie beds: one for travel, and/or one upstairs and one downstairs. • Blankets: To protect furniture or car seats from hair. • Self-feeder, water dispensers and stainless steel bowls. 1. Find places in your home for the crate and doggie beds, ideally somewhere where

you won’t trip over them at night. Install a doggie door so “Fido” has quick access to the outside. Check with your local building department for code requirements on doggie doors. 2. To store and organize all the doggie essentials, use small containers with lids, or a set of plastic drawers. Install some hooks to hang leashes. 3. Create a section in your kitchen pantry/ cabinets, or laundry room to keep the dog food. To store dog food securely, pour the dry food into a tub with an air tight lid and add a plastic scoop. Set this near the food/water bowls. The canned food can be put on a lazy susan for easy access in a cabinet or panty, or, you can add an overthe-door organizer to the pantry door. 4. Alternate the canned food flavors so the new doggie gets a different kind every day! Store them near where you feed him or her for convenience at feeding time. Stainless steel bowls are much easier to keep clean. Most of them can be put in the dishwasher over and over again, unlike plastic bowls.

When to call for help If “Fido’s” canned food is being mistaken for chunky beef soup and it’s tasting rather good, or you are using his brush to get out your tangles; it’s time to call in a professional: Evaluate, revise and organize!

Feng Shui and pets Having a content and well-cared for pet will

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

benefit you and your surroundings. “Fido” and “Mr. Fluffy” could benefit from Feng Shui. One of the basic principals of Feng Shui, is to remove clutter. Having clutter on your dog’s or cat’s favorite napping spot would probably make them a little unhappy—and it may even be dangerous and cause some harm. By reducing or eliminating the clutter, your pet will live a more relaxed and happy life. Even though they cannot verbalize what they like or dislike about the way their surroundings have been arranged, they will feel and act differently regarding any changes in their environment. Because of the variety of pets to choose from, each kind has its own energy and will affect the residents of a home in different ways. To find out more, contact a certified Feng Shui consultant to help you determine which pet is best suited to your energies based on your birth date, time and place. Your birth chart can help establish which elements promote and support you, followed by the appropriate type of pet. Tanya Allason delivers simple organizing solutions for long-term results. For more information about organizing for pets, organizing in general and organizing eBooks, contact Tanya@ idealsimplicity.com or (702) 683-5671. Her Web site is www.idealsimplicity.com.

Page 23

Herbs are easy to grow, tasty and medicinal

f you ask me, everyone should grow their own herbs. It’s easy and simple. Herbs can make an ordinary dish into an extraordinary feast by simply adding different herb and spice mixes. Don’t forget, herbs are loaded with vitamins, minerals and micro nutrients. Herbs can also be made into medicines for colds, coughs, gout and other ailments. You can buy many herb plants at your local nursery and plant them in the garden or containers. I harvest my herbs from very early in their growing season. This is not only good for me and my family, but it is also good for the plants. The more you pick the healthier the plants, the more it encourages them to produce vigorous new growth. When my herbs start to take over my garden, I harvest and preserve them for future uses.

One of my favorites is catnip. Yes, catnip makes cats euphoric, but in humans it has an opposite reaction. Catnip is a mild sedative, useful for cramps and upset stomachs, especially in children. It stimulates appetite and digestion and is also known as “Nature’s Alka-Seltzer.” If you want to stop smoking, you may want to try several drops of the tincture on the back of your tongue to decrease the desire for cigarettes.

Ointments and salves

baths and other herbal preparations for personal health care is self-empowering. The process of making these medicinal preparations becomes a welcome ritual in today’s hectic society.

Drying your fresh herbs The most common way to preserve herbs is to dry them. I dry my herbs on an old screen door (plastic screen) inside my well-ventilated shed. You can also make small bunches and hang them up to dry. Once they are all dried up, I strip the leaves and place them in glass jars, away from direct light. You can use dried herbs in your favorite recipes; you can also prepare herbal teas, known as tisanes. Remember, when you use dried herbs you may want to reduce the amount by one third.

Other preservation techniques Some herbs lose their flavor when dried, especially basil, chives, chervil and lemon verbena. These herbs are better preserved in other ways. Puree the herbs with a small amount of water and freeze in ice cube trays, then store the herb cubes in freezer bags. As needed, you can then take out the desired amount from the freezer. Instead of using water, you can preserve your herbs in oil, vinegar, brandy, wine, glycerin, sugar, honey and butter.

Your own herbal pharmacy Many herbs can be used for medicinal purposes. To prepare and maintain a personal herbal pharmacy can be very rewarding. Learning to make teas, poultices, herbal

Photo by Ann Haver-Allen Manzanita berries, which are ripening now, make a delicious jam.

Sugar or honey based Syrups are the most delicious of all herbal preparations. My favorite syrup is lemon balm, lemon verbena or elder flower. All of these taste delicious and are great stress relievers. To approximately one pint of concentrated tea, add one cup of honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, sugar or vegetable glycerin. Warm the liquid and sweetener together, mix well and gently cook for 20 minutes. You can also mix one part of a tincture to three parts of syrup. Store your homemade syrup in the refrigerator.

Liquid extracts If you want to preserve one of the herbs growing in abundance in your garden, for example celery leaves or seeds, you can make a liquid extract. Celery is the best remedy for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and inflammation of the urinary tract. Mix with dandelion leaf to increase its potency. If you want to harvest your dandelion leaves or celery leaves, here is how you make a liquid herbal extract. Soak (macerate) your freshly harvested herbs, or you may also use dried herbs, in brandy or vodka. I place my desired herbs in a glass jar and fill the jar up with brandy to cover the herbs.

Leave this jar on your kitchen counter so that you remember to shake it daily. This helps liberate the herbal properties into the liquid. I usually macerate my herbs for about one to three months, or until I have time to strain the whole thing through a coffee filter, which separates the menstruum (liquid) from the marc (plant matter). Discard the used up plant material—preferably onto your compost pile. The liquid extract can be stored in dark bottles and will last for more than 10 years. For medicinal purposes, I take about 10 to 30 drops three times a day, either straight on my tongue, or I add it to my salad dressing or juice. If you don’t want to use alcohol, you can use vinegar instead. Medicinal vinegar is good for children and people who want to avoid alcohol. You can also use the vinegar method when you are looking to extract minerals from plants, such as calcium, potassium, etc. Follow the same method as above. Macerate for approximately one to three months. A glycerite herbal extract is a preparation using glycerin (one part) and water (one part) as the menstruum. Use the same method as above. Glycerin is both a solvent and a preservative. Glycerites are easy to give children because they taste sweet.

Salves and ointments are made with infused oils and beeswax, and are good for nourishing the skin, for strains, sprains, infected wounds, burns, cuts, insect bites, sunburns, bruises, and skin irritations. I like to use calendula, comfrey leaf, yarrow and/or pine sap. Salves and ointments can also be used to carry herbs for a specific therapeutic effect, such as vapor balms for decongesting or drawing salves for drawing out splinters or glass. If you don’t want to grow your own herbs, you can still enjoy nature’s harvest. Many people are not aware of the many wild plants for food and medicine that grow in their backyard. These plants are probably better than imported herbs from the other side of the globe. Did you know you can make a yummy jam with manzanita berries? Have you ever tried the fruit from Chinese lanterns? They taste delicious, are very high in vitamin C and are also good for rheumatic pain and to eliminate gout. Explore some of the Native American books on indigenous foods and medicines. Learn to identify them, ask someone who knows and enjoy the rich foods and medicines from our land. As Julia Child once said, “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-heck attitude.” If you have questions or would like to attend a free class, please call (928) 476-4144 or email Leilah.b@HerbStopOnline.com. The FDA has not approved these statements. The information given is not meant to act as a prescription, medical advice or therapeutic advice. Consult your healthcare professional prior to using botanicals discussed in this column.

Advertising Earth Odyssey

(928) 778-1782

Get your message heard Coast-to-Coast*

Reach across the nation—affordably. See EarthOdysseyonline for rates. *Earth Odyssey has paid subscribers in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Arizona. Page 24

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

Sudoku!

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains numbers 1 through 9. The puzzle has only one solution. The solution is on page 28.

Samantha, Eric, Christian, Nicole and Noah are students. They are each in a different grade (fifth, sixth, fourth, third and second). Each of the students has a favorite subject in school (math, social studies, reading, art and spelling). Match each student with their favorite subject and the grade that they are in. 1. Social studies is the favorite subject for either the fifth- or third-grade student. 2. Noah and Eric both enjoy math, but it is not their favorite subject. 3. Eric and Samantha both enjoy spelling, but it is not their favorite subject. 4. The second-grade studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite subject is art. 5. Noah and Nicole both enjoy social studies, but it is not their favorite subject. 6. Noah and Nicole both enjoy art, but it is not their favorite subject. 7. Spelling is the favorite subject for either the fourth- or sixth-grade student. 8. Noah is in a higher grade than Samantha. 9. Christian is in a lower grade than Eric and Nicole. 10. When Nicole was in the second grade,

Solutions on page 28

Solution on page 28 September 2009

her favorite subject was social studies. Now, Nicole prefers a different subject. 11. Noah is in a lower grade than Eric. 12. Spelling is the favorite subject for either the sixth- or fourth-grade student. 13. Eric is in a lower grade than Nicole. 14. Christian is in a lower grade than Noah and is in a higher grade than Samantha. 15. Eric and Noah both enjoy social studies, but it is not their favorite subject. 16. Math is the favorite subject for either the fifth- or sixth grade-student. 17. Reading is the favorite subject for either the fifth- or third-grade student.

Earth Odyssey â&#x20AC;˘ www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 25

Recurring Events Celiac (gluten free) Support Group, Payson. We will provide important resources and information for people on gluten-free diets. Snacks will be provided from Gluten Free creations bakery in Phoenix! Contact Christine for more information 928-5952379. Monday nights, 7 p.m.—Self Search/Channeled Readings, The Way To The Light Within, Phoenix. This class has been going on for over 12 years now. In the first part of the class, Dominique uses her psychic ability and StarWheel™ tiles to give each participant a mini reading. Bring your questions about anything you want to know, because in the second part of the class Dominique connects to her own as well as your guides, to get answers and guidance for you. Dominique is also a medium and can connect with and give you information from departed loved ones or friends. $20, Call 602-279-2941 to reserve your place. Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m., Pine— Women’s Sacred Dance with Su von Mazo. Call for details Crystal Lotus Gallery, 3950 N Hwy. 87, Pine, Ariz. Phone: 928-4763410. Thursdays, Vibrational Realignment, a unique form of spiritual healing, with Mike Davis at Mountain Spirit Co-Op, 107 N. Cortez St., Suite 100, Prescott. For more info or an appointment, call 928-862-0594. Thursdays, 6 p.m.–7 p.m., Pine—Tai Chi with Rick Clark. Beginning to advanced. Everyone welcome. $10 per class. Call to reserve space. Crystal Lotus Gallery, 3950 N Hwy. 87, Pine, Ariz. Phone: 928-476-3410. Saturdays, 9 a.m., Cottonwood and Prescott Valley—Saturday Solar Seminars presented by Arizona Solar Power. Learn about solar energy for your home. Listen to a presentation on the most up-to-date products, how they work, and how they can save homeowners and even businesses money! Question and answer session follows, so you’re sure to leave with a greater knowledge of solar and how it can be one of the smartest investments you’ll make for yourself and the future. Call to reserve your place at either of our great locations: Cottonwood telephone 928-634-7341 or Prescott Valley/Dewey telephone 928-632-5525. Saturdays, 9 a.m., beginning Sept. 12, Scottsdale—Saturday Solar Seminars presented by Arizona Solar Power. Learn about solar energy for your home. Listen to a presentation on the most up-to-date products, how they work, and how they can save homeowners and even businesses money! Question and answer session follows, so you’re sure to leave with a greater knowledge of solar and how it can be one of the smartest investments you’ll make for yourself and the future. Call 480-

Page 26

607-5339 to reserve your place. Saturdays, 11 a.m.–Noon, Pine— Yoga with Jenny Kirgis. Walk-ins welcome. $10 per person. Crystal Lotus Gallery, 3950 N. Hwy. 87. Phone: 928-476-3410. Saturdays, Sept. 12 and 19, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.—Law of Attraction/Vision Board Workshop with Patti Stanley, Soul Coach®, A Vision Board is a road map of the goals you wish to create in your life. Using images and graphics from magazines and photos, you’ll create a personalized collage poster as a constant reminder of your increasing abundance. Participation in this 4½-hour repeating class will change your life. Cost is $45. Contact Patti Stanley, CSC, at 602-568-4458 or Soul2sole.us. Sundays, Sept. 13 and 20, 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.— Law of Attraction/Vision Board Workshop with Patti Stanley, Soul Coach®, A Vision Board is a road map of the goals you wish to create in your life. Using images and graphics from magazines and photos, you’ll create a personalized collage poster as a constant reminder of your increasing abundance. Participation in this 4½-hour repeating class will change your life. Cost is $45. Contact Patti Stanley, CSC, at 602-568-4458 or Soul2sole.us.

Nonrecurring Events Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Sedona—Alonso Mendez Tzeltal Maya archeo-astronomer from Palenque, Mexico, offering the Maya way of life and ancient sacred geometry for today’s use. Free at Ringing Rocks Foundation. Sponsored in conjunction with Kenosis Spirit Keepers. To register, or for more info, call 928-282-1298, or visit http://ringingrocks.org/eventsExhibits/ eventList.php.

An invitation to learn more about this life-enriching series

ome to an Introduction to the Sacred Art of Living and Dying Series, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale. This Introduction, to be presented by Mary Assumpta, Mid-West representative for SALC, will provide an overview of and some experience with the content in this series that will be offered at the Franciscan Renewal Center beginning in February 2010. Here is a preview of what you will begin to explore at the Introduction: “Spirituality is the most overlooked factor in relieving physical pain…” Cicely Saunders, MD, founder of the Modern Hospice Courtesy Photo Movement. Richard and Mary Groves founded the Sacred Sacred Art of Living and Dying is more Art of Living Center in 1997. They codirected about living than about dying. These programs nationally and internationally until workshops draw from the wisdom of our Mary’s death from cancer in February 2009. ancestors that the quality of life is enhanced Richard, the core faculty and facilitators, conwhen we do not live in fear or denial of suf- tinue the center’s programs, oﬀering unparalfering and mortality. leled depth, skills and insight into this important The results of facing or “leaning into” work. existential/spiritual pain are profound and may include the improvement of physical health and enhanced capacity for healing—as well as peace of mind and the transformation of spirit. These insights, while critical at the end of life, are also useful throughout the many other real “deaths” that occur throughout every person’s lifetime, including times of illness and loss and the normal stages of transition. Register for the Introduction by sending an e-mail to registration@thecasa.org or call 800-356-3247. There is no charge for this Introduction.

Sept. 5-6—Saturday and Sunday Labor Day Weekend Festival in Pine. Sept. 5, 12:30 p.m.–4 p.m., Pine—Vision Boarding 101 with Patti Stanley, CSC, LMT. Call to reserve space. Crystal Lotus Gallery, 3950 N, Hwy. 87. Phone: 928-476-3410. Sept. 5, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. and Sept. 6, 1 p.m.–6 p.m., Prescott—Alonso Mendez Tzeltal Maya archeo-astronomer from Palenque, Mexico, offering the Maya way of life and ancient sacred geometry for today’s use. For more info, see www.kenosisspiritkeepers. org/events.html, or call 928-778-1058. Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m.7:30 p.m., Sedona—An evening exploring your mind/body connection. Sarah McLean presents a program on

Photo by Pia Wyer Candles representing the presence of each participant were photographed during one of SALC’s program gatherings.

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

mind/body health. $10 advanced reservations required. For more info, call 928-340-5331. Sept. 11–13, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Prescott Valley—Grand Opening Incense & Meditation Supplies shop featuring oils, smudging, resins, tapestries and wind chimes. Inside Indoor Swap Meet, 7359 East 2nd. For more info, call 928-458-0060. Sept. 12, 2 p.m.–4 p.m., Pine—Animal Totem Workshop with Cherry Crane, intuitive reader. Learn what the animals in your life are saying to you. Readings also available. Call to reserve space. Crystal Lotus Gallery, 3950 N. Hwy. 87. Phone: 928-476-3410. Sept. 13, 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.—Cave Creek Meditation 101: Learn a lifelong meditation practice in only 2 1/2 hours! Call 928-204-0067. $145 per person. Save 15 percent if you learn with a friend. Sept. 13, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m., Cave Creek— Introduction to Meditation & Mind Body Health: How does meditation help you to be healthy? Hosted by Yoga Breeze. Space is limited. Cushioned floor seating only. Reservations are encouraged. Call 480-595-2855. Admission is by a $15 suggested donation. Sept. 19, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sedona—Discovering Ayurveda one-day workshop with Avani Sukhadia and Sarah McLean. $108. For more info, call 928-340-5331. Sept. 19, 1 p.m., Pine—From Junk to Art with Pao. Learn to recycle your found items into artistic creations! Call to reserve space. Crystal Lotus Gallery, 3950 N. Hwy. 87. Phone: 928-476-3410. Sept. 19, 4 p.m., Sedona—Celebrate the 4th birthday of the Healing Nautilus at Ringing Rocks Foundation. Live entertainment, food, wine and many more surprises. To make the party even more special we are holding our first-ever auction. Up for bid will be unique items from indigenous cultures around the world as well as interesting packages put together by some of Sedona’s finest restaurants

and businesses, plus one of a kind original artworks and much more. For more info, call 928-282-1298, or visit http://ringingrocks. org/eventsExhibits/eventList.php. Sept. 19–20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sedona— Apple Fest: What’s Old is New Again. A celebration of Oak Creek’s agricultural and farming history, the Slide Rock Apple Fest is a two-day event with live music, activities for children and adults, food, arts and crafts, natural exhibitions, educational booths, homesteading demonstrations and lectures about sustainability. For more info, see www. azstateparks.com. Sept. 20, 10 a.m.–Noon, Sedona—Ayurvedic Cooking Class with Avani Sukhadia. $44. For more info, call 928-340-5331. Sept. 20, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Sedona— Meditation 101 with Sarah McLean. $145. For more info, call 928-340-5331. Sept. 26-27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Cottonwood— Annual Verde River Days at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. For more info, call 928634-5283, or visit www.azstateparks.com. Oct. 2, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Tempe— Stressmastery Workshop Just for Nurses with Sarah McLean, Jim Petersen and more at the Fiesta Inn Conference Center. $135, CEUs available. For more info, call 928-340-5331. Oct. 2–4, Friday 4 p.m.–Sunday Noon, Sedona—The Yoga of Writing Women’s Meditation and Writing Retreat. Briar Patch Inn, Oak Creek Canyon with Sarah McLean and Victoria Nelson. $325. For more info, call 928-340-5331. Oct. 9–25, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Superior—Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park’s Annual Fall Plant Sale. Seasonal plant sales help support conservation, research and education at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. For more info, see www.azstateparks.com. Oct. 10, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. and Oct. 11, 1 p.m.–6 p.m., Prescott—Anank Nunink

Calendar listings in

are

$10

Nunkai Shuar Uwishin (traditional healer) from the Shuar Tribe in the Equadorian Amazon, introduces the wisdom of his ancestors and how to live in harmony through nature. For more info, see www.kenosisspiritkeepers. org/events.html, or call 928-778-1058. Oct. 10-11, 9 a.m. –5 p.m., Camp Verde—Fort Verde Days. Living history demonstrations with Buffalo Soldiers and Indian Wars period re-enactors, special presentations, a fashion show, cavalry drills and a vintage baseball game. For more info, call 928-567-3275 or see www.azstateparks.com. Oct. 11–14, Tucson—Ayurvedic Immersion Retreat at the Miraval Resort and Spa with Clinton Horner and Sarah McLean. Limited to 15 participants in order to ensure a high level of personal attention. For details, call 800-232-3969, or visit www.miravalresort. com. Click Programs, then select Special Events. Oct. 15, 5 p.m., Santa Fe—Deadline for submissions into the 2008 Recycle Santa Fe Juried Art Show, to be held Nov. 14-16. Entries must contain a minimum of 75 percent recycled materials. Entrants will be notified of acceptance by Oct. 31. Prizes awarded for first, second and third place. Winners will be announced Nov. 14 during the Trash Fashion Show. For more info, call 505-603-0558 or em-mail skpierpont@yahoo.com. Oct. 16, 7 p.m., Sedona—Anank Nunink Nunkai Shuar Uwishin (traditional healer) from the Shuar Tribe in the Equadorian Amazon, introduces the wisdom of his ancestors and how to live in harmony through nature. Free at Ringing Rocks Foundation. To register, or for

more info, call 928-282-1298, or visit http:// ringingrocks.org/eventsExhibits/eventList.php. Oct. 21–25, Ivins, Utah—The Inward Bound Meditation and Kundalini Yoga Retreat with Andrea Hanson and Sarah McLean. For more info, call 800-407-3002 or see www.redmountainspa.com. Select Upcoming Events from the menu. Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Flagstaff at Coconino Community College Lone Tree Campus—The 2009 Northern AZ Sustainable Living Workshops event provides techniques and ideas for you to “roll up your sleeves” and be more sustainable in your everyday life. Creative and informative, handson workshops focus on responsible practices and options in the areas of food, consumer choices, energy, transportation, building and water. Plan to attend to learn more about making personal choices for an enjoyable, responsible, sustainable lifestyle. All-day admission is planned to be $5-$10. Find out more about this inspiring, educational event and register to attend at www.nazsla.org. Nov. 14, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. and Nov. 15, 1 p.m.–6 p.m., Prescott—Walking Thunder Diné Medicine Woman from New Mexico. She will share what it means to be a healer and demonstrate sacred medicinal practices. For more info, see www. kenosisspiritkeepers.org/events.html, or call 928-778-1058. Jan. 5-16, 2010, Entering the Maya Mysteries—Spiritual travel to Mexico and Guatemala visiting hidden sacred places and nearly extinct ceremonies with the last Spirit Keeper of the Lacandón Maya. Hopi elders travel as invited guests. Limited number partial young adult sponsorships. A portion of tuition tax-deductible. For info, go to events page at www.kenosisspiritkeepers.org or call 928-778-1058.

Earth Odyssey

for five or fewer lines.

Send info to: editor@earthodysseyonline.com. Provide a telephone number or other contact information. Put “calendar submission” in the subject line. The deadline is the 20th of the month for publication the following month (Sept. 20 for Octoberpublication). Payment, which is due at the time of submission, can be made online via PayPal, or mail a check payable to Pinon Pine Press to: Editor, 1042 Willow Creek Road, Ste A101-PMB 486, Prescott, AZ 86301. September 2009

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 27

Divulging benefits of flower essence therapy Q: What is flower essence therapy?

arly in my career, I studied the physical interactions of substances. I struggled to conceptualize electrons creating ionic or covalent bonds to form molecules, which in turn attached to receptors, which initiated reactions in the body. The body was a giant biological erector set of agonists and antagonists; a slurry of chemical reactions. So, when I began to look at Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the first difficult concept I had to embrace was that of vibrational medicine. For me to embrace the concept of vibrations, my concept of the body had to become more than just a biological erector set. It had to become more than merely the sum of its parts. It had to become dynamic. The study of flower essence therapy was my initiation into energetic healing modalities. Flower essences are herbal infusions intended to support the emotional aspects of wellness. The original 38 flower essence remedies were formulated by extracting the vital energy (essence) from the flowers of wild plants, trees and bushes by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s.

By Ken Crump, AAS, AHT Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches and therapies. E-mail questions to: PetCAMQ&A @earthodysseyonline.com.

Many new remedies from other plant species are now available. Dr. Bach was a British physician who believed, as many doctors do today, that a patient’s attitude plays a major role in maintaining health and recovering from illness. As a medical student, he took an interest in patients as individuals rather than cases, and early on came to the conclusion that personality is as important as symptoms and should be taken into account in medical therapy. Bach believed that there is a change of mood that comes with illness. To the holistic veterinary practitioner, this change of mood may indicate the first stage of a disease pattern: the Energetic Imbalance. Observant pet owners can

notice this change long before a disease appears. Flower essences do not work bio-chemically like aspirin and other drugs. They contain only minute traces of actual physical substance; they are considered vibrational in nature, similar to homeopathic remedies. Flower essences are not cures for any specific illnesses. The purpose of flower essences is to support the patient’s fight against illness by addressing the fear, depression, anxiety, trauma and other emotional factors that are thought to impede physical healing. Rather than by determining the physical signs and symptoms of a disease, flower essences are chosen by understanding the specific emotional challenges your pet faces. Most of the literature about flower essences

is written for the treatment of human beings, and there are no good scientific studies demonstrating how effective they are in treating the emotions of humans or animals. I’ve found the literature on the use of flower essences in animals to be vague, limited and anecdotal. However, my clinical experience leads me to consider flower essence therapy a viable and useful adjunct modality for the prevention and treatment of many human and companion animal conditions. Flower essences may be administered in conjunction with other medical treatments. They do not conflict with acupuncture or medications, including homeopathic remedies. They are safe, have no unwanted side effects and are not addictive. In my experience, they are effective, gentle in action and can be administered to pets of all species. Most owners whose pets I’ve treated respond by asking if flower essences work on people, too. Flower essence therapy is the quintessential complementary modality. Ken Crump AAS, AHT is an animal anesthetist and an animal acupuncturist. After 25 years with the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, he retired to Payson, where he does anesthesia and acupuncture for Pine Country Animal Clinic and Diamond J Veterinary Services.

Adversity can lead to new thinking, experiences

ith the increased instability of the worldwide economy and the energies that are currently affecting our planet, you may have noticed that our lives seem to be filled with more change than most of us are used to. What happened to the days when change was a welcomed friend bringing us new horizons and new energy? Does it feel like the time for gradual change has passed and the OMG changes are happening all too quickly? I feel it, too. The intensity of some change can make it feel like change is thrust upon us rather than being a choice we can ponder and then decide upon. We are all seeing many people disrupted from their “normal” routines and sometimes uprooted from their comfort zones as well.

by Maya Joy Angeles Many of us have had lay-offs, reduced

income, been displaced from our homes and have had health issues or broken relationships. We all seem to be touched by the energy storm that is sweeping across the planet. So, how can we learn to cope with the ever-changing tides of our new lives? You may be surprised at how courageous you can be. The times of change we are experiencing are new opportunities for self discovery and bringing us the challenge (so to speak) of expanding our comfort zone. Even when change seems to be thrust upon us, we can allow ourselves to embrace the newness. We can tap into what it is we really want in life and consciously choose where we are going by accessing our inner strength. Our

spirituality can give us the tools that we need to adapt to the changes that are constantly being piled upon us. Even when it seems that we have no choice or control of our situation, we can remember to draw upon our higher intuitive strength and know that we have a choice about how we respond. We may discover entirely new ways of thinking and experience awesome positive changes. Most often adversity is a challenge that can truly be a blessing! In Peace and Harmony, Maya Joy Angeles, co-owner of the Crystal Lotus Gallery and Spiritual Life Center, located on Highway 87 in Pine, Ariz.

Puzzle Solutions

Samantha is in grade 2 and her favorite subject is art. Christian is in grade 3 and his favorite subject is social studies. Noah is in grade 4 and his favorite subject is spelling. Eric is in grade 5 and his favorite subject is reading. Nicole is in grade 6 and her favorite subject is math.

Page 28

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009

Three movies document the food we eat

urely, he’s not seriously thinking about taking on three movies at the same time, is he? Well, yes, I am and don’t call me Shirley, ha! I am especially excited this month because I got to see “Food Inc.” in the theater—it’s the first time. We’ve all heard the cliché “you are what you eat,” well, this is a good way to know what you are becoming. I don’t really know how to tackle this, so we’ll go chronologically. “The Future of Food,” the first movie, was made in ’04. This film’s main focus is genetically modified crops, their link to government and big business, and their affect on small farmers and indeed the world. It explains the impetus behind the creation of current fertilizers, insecticides and the process behind GMOs. Nitrogen-based bombs led to fertilizers, and nerve gas was the basis for insecticides— and these are what we rely on to keep our crops “safe” from weeds and bugs. The architect behind GMOs, which use pharmaceuticals, bacteria and viruses such as Ecoli, was Monsanto with their creation of a seed that was designed to survive the spraying of a poison, indeed to be the only thing to survive it. With this innovation they could make the case for patenting their seed. The trouble with this is that once introduced into nature, genetic strains cannot be confined to one place, which leads to trouble for small farmers. Monsanto persecutes small farmers under the pretense of patent infringement by way

September 2009

Movie Reviews by Jason Allen

Movies that won’t make you dumber of getting the courts to rule that it does not matter which way the patented technology ends up on their fields—whether it be by wind or animal or any other means. The ensuing legal battles often bankrupt the small farmers. It also delves into the political realm, where Monsanto has stacked the deck—meaning the entire food regulatory system—during the dark Bush era in their favor. That made it possible for them to not have to label any food containing GMOs, despite public outcry for such labeling. Another innovation is the “terminator gene,” which makes a crop that produces no seed. The U.S. government is co-owner of this gene, which has grave implications for the planet. “Bad Seed” is one year more recent than

“The Future of Food,” but the mood of it is much like a mid-80s horror film. It has mostly the same information as “The Future of Food,” with a few extra tidbits that reinforce its fear-mongering angle, such as: Nearly 50 percent of all births in the United States since the introduction of GMOs result in loss of a baby, birth defects or chronic illness. It also portrays the population as test subjects for the unknown effects of GMOs. This portrayal is supported by the fact that the FDA doesn’t require biotech companies to even inform them of the use of GMOs in any food product, and that GMOs are

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

claimed to be safe, although no testing has ever been required. “Food Inc.” also covers the GMO issue, but it differentiates itself from the others by delving into the formation of the mass production of food by way of the fast food industry from its beginning with McDonald’s. “Food Inc.” offers a wider scope of the food industry by also including the livestock aspect and covering the treatment of animals as merely food products. One good example used in the film is how Tyson’s chickens never see the light of day until they are being shipped to slaughter. Another topic specific to this film is the importation of illegal immigrants and then having them deported before they get too comfortable. This is a tactic to keep labor costs low and to keep unions out of the picture. “The Future of Food” is logical, factual and relatively emotionally detached, aside from a few personal stories of family farmers in regards to the effect Monsanto had on their lives. “Bad Seed” has much of the same information, even a few of the same interviewees, but the genre seems to be more like a low-budget horror film. “Food Inc.” is another refined, professional film that covers a more complete picture of the entire food industry, although because of its scope it does not go into as much detail on a few topics. It is this aspect that makes it my favorite of the three.

Page 29

Meditation: It’s better than a face-lift

hen people ask Patricia Wheat, an award-winning facialist, why her skin looks even better than before, she tells them, “I haven’t changed a thing, except now I meditate every day.” Women and men come to see Patricia for help maintaining their youthful skin—she’s one of the best in the business. And they depend on her to make the best facial products available to them. Earlier this year, she learned to meditate with me. And it shows. Her clients want to know what she’s done. She says she feels better, looks better, and has even lost weight effortlessly and she attributes it to her daily practice of meditation. Patricia sees plenty of people who have had “some work done” in her Sedona-based facial studio, About Face. Everyone wants to look and feel younger and better. Cosmetic surgery is becoming a perfectly acceptable method toward this goal. In an effort to look better, last year alone, Americans underwent an estimated 11.7 million surgical and nonsurgical operations according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Supposedly, when we look better, we feel better. But I don’t know if that is true. In 2006, physicians handed out an astonishing 227 million prescriptions for antidepressants in the United States! That’s up 30 million from 2002, and the number is growing rapidly. Mood elevators and antidepressants are prescribed even more often than drugs to treat high blood

By Sarah McLean

pressure, high cholesterol, asthma or headaches. But does this combo platter really work? Do surgery and medication help us to truly sustain our youthfulness and the sense of happiness and contentment that we are looking for? Perhaps. And perhaps there is a different route to looking and feeling better. And a way to truly prevent aging. And it doesn’t involve the pharmaceutical or medical industries. Patricia Wheat knows it involves sitting still. She takes time out for a time in for herself. She leaves her clients and unplugs from the world of stimulus for a half hour or so twice a day. She now meditates. And meditation is quickly becoming mainstream. Like athletes or musicians, people who practice meditation can enhance their ability to concentrate—or even lower their blood pressure. But now new studies show that meditation can help people to retrain their brain so they can feel more content, and studies also

Prescott Habitat for Humanity partners with The Home Depot Foundation

rescott Habitat for Humanity was among more than 120 affiliates selected from across the country to participate and build green homes in partnership with the Home Depot Foundation in a program called “Partners in Sustainable Building.” Habitat for Humanity will be granted $3,000 for each home built to Energy Star standards and up to $5,000 for each home built to a higher green Standard for a period

Page 30

up to five years. These features incorporate the use of energy-efficient equipment and water-conserving fixtures. “The generosity of the Home Depot Foundation will help our affiliate expand its green building practices,” said Miriam Haubrich, executive director of Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity. “We are excited to participate in the Partners in Sustainable Building program.” For more information, contact Habitat for Humanity at 928-445-8003.

show that people can create more youth hormone just by meditating. Sounds simple! It is. Recently, a University of Wisconsin study revealed that after eight weeks of daily meditation, the brain can actually rewire itself, and the circuits that control levels of happiness can be altered. This is remarkable: It might be possible to train the brain to be better at feeling certain emotions, such as compassion. Dr. Richard Davidson, the researcher who conducted these studies, stated, “By meditating, you can become happier, you can concentrate more effectively and you can change your brain in ways that support that.” Neuroscientist, Dr. Sara Lazar of Harvard University, who conducts research as Mass General Hospital, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the brains of individuals who have meditated for years to those who have never meditated. Her research suggests that daily meditation can alter the physical structure of the brain and may even slow brain deterioration related to aging. It can even be responsible for the ways the brain responds to stress. A lot of this research on the flexibility and the regeneration of the brain has been compiled and published by Wall Street Journal science columnist, Sharon Begley. In her book, “Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves,” Begley cites cutting-edge experiments showing that in fact new neurons and neuronal pathways can be created in the brain every day, even in people in their 70s. This book outlines the exploration of the ways the mind can change the brain and features Tibetan Buddhist monks and their meditation practice. The foreword is written by the Dalai Lama himself. The Dalai Lama is happy to encourage participation in these research projects. He wants to promote meditation to those who are not necessarily religious. “It is the best method to deal with (negative) emotions,” he told HDTV reporter Dan Rather in a recent interview. “Not for the next life, not for heaven, but for today’s well-being.” Other research studies tout the benefits of meditation and youthfulness. In the early ’80s a published study showed meditators who had been meditating daily for at least five years were physiologically 12 years younger than their

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

chronological age: their blood pressure was lower, their vision was better and they could hear more clearly. And those who had only just recently begun practicing meditation were physiologically five years younger than their chronological age. Research has also proven that meditators, as they age, secrete more of the youth-related hormone DHEA than nonmeditators. Women and men in their mid-40s had, on average, respectively, 47 percent and 23 percent more DHEA than nonmeditators. DHEA helps decrease stress, heighten memory, preserve sexual function and control weight. Low levels of DHEA have been linked with a variety of diseases and with increased mortality. In a related study, Dr. James W. Anderson from the University of Kentucky, said meditation has been linked to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney failure. As a result, those who practice meditation may also be able to avoid the possible side effects of using anti-hypertension drugs. So, what keeps people from meditating? First, it is rarely prescribed by a physician, though with the research findings popularized, that might change. Second, people don’t really understand it. They are concerned they might have to become a Buddhist or Hindu, or change what they eat or what they wear. When in fact, all they have to do is set aside a little time each day to sit still, in silence, with their focus inward. There are many different variations of silent meditation, but the approach is similar: To meditate, one must sit still and bring his or her attention and focus to an object of meditation. This can differ—the focus can be on a certain sound, your breath, a feeling such as compassion, a thought, a word, an image of a saint or deity or even a candle flame. It is a habit that must be cultivated and as we train the mind to focus, we can literally change the brain and in turn the body. Sound simple? It is. Sarah McLean is the director of Sedona Meditation Training & Retreats and is certified and recommended by Dr. Deepak Chopra. She can be reached via e-mail at sarah@sedonameditation.com, phone at 928-204-0067 or fax at 866-654-1705. You can also visit online at http://www.SedonaMeditation.com.

September 2009

Thank you, Earth Odyssey advertisers. We encourage our readers to patronize our supporters. Earth Odyssey can be found in the following locations: Ash Fork, Ariz. Ash Fork Public Library

Anthem, Ariz. Anthem Public Library

Beaver Creek, Ariz. Adult Center Express Stop Gas Mart

Black Canyon City, Ariz. Oﬃce of Tourism

Camp Verde, Ariz. Beaver Creek Books Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce Camp Verde Public Library Cave Creek Books

Chandler, Ariz. Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park

Chino Valley, Ariz. Chino Valley Public Library Chino Valley Senior Center

Christopher Creek, Ariz. Creekside Restaurant Kohl’s Ranch Tall Pines Market

Congress, Ariz. Country Corner Congress Library

Cordes Junction, Ariz. Arcosanti Over the Hill Coﬀee Shop

Cottonwood, Ariz. Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce Cottonwood Public Library Habitat ReStore Mt. Hope Natural Foods

Dewey, Ariz. Dewey Public Library Dewey Senior Center

Flagstaﬀ, Ariz. Animas Trading Co.

Arizona Music Pro Coconino Center for the Arts Coconino College, Lonetree Campus Crystal Magic Flagstaﬀ Public Library Flagstaﬀ Visitors Center Habitat ReStore Sacred Rites

Pine, Ariz. Pine/Strawberry Public Library Ponderosa Market The Crystal Lotus The Herb Stop

Prescott, Ariz.

Glendale, Ariz.

ChiTown Pizza Embry-Riddle Library Habitat for Humanity Restore Hastings Books Music & Video Highlands Center for Natural History La Fonda Mexican Restaurant Mountain Spirit Co-op On The Mesa Pangaea Bakery Partners in Healthcare Prescott Chamber of Commerce Prescott College Library Prescott Public Library Raven Café Sacred Bean The Art Store Wild Iris Coﬀee House Yavapai College

Main Library Foothills Branch

Jerome, Ariz. Firehouse Jerome Public Library Jerome Visitor‘s Center Scooter Trash

Mayer, Ariz. Hwy. 69 Chamber of Commerce Mayer Mercantile Mayer Public Library Mayer Senior Center

Mesa, Ariz. Mesa ReStore

Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Whole Foods

Payson, Ariz. Bashas’ Down the Street Art Gallery Fiesta Business Products Gila Community College Majestic Mountain Inn Payson Area HFH ReStore Payson Feed Store Payson Public Library Plant Fair Nursery Rim Country Chamber of Commerce Vita Mart

Peoria, Ariz. Phoenix, Ariz. Century Branch Library Downtown Phoenix Public Market Drip Coﬀee Lounge Phoenix College North Gym Phoenix ReStore

Earth Odyssey’s advertisers are helping us provide this paper for you, our readers. Let them know it is important to you.

Arizona Solar Power Dippin’ Dots Harvest Mart Indoor Swap Meet Pony Expresso Prescott Valley Public Library The Red House Market Place The Honeyman Natural Food Stores Victory Fitness Yavapai College

Prosser, Wash. Sixth Street Art Gallery Something Groovy Records

Sedona, Ariz.

Habitat Home Improvement Store

Thank You!

September 2009

Pink Spot Coﬀee and Ice Cream

Crystal Castle D’lish Vegetarian Café Ravenhart Café Ringing Rocks Foundation Sedona Arts Center Sedona Center Sedona Public Library Well Read Coyote

Scottsdale, Ariz. Civic Center Library Mustang Library Whole Foods

Sierra Vista, Ariz. Sierra Vista Area Habitat ReStore

Skull Valley, Ariz. Skull Valley General Store

Star Valley, Ariz. Kelly’s Sweet Revenge

Strawberry, Ariz. Strawberry Lodge

Surprise, Ariz. El Mirage Northwest Regional Library Northwest Regional Ligrary

Tempe, Ariz. Ejoy Internet Café

Tonto Basin, Ariz. Jake’s Corner Market Tonto Basin Market

Tucson, Ariz. Epic Café Food Conspiracy Hippie Gypsie Joel D. Valdez Main Library The Other Side Third Eye Arts Tucson HabiStore Worldwide Wraps

Wickenburg, Ariz. DQ/Jack in the Box Ginny’s Vitamin Village Habitat ReStore Quarter-Horse Antiques Wickenburg Public Library

Williams, Ariz. Williams Public Library Williams Visitor’s Center

Yarnell, Ariz. McGerk’s Mercantile Realty Executives Yarnell Public Library

Earth Odyssey

Celebrates 1st anniversary

Earth Odyssey • www.earthodysseyonline.com

Page 31

Page 32

Earth Odyssey â&#x20AC;˘ www.earthodysseyonline.com

September 2009