Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
Earth Day 2023 — plant a tree, plant a seed and your intentions too

Earth Day 2023 — plant a tree, plant a seed and your intentions too

Last updated on: April 23, 2023 at 12:40 pm by Ann Trip

0 Comments

Earth Day 2023 — plant a tree, plant a seed and your intentions too 2023-04-23T12:40:56+00:00 Ann Trip

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Earth Day

Earth Day ~ Mother Earth. BY CORNELIA KOPP

Well once again, it’s Earth Day. This celebration, founded in 1970, is a day to educate people on environmental issues. However, in my opinion, it is also a day to celebrate Mother Earth, give thanks for her nourishment and give back. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to keep Her healthy.

Recently, I interviewed an elderly man in my town who saw a need to step up and donate a few shade trees to our township. He acknowledged that a few were dying, however he believed some did not require cutting down. The township’s Shade Tree Division feared the potential damage that may come if those very old trees fell. The trees were dropping many branches near vehicles and where people usually walk, which could be dangerous.

Earth Day

Shade Tree. By Friggy_30

The township assumed it was being proactive; however, the elderly man believes a little tender loving care is the answer. I’m no tree expert but maybe pruning on a regular basis would do the trick. While Mother Nature takes care of herself in the woods, in a small town or city, we are the caretakers. We have to keep in mind the surrounding area too.

Trees do not care if there are power lines, roofs, pools, or anything else in their way. The only things they know how to do is provide nutrients and maybe a home to the little critters. Moreover, we benefit from their shade.

While the township has a policy to replace trees they take down, it does not specifically state what type. He noticed the trees selected including Cherry Blossoms do not give off much cover and are not shade trees.

In his view, this is an issue as the townships shade trees are slowly diminishing. Therefore, he is doing his part even if it is only donating two, maybe three trees. He sees it as a small gesture and no big deal. It doesn’t matter the size of the effort, just the fact that something is being done. If we all did just a little, small changes grow into big ones and something amazing blossoms.

It is time to do our part and give back to Mother Earth, even if it’s a small step. Plant a tree; grow a garden — vegetable, flower or even just some herbs. These little things make a lot of difference. We must nurture it and take care of Mother Earth, water Her, plant trees and gardens.

Earth Day

Compost-dirt. By Normanack

Every autumn, my township collects the leaves we bag that have fallen from the trees. Come Earth Day weekend there is a pile of about 30 square yards of compost in one of the municipal lots. Residents are able to fill either five leaf bags or two garbage cans of the black gold. It’s nice to see the efforts returned. This is great for gardens, especially if you grow a vegetable garden as I do each year. The plants thank you with a bountiful harvest.

This weekend is Blue Jean Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair where I am a member. The congregants are gathering before the service to plant flowers, rake out weeds and clean up the front lawn. Afterwards, every time they go to the congregation or pass by they will see the fruits of their labor.

It’s a give and take, we give our time and nourish Her and we are rewarded with shade and food. Oh, we cannot forget the birds and bees. Actually all the creatures, the butterflies and other insects are necessary and play an important role. Without them, our gardens would not survive or at least not produce. Moreover, if we plant a native garden — plants that are originally from your area, the reward will be in multitudes.

While planting those trees and gardens, include your intentions as well. Plant what you want to see grow to fruition. At the end of the growing season, look back at your successes. When you give thanks to Mother Nature at Mabon, add those too.

We must work on these planted intentions, just like maintaining our gardens. If you plant a garden and forget about it, weeds will grow and the plants will wither and die. No support, no tender loving care, nothing will emerge. We need to water our intentions and feed them. This is true for people as well.

Butterfly Insect. Photo by Macro Mama on StockSnap

I have worked this into ritual for Imbolc and Ostara, however even Beltaine, is not too late. After all, it is a fertility ritual for the land; why not include the birthing of your intentions.

So go plant your vegetable, flower, herbal and spiritual gardens and a tree too. While you are at it, put on your gloves, grab a bag and help clean Her. Go to a park that needs some TLC. As I said, sprucing up is good for Her. People litter on purpose or accidentally. Don’t pass by it, pick it up, keep her clean. Not just on Earth Day, but every day.

Teach others by setting an example. Maybe if they see someone else pick up litter they will too. OK, they may not but I can bet a child is watching and they might follow suit. It will spread like wildfire. Kids watch what adults do and follow them. It’s their world we’re trying to protect after all. I read a quote while writing this, the attribution by many with different variations. My take on it, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow Her from our children.”

Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair

Previous Post

March 31, 2023

Vulnerability and Paganism — many still hide in the broom closet

Next Post

May 31, 2023 Affirmations — for spellwork and mundane life — direct your con

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"I was half expecting to hear you were called to Athena with that owl! I, ..."

Lady_Ashmire

When I first knew I was ..."

"I usually try to repair things where possible before replacing.I’m reasonably handy with it, but ..."

kenofken

Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Rot (compost) and ..."

"It’s not clear to me why they could not hold both at the same time ..."

kenofken

Changes — as UU Pagans, lets ..."

"Yes, the UU religion does not have a Creed. Therefore, the seven principles and six ..."

Ann Trip

Changes — as UU Pagans, lets ..."

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Current Events CUUPS Press Release Interfaith liturgy Media Review podcast Religious Education Seasonal Reflection Spiritual Practice Summary Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2026 June 2026 April 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz