FERGUS – People from Guelph/Eramosa, Centre Wellington, and city of Guelph gathered to celebrate Earth Day a little differently this year.
This balmy, April 22 was enjoyed by all who came to the cedar forest of the RiverSound Retreat, near Fergus, to celebrate water and remember our connection to this life giving source.
Be Nadine Stevens, a Traditional Healer in the Dagara Tradition, offered teachings about becoming reconnected. She encouraged all who attended to set a goal to be more mindful. Leading through story, Stevens modeled how important it is to take time to seek this connection. She inspired those participants to become more patient, to watch carefully and listen keenly, while reflecting on their own personal relationship with water.
The event concluded in sweet harmony, at the banks of the Grand River. Shannon Kingsbury, a local Guelph musician, joined by Stevens, led the group in song to the Water Spirits. Participants stood on the snowy banks and watched as the communal water they collected was introduced to the river. There are many traditions where singing to water helps people, “to connect deeply”. Stevens encouraged all to try this simple practice to “open our personal lives” to repair this lost relationship.
When the group dispersed each participant was asked to continue the water conversation with someone else, to invite someone new to become a “better friend” to water. Rebuilding our relationship with water will help to repair this broken connection we have to our planet. Water is a sacred gift we have been given during our time here and needs our protection to keep it safe from harm.
Wellington Water Watchers invites community groups to co-host Water Blessings in order to reflect on the deep relationship we all have with water. The goal of these monthly Water Blessings is to create lasting connections and conversations, hoping to inspire each of us to raise our personal water protection bar.
The next Water Blessing will be May 13, from 2pm to 3pm co-hosted Council of Canadians, with mentor Brian Carwana of Encounter World Religions Centre (www.worldreligions.ca). Come explore water in Faith Traditions: Cleansing, Nurturing and Symbolic. This event is part of the 2RiversFestival held throughout May and June.
For more information about how to attend or organize a Full Moon Water Blessing please contact Wellington Water Watchers at wellingtonwaterwatchers@gmail.com
