Earth Day is an annual event,
celebrated on April 22, on which events are held Worldwide to demonstrate
support for environmental protection. It
was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day
Network and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.
In 1969, at a
UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist McConnell proposed a day to
honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on March 21,
1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. Originally a teach-in on environmental
issues, it has since become a global moment where we collectively stop and take
stock of how we are treating our home.
April 22 was established as International Mother Earth
Day by the United Nations in 2009, but many cultures around the World have been
celebrating the Earth for thousands of years.
Modern Pagans have a special sacral relationship with
the natural World. Our Gods and Goddesses
can be found in oceans, rivers, forests and mountains. In many cultures, Earth is the primal Mother
of most acknowledged Goddesses and powers.
Some pre-Christian cultures envision a World Tree that binds the
universe together. In Norse mythology,
Jord was the personification of the Earth.
In Greek mythology, Gaia was the primeval Goddess personifying the Earth.
Rites often mark the changing seasons and once tracked
the progress of crops essential to our survival. Deity is not merely a transcendent force
separate from creation, deity is everywhere and within everything. Each of us holds the potential to be like the
Gods, and we acknowledge that the Gods and powers walk and exist among us
still. So it isn’t surprising that many Pagans
feel a special urging to advocate for the environment and the protection of the
natural World.
For some
Pagans that don't celebrate Easter, Earth Day activities are often mixed
in. Other mix it in with the Spring
Equinox. Most honor the Earth throughout
the year. Try one of the following:
Å
Turn off
the lights you're not using
Å
Pick up
garbage
Å
Ride a
bike to work instead of driving
Å
Plant a
tree
Å
Use
cloth grocery bags instead of paper or plastic
Å
Plant a
garden of your own or buy from local growers
Å
Build a
birdhouse
Å
Adopt a
stream
Today, with immense environmental challenges facing
us, from climate change and the destruction of natural ecosystems to the
impending fresh water shortages, the ideals and message of Earth Day are more
vital than they have ever been.
Regardless of how you observe this day, even if it's just for a few
minutes, take the time to thank the Earth for her gifts and take a moment to be
glad we're part of it.
Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its
wonderment,
Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise,
Now we must resolve to protect her,
Show her our love throughout all time.
With our gentle hand and touch,
We make our home a newborn World,
Now we must resolve to protect her,
Show her our love throughout all time.
With our gentle hand and touch,
We make our home a newborn World.
Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise,
Now we must resolve to protect her,
Show her our love throughout all time.
With our gentle hand and touch,
We make our home a newborn World,
Now we must resolve to protect her,
Show her our love throughout all time.
With our gentle hand and touch,
We make our home a newborn World.
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