April 2015 Ritual: Prayer for Earth Day
By Diann L. Neu
Earth is a sacred center of ever-renewing life. Just notice these spring days in bloom. Dogwoods and lakes, tulips and dandelions, squirrels and humans call this place home. Spring begs us to pay attention to eco-friendly living and to act in earth-centered ways. We pray that earth, air, fire, and water stay in balance, so that generations coming after us may live.
Praise Earth
We call upon Earth, our planet home, with its beautiful depths and soaring heights, its vitality and abundance of life. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
We call upon the mountains, the high green peaks and meadows filled with flowers, the knobs and the foothills. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
We call upon the waters that fill Earth, horizon to horizon, that flow in our rivers and streams, that fall upon our gardens and fields. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
We call upon the land that grows our food, the nurturing soil, the fertile fields, the abundant gardens and orchards. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
We call upon the forests, the great trees reaching majestically to the sky with Earth in their roots and heavens in their branches. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
We call upon creatures of the fields, forests and seas, the wolf and deer, the eagle and dove, the great whale and dolphin, the orca and salmon. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
We call upon all who have lived on Earth, our ancestors and friends, who dreamed the best for future generations. With all creation, we praise You, Sacred Earth.
Breathe Your life into us!
Listen to Wisdom
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” ― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
Contemplate the beauty of Earth you experienced today.
Go Forth to live in Earth-friendly ways
You are the beauty of life; go forth to manifest beauty for Earth.
Blessed be the beauty of Earth.
You are the power of life; go forth to manifest power for Earth.
Blessed be the power of Earth.
You are the truth of life; go forth to manifest truth for Earth.
Blessed be the truth of Earth.
You are the gift of life; go forth to manifest gifts for Earth.
Blessed be the gift of Earth.
Take Action for Earth-centered Living
Shop smart:
• Borrow or rent things that you need only occasionally.
• Shop at garage sales and second-hand stores to recycle the abundance.
Save energy:
• Turn the lights off during bright daylight or whenever you leave a room.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs.
• Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to dry.
• Install ceiling fans and programmable thermostats.
Use transportation alternatives:
• Walk, cycle, car pool, and use public transportation.
• When driving, reduce idling and maintain correct tire pressure.
• Car-share.
Eat healthy foods:
• Buy local and organic foods that are in season, and support local food producers.
• Go vegan; eat less meat; eat food that is not packaged.
• Save and plant your seeds from tomatoes, peppers, peas, and beans.
Use natural household cleaners:
• Make simple, natural cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and water.
Recycle:
• Donate, reuse, and recycle items rather than throwing them into the trash.
• Go paperless.
• Take harmful materials like chemicals, batteries and electronics to local hazardous waste depots or recycling centers.
• Compost.
• Use reusable water bottles with water from the sink.
Use less water:
• Be mindful of water usage for showers and for washing dishes.
Plant a garden:
• Plant herbs and lettuce in a window box.
• Plant trees to keep your neighborhood cool.
© 2015 Diann L. Neu, D.Min., MSW, is Co-founder and Co-director of WATER, dneu@hers.com.
