People plant trees. Roots develop and take hold. As children of the Earth, we turn more inward too. Te Rā/the Sun has moved north. The heat of the day is replaced by the coolness of the snow and frosts. The more extroverted activity has moved to warmer regions. There is a slowing of pace.

Papatūānuku has become clothed in deeper colours. Grasses are greener. The bright, direct light of summer has changed frequency too. The world has become quieter.

As we observe what is occurring around us, we strengthen our vaa (the space of sacred relationship) to Papatūānuku. In the early morning, we can stretch up and inhale deeply, feeling the fullness of the morning air. Air, purified by the plants produced upon Papatūānuku. We might consider the sacredness of the breath, connecting us to Papatūānuku and to life.

How will you connect? A walk? Experiencing the sights, the sounds, the feeling of Hōtoke/Winter. Gardening? By finding a warm spot to sit? Introduce a new habit to reaffirm your aroha to Papatūānuku? Whatever way we choose to reclaim and rekindle that space of sacred relationship, we are connected and are part of this wondrous planet.

Stop Mowing; Start Growing

This is a perfect time to set aside lawn space for sustainably growing your kai. It is so easy. Choose the area, mow it, cover it with cardboard, then lay pea straw on top. That is it! Done. This will stop grass growth and start building the soil with the bulk and nutrient materials you have laid on top. Alternatively, you can cut the grass and just lay a tarp on top. You can be sure the microbes underneath will be doing their job to help grow a healthy soil structure. Just wait two to three months and your garden will be ready to plant. You might contact factories in industrial areas or supermarket personnel, who are typically happy to provide cardboard, cutting down on their waste, as your contribution to zero waste increases.

Most cardboard and paper waste at home can go into the compost, except coloured paper. This refuse provides the carbon, building bulk in the soil, and with equal amounts of plant material added to contribute nitrogen. We will share information on compost in the months to come.

Start with Small Steps

In contemplating the job of caring for this planet and inhabitants, the responsibility seems immense. Where to start? How to start? There is room for guilt regarding mistakes made in our carelessness towards Papatūānuku. Yet, in Winter/Hōtoke, plants take root, and there is time for inner growth to begin. A theologian once said that guilt can incapacitate us, but a healthy shame can flip us into new ways of being and doing. We can look at present practices that don’t work and search for new and better ways. Not with a burden of guilt, but by walking forward with faith.

Two years ago, I would look at all the beautiful, cheap, synthetic, recycled plastic clothes and yearn to buy them, knowing that so much toxic waste would end up in waterways, oceans and inside sea creatures. Now, I am working to build up more natural clothing that will last way beyond fashion cycles. It is a journey and there is much that needs to change. Many now consider recycling through op shops to help the planet, as mountains of waste clothes build in deserted areas of the world. Consider searching online for sustainable clothing and shoes.

One fun recent discovery was www.twiice.co.nz with their edible takeaway coffee cups. Really! Each time we go into a cafe, we could ask if they have the twiice takeaway cup option, or if they would like to stock twiice coffee cups.

Please Calendar and be inspired:

· World Environment Day 5th June

· World Refill Day 16th June