Happy New Year 2013! Blog Re-Boot
TODAY:
Clear, sunny and cold. A few inches of snow on the ground are left from the last storm a week or so ago.
Moon: 84% full, waning gibbous
Currently: Fair and 16 degrees F. Winds calm. Humidity 74%
High today should be 24 degrees F, with a low of -2 degrees F
I've been writing this blog since 2007, for five years now. It has drifted from its original purpose as an AODA Druid Journal, to a focus on bioregional animism for Montana, but recently it has drifted more and more to just basically an online place for me to post miscellaneous "stuff" and unrelated junk. I was writing less and less original stuff and just re-posting other people's junk. So I am taking the opportunity to re-focus this blog and revitalize it. My new goal for this blog is to write something original and substantial every week, relating to the nature of this valley and its surrounding mountains, to increase my knowledge and understanding of the place I live in and have lived in for most of my life.
I. Naturalist DIY Studies
One of my sources of inspiration is the Montana Master Naturalist program way over in Missoula, which is not only about 120 miles away, but which costs almost $400 for the 3-month course alone (not counting gas and supplies). It's just not workable for me at this time and place in my life. However I can certainly look toward it for inspiration as to how I could structure a self-study naturalist DIY program, and that is what I intend to do. Looking at other programs as well as books gives me structure, direction, method, and goals.
They note: "...Our topics of study will likely include: nature journaling, conifers, flower families, mammal skulls and tracks, birds, insect orders, and fish, with substantial time spent on labs and in the field....The core project for this class is a natural[ist's] journal, which you’ll be expected to work in, on your own time, for about 1 ½ -2 hours each week. This is the place where you’ll practice and solidify the skills you’re learning in class. It’s also a project that many, many Master Naturalists have completed with pride and skill and thus made it not only a tool of education, but a fine, valuable record of a specific spring in western Montana."
Committing to a naturalist's journal is the first step. The Montana Master Naturalist program requires Field Notes on Science and Nature, edited by Michael Canfield, so I'll try to hunt one of those down. They also publish a Montana Naturalist Magazine; some back issues are online.
A second source of inspiration is the Kamana Naturalist Training Program, a home study program which has four levels to it. "The Kamana Naturalist Training Program is an experiential four-level home study course through which you gain a comprehensive naturalist training background. You learn wildlife tracking, bird language, survival and native living skills, traditional herbalism, naturalist mentoring and more." I don't have disposable income currently, but it looks like a good program to get people started, and I'll also look at their material while I self-structure my own studies. There is even an initial free eCourse you can sign up for to give you a taste. And if you think you know your immediate area pretty well already, download their free "Tourist Test" to see where you stand. I'm going to do that as soon as I finish this entry and I'll report my results next time.
The third source of inspiration -- some books that I have collected over the decades, not only the usual field guides but some that help develop the aspiring naturalist in getting a larger view of the ecological systems involved and the skills that are traditionally associated with natural history studies. And culture must also be part of those studies, for human influence is found everywhere, and in most apparently "natural" landscapes too.
Here are a few examples of these books I have found very useful, and that are general enough to apply to many regions:
II. Bioregional Animism
As in the past on this blog, I will continue to recognize and write about the relationship between bioregionalism and animism and bioregional animism, as those concepts apply to this mountain valley I live in, and as revealed by Native American studies and traditions, random bits and pieces of folklore and myth, and personal experiences. Check out the keywords on the side of this page to see some of what I have written about bioregionalism, animism, and bioregional animism in the past. Basically, all Native Americans and all traditional indigenous peoples were/are bioregional animists: they live and indentify themselves with the land where they live, and they see everything as being alive and/or having a spiritual side to it. It's just that this term "bioregional animism" is a white man way of saying that and trying to find that ancient way of life and knowledge again :-)
III. Natural Magic
Ah, the life of an anthropologist/archaeologist and researcher into things ancient and arcane. Traditionally, natural magic was allied with natural science since the Renaissance. Currently I started reading Natural Magic, by Nigel Pennick, which, though derived from European cultures and so the sections on animals and plants aren't as useful here in America, has a lot that does apply. An outline of the sections:
John Michael Greer's Encyclopedia of Natural Magic (2000) is another great resource for those interested in learning about natural magic. It looks at the philosophy and practice of natural magic, correspondences, how to make many of these things like soaps and candles and scents, the garden and planting by the moon.
IV. Other Stuff
I have other things going on too starting this month, such as:
Clear, sunny and cold. A few inches of snow on the ground are left from the last storm a week or so ago.
Moon: 84% full, waning gibbous
Currently: Fair and 16 degrees F. Winds calm. Humidity 74%
High today should be 24 degrees F, with a low of -2 degrees F
I've been writing this blog since 2007, for five years now. It has drifted from its original purpose as an AODA Druid Journal, to a focus on bioregional animism for Montana, but recently it has drifted more and more to just basically an online place for me to post miscellaneous "stuff" and unrelated junk. I was writing less and less original stuff and just re-posting other people's junk. So I am taking the opportunity to re-focus this blog and revitalize it. My new goal for this blog is to write something original and substantial every week, relating to the nature of this valley and its surrounding mountains, to increase my knowledge and understanding of the place I live in and have lived in for most of my life.
I. Naturalist DIY Studies
One of my sources of inspiration is the Montana Master Naturalist program way over in Missoula, which is not only about 120 miles away, but which costs almost $400 for the 3-month course alone (not counting gas and supplies). It's just not workable for me at this time and place in my life. However I can certainly look toward it for inspiration as to how I could structure a self-study naturalist DIY program, and that is what I intend to do. Looking at other programs as well as books gives me structure, direction, method, and goals.
They note: "...Our topics of study will likely include: nature journaling, conifers, flower families, mammal skulls and tracks, birds, insect orders, and fish, with substantial time spent on labs and in the field....The core project for this class is a natural[ist's] journal, which you’ll be expected to work in, on your own time, for about 1 ½ -2 hours each week. This is the place where you’ll practice and solidify the skills you’re learning in class. It’s also a project that many, many Master Naturalists have completed with pride and skill and thus made it not only a tool of education, but a fine, valuable record of a specific spring in western Montana."
Committing to a naturalist's journal is the first step. The Montana Master Naturalist program requires Field Notes on Science and Nature, edited by Michael Canfield, so I'll try to hunt one of those down. They also publish a Montana Naturalist Magazine; some back issues are online.
A second source of inspiration is the Kamana Naturalist Training Program, a home study program which has four levels to it. "The Kamana Naturalist Training Program is an experiential four-level home study course through which you gain a comprehensive naturalist training background. You learn wildlife tracking, bird language, survival and native living skills, traditional herbalism, naturalist mentoring and more." I don't have disposable income currently, but it looks like a good program to get people started, and I'll also look at their material while I self-structure my own studies. There is even an initial free eCourse you can sign up for to give you a taste. And if you think you know your immediate area pretty well already, download their free "Tourist Test" to see where you stand. I'm going to do that as soon as I finish this entry and I'll report my results next time.
The third source of inspiration -- some books that I have collected over the decades, not only the usual field guides but some that help develop the aspiring naturalist in getting a larger view of the ecological systems involved and the skills that are traditionally associated with natural history studies. And culture must also be part of those studies, for human influence is found everywhere, and in most apparently "natural" landscapes too.
Here are a few examples of these books I have found very useful, and that are general enough to apply to many regions:
- Naturalist's Guide to Observing Nature, by Kurt Rinehart (Stackpole Books, 2006)
- Reading the Forested Landscape, by Tom Wessels (The Countryman Press, 1997)(Although this is about New England, the same processes can be seen in pretty much every forest)
- Reading the Landscape of America, by May Theilgaard Watts (Nature Study Guide Publishers, 1957)
- Practical Ecology for Planners, Developers, and Citizens, (Island Press, 2005)
- Handbook of Nature Study, by Anna Botsford Comstock (Cornell University Press, 1986; original written in 1911)
- The New Field Book of Nature Activities and Hobbies, by William Hillcourt (Putnam, 1950/1970)
- The Naturalist's Year: 24 Outdoor Explorations, by Scott Camazine (John Wiley and Sons, 1987)
- ...and one I am reading right now: Discover Nature in Winter: Things to Know and Things to Do, by Elizabeth Lawlor (Stackpole Books, 1998)
II. Bioregional Animism
As in the past on this blog, I will continue to recognize and write about the relationship between bioregionalism and animism and bioregional animism, as those concepts apply to this mountain valley I live in, and as revealed by Native American studies and traditions, random bits and pieces of folklore and myth, and personal experiences. Check out the keywords on the side of this page to see some of what I have written about bioregionalism, animism, and bioregional animism in the past. Basically, all Native Americans and all traditional indigenous peoples were/are bioregional animists: they live and indentify themselves with the land where they live, and they see everything as being alive and/or having a spiritual side to it. It's just that this term "bioregional animism" is a white man way of saying that and trying to find that ancient way of life and knowledge again :-)
III. Natural Magic
Ah, the life of an anthropologist/archaeologist and researcher into things ancient and arcane. Traditionally, natural magic was allied with natural science since the Renaissance. Currently I started reading Natural Magic, by Nigel Pennick, which, though derived from European cultures and so the sections on animals and plants aren't as useful here in America, has a lot that does apply. An outline of the sections:
- - Mother Earth (Time, Seasons, Days of Week, the Four Elements, Sacred Space)
- Mineral Magic (earth, metals, minerals, gems, crystals)
- Plant Magic (the qualities of trees, herbs)
- Magical Animals and Birds (animal helpers, various animals qualities and characteristics in legend)
- The Power Within (being human, the human body, destiny, breath, eternal existence, elemental alignment, power, journeys, spiritual exercises, death)
- The Magic of the Land (the ensouled landscape, elementals, holy ground, spirit trees and wild wood, landscape features, crossroads and labyrinths, spiritual protection of the land, place and time)
- Magic in Action (shape and form, masks and clothing, talismans and amulets, color, divination: ogham and runes)
- Making Magical Tools and Ceremonies: Tools, sweepers, staves/sticks/wands, divining rods, tying/binding, sound, designing ceremony)
- Magical Food and Drink (needs, egg, bread, drink, offerings, recipes, soulcakes)
- Precautions and Remedies (awareness, building precautions and remedies, health and empowerment, herbs and gems)
John Michael Greer's Encyclopedia of Natural Magic (2000) is another great resource for those interested in learning about natural magic. It looks at the philosophy and practice of natural magic, correspondences, how to make many of these things like soaps and candles and scents, the garden and planting by the moon.
IV. Other Stuff
I have other things going on too starting this month, such as:
- = Teaching two online community college classes this semester, one in archaeology and one in global visual culture (an art class that is also interdisciplinary).
= Walking as part of my nature studies, and thereby enjoyably losing and keeping off 20 pounds.
= Painting a commissioned work relating to Ioway farming.
= Working on my Ioway stories/mythology/legends storytelling book.
= I started learning some basic qigong and meditation for health in November through YouTube and I will continue doing that.
= I started plinking around on a banjo that was handy, so I hope to be able to play a song or two someday; mainly it is for keeping my brain healthy, as learning an instrument is supposed to help prevent Alzheimers (I'll be 53 this year)
= Improving and maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle, including spending less time on devices and more with wife and family :-)