“Taos Mountain Lake” by Geraint Smith

GRANDMOTHER WISDOM

Sing the Water Song

with Grandmothers Nancy Andry, Margaret Behan & Clara Soaring Hawk

The Water Song Project engages women around the world to become keepers of the water in spirit and action. Starting with an Algonquin Water Song to express loving gratitude for the water and raises the consciousness and connection of women with Mother Nature’s greatest gift. The song is easy to learn, and our vision is that millions of women will sing it, raising their own connection and awareness of the water they interact with daily even in the shower or at the sink. We believe this is a powerful step to change, leading to both a spiritual as well as environmental shift on our planet.

SING THE WATER SONG ~ Sing four times in all directions: East - South - West - North Nee bee wah bow En die en Aah key mis kquee Nee bee wah bow Hey ya hey ya hey ya hey Hey ya hey ya hey ya ho. MEANING ~ Water is the life’s blood of our Mother Earth, Water is the lifeblood of our own body. Sing the Water Song to protect the water for future generations. Learn more visit www.singthewatersong.com

LEARN BY EXAMPLE

The Standing Rock Movement

✧If you have an interest in contributing to our community’s evolution and can make time for nothing else I present in this week’s newsletter, this would be it!✧

Water Is Life: The Lakota and Dakota People Part 1 of 3

The U.S. government drew reservation boundaries. But Native nations have never ceased to fulfill their responsibility to care for ancestral lands and waters.

Water Is Life: Oceti Sakowin Part 2 of 3 - Native nations governed themselves before European settlement in North America. These governing systems—rooted in the people and in their lands—remain as tools for making difficult collective decisions today.

Water Is Life: Mni Wiconi Part 3 of 3 - Native nations are taking an active part in key public policy debates. Their voices and vision provide new options for addressing the challenges we all face.

For more information on Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy (NNI), visit nni.arizona.edu

DISCUSSION

Mní wičhóni

Bioneers Water is Life forum presentation

excerpt:

The Lakota phrase “Mní wičhóni” (“Water is life”) was the protest anthem from Standing Rock heard around the world, but it also has a spiritual meaning rooted in Indigenous world views. For Native Americans, water does not only sustain life, it is sacred…

Also related:

Sacred Relationship Short

Water is sacred in Aboriginal culture.  It is in our stories, it is in our ceremonies and it gives us life.  Elders from across Alberta teach us that water must be respected. What we do to the water, we do to ourselves. The Sacred Relationship.

Why is Water sacred to Native Americans? touches on the history of the American West and the spirituality of the original inhabitants which physically supported the thriving of all life including their own (“Beaver wisdom”).

REUNITING ACROSS WATERS

Dancing the Salmon Home

This film features the Caleen Sisk (from the discussion above), chief of the Wintu tribe, along with members of her tribe and indigenous tradition (and salmon) keepers of New Zealand.

In the Beginning, when the living beings emerged from the Sacred Spring on Mt. Shasta, Salmon gave her voice to Human. The Winnemem Wintu people remember that gift and maintain their ceremonies, despite hardship and loss. In 1945, the 600-foot tall Shasta Dam flooded their homes, drowned their river, and stopped their Chinook salmon runs. Now, tribal members travel to New Zealand to meet their surviving salmon relatives for the first time in generations. They hold four days of ceremony, forge enduring bonds with their Maori hosts, and come back to press their plan to bring their salmon relatives home.

"Dancing Salmon Home" is an emotional journey of loss and reunification, following the Winnemem Wintu tribe of Northern California across generations and oceans as they reunite with their long-lost salmon relatives. From their ancestral McCloud River, below Mt. Shasta, tribal members travel to New Zealand to meet the descendants of the McCloud River Chinook salmon, which have been missing from their home river for 65 years. Along the way, the 28 tribal members hold four days of ceremony beside New Zealand's Rakaia River, forging enduring bonds with the Maori people of the region, sharing a message of respect for the natural world, and launching plans to bring their salmon home.

LOCAL TRIUMPH

Return of Sacred Blue Lake to Taos Pueblo

In 1906 the Taos Pueblo people and its lands, its culture and its way of life were severely threatened when Blue Lake and surrounding lands that are an integral part of the Taos Pueblo culture and traditions were taken away from the Pueblo by the Federal Government to become a federal Forest Reserve. After this occurred a struggle began that was to last 64 years through numerous Taos Pueblo administrations and generations of Taos Pueblo people, until 1970, when Blue Lake itself was returned through PL 91-550.

It would take another 26 years before the “Path of Life” area, that is an integral part of the Blue Lake’s cultural importance was also returned, making a total of 90 years of struggle before the Blue Lake Return was fully accomplished.

WEIRD SCIENCE

The Rainbow and The Worm

Establishing a new physics of life and all that “quantum jazz”

This highly unusual book is a serious inquiry into Schrödinger's question, "What is life?", and at the same time a celebration of life itself. It takes the reader on a voyage of discovery through many areas of contemporary physics, from non-equilibrium thermodynamics and quantum optics to liquid crystals and fractals, all necessary for illuminating the problem of life. In the process, the reader is treated to a rare and exquisite view of the organism, gaining novel insights, not only into the physics but also into "the poetry and meaning of being alive". This book is intended for all who love the subject.

Contents: What Is It to Be Alive?; Do Organisms Contravene the Second Law?; Can the Second Law Cope with Organized Complexity?; Energy Flow and Living Cycles; How to Catch a Falling Electron; Towards a Thermodynamics of Organized Complexity; The Seventy-Three Octaves of Nature's Music; Coherent Excitation of the Body Electric; How Coherent Is the Organism?; Life is All the Colours of the Rainbow in a Worm; The Liquid Crystalline Organism; Crystal Consciousness; Quantum Entanglement and Coherence; The Ignorance of the External Observer; Time and Freewill.

If you prefer “the skinny” version, listen here

or read Mae-Wan Ho’s very brief academic paper, Water Is The Means, Medium And Message Of Life, for a sample of her work.

RARE GENIUS

The Water Wizard

"The Water Wizard" by Viktor Schauberger and Callum Coats, explores Schauberger's ecological philosophy, particularly concerning water. It details his theories on the natural behavior and vital importance of water, emphasizing its anomalous properties at +4°C and its role in Earth's health. Schauberger critiques conventional hydraulic engineering and forestry practices, arguing they disrupt natural processes and lead to ecological collapse and disease. He proposes alternative, nature-aligned methods for river regulation, water purification, and energy production, including unique pipe designs and dam management. The text also touches upon his broader views on energy, health, and societal well-being, advocating for a cooperative approach with nature to avert future catastrophes.

LIVING LANGUAGE

The Secret Intelligence of Water: Science, Art & Consciousness

"Water is the rebel element, it won't conform to the laws of physics or gravity and it can't be killed. Without it there is no life. It reincarnates for all to see and science tells us it came to Earth from outer space. Rebellious, nonconformist, eternal and alien.....just look at the power we are filled with." - Veda Austin

About Veda and her Water communication research here.

Find many stunning examples of Veda’s work here.

And her new book here.

SKY BEINGS

Wakíŋyaŋ

The visually moving short film linked above is by Storm Chaser Martin Lisius

Find more of Martin’s work at prairiepictures.com

What is Wakíŋyaŋ?

Wakíŋyaŋ are not just physical phenomena; they are revered as powerful spiritual beings in Lakota cosmology. Lakota stories often depict Wakíŋyaŋ as guardians against evil water spirits, specifically Uŋktéȟi, the underwater serpent. The Wakíŋyaŋ and Uŋktéȟi are considered eternal enemies, with mankind caught in the middle of their ongoing conflict. The Uŋktéȟi are known for disliking humans and are associated with causing drownings, floods, and mysterious deaths.

The heyókȟa are sacred individuals who embody and channel the energy of the Wakíŋyaŋ through their paradoxical and humorous behavior to promote healing and growth within their community. They portray aspects of the sacred thunder beings, often reflecting the dualistic nature of the Wakíŋyaŋ – bringing both terror (like a thunderstorm) and rejuvenation (like the rain that makes the world greener and happier). 

Heyókȟa grandfather Nitunkasila Nicholas Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa) : Oglala Lakota Heyoka Knowledge & Visions

Short description of Wakinyan (Thunderbeing) and Heyoka (Sacred Clown) by David Little Elk here, longer video here.

SONG OF LONGING

Amalgamation Choir | Live at the Library - Η Ξενητειά του Έρωτα (Στίχοι, Μουσική: Γιώργος Καλογήρου)

I just love the gentle yet powerful energy Vasiliki Anastasiou brings to her role as conductor—like Water herself!

The song is ancient and tells a story of lovers deprived of one another which leads to the drying up of the life-giving waters of the spring…

Πάνω στου Κύκκου τα βουνά / On the Mountain of Kukkos

Πέφτει ομίχλη χαμηλά / the fog lays low (simili)

Κι ένας αητός ψάχνει να βρει / And an eagle is looking for

Νεράκι κρύο για να πιει / some cold water to drink

Βρίσκει ένα πευκό μοναχό / He finds a lonely pine tree

Μαραζωμένο απ’τον καιρό / withered by the passage of time

Διψά κι η ρίζα του να πιει / Its root is thirsty to drink

Νεράκι κρύο απ΄την πηγή / some cold water from the spring

Σ’ ένα κλαδί του χαμηλά / On one of its lower branches

Στέκει ο αητός και τον ρωτά / The eagle stands and asks

"Ποιος αφεντεύει την πηγή / "Who is the master of the spring?

Και δεν κραίνει νερό να πιεις" / and doesn't let you drink water?"

"Του Έρωτα είν’η πηγή / "The spring belongs to the god Eros (Love)

Κι απ΄τον καημό του καρτερεί/ who is painfully waiting

Να’ρθει απ΄τη "μαύρη" ξενητειά / The return from the "vile" foreign lands

Η όμορφη η κορασά / of the beautiful girl

Να ‘βρεί το νιο που καρτερεί / So that she can find the handsome lad who is waiting

Κι απ’ το φευγιό της πια δε ζει / and due to her leaving he is now hardly living

Κι απ΄την πηγή να πιουν ξανά / And from the Spring they will drink again

Ν’ ανθίσουν πάλι τα βουνά" / and the flora on the mountains will blossom once more".

A DANCE OF WORDS

Rain Tangle by Chris Tuger

You can find more of our neighbor Chris Tuger’s work here.

LOCAL NEWS

Toxic Bloom

Thanks to Carrie Thompson for her suggestion…

The Rio Grande River has been tested for blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is warning visitors about potential health risks related to toxic blooms. The BLM is regularly testing the water, particularly around the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, due to the presence of these algae.

Read full article here.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR

Dianne Eriksson

Tell me about this image (above).

The image from Valle Escondido is one of the locations where the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico group gather to paint. The group is a loose group of maybe 25 interested artists who paint weekly, but usually only 6-10 show up at any one time! The person in the photo is Matthew, setting up to paint.  Anyone who wants to try it, text me and let's go! 575-754-0079

What is your “earthship story”, what first drew you here, when was that and how might you sum up your earthship adventure in 3 words or less?

I was working as a Montessori teacher in Albuquerque when a colleague excitedly showed me one of Mike Reynold's books about building one's own Earthship. The front cover showed pounded tire walls and a rudimentary roof.  The image was less than inspiring, and I didn't look inside for the longest time. Who would want to live in a stack of tires?), but when I finally did, I was mesmerized.  Then finding out that Greater World was in beautiful northern New Mexico just outside of Taos, and available to anyone willing to put down $5000 and a whole lot of sweat equity Sally and I had to see it for ourselves.  It was love at first sight as we toured the "press office" and felt the magic and warmth of the Earthship vibe. Six months later we arrived...in Hell...

 We were the last "membership" sold. This gave us the right to find a spot we liked, plop down a few tires to mark the spot, and build there.  There were no surveyed lots to own, no roads built and maintained. It was the summer of 1997 literally minutes before Greater World was shut down by Dave DiCicco, the county planner, for not following the county's subdivision requirements.  Unfortunately for us, we had quit our jobs, purchased the $5000 membership and scratched together enough money to begin building only to arrive here, essentially unable to proceed, with no end in sight to the legal wrangling squelching the community and other hopeful owner/builders like us.  It was terrifying to be in a borrowed RV with no jobs, winter looming and facing the very real prospect of homelessness.  After a heartbreaking hearing at the courthouse where the judge upheld the red-tagging of any future builds and a fruitless meeting with Dave DiCicco, we faced a grim future.  It was Diana and Johnny Whitten, early converts working for Mike who pointed us towards the possibility of buying this, the beginnings of our future home. It was a boarded up, sad looking shed to my eyes, but when I squeezed through the hastily built plywood enclosure on the front I saw a two-U Earthship that had been started but abandoned to the mice and rabbits, the current inhabitants. Miraculously, it had an existing building permit! The owner wanted out, we wanted in, and we purchased it for what she had put into it, closing the deal on Thanksgiving.  It was Fred Mayer who rented us his half-built Earthship on Lone Tree Lane for $100/month. Thanks, Fred! We hired Duke Damont and Steve Hall to build the front face and complete the roof, getting us enclosed. From there, the rest was all up to us. With no building experience but oversized confidence we proceeded to slowly finish the interior on our own.  Luckily there were a number of neighbors who were doing the same thing, and we had lots of folks who offered their experience and suggestions; Phil Basehart, Ted Elsasser,  James Porter and Dave Salamon to name a few.  We also worked on oneanother's builds to develop our plastering skills and learn how to put in our greywater planter. We were shown "how to" one step at a time. All that working together built a strong feeling of community, something I have tried to regain since, but that was then...Sal found work as a barista at Cafe Tazza, and I cooked at Eske's Brew Pub until we both found more suitable employment; Sal starting the mediation program here in Taos, and I working as a kindergarten teacher. A few GW children were in my class, notably Jenna, Phil and Sara's delightful and brilliant daughter.

Sum it up in 3 words? Challenging, exhausting and fulfilling!

I understand you’ve been to Morocco to paint, you were painting in Chaco Canyon during the April 8 eclipse of ‘23 and I’ve seen you painting at various nature spots around here… what do you enjoy most about painting in these places and do you have a favorite place, favorite subject or favorite experience at any to share?

My new practice as a watercolor painter bloomed after I retired from teaching.  I took a few lessons from Gayle Weisefield, a gifted watercolor painter in town whom I discovered on the Fall Arts Open Studio tour a few years ago.  We have become fast friends since and went on a watercolor adventure to Morocco with other aspiring artists, led by master painter Michael Soloviev. It was so exotic and inspiring.  Since then I joined the Taos plein air painters group and the Taos Watercolor Society to stay engaged with other aspiring and accomplished artists, get critiques and have opportunities to show my work to the public.  New Mexico has such varied landscapes, mind-altering skies just begging to be captured and real characters made for portrait work. A portrait of one of those characters was chosen to be a "Taos Is Art" banner which hung downtown, but now hangs at the bottom of my driveway.  Painting has become a new passion complete with new friends and constant challenges.

One of Enki’s bestest buddies is your dog Ruby. How did sweet and wild Ruby enter your life and/or what do you love most about that firecracker?

 I was hunting for a dog after our old malamute passed away and this little black firecracker with the most magnificent ears stole my heart. Our Ruby was captured off the streets of Espanola and locked up at the shelter there at 6 months of age. She had no idea about walking on a leash, and displayed ultra-high energy, keen intelligence, a kind and friendly nature and a strong willful streak from the beginning. She almost ran me into the ground for the first year we had her. Her willfulness and disregard for taking direction just about got her sent back to the shelter, but Sally stood firmly against giving her back. I'm so glad she held out.  She loves to play hard, is indifferent to people she doesn't know and is deeply primal; a skilled hunter with deadly speed and accuracy (my vegetarian's nightmare).  But she will transfer those skills to a ball or frisbee and expend some of that drive and energy while not putting undue pressure on the native wildlife.  Unlike my previous dogs, she is one who must be restricted to being leashed until the ball-chasing begins as she has selective deafness when freed,  zero recall off leash and will use any opportunity to hunt at will. When she does get away from us, and she does get away, at least we know she's totally devoted and will always come home.  Best of all, she's charming, sweet, and alert. loyal and calm in the house after her daily 2 hours of exercise. She loves your Enkie. He was her very first friend out here. He's big enough and patient enough to withstand her leaps and shoulder butts!  We have learned a lot from her and just adore her enthusiastic self. 

You introduced me to a couple of nearby trails that I love and frequent—do you have a favorite trail or other local little getaway spot in the area?

My favorite get away spot is right next door, on the Rio Grande del Norte land within walking/biking distance from our back door.  Heading north east of Lone Tree Lane on the various roads and trails one comes to a large arroyo with old junipers and pinon pines, the occasional deer, and bighorn sheep and a variety of birds, bugs and reptiles. Walking south down that arroyo one comes to the gorge with its great boulders and powerful looming energy. But back a ways it's quiet and shady with special places to paint, or walk barefoot in the sand, or meditate or practice a sun salutation or two. There, solo, is where I feel most alive, happy and content with my life immersed in all the beauty around me. 

Below: These images are some paintings I've done plein air, water themed. The Rio Grande at the John Dunn bridge, where Enkie sniffed me out, autumn in Pilar and my "Taos Is Art" banner; a portrait of an old trader at the Martinez Hacienda trade fair, and last but not least, our Ruby.

sunset over the earthship