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Be ‘In-Tune’ with Nature

Krysia Soutar

	"As well, we are spinning with the earth, spiralling with the galaxy, and expanding or contracting with the universe."
	Bill Mollison

Summer is the time of the most expansive phase of seasonal energy, traditionally called “fire energy". We should be happy and carefree as we enjoy this time of warmth and brightness.

However, lets face it, there is not much to laugh about right now!! I won't mention all the problems as you already know that our world seems to be in turmoil, both globally and locally. We are experiencing all kinds of disasters. It feels very *fiery” at the moment.

We are at a critical stage on the planet right now and it might be helpful to look at the bigger cycles of change which have a direct impact on us and the natural world.

The Spiral of Change

As well as the yearly cycle of change there is a much bigger celestial one, known traditionally as the "Platonic” or “The Great Year”.

This is a huge and complex topic, so I am only attempting to highlight where we are on this celestial cycle at this moment in time, and why the information is relevant to us.

As far as I know, this is the first time anyone in the permaculture world has attempted to write about this but I am very reassured that I am on the right path after finding the quote at the top of this article - from Bill Mollison - one of my guiding lights.

In a nutshell, we are on the cusp of the end of one half (13,000years) of the ‘Great Year’ cycle, as shown by the position of the current Pole Star, Polaris, which at present is located at the very end of the handle of the ‘ Little Dipper’, in the constellation of Ursa Minor, the Small Bear.

This means that energetically we are approaching the end of a cycle when everything is condensing towards the centre as the spiral contracts. This spiral is “logarithmic” which means everything seems to be going faster and faster.

This era is said to governed by ‘fire’, whereas go back 13,000 years ago, when the Pole Star was Vega, the era was referred to as ‘water’ and major floods appeared on the earth due to natural catastrophe. Now we are confronted by the possibility of destruction by “fire”.

This has already begun, as we see the planetary climate and ecological changes quickening, and similar changes to society involving technologies, internet, together with declining physical and mental health.

	"Ancient thinkers were aware of the cycles governing human events. In Greece, philosophers such as Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Plato taught that history moves in cycles back and forth between periods of growth and regeneration and those of destruction and decay. They considered it to have a decisive influence on the rise and fall of culture and civilisation. Like other people in the ancient world, Greek philosophers believed that these cosmic cycles are reflections of the eternal order of the universe."
	Forgotten Worlds - Michio Kushi and Edward Esko

Precession of the Equinoxes

This refers to an astrological cycle of 25,800years in which the wobble of the earth on its axis causes bright stars in several different constellations to appear overhead and serve as the new North Star about every three thousand years.

Currently the North Star is Polaris, this cycle will end about approx 2100CE.

Many cultures have held that human society is strongly influenced by the cycle of The Great Year.

from "The Great Year: Astrophotography from Peter Zelinka

Moving out of the Darkness into the Light

The Great Year falls into two halves, each lasting about 13,000 years. Traditionally, these are named the Age of Light and the Age of Darkness, or the time of Paradise and the time of Wilderness, and more often these days: Spiritual Civilisation and Material Civilisation. Marie discusses this contrast in her editorial for this issue.

Errai a bright star in constellation of Cepheus will become the next new North Star. The end of the cycle of Polaris will move us out of the half of the cycle of darkness or dimmed celestial energy towards the cycle of light when the earth will receive more electromagnetic energy radiating down from the cosmos.

I believe that we are preparing the foundations for this new era now. We are in a transitional phase, as the old ways begin to fade away the new ways will move to the forefront and help bring in a more peaceful and harmonious time for humanity. There will be many difficulties to face during this transitional time, but we can move forward together having sight of the bigger picture. Our dreams of abundance for all, and living within a world that recognises a bigger cosmology will enable this change to come about.

Our children’s children will be there.

from "Forgotten Worlds" - Michio Kushi and Edward Esko

"The love that moves the stars"
Dante - the Divine Comedy

Recipe for Late Summer 2021

Indian Dhal and Sweet Potato Pie

Serves 4

A little bit of spice and sweet taste, suitable for late summer.

Ingredients

• 200g red lentils
• 700g (approx 4 large and one small) sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1.5kg (1 bag) potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion peeled and chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 50g ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 vegetable stock cubes
• 4 tablespoons tomato puree
• 4 teaspoons curry powder

You will also need 2 tablespoons of olive oil for your pan

Method

1. Cook the sweet potatoes and potatoes in a large pan of salted boiling water for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, mash well and season to taste.

2. While your potatoes are cooking heat one tablespoon of oil in a large pan. Add the onion and carrot to pan and cook for 3 minutes, stirring to make sure nothing burns. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for another few minutes. Add the tomato puree and curry powder, stock cubes, lentils and 1 litres of boiling water. Still well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes until the veg is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

3. Preheat your grill. Spoon the lentil mix into the pie dish then top with the mashed potatoes mixture. Put under the grill to brown a little then remove.

Serve with greens and seasoning of your choice.

Enjoy!