On Saturday 7th February, a blessing of the Whenua was offered by the Land Care group on behalf of all beings who live at, and care for the Wangapeka Centre.
The ceremony was to extend our love to the whenua, in recognition of the changes, losses and ongoing work to maintain the trees, as the response to the recent storm damage continues.
The first area of tree felling began on Monday 9th Feb.
We began the blessing with a meditation to connect with our human bodies, and the earth body as one. We felt into this inter-being, and listened to the whenua of Wangapeka, while walking together around the Pagoda.
We acknowledged the life of the first area of trees to be felled and honoured the changes for all the beings who share that habitat. We shared our thoughts, blessings, poems, artworks and flowers with the whenua and community.
Thanks to all who were present and those who sent support from afar.
Here’s a poem that was shared.
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
From Traveling Light: Collected and New Poems. Copyright 1999 by David Wagoner. Used with permission of the University of Illinois Press.