Red Feather (2021)
ISBN 978-0764361531
Reviewed by Piers Warren
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There is much to like about this unusual mix of permaculture ethics and techniques, Druid wisdom, pagan celebrations and sustainable ways of living. The author, Dana O’Driscoll, is experienced in all these fields as she serves as the Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America, is a certified permaculture designer and teacher and has run a number of smallholdings (homesteads) in America.
The focus of the book could be summed up as tips and techniques for living a more sustainable and ethically sound life, with frequent references to the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Shares. All this is presented in the framework of the eight festivals of the year celebrated by pagans, Druids and many others all over the world: Winter Solstice, Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane and so on, with a chapter dedicated to each.
Although the sustainable practices covered in a particular chapter may not necessarily be related to that time of the year, it’s an intriguing way of presenting the ideas without the overload of trying to do everything at once. Some of the suggestions may involve quite a few lifestyle changes and so the fact that the reader will have approximately six weeks to work on these until the next festival comes along gives time and space to address them properly. The book can be read through gradually, over the year, or in one go (as I did) but then referring back to the practices as the eight festivals are celebrated.
There is an interesting correlation between the three permaculture ethics already mentioned, and the Druid method of using Triads – presenting three wise thoughts together. For example, the chapter covering the Spring Equinox, concentrates on spring cleaning and disposing of the disposable mindset, and the triad (three paths toward sacred action) for this is: 1. Reducing consumption and waste, 2. Repurposing resources, and 3. Living more simply and fully. These notions are then explored in great detail including many practical actions that can be taken at home. Most of these actions will result in a lower carbon footprint as well as a life that be better for the self, for others and for the Earth in numerous ways. This could include anything from making compost to decluttering to reducing household waste. Each chapter then ends with a few pages of Exercises and Rituals – practical exercises based on the chapter’s contents.
Other topics covered include the home (heating, cooking, water use etc), food and nourishment (local, seasonal, sustainable), landscapes and gardens (community gardening, transforming lawns into productive areas etc), and Earth ambassadorship (community living, sharing knowledge, transportation etc). It is particularly impressive how practical this book is in an accessible way – peppered with simple actions the reader can take that the author has clearly researched and tried herself.
The word ‘sacred’ is used liberally throughout this book and of course it has many definitions, my favourite being pertaining to anything that deserves veneration or deep respect. That is certainly true of all the suggestions in this book. Even trying a percentage of the practical actions covered will improve life for yourself and the Planet. This is not a one-off read but to come back to time and time again for a reminder on how to hone your life through sacred actions for the good of all. In a time when life on Planet Earth is in peril due to our over-consumption, it is long overdue that we all take responsibility for our actions, and thinking of them in terms of Sacred Actions, with the help of this book, is a great approach.