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What is a Green Burial?

The designation "green" points to the most obvious aspect green burials are environmentally friendly. They attempt to protect and preserve the environment and the natural cycles occurring in it. Some people regard these as the most important reasons for having such a burial. Rather than being hermetically sealed in isolation or removed through cremation, the remains of the deceased continue to be part of the natural life cycle of the planet.

Green burials differ from other burials only in the importance they place on environmental preservation and continuation. The decomposition of human remains is considered to be a natural part of the life cycles of the planet, and green burials strive to allow this process to happen unimpeded. Those who choose a green burial often do so as a celebration of ongoing life, and they prefer "natural" burial settings over more "artificial" cemeteries.

Are Green Burials something new?

In fact, green burials are as old as life itself. Before the practice of

embalming and use of sealed caskets became the norm in North America (initially, because of the long distances human remains often needed to be transported) , virtually all burials were green. Even today, in many small, rural cemeteries, it may still be possible to be buried "green."

Can different types of burial be green?

Yes, "greenness" might be assigned different levels based on interment practices. The MSBC considers minimum requirements for a burial to be considered green to include: a biodegradable coffin, no embalming and no grave liner. The Society's second level includes the minimum requirements plus the planting of flowers or small shrubs on and next to graves. The highest level is the natural setting of a nature or burial park.

What prevents me from choosing a green burial?

The most obvious obstacle may be existing cemetery practices. Virtually all cemeteries accept unembalmed remains and biodegradable coffins, but most insist on grave liners to facilitate lawn maintenance - the regular maintenance of which can cause further environmental damage. No 'natural' burial parks currently exist in Canada.

What are the benefits of a green cemetery over a traditional cemetery?

Clearly we see problems at older "traditional" cemeteries. Many have few or no trees, in others, the grounds have been destroyed through the use of herbicides. Drainage problems can occur and herbicide use leads to water pollution.

Cemeteries can play an important social and environmental role. 2.2 million acres were lost to development according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation report issued for 1997 through 2001. Everyday, development is taking over the natural environments created over eons. A natural burial takes place in a natural environment where native flora and wildlife flourish. A green cemetery provides habitat for endemic birds and animals, returning lands to their native grasses, flowers

and shrubs.

A green burial reduces environmental impact and conservation easements preserve our open spaces, important not only to plants and wildlife…we find serenity when close to nature. Interment in a beautiful and natural setting honors those we love.

Is a conservation easement important when considering a green burial?

It is important to conserve our natural landscapes before they disappear completely by encroaching development. Conservation easements can ensure that no further development will be allowed on the land, as all future owners of the land would be bound by the easement. The land can be forever protected.

Is cremation an environmentally sound option?

There are air pollution issues caused by cremation, even the fillings in our teeth contribute to the mercury in the atmosphere. Older burners have been replaced by double burners which burn off many pollutants, however cremation releases dioxin, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide. Many don't realize, but cremation requires a container. Choosing simple unlined coffins without chipboard and plastics can help reduce pollution. Interesting ideas have recently been developed to deal with cremated remains.

www.eternalreefs. com - Eternal Reefs Inc. is the only company to offer underwater burial at sea in artificial reefs. By mixing cremated remains with concrete, these artificial reefs provide a lasting environmentally friendly memorial for families and individuals that choose cremation.

The number one reason people have chosen cremation? It is less expensive than a traditional burial (which with a service can be more than $7000). Many more companies are offering bio-degradable urns than just a decade ago, please see links for cremation urns.

A natural burial in a green cemetery is an affordable cremation alternative. Families do not have to incur the cost of caskets, embalming, or burial vaults and green burials do not contribute pollutants to the atmosphere.

Where can I find green cemeteries in the United States?

GreenSprings Natural Cemetery -

93 acres in New York, opened in 2006

www.naturalburial. org/

Forever Fernwood -

32 acres in California, opened in 2004

www.foreverfernwood. com/

Ethician Family Cemetery -

Universal Ethician Church has 81 acres in Texas, opened in 2003. www.ethicianfamilyc emetery.org/

Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve -

Memorial Ecosystems has 350 acres in Florida. Opened in 2002. www.glendalenaturep reserve.org/

Ramsey Creek Preserve -

Memorial Ecosystems has 32 acres in South Carolina. Opened in 1996. www.memorialecosyst ems.com/

Your Connection to the Elements

by Avalon De Witt

In ancient times, scientists, philosophers and magi divided matter into four basic elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth. It has been said that these elements are the building blocks of life.

A scientist and philosopher named Empedocles set this foundation for science in Sicily during the 5th century B.C. Empedocles belonged to the tradition of "Root Cutters," which means that he was an herbal magician and healer. He defined these elements, or "roots," as not only physical substances, but also as "spiritual essences." He even assigned gods and goddesses to these energies:

Air - Zeus Fire - Hades Water - Nestis (also known as Persephone) Earth - Hear

About a century later, Aristotle assigned properties of hotness and coldness to the elements:

Air - hot/moist Fire - hot/dry Water - cool/moist Earth - cool/dry

Mystics throughout the ages have recognized these elements as four spiritual modes of being. Air, Fire, Water and Earth are represented by the four suits of the Tarot - Swords (Air), Wands (Fire), Cups (Water) and Pentacles

(Earth). I have seen that a dominant suit in a card spread can be very telling. You will also find these elements in astrology:

Air - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Water - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces Earth - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Alchemy, Hermeticism and Gnosticism hold understandings of the four elements too. We can see them in the Jungian theory of the four personality types - thinking (Air), intuiting (Fire), feeling (Water) and sensing (Earth). Even our modern Meyers-Briggs personality test shares this four-fold concept.

The idea is that nature and the Self are equal. The four seasons of a year can be compared to the four stages of human life - birth, growth, maturity and death. We can utilize the four elements as dimensions of psychic and

spiritual growth. The natural way would be to strive to achieve an equal proportion of each. Understanding the psychic energies of these elements can help us balance our lives and experience greater harmony. If you know which elements to call upon and how to connect with them, you can manage whatever life throws your way much more easily.

AIR: Season - Spring Time of Day - Dawn Direction - East Color - Yellow Archangel - Raphael

Every time you think or communicate, you are drawing on the element of Air. Our connections with others are formed through Air. Air is the most elusive of all the elements. It is uncontainable, unseen, and changeable. Whenever you seek insight, discover a new idea, change your mind, clarify a vision, develop a plan or concentrate on your breathing, you are becoming Air. Air is intellect, Truth and wisdom. If you have difficulty making decisions, taking action, understanding or being understood, Air can help you.

To awaken your connection to the Air element, open your windows and clear the air around you by burning some incense or smudging your home with sage. Play music that inspires you. Or go outside and feel the wind on your face. Pay attention to the way it masters its own destiny, moving constantly. Its flexibility makes it unstoppable. Try to block it with your hand. It will only go around.

Singing or toning, whistling, even dancing are all Air activities. Crystal singing bowls and tuning forks are useful tools for invoking Air energy. Inventors utilize the element of Air. Read biographies of inventors to

understand the inner workings of Air.

FIRE: Season - Summer Time of Day - Noon Direction - South Color - Red Archangel - Mikael Have you ever really, really wanted something? That's fire. Fire is desire. It is dynamic, passionate, bold, enthusiastic, active and hopeful. Fire is the life principle. It provides heat and light. It is the element of Spirit.

Fire is charming, flamboyant and inspirational. Fire transforms. If you would like to improve your sense of humor or build courage, confidence, or motivation, look to Fire.

To open up to the power of Fire within you, you can light a candle and see what the living flame has to show you. Watch a sunset and take in the brilliance of this vital element. If you really want a mega-dose, try dancing around a campfire and watch the way the fire dances with you. Let the heat of the Fire element penetrate and warm your soul. Competitive sports and games are also good ways to stimulate the spark of Fire in your

life.

Do something spontaneous. Search within for your purpose. Set some life goals for yourself. Complete a task you've been meaning to finish. Learn to trust your intuition. Listen to a motivational tape or energize yourself

with affirmations. Empower yourself with divine thoughts and let your ideals awaken.

WATER: Season - Autumn Time of Day - Dusk/sunset Direction - West Color - Blue Archangel - Gabriel

If you have ever loved, you have experienced the element of Water. Serenity is a result of Water's presence in our lives. Water is the most psychic of all the elements. It cleanses, nourishes and reflects. It is passive and

malleable - it takes on the shape of whatever contains it. The Holy Grail is associated with Water, the original Primordial Chaos. Water rules the emotions and the subconscious. If you have prophetic dreams, you are using

the element of Water. If you are lonely, depressed, overwhelmed or having trouble opening your heart, let Water clear the way for you.

To get water flowing in your life, the easiest, most accessible tool is the bathtub. Add essential oils or milk and honey to cleanse and nurture your Higher Self. Drink pure water to purify your body. You may try taking a walk

in the rain. Notice how it gathers together to form puddles and pools. Throw a stone into a lake or a pond and watch the endless ripples. See how beautiful it is when it is contained.

Feeling compassion, shedding tears and giving to charity are the workings of this gentle element. Scrying bowls and table fountains are easy ways to get more Water into your life. Read poetry to get a feel for Water's subtle,

soothing properties.

EARTH: Season - Winter Time of Day - Midnight Direction - North Color - Green Archangel - Uriel

When you eat, exercise or save money, you are interacting with the Earth element. Stability is Earth's unique gift. Seeing, smelling, tasting and touching are functions of Earth. Earth is solid, rich, sultry, strong and

dependable. It is the foundation for all the other elements. Earth is commitment, permanence, form. It is facts and law, practicality and consequence. Earth is about getting results. Poverty, insecurity, safety issues, obsessions and a sense of being "weak-willed" or incapable can all be resolved with earth.

If you would like to strengthen your connection to Earth, put your bare feet on the ground. Walk, run, jump. Let the immovable nature of the Earth element support you. You could also plant a garden or start a houseplant on a window sill. Roots such as potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips are known as "grounding" foods that can increase your personal Earth energy.

Learn to respect yourself, accept yourself. Define what dignity is to you. Stimulate your senses. Work with your hands. Knit, string beads, or do pottery. Place stones or a dish of sea salt on your altar, or wear a hematite pendant, to represent the Earth in your spiritual workings. Strive to be at home in your body.

INTEGRATE

Figure out which elements you are lacking and integrate them into your life. Let the elements of nature bring you into closer contact with your True Self As you grow on each of these levels, you will experience greater and greater joy.

Don't let yourself get too much of one element. Too much air can make you spacey. Too much fire can cause burn-out. Too much water can make you "wishy-washy. " And too much earth can make you rigid. Keep your personal elements balanced and your life will reflect that balance back to you by giving you all that you need, on every level.

Places of Power

www.wicca.com

by Wyldkat

Have you noticed that certain places just "feel" better than others and that others make you "feel" uncomfortable? This is because the energy in certain areas has a more harmonious, or positive, reaction with people and the energy in other places can have a negative reaction with people. These effects come from the rocks and earth of the area.

People can effect the energy levels of the area around them (this is easily noticed during spellwork or rituals). If people feel enough negativity in one place the area itself starts to feel bad and the same holds true if people feel enough positive emotion in one area, it will slowly become positively charged. Churches and places of worship are good examples of this. I had the opportunity to visit a concentration camp in what used to be East Germany a few years ago. I could feel the negative energy of the place even as we were driving up to it and that was without even trying. Cleansing an area with sage can often clear negativity, especially if the negativity centers in a room in your home. It isn't quite that easy to cleanse a place such as a large metropolitan area, for example.

Certain areas can have tremendous energy to them. You can often tell when you have found one by a tingling feeling in your hands, feet or face. A few famous examples are Stonehenge and the pyramids, but there are many more places, both large and small, that hold tremendous power. There are many small areas of energy all around, even in your own home. Certain places can be beneficial to all, some just to certain people. Animals and plants are very aware of these power places and will either flock to them or avoid them depending on the types of energies there. These places can magnify your emotions, so be aware of how you are feeling before you visit one. They are also known to balance, energize and heal. However, there are also many places that have the opposite effects, so be careful. What is a good place for one person may not be so for another.

To find a place of power relax, close your eyes, ask your guide to help you and feel for one. Try to sense it either as a sensation on one side of your body or as a glow that you see as you look around with your eyes closed. Open your eyes and move towards the area you sensed the energy from. Repeat this until you find one, i.e. the sensation or glow is all around you. Ask your guide if this is a good place for you or if you should keep searching. If you should keep searching repeat the original steps, but look for a different spot than the one you already found. If it is the right spot for you ask the Earth to let you use the spot and thank her when you are done. Always greet her when you visit it. It is best to do this exercise outside in natural surroundings. If you can do it blindfolded and just feel your way to the spot that would be best. If you do try it blindfolded, have someone you trust with you to keep you from breaking something or falling off a cliff.

Try journeying from the spot you have found and from where you normally work from and feel the difference. You can also try journeying from different areas in you home. Some may have better energy for you than others.

Even if you cannot physically go to your power place, once you have found it you can still benefit from its energies by visiting there in the spirit world or by visualizing it in your mind. Make it a practice to do this until you become comfortable with it. Then when you need a boost your place of power will be a thought away.

You can also create your own place of power that can be used for rituals and journeys. Sites such as these are sometimes called Medicine Wheels. Pick a place that is outdoors if possible, basically flat, and feels right. It can even be at a place of power you have searched for if you can find one that will work. Outline a circle of about eight or nine feet in diameter, or whatever size feels best to you (you might want a larger area if it will be for groups) with natural objects such as stones and pine cones. If you use objects that came from plants, use found objects. Refrain from pulling apart a pine tree just to line a ritual circle. It goes against the entire idea. Smudge the area with sage and mark the center with a firepit or a large stone, or something else that feels right to you. Call upon Earth and Sky as you do this. Place markers such as rocks at the four directions, calling each one as you do. You may also wish to place crystals (two in the center one pointing up, one down, and one at each direction) to amplify the energies. You may also want to place markers at northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest as well. Add whatever other markers or objects you feel necessary.