Saturday, August 15, 2020 starting at 9:00 am PST
“The link that is rapidly disappearing and has largely disappeared already, is the opportunity for the human being to work with the Earth . . . not just farming, but to work with the Earth in any way that is not mere extraction.”
Laura Riccardi Lyvers
Join us (awakin.org) with this extra-ordinary, ordinary gardener and grazier, seeking to heal earth and cosmos.
Five Questions for Laura
What Makes You Come Alive?
Living my life with a family of cows...tending their pasture so they find what they want (and need) by way of forages, air flow, shade and shelter. I love the daily rhythm with these animals and also the intimate bond formed between us. Their trust in me, and their obvious love bring tears to my eyes at times.I feel honored to work with the cows, and blessed to have a sense for their divine nature. I love the work I do making what are called "biodynamic preparations" for the earth ~ an honoring that brings the spirit of the cow into an earthly practice for healing.I love sharing the inspiration of this work with other humans and discovering the spirit in matter in everything around us.I love that "my work" includes an ever-unfolding awareness of these things that start with bird songs in the morning, a curious nature about each day, and the seasonal experience of the cycle of the year through growing food, flowers, medicine and herbs. And living with the cows :)
Pivotal turning point in your life?
Making the biodynamic preparations for the first time at JPI, with Hugh Courtney, in Woolwine VA (SW Virginia), in October 2001. I had never been around cows before that day. Had never been in a "rural" setting. And I had never felt such meaning in the work we engaged in for those 5 days.The entire event was steeped in a spiritual intention with precise esoteric meaning, shared by Hugh and contemplated by all as we worked with our hands to create these preparations that would be given over to the earth, transform through the winter. As it turned out, i was able to participate in the unearthing of these preps the following spring, because I, having been so moved, asked if he needed any help at this non profit? His response was "yes, but I can't pay you". S0, I went back home (to L.I. NY at the time), quit my jobs and moved to JPI to help make preparations for 4 years. Since then I have lived rurally, live with cows and make the preparations each year.
An Act of Kindness You'll Never Forget?
While working on the Board of Directors for the Biodynamic Association in the early 2000's, I had taken on quite a bit of work for the organization, while my "paying" job was basically a montly stipend for another non-profit. Another member of the board, a woman who has become a dear friend, recognized my situation from cumulative years of non-paying work...and for no (other!) apparent reason, wrote me a check for $500, as a gift. It felt amazing ~ a recognition of my work and the gift of support to be who I am.
One Thing On Your Bucket List?
I think this may be the ONLY thing on my "bucket list"!To get to be steward of a place on earth (currently known as "land owner") where the guiding principals of the divine feminine are realized through my heart and hands.
One-line Message for the World?
Let us wake up to the Divine nature of who we really are...and touch this world with the Love of our human-spirit potential.