The Natural World | Serenity Spell

Apr 5

Reaching for the Azure

A stricken tree, a living thing, so beautiful, so dignified, so admirable in its potential longevity, is, next to man, perhaps the most touching of wounded objects. —Edna Ferber

Scorched — but not necessarily dead — slash pines are profiled against their more lively brethren at the Bluefield Ranch Natural Area. Their tenacity is inspiring and a not-so-gentle reminder as I observe them throughout our hikes, standing tall with new growth peeping through burned limbs. Controlled, or prescribed burns are an integral part to sustaining Florida’s natural habitats. Such burns mimic natural fire cycles to restore healthy natural communities, thus reducing the undergrowth that accumulates over time — a contributing factor in severe wildfires. An increase in native plants, birds, and wildlife is witnessed at these burned lands.

Mar 19

3 Comments

World Water Day & Masaru Emoto’s Water Crystals

Masaru Emoto, self-proclaimed “water messenger,” researches the true nature of water as a mirror of our minds with his pioneering studies into how water can respond to thoughts and intentions. His groundbreaking images, taken with high-speed photography of crystals formed in frozen water, shook the scientific community twenty years ago, and continue to impact our role in protecting Earth’s most precious resource. His book The Hidden Messages in Water is an amazing and eye-opening read. (Also check out Messages from Water Vols 1 & 2, Water Crystal Healing, and others.)

The impact of Dr. Emoto’s studies and images on raising awareness and the global consciousness of water management — of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human health — is profound. Humans have done their best to harm it, and in effect, the entire plant, animal, and human populations that water governs, supports, and feeds. This March 22nd, help celebrate and remember that Earth has always been, and always will be our Mother — and we’re all here together, sharing her resources. As caretakers, it’s our responsibility to proactively address (not contribute to) water pollution — its prevention and restoration.

This past March 11 also marked the one-year anniversary of Japan’s massive earthquake and tsunami. Dr. Emoto has visited the island of his birth often, speaking and offering inspiration and support — for not only the widespread damage and rebuilding process in the wake of the natural disaster, but for the leaking of radioactive materials into the ocean environment, caused with the injury to the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. In the midst of recent memorial services, Dr. Emoto spoke of the tragedy:

“Today is March 11th which is exactly one year after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Over 15,000 precious lives were lost and still over 3,000 people are missing. Please join us to pray for their departed souls and send your energy of love to people who are there still suffering by different reasons at 2:46pm at your local time. Just give one minute to offer silent prayers for them. With love and gratitude, Masaru Emoto”

Below are examples of Dr. Emoto’s groundbreaking images (more provided here); I saved the sad image of polluted water for last…

A water crystal exposed to the word WA, or Harmony in Japanese:

"WA," or Harmony in Japanese

A water crystal exposed to the word Arigatou, or Thank You in Japanese:

"Arigatou," or Thank You in Japanese

Masaru has called this his most beautiful water crystal formation — when the words “love and gratitude” were exposed to water. May all our thoughts be as bright and pure as this crystal:

愛・感謝, Meaning Love and Gratitude

And finally…what happens to our precious resource when we pollute it:

Polluted water from the Yodo River in Japan

“Yes we can change water by our consciousness.”

For More Information:

Mar 12

2 Comments

World Water Day 2012

On March 22nd, 1993 the world celebrated its first World Water Day, established by the United Nations as a day for global consciousness of our most precious resource. Despite the fact that we live on a water-covered planet, only 1% of the world’s water is available for human use. With exploding population growth, access to a healthy and sustainable diet is becoming more critical — as is the need to reduce rampant food and water waste. Each year, World Water Day celebrations host different themes; this year’s focus is on “Water and Food Security.” Nearly 900 million people across the planet lack access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation.

I saw firsthand the effects of a lack of access to this treasured resource (which is consequently tied to a poor diet), growing up where I did. We take the luxury of running water for granted in this, and most, countries. And now, living in such proximity to the Everglades (in what sadly once was the ‘glades), one quickly learns the destructive force of humankind on an entire ecosystem — a wholly unique environment on this planet — when natural waterways are re-diverted to suit development needs. I’m still on the lookout for local Water Day events…

I’ve always been surrounded by water, but humans have done their best to harm it, and in effect, the entire plant, animal, and human populations it governs, supports, and feeds. This March 22nd, help celebrate and remember that Earth has always been, and always will be our Mother — and we’re all here together, sharing her resources.

Visit National Geographic‘s informative blog, WaterAid, or the official United Nations Water Day site and its diverse materials (which provides promotional brochures, educational guides and more)….

Egret in the Everglades, Florida

Everglades, Florida

Great Blue Heron, Everglades, Florida

Feb 15

3 Comments

Masaru Emoto & His Water Crystals

Masaru Emoto, self-proclaimed “water messenger,” researched the true nature of water as a mirror of our minds with his pioneering studies into how water can respond to thoughts and intention. His groundbreaking images, taken with high-speed photography of crystals formed in frozen water, shook the scientific community twenty years ago, and continue to impact our role in protecting Earth’s most precious resource. His book The Hidden Messages in Water is an amazing and eye-opening read, if you haven’t already perused it. (Also check out Messages from Water Vols 1 & 2, Water Crystal Healing, and others.)

Born in 1943 in Yokohama, Masaru graduated from the Yokohama City University. A doctor of Alternative Medicine, Masaru’s current projects include President of OFFICE MASARU EMOTO, Chairman of I.H.M. Co., Ltd., Chairman of the International HADO Membership, and Honorary President of the International Water for Life Foundation. Some of the more profound, interesting examples of his studies include:

The words Angel and Holy Water resulted in rings of small crystals linked together. They are fascinating, and unlike any of the other captured water crystals.

"Angel," or "Holy Water" Crystal Formations

The Power of Prayer: The water at the Fujiwara Dam in 1995 was so polluted, that Masaru was unable to capture a beautiful water crystal image. Mr. Kato, a Budhist monk, offered a prayer for the water. After the prayer was given, the water created beautiful crystal formations like the one below, truly an amazing image, as such crystals couldn’t be obtained from the dam water previous to the prayer. True confirmation of the positive vibrations of pure thoughts and prayer upon water, regardless of how dirty we’ve made it.

The Power of Prayer: Buddhist prayer for filthy dam water at Fujiwara dam, 1995

Why not repeat I am beautiful to ourselves — and others — to create a beautiful world? The water did it…

"You Are Beautiful" Formation

“Yes we can change water by our consciousness.”

For More Information:

Dec 22

Tree Portraits for the Solstice ☀

In honor of the shortest day and longest night of the year — and the ancient sacred associations with the winter solstice, midwinter, and the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere — here are some images of our region’s fabulous flora.