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Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center: Local Roots For Global Learning • Why Body-Led Healing? Black And Brown Voices Must Shape The 2024 Green Agenda • Understanding Digestive Problems Time For Rachel Carson (Part One) • How To Detect Disinformation • Melanoma Screening Do Unto Me As I Do Unto Others • The Future Of Gardening • Summer Astrology… And More
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Community Workshops & Continuing Education UPCOMING CLASSES Introduction to Sports Massage June 8 with Stephen Conti Anatomy Trains July 19-21 Structural Essentials: Arches and Legs Nurturing the Mother ® Aug 2-4 Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage Zero Balancing I Oct 25-28 CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS Biodynamic Craniosacral Overview May30-June2 This is the last overview class before the full BCST certification course begins on June 27 AT OUR PARTNER CLASSES The Three Bodies Method ™ May 30-June 2 or Sept 12-15 an Introduction to Biodynamic Osteopathic Manual Techniques at The Journey Space in Glen Echo, MD Bodywork for Depression and Anxiety Sept 25-27 a 3-Day Retreat in Nelson County, VA
Learn to be a Professional Massage Therapist PMTI offers 10-month and 20-month programs • Our Professional Massage Training Program is one of the most comprehensive and respected training programs in the US • Lowest Cost of Tuition Massage School in Maryland • PMTI graduates have a 93% average pass rate on the National Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) (vs. US avg 72%, MD avg 64% – source: FSMTB 2022) • We offer Continuing Education and Community Workshops to fulfill licensing requirements and help your practice grow! • Easy Metro access in Silver Spring, Maryland
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PATHWAYS—Summer 24—3
Uma Alexandra Beepat Soul Alignment Coach, Intuitive Consultant CEO of The Lotus and The Light Metaphysical Center www.thelotusandthelight.com Intuitive & Psychic Mentorship with Uma Are you tired of taking independent stand alone classes from a variety of teachers? Ready to fully commit to your spiritual development? Work with Uma! Uma is a well respected and established metaphysical mentor and spiritual teacher in the Northern Virginia area. She has taught hundreds of students over the past 15 years and now you can work one on one with her! 8 week Intuitive Development Course: Topics Included: LOA, Crystals, Chakras, Energy Work & More 8 Week Psychic Development course: Topics Included: The Clair Senses, Aura Readings, Spring & More 8 Week Mediumship Development Course: Topics Included: Spirit Guide Communication, Trance Healing, Channeling & More * Take one program at a time or the whole course for a 6 month intensive development program! Learn More: https://bit.ly/UmaMentorship2024 The Lotus Lounge Podcast Join Uma and friends every week for a variety of shows with metaphysical talks, readings and positive vibes to make your week happy and bright! It’s FREE to Subscribe! The Lotus Lounge Podcast is available on Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeart Radio and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe for FREE: www.buzzsprout.com/1880735
info@thelotusandthelight.com www.linktr.ee/thelotusandthelight Check out our calendar for ALL Of Uma’s events and classes! www.meetup.com/thelotusandthelight
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4—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
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PATHWAYS—Summer 24—5
Erin Desabla Owner & Publisher; Events + Operations + Business Development Michelle Alonso
Editor, Magazine & Web Content; Social Media + Marketing, Events Claudia Neuman Operations + Sales + Event Support Amaya Roberson Sales + Event Support Ann Silberlicht Graphic Design
MInd • Body • Spirit • Environmental Resources Since 1979
What We Are About Pathways Productions is a full-service advertising, marketing, event and publishing company serving the mind, body, spirit community since 1979. From the start, we have been a small, family-run busi- ness. Today, we have a women-led team dedicated to helping all businesses — local, small & inde- pendent — succeed and thrive. Over the years, we have expanded our offerings to include live events, most notably the widely successful and always popular Natural Living Expo. The articles and resources offered by Pathways Magazine and its affiliated hosted events demon - strate a common belief on the part of local individuals, businesses and contributors that sharing ideas and expertise builds community and commerce in a spirit of unity, cooperation and under- standing while maintaining a high level of integrity, responsibility and service. Our content em- braces these ideals; we are a conduit — a pathway — for the most loving and dynamic insights and information that enable all of us to live more consciously. The views and opinions expressed in Pathways Magazine, and by vendor materials for our hosted events, are those of the contributing writers, editors and merchants, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pathways ownership or any Pathways staff. Any content provided by our contributors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religious, ethnic, or cultur- al group, organization, company or individual. Furthermore, the products and services presented herein and at our hosted events do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of use or a recommen- dation on the part of Pathways and its staff, and are largely paid advertising and vending. Making Connections Join our Pathways Community! Through our quarterly and online publications, and our sched- uled hosted events, we are committed to providing the public with free or affordable access to local resources focused on holistic health and wellness practices, spirituality and personal growth, com- munity activism and outreach, and stewardship to the environment. We foster these opportunities through information, ideas, events, goods and services. Our goal is to provide a platform for businesses to reach the public in a comprehensive and cost-ef- fective way. Through advertising, packaged marketing, live events and retreats, and event planning support, we offer businesses opportunities to market themselves through a variety of channels, and use our expertise to facilitate this growing network. Pathways is your one-stop resource to make connections, nurture growth and achieve success. Finding Pathways Pathways Magazine print edition is distributed through dozens of outlets in Maryland, DC and Virginia. Visit our “Where To Find” page online for the nearest locations to pick up your print copy. More distribution outlets are being added with each issue. We also provide an online digital edition with interactive links to references, resources and businesses for each issue. Our website features our current issue, as well as a magazine archive, where you can view issues dating back to 2010. Subscriptions for Pathways Magazine are available for $16/year and direct-mailed. Order yours through our website: www.PathwaysProductions.com/magazine/subscriptions. Advertising In Pathways Pathways advertising opportunities are available through all of our outreach channels: our free quarterly journal, Pathways Magazine, distributed in print and digitally; our hosted events; and our comprehensive website and growing social media presence. We offer ad rate discounts with custom packages for Expo exhibitors, and provide design services for low one-time fees. For more informa- tion, upcoming deadlines and our editorial calendar, visit us online.
MayaRose Creative LLC Magazine & Website, Design + Production Contributing Editors Guides.vote Kathy Jentz Cam MacQueen Contributing Writers
Helena Amos Carol Burbank Chabeli Carrazana Rev. Trish Hall Rebecca Henson
Misty Kuceris Hiram Larew
Peter Levine, PhD Nyle MacFarlane Mollie Meehan Brown Janine Shore Lindsey Van Wagner Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.
Book Reviews Alyce Ortuzar On The Cover FUCHSIA LOTUS By Abol Bahadori Circulation 12K copies by Pathways Staff SUMMER 24 Volume 49, Number 2 Published quarterly with the season change by ERIN DESABLA PATHWAYS PRODUCTIONS 7407 Aspen Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com PH: 240-247-0393 (Mon. – Thurs. • 12 PM to 5 PM) ADVERTISING EMAIL: pathwaysads@gmail.com Ad Rates Available Online: www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com Deadline for Editorial and Advertising are 2/10, 5/10, 8/10 and 11/10. Publication is approximately four weeks after the deadlines. Please email all arti- cles as file attachments to the Editor at:
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6—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summer 2024 — What’s Inside
PATHWAYS PROFILE Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center: Local Roots for Global Learning ........................................9
z
GREEN NEWS & VIEWS Time for Rachel Carson (Part One) ....................................................................................................13 By Rebecca Henson ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS Summer 2024: Take Stock. Set Boundaries. Have Fun......................................................................15 By Misty Kuceris CULTIVATING COMPASSION Black and Brown Voices Must Shape the 2024 Green Agenda ..........................................................19 By Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.; edited by Cam MacQueen TO YOUR HEALTH “Why Can’t I Digest Anything?” Understanding and Solving Digestive Problems ...........................21 By Helena Amos, M.AC., L.AC., Euro. Physician MIND-BODY-SPIRIT No Regrets: Liberation From Family Ferment .................................................................................27 By Carol Burbank ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE How the ADA Paved the Way for Workplace Protections for Women and LGBTQ+ People ..........31 By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY Avoiding Deception: Detecting Disinformation ................................................................................53 From Guides.vote MIND-BODY-SPIRIT Dreams Show the Way: A Treasure to Be-Hold ...............................................................................60 By Peter Levine, PhD WASHINGTON GARDENER The Future of Gardening ...................................................................................................................62 By Kathy Jentz
Why body-led healing? Learn how our fascial system holds the key to healing trauma, memory, and emotion; by Nyle MacFarlane. Page 11
Ask yourself, “Do I treat myself with the same respect and loving kindness I give to others?” If not, what’s going on?; by Trish Hall. Page 50
ON THE COVER: FUCHSIA LOTUS, by Abol Bahadori. Artist profile, page 65
MORE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVE LIVING
• Melanoma Screening, by Janine Shore - pg 25 • A Guide to Decide: Leading with Mind, Body, and Spirit, by Lindsey Van Wagner - pg 55 • Book review by Alyce Ortuzar: From Poverty To Purpose: Chef Ricardo’s Secret Recipes To Success, by Chef Ricardo - pg 63 • Poetry and Elections, from Hiram Larew - pg 64 • Summer Events Calendar - pg 34 • Advertiser Index - pg 66
SAVE THE DATE! PATHWAYS FALL NATURAL LIVING EXPO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024, COLLEGE PARK, MD An Invitation From Your Pathways Team
We are looking forward to hosting the Pathways Natural Living Expo at a brand new location this fall — the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, at the University of Maryland in College Park — and we hope you’ll join us! You can still expect great exhibitors and illuminating workshops from the DMV’s premier Mind-Body-Spirit-Eco event. We are still accepting vendor applications, but it will sell out, so visit our website for more information and apply now. Online advance ticket purchasing through Eventbrite will begin in late summer. Save the date and come support local businesses, and Pathways, to keep resources in our local communities. Until then, the summer season is upon us, and we feel the pull of desire for downtime and healing, as well as the push for education and engagement to start preparing for what’s sure to be a frenetic fall. No matter which direction you choose, make room for a little Pathways reading, self care and family time. Opportunities abound for both unplugging and connection, so embrace them all with an open mind, willing body, and compassionate spirit.
PATHWAYS—Summer 24—7
Only 100 miles from Washington and Baltimore, in historic Berkeley Springs, WV — Spas to Four-Star Restaurant Coming 2024
Past Speakers
Host—Futurist, John L. Petersen
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8—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
PATHWAYS PROFILE
Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center: Local Roots for Global Learning
to create new connections, friendships, and build relationships with the plants. We always seek to weave together and deepen our under- standing of the interrelationships in our ecological and human com- munities, and learn the tools to move forward with care, compassion, a deep sense of justice, knowing each small part of a person or plant or action is part of an interconnected whole. St. John’s Wort Harvest
BY MOLLY MEEHAN BROWN
More than a decade ago, we recognized the need for accessible opportunities for our community to learn about folk healing ways. As an herbalist, mama, birthworker, and plant lover, as well as a de - scendant of settlers, who grew up in Maryland, I dreamt of creating a space where folks could come and learn and remember the knowledge that is held within each of our respective lineages as well as build rela- tionships centering care of the plants and of each other. With that in mind, I founded Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center in 2012, and it has taken root in the small town of Bryans Road, Southern Mary - land, just 20 miles south of DC (www.wildgingerherbalcenter.com/) Now, I manage our programs together with my husband, Javier Brown, a land tender and tour guide born into a family of agricultur - alists, farmers and chocolate growers in the Afro Costa Rican commu - nity, along with our kids. At Wild Ginger, we are dedicated to keeping herbal, plant, land-based, healing and birthing knowledge dynamic and vital at the community level. We love working with folks who are part of our communities to bring these educational spaces alive! Wild Ginger began with the goal to both embody and reflect the folks who practice herbalism in our communities in inclusive ways. For 10+ years we have had the joy and the honor to work with hun - dreds of teachers to create programs and collective learning expe- riences. At the center of our work is relationship-building between the plants, ourselves, and with each other. Together we utilize a wide variety of ways to share knowledge in hopes to weave a story of herb- alism, healing, food and birth that reflects the many different lineag - es, traditions, cultures, values and identities that our community is made up of. We’ve served thousands of students at our herbal center in Southern Maryland, in our beloved online programs, as well as in our traditional herbal and foodways programs in Costa Rica. Here is a closer look at some of our efforts, which involve grow - ing herbs for donation to local mutual aid organizations, running our Medicine Keepers Community Herbalism Certificate Program, host - ing herb camps for kids as well as the Chesapeake Herb Gathering, and more!
Learning along with the plants’ seasonal rhythms is a central part of our programs at Wild Ginger Herbal Center in Maryland. Here we harvested St. John’s Wort in order to create a topical oil ex- traction, a powerful medicinal preparation traditionally used to support pain relief, anti-viral, and supportive of our nerves. Though the flowers are red, the oil be - comes a vibrant red once extract- ed because of the constituent hypericin.
Flower Essences Flower Essences are created by encoding the energetic imprint of a flower’s vital energy into water, and then preserved. They are supportive of our emotional, mental and spiritu- al patterns; honestly, just the process of creating them is healing in itself! Each summer we create flower es - sences together at Wild Ginger.
Chesapeake Herb Gathering in Maryland Since 2013 we have hosted the Chesapeake Herb Gath- ering, an intergeneration- al event bringing together herbalists, healers, youth, birthkeepers and land- based peoples. The week- end includes workshops,
live music, art, community connection, artisans market, youth activi- ties and so much more. Each year this event is a fundraiser for a local organization.
Medicine Keepers Community Herbal Program in Maryland Our annual Medicine Keepers Community Herbal Certificate Pro - grams offer our community members the chance to dive deep into the extensive foundations of herbalism. We learn to grow, process and create herbal medicines with plants we tend throughout the seasons that students can bring home and build their own apothecaries. Our incredible faculty of teachers embody the path of herbalism in many inspirational and creative ways! This program has always been an amazing place to come together
Wild Ginger in Costa Rica: Herbal & Foodways Im- mersion Each year we offer several programs centering the tradi- tional herbal and foodways of
continued on page 30
PATHWAYS—Summer 24—9
10—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
MIND-BODY-SPIRIT
Why Body-Led Healing?
BY NYLE MACFARLANE
The study of how our bodies store trauma and emotion is still in its infancy, leaving the field of Somatics ripe and ready for new growth and learning. Mental health professionals like Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk, and Gabor Mate pioneered an entire field of somatic psychology with their books about the impact of trauma on the phys- ical body. Thanks to these brilliant minds, we can now acknowledge the Body truly does keep score. But, there is still so much we do not know about how to use our body’s ancient wisdom to heal our complex trauma patterns. When it comes to unlocking the hidden secrets inside of our body, there is still much for us to learn. In my opinion, most of the somatic methods for trauma resolution are still too dependent on our logical mind’s need to make sense of things to truly be called body-led. The most popular somatic approaches still rely on our higher brain centers to scan the body for sensations and emotions, asking questions like: “What do you feel in your gut?” Or “How old is this feeling?” These methods use our mind to generate awareness in the body, with the understanding that when we name something, we tame it. How very egoic of us to think the body is going to give away all its secrets just because we asked. If our brains had that much control over our subconscious state of being, then why are we still playing out our old trauma patterns on repeat? Our bodies are intelligently designed to keep us safe and function- al, despite our trauma history. When we experience a trauma, whether it be one traumatic event (capital-T trauma) or long-term exposure to a traumatic situation (chronic repetitive trauma), the brain process- es it until it feels done; then it buries the residual information in the body. This becomes our subconscious memory. This process allows us to stay present and adaptable in response to ongoing stressors or environmental demands. Whether we are aware of this biological phenomenon or not, the somatic memories that are stored within our body influence every as - pect of our human behavior, right down to our posture, our biases, and our belief systems. Our body is a container for centuries worth of trauma, memory, and emotion, and our fascial system holds the key. Understanding Fascia Fascia is connective tissue. It will often have a different name de - pending on where it is in the body. For example: Dura Mater is fascia that surrounds the brain; Pleura is fascia that surrounds the lungs; Pericardium is fascia that surrounds the heart; Myofascia is the gener - al term for fascia surrounding the muscles; and Viscera is the general term for fascia surrounding the organs. Don’t let all the fancy names confuse you. No matter what you call it, this thin membrane covers every organ, muscle, bone, vessel, and cell. Fascia separates our parts from one another and is what allows our internal organs to slide and glide along one another as we move and as our organs move inside of us. Fascia compartmentalizes our body parts, but it also connects our body parts on the inside, which is why we sometimes refer to it as connective tissue. We are made up of fascia from our head down to our toes, with all parts connected to one anoth- er by way of the fascial system. The fascial system looks like a three-dimensional webbing when seen under a microscope. I highly recommend searching for the video “Strolling Under the Skin’’ by Jean-Claude Guimberteau to see fascia in action. He was one of the first medical researchers to record fas - cia in movement inside of a living body. His discovery revealed that
fascia has a polyhedral (3D) architectural framework that allows for its dynamic interplay between all other adjacent connected parts. Its movements are random and non-reproducible, creating an un- predictable sliding system within the body. He calls fascia “fibrillar chaos”. The individual strands of fascial fibers are hollow microtubules filled with collagen, lipids, proteoglycan gel, water, molecules, and light. Fascia is theorized to respond to sound, energy, thoughts, and emotions. I believe our fascia is the consciousness of our inner world that responds to and is affected by what we perceive and experience in our outer world. Fascia-Trauma Connection Fascia is the great conductor of information inside of our body. It sends and receives signals from all other connected body parts. However, when our fascia experiences damage, due to dysfunction of an organ or repetitive strain to the body, the surrounding tissue becomes thickened and dehydrated over time. If the tissue is cut or damaged in that area, the fascia repairs itself, but never returns to its hydrated state. Damaged fascia becomes dense and fibrotic, losing its pliability and elasticity resulting in restrictions. Fascial restrictions can no longer conduct information, but instead become a sponge for emotions and stress. Our trauma and emotions go to the place of greatest fascial re- striction in our bodies. As mentioned earlier, when our brain is done processing a trauma or emotional stressor, it dumps the remaining information into the body. More specifically, that information goes to the body part or organ whose function mimics that trauma or emo- tion. This is what somatic practitioners mean when we say our body “resonates” with something we are experiencing in our field. When these pockets of stored traumas and emotions remain trapped in the fascial tissue, they begin to change our behavior over time. Our personality becomes the survival patterns that were creat- ed in response to unaddressed trauma in the body. It is possible to release these stored traumas and emotions by releasing the sticky or damaged fascia tissue. The fascial system re- sponds to slow sustained pressure or stretch over time, which will rehydrate the tissue and decrease stiffness in that region of the body. When we release a fascial restriction, we release the toxins stored in that tissue, which include buried memories and emotions.
continued on page 46
PATHWAYS—Summer 24—11
Takoma Metaphysical Chapel
Sunday 11:00 Services now virtual at Zoom (81385184622) and Facebook Live. Other activities via conf. at 717-908-1636 (635833#) A Spiritual Community That Supports Your Individual Development
Imagine A Place Where…. Your beliefs are supported and embraced. Everyday events are explored from the physical, mental and spiritual perspective. Like-minded individuals support you in your spiritual journey. At the Takoma Metaphysical Chapel, you will find such a place. The Takoma Metaphysical Chapel is a growing community of people committed to spiritual growth and development resulting in transformation and emotional well-being. You’ll find uplifting services, you’ll feel the spirit of Love, and you’ll learn practical ways to put this energy to work for your greatest good. Relevant, Practical Themes. Teachings based on numerous “new thought” spiritual traditions that show you how to apply timeless spiritual principles in practical ways to navigate your life with more peace, joy and grace. Come As You Are Come experience uplifting music, meditation, prayer and messages designed to touch your heart and uplift your spirit. Experience wisdom from various spiritual traditions to heal your heart, mind and soul. The Takoma Metaphysical Chapel meets on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom (Meeting Code 81385184622) and on Facebook Live.
Our Mailing Address Is: 1901 Powder Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD 20903
Classes and Workshops Include: SPIRIT SPEAKS MORE ON MANIFESTATION Mondays at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom MORE MANIFESTATION METHODS Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom See website www.takomametaphysicalchapel.org for other classes, online support and more details. Many classes available via conference call also.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE: Wednesday Evening Healing/ Meditation Circles 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. via conf. 717-908-1636 (635833#) 3rd Sunday Goddess Circle 7:30 p.m via conf. 717-908-1636 (635833#) A Course In Miracles Calls M-F 6:55 a.m. via conf Sunday 9:30 a.m. via conf 717-908-1636 (635833#)
(301) 587-7200 • takomachapel@netzero.com www.takomametaphysicalchapel.org
12—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
GREEN NEWS & VIEWS
Time for Rachel Carson (Part One)
BY REBECCA HENSON
Rachel Carson passed away 60 years ago this past April, but we are not finished learning from her work and her example. In Silver Spring, Maryland, we are working to create Springsong Museum , a place of joy, solace, and connection that brings her words and wonder to gen- erations new and old. Development of this project is still ongoing, so beginning with this first of four installments, it seems fitting, while we wait, to share some of Carson’s writings and philosophy with the read- ers of Pathways, with some of her writings related to time. When I was a child, summers brought something of an existential reckoning. Spending at least some time at the beach every summer, the excitement would give way to indescribable pangs of nostalgia the moment I would put my feet in the water and look out at the vast ocean. The chill of the wind and water would hit and retreat, and I’d drift from disbelief to an unsteady acceptance that another year had gone by, we were all another year older, and no matter how intensely I wished it, there was nothing that could be done to alter time’s constant passing. Summer after summer, time at the beach began with an au- dience with that indifferent power, consistently telling the same truth. Many years later, some of that truth found company in the scores- old writings of Rachel Carson: To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines of the continents for untold thou- sands of years, to see the running of the old eels and the young shad to the sea, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be. ( Under the Sea- Wind , 1941) Rachel Carson, whom many credit with sparking the modern en- vironmental movement through her writing and defense of Silent Spring, built a career on her ability to communicate the wonders and realities of the sea, enamoring a wide audience with both her style and substance. While living in the Woodmoor neighborhood of Silver Spring in the early 1950s, Carson had not one but two books about the creatures and features of the ocean on The New York Times bestseller list. Under the Sea-Wind and The Sea Around Us provided readers in-depth scientific information, but were just as importantly contex - tualizing it with deep themes of life on earth: of connection; enduring cycles, patterns, and change; and, dependably, the factor of time. For Carson, and for many of us, the sea and time are inseparable. Summer affords us a season in which we can most easily appreciate both. Revisiting Carson’s writings, we can experience visits to the beach, that perpetually liminal space, less for its cold realities and more for its true wonders: For the differences I sense in this particular instant of time that is mine are but the difference of a moment, determined by our place in the stream of time and in the long rhythms of the sea. Once this rocky coast beneath me was a plain of sand; then the sea rose and found a new shore line. And again in some shadowy future the surf will have found these rocks to sand and will have returned the coast to its earlier state. And so in my mind’s eye these coastal forms merge and blend in a shifting, kaleidoscopic pattern in which there is no finality, no ultimate and fixed reality — earth becoming fluid as the sea itself.
Copyright: ©Erich Hartmann / Magnum Photos
On all these shores there are echoes of past and future: of the flow of time, obliterating yet containing all that has gone before; of the sea’s eternal rhythms — the tides, the beat of surf, the pressing rivers of the currents — shaping, chang- ing, dominating; of the stream of life, flowing as inexorably as any ocean current, from past to unknown future. (“The Enduring Sea,” The Edge of the Sea , 1955) Even in her most well-known book Silent Spring , written in Silver Spring near the end of her life, Carson explains threats to our natu- ral environment — and of course, to ourselves — by returning to the theme of time. As was the case throughout her career, she sought to make complex subjects understandable to the public by clearly, yet beautifully, distilling the essential elements of the relationship be- tween living things and their environment and time: The rapidity of change and the speed with which new situ- ations are created follow the impetuous and headless pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature. Radiation is no longer merely the background radiation of rocks, the bombardment of cosmic rays, the ultraviolet of the sun that have existed before there was any life on earth; radiation is now the unnatural creation of man’s tampering with the atom. The chemicals to which life is asked to make its adjust- ment are no longer merely the calcium and silica and copper and all the rest of the minerals washed out of the rocks and carried in rivers to the sea; they are the synthetic creations of man’s inventive mind, brewed in his laboratories and having no counterparts in nature. To adjust to these chemicals would require time on the scale that is nature’s; it would require not merely the years of a man’s life but the life of generations. (“The Obligation to Endure,” Silent Spring , 1962) As Rachel Carson’s own time was coming to an end, she wrote her beloved friend a letter that could be considered an acknowledgement and perhaps acceptance of what was to come:
continued on page 57
PATHWAYS—Summer 24—13
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14—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS
Summer 2024: Take Stock. Set Boundaries. Have Fun.
BY MISTY KUCERIS
come up with solutions you may have not con- sidered in the past. You’ll also find friends who are willing to sup- port you as you resolve matters in your life. When the new Moon
With the Sun and the warm weather of summer there’s always this sense of intense energy surrounding you. Yet, a lot of the energy swirling around during these summer months beckons you to review past events, understand their impact on your life, and determine what actions you want to make as a result of those events so you can confi - dently move forward with your life. As the month of June begins, Jupiter in Gemini forms a trine to Pluto retrograde in Aquarius on June 2, 2024. Jupiter only entered the sign of Gemini on May 25th, so you’re still getting used to its ener - gy right now and feel confused on how to proceed. Meanwhile, Pluto retrograde is moving backwards and will leave the sign of Aquarius on September 1st to return to Capricorn, so you’re feeling that something from your past is grabbing back at you and you will need to deal with it very soon. Jupiter represents the desire to break the rules so you can move forward with new adventures in your life. But when Jupiter is in the sign of Gemini, it’s easy to get distracted. As a matter of fact, one of the best statements made representing Jupiter in the sign of Gemini is “I digress.” Meanwhile, Pluto can indicate your ability to know your - self and your needs on all levels, or your ability to block information from your conscious mind you find extremely painful or doesn’t fit your worldview. With Jupiter forming a trine to Pluto retrograde, you have more confidence. It’s easier to handle any difficult matters. If you’ve been avoiding something, you’ll be able to take care of it now. If it’s some- thing new that crops up, you’ll feel as if you already took care of it. Where normally Jupiter in Gemini can leave you feeling scattered, not so today. Your ability to get distracted will actually work in your favor. You’ll be able to see situations from different points of view. You’ll
occurs on June 6th, the energy of Gemini is ex- tremely strong as Jupi- ter, Mercury, the Moon, the Sun, and Venus are all found in this sign. Communication is very important. You want to understand what’s go- ing on in your life and the lives of others. You feel optimistic about what you can achieve.
Since the new Moon indicates a time of the month to begin new ventures, you’ll find that extremely easy this day. It is the time to fol - low your passion. You’re able to bring more love and light into your life. You’re also able to increase your base of support with people in your personal and social groups. When the Summer Solstice occurs on June 20th, as the Sun enters the sign of Cancer, you understand the importance of family and sur- rounding yourself with individuals you love. At the same time, you feel
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PATHWAYS—Summer 24—15
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16—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS
Summer 2024 Astrology... ...continued from page 15
the need to hold back some of your public displays of affection. You don’t want that display to be misunderstood as weakness. As a matter of fact, you find you prefer to spend time with family and friends in a more intimate setting, such as your home. You don’t want to deal with strangers on planes or in recreational areas. The day after the Summer Solstice, you’ll see a full Moon on June 21st, which in some ways may echo the full Moon that occurs on July 21st. Both of these full Moons have the Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Capricorn. This means at the time of each of these full Moons you’ll find it important to focus on understanding your family needs while also realizing some of the responsibilities they expect of you are a little too demanding; you need to take that time to make your own needs known. During the time period of the June 21st full Moon, you need to be specific when you communicate with your family. You don’t want them to twist your words or to misunderstand the intent behind your words. You also need to set boundaries and stick to those boundaries. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself slipping back into taking on too many responsibilities. As the new Moon occurs on July 5th, you realize you want to renew your relationships with either younger members of your family or the matriarchs and patriarchs of your family. This is a great day to contact them and see how they are doing. You may even find, especially from older members of your family, some very important information that brings answers to some important questions you’ve had. Once again the Sun is in Cancer and the Moon is in Capricorn for the full Moon occurring on July 21st. This full Moon takes place just before the Sun leaves the sign of Cancer and enters the sign of Leo on July 22nd. While you may have tried to set boundaries with family members, there are still some individuals who are not respecting those boundaries. So July 22nd is a day to ask yourself some questions: Am I letting them manipulate me into doing something I don’t want? Or am I accepting this situation because it also benefits me? Your answers will determine if you need to reinforce those boundaries, or if you ac- tually do accept those responsibilities. You feel optimistic on August 4th when the new Moon occurs. With both the Sun and Moon in Leo, and Venus in Leo as well, you want to go out, bask in the Sun and have a lot of fun. You don’t want other people telling you not to take risks. Rather, you want to push the hot button on play and enjoy life. Situations start to feel as if they are slowing down as Mercury in Virgo turns retrograde on August 5th. It will re-enter the sign of Leo on August 14th and turn direct in the sign of Leo on August 28th. As Mercury starts its retrograde journey in the sign of Virgo, you decide perhaps it’s time to focus on health matters. You review your diet and research various exercise routines, and maybe even set some health goals. In addition, you do need to be more careful with your paperwork. When Mercury is in Virgo, there’s a tendency to be a bit sloppy with your daily routine. You don’t feel like filing anything. You find it more difficult to follow-up on meetings or discussions with individuals. And communication equipment could also become a problem, whether that’s your mobile phone, internet connection, or even computer soft- ware. But it’s not necessarily the time to upgrade any of these systems if you can possibly avoid it. As Mercury retrograde re-enters the sign of Leo on August 14th, the energy shifts from concern over your health or ignoring your pa- perwork to areas of your life where you question whether to take risks: Not a good time; or going out with friends — missed opportunities. What that means is you may try to create plans with friends, but some- how they don’t come together as easily as usual. This Mercury in Leo retrograde time period is a great time to con - sider activities that increase beauty in your life. You may want to re-
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PATHWAYS—Summer 24—17
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS
Summer 2024 Astrology... ...continued from page 17
your life then. In 2020, Jupiter and Saturn formed a conjunction. Ev - ery four to five years after this conjunction occurs, Jupiter and Saturn form a square, as on this day, August 19th. When it does, it’s time to acknowledge the impact of those events, how they changed and de- fined your life, and what you now need to do to move into the next phase of your life. The best way to begin is to look at those stress lines in your life. Too often, and now more than ever, stress is misrepresented as a negative aspect of life. American society tends to be fixated on the “need to be happy.” While one of the definitions of stress is feeling emotionally disturbed due to difficult circumstances, another and more positive definition of stress is to place emphasis, such as on aspects of your life. When doing so you can draw more attention to those areas and focus on improving them. Jupiter will actually form this square to Saturn three times: August 19 and December 24, 2024, and June 15, 2025. During the August turn, think about how your life has changed since 2020; maybe cre - ate a list of those changes. They speak to foundations now created in your life. Next, consider where you want to be over the next four to five years; maybe create a list from these thoughts. They speak to the aspirations you seek to fulfill in your life. The fact that this aspect oc - curs two more times indicates the answers to these questions will take time; yet taking time will also bring you more satisfaction in the long run. On August 28th, Mercury in Leo turns direct. Mercury actually re-entered the sign of Leo in retrograde motion on August 14th, and you’ll find yourself breathing a sigh of relief. It’s easier to get together with friends. You’ve come up with plans that can bring more beauty into your life. And while you may not have minded running into some people from your past, you’re ready to move on. © 2024 Misty Kuceris | Misty Kuceris is a Certified Astrological Professional, a Reiki Master, and Co-founder of the NOVA Astrology Group. She has contributed to Pathways for over 30 years. See her website for monthly astrological reflections: www.EnhanceOneself. com. Contact her at: misty@EnhanceOneself.com.
decorate your home or increase your curb appeal. If that’s the case, take time to research your various options so you can make some of those changes and improvements after Mercury goes direct. The full Moon occurs on August 19th, and a few hours later, Jupi - ter forms a square to Saturn. This full Moon has the Sun in Leo and the Moon in Aquarius. When the Sun is in Leo, all you really care about is going out and having fun. With the Moon in Aquarius, you enjoy spending time with friends. But this is a day of caution as the full Moon forms a square to Uranus. Unexpected situations can easily occur today. It might be as pleasant as running into people from your past and deciding to spend more time with them; or, you could run into people you’ve been avoiding because they continue to make your life unpleasant. As the day proceeds, Jupiter forms a square to Saturn. You start wondering about your status in society and whether you’re getting proper recognition for your efforts. You’re looking at the direction of your life and wondering if you’re on track or if you need to make changes. You may even be questioning whether you’re living the life you determined, or the life defined by others. In actuality, this square emphasizes the need to look back to 2020 and the events that shaped
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18—PATHWAYS—Summer 24
Black and Brown Voices Must Shape the 2024 Green Agenda BY REV. LENNOX YEARWOOD, JR., HIP HOP CAUCUS CULTIVATING COMPASSION
With every election cycle, partisan stances on climate change have become increasingly influential for the ways in which Americans cast their ballots. In fact, new research by the University of Boulder’s Cen - ter for Environmental Futures found that climate change likely “cost Republicans the 2020 presidential election, all else being equal.” However, mainstream environmental movements have a tendency to write off the voting power of Black and brown communities in their fight to pass rehabilitative climate policies. Neglecting these commu - nities, and environmental justice and climate justice issues as inter- sectional, only serves to counteract the momentum needed to propel climate change to the forefront amid an overcrowded political land- scape; it will also prolong inequitable vulnerabilities faced by low-in- come communities of color. During the Trump Administration, over 100 environmental poli - cies impacting the quality of air, water and the safety of wildlife were diluted. Both the EPA and the Department of the Interior were pri - marily responsible for rolling back protections that help keep Ameri - can people and land healthy for generations to come. The former pres- ident rejected efforts to strengthen soot pollution standards , eased the leasing process for oil/gas companies to drill public lands , and weak- ened enforcement protections for endangered species . For Black and brown communities in particular, the Trump Administration’s policy changes demonstrated utter apathy toward their health and wellbeing. Soot is widely recognized as the “ No. 1 environmental health risk in the US ,” by which Black and Hispanic populations are burdened by 56% and 63% excess exposure respectively. If left unchanged, these
regulatory changes could significantly increase emissions of green - house gasses, damage Earth’s biodiversity, and perpetuate disparities in Americans’ quality of life. Under the current Biden Administration, however, many of these Trump-era cutbacks have been corrected. President Biden actively rec - ognizes climate change is a real problem; he has made active efforts to better protect the planet and its people. In April, the EPA announced new rules to reduce toxic air pollution from chemical plants in Loui- siana — cutting emissions dramatically from more than 200 plants, including one that is next door to a predominantly Black elementary school that exposes hundreds of children to chemicals at levels 400 times higher than what is considered safe. Hip Hop Caucus’ President & CEO Rev Yearwood Jr. and Events Director Calvin Spann speak at a Respect My Vote! tour stop in Milwaukee, September 2022.
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PATHWAYS—Summer 24—19
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