Last month, Angela MacPherson opened her studios and invited a diverse group of activists from the Cape Town area, many of whom were offered sponsorship, to participate in a Council of all Beings. This was an idea that had originated from a conversation between Angela and Erin Cowie, and I had the honour to be able to co-facilitate with them. After many enlightening conversations, the juicy emergent type that happen when working in collaboration, we designed a format that meandered on a local walk through three different venues.
First, the Muizenberg Park, which volunteers planted and tended around us, we practiced some connection with each other and with the land, supported by Brown’s words and song. This is where we were chosen by another life form, in the still (unusually so!) springtime weather that invites so much birdsong and insect life, following the process developed by Joanna Macy and John Seed.
Then we visited the MacFabulous studio where Angela offered her space to create and play with many materials, producing a mask that we then carried to the third venue, the beautiful Samhitakasha cob house, where Erin led the Council itself, the more than humans spoke, and the beings listened.
A powerful day together indeed. Much healing to the land and the beings that we were chosen by. In gratitude.
Should you wish to hold a Council of All Brings on your land or with your community, please contact Joanna Tomkins
Artwork on this flyer by Angela McPherson
Gaia Speaking 