Dusa River

For us here at the southern tip of Africa it was a cold day with grey skies, and a chilly wind, but the rain that had fallen in the night and morning held off. About 15 people (and a dog named Harriet,) came all warmly bundled up in jackets and woolly caps. Bryan drew the shape of a very large RadJoy bird in the sand and we all wandered off along the beach to collect kelp, shells and other bits of nature to “fill” in the bird. Someone took charge of its head and s/he ended up with a row of beach found feathers as long, fluttering in the breeze eyelashes! As the bird filled—others started creating different shapes on the beach—a series of hearts, a mini labyrinth from open halves of mussel shells, a yin-yang symbol and others. After an hour it felt done. We gathered in a circle next to the RadJoy bird and those that wanted to speak about their experience. We then spent a minute in silence each one offering up their own prayers and blessings—and in that minute the tide that had been creeping in and nibbling away bits at the edge of the bird, suddenly surged and swept a large part of it into the ocean—pulling it back into itself. It was a moving moment—to see the ocean claim the beauty of the bird. Rod started to drum on a djembe, some people gathered round him, clapping, and swaying while others drifted off, black rubbish collection bags in hand, bending, scooping up human litter as they headed back to their cars. It was simple yet beautiful and moving. Many people said they would like to do something again next year in their own neighbourhood. Thank you for having the vision and holding it—and for reminding us that the places that have been wounded are not to be avoided but visited and offered beauty and healing both in tangible and energetic ways.