Making Prayers for the Salmon

Act of Beauty: RadJoy bird in the mud, delittering the stream bank.

Notes about the Experience (What participants said, what they experienced, any difference you noticed about the place at the end of your Earth Exchange, reactions, etc.): This is my first experience participating in the Global Earth Exchange and though I did it on my own, it was so meaningful that I intend to do it once a month from now on. AND the best news is that two people have already said they would like to join me next time!

I am devoted to wild salmon. Not only are they an indicator species, but I learned today from watching a new documentary by Alexandra Morton called Salmon Confidential that they are dying out by the millions partly because of toxins and viruses from farmed fisheries—and that’s a global issue. I decided to go to the stream I have monitored for the last two years. I went at low tide purposefully so I could walk on the mud flats out toward the estuary/harbor. I found “the spot,” lit a candle carefully contained, smudged, sang prayers and carved the RadJoy bird in the mucky, algae covered mud, adding seaweed for a tuft of hair, sticks for the beak and a pebble for an eye. As I retraced my steps, I picked up litter. I am deeply moved by the palpable power of renewing my love and wonder for this earth at the same time others all around the globe were doing the same. That’s got to shift human energy and inspire awareness of our interconnectedness. Thank you!