Conference Proceedings Chapter Five - People Care Stream
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Healing Design

Salli Ramsden and Alanna Moore (Australia)

Holistic permaculturists Alanna Moore and Salli Ramsden are striving to create healthy living, playing and working spaces by overlaying permaculture design with geomancy, feng shui, Earth dowsing and flower essences.

What have permaculture and geomancy got in common? Both work to uphold the harmony of relationship between people and Earth, offering solutions to problems. Both are concerned with the flowing of water and wind, the stillness of rock, the features of light, colour, smell and texture; the infinite edges of curving forms and interactions of nature. Each aims to do the right thing at the right time and place, so that the least action causes the greatest effect.

Earth Spirit

Traditional peoples in the pre-Christian world revered the sanctity of Earth and the kingdoms of nature spirits. Many perceived the subtle vitalising currents of Earth ch'i/energy pulsing through the land. They attempted to appease or harness this 'dragon force', to enhance soil fertility and general wellbeing. In China the feng shui experts would add pagodas to uplift the dull energy of flat lands. Ancient Europeans erected megaliths and massive stone circles at strategic points in the Earth energy network.

Modern geomancers must not only seek out the most vital house locations but also attempt to allay the mal-effects of harmful electromagnetic fields in the environment. They use such tools as Earth acupuncture to unblock or stimulate Earth ch'i; screens and trees to repel 'secret arrows' borne of linear features and alignments. Windbreaks will also bring good feng shui. By erecting a modern Tower of Power (modelled off the Irish round tower) one can stimulate soil paramagnetism and thus enhance crops.

Desecrated Lands

While sacred places have largely been preserved (via christianization) in Europe, in Australia the destruction of sacred sites has been widespread and still goes on. Many farmers, graziers and mining companies have deliberately destroyed Aboriginal cultural sites, to maintain ownership over them. There are many cursed lands, sites of massacre and great trauma - everywhere.

People attempting to live on desecrated sites, burial or massacre grounds suffer greater unrest, ill health, accidents and acrimony. There is a high turnover of occupants. Sensitives and dowsers can tune in to these detrimental energies with a site analysis and help find Earth healing solutions.

Sacred Groves

Good feng shui will come if you plant trees in appropriate places! The tradition of the sacred grove can ensure protection of water catchment (forest is the cradle of water) and provide a safe haven for nature spirits, if left largely undisturbed.

This zone 5 wilderness should suffer no more indignity than the bush regenerator must inflict to restore the endemic vegetation from weed invasion. It can be a place of peace and healing, reserved for meditation and wildlife study. Perhaps some seed and bush tucker collecting.

Flower Essences

The healing powers of plants are subtly harnessed as flower essences, originating with Dr Bach's English flower remedies in the 1930's. More recently Australia has gained essences from its own flora. Many plants familiar to permaculturists have subtle healing properties which assist mental and emotional healing when their essence is taken. Sites can also be cleansed or healed, with the assistance of flower essences sprayed as mist.

Why not create a garden of personal healing plants, where people may be encouraged to make deep connection with the raw energies of nature? Here sacred space could be created by design and enhanced with rocks and flowers. Here one could heal mind and spirit, while caring for Earth and body.

References

Co-presenter Salli Ramsden wishes to communicate with readers interested in designing with the essential healing nature of flowering plants. Please contact: Salli Ramsden, "Windover", Mt. Darragh via Bombala, NSW 2632, Australia.