Gentle rituals of working with the land and the plants while tending your inner garden.
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Greet the land, introduce yourself.
Connection begins with a simple introduction. Greet the land. Tell her about you. Share your intention. When she welcomes you, be trustworthy.
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To love is to understand.
We can't love someone unless we understand them.
Get to know of your plant allies. Go beyond the textbook where it only highlights about plant colors to make.
You may read all about the science, but never forget the truth that certain plants are a part of the land ancestors where you live. Find out if there's folktale about the plants and listen to their stories. See how you can co-create with them in harmony.
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The power of water.
Everyone raves about natural dyeing, but we often forget the integral part of the process other than the plants: water.
Trace how water system works in your region. If you live in a place that currently is dealing with water crisis like ours here in Bali: Reduce dye process that requires excessive water use. Start working with rainwater. Adjust the ph of the remaining water to neutral before pouring them back into the ground. Without natural dyeing, our clothes may remind colorless and we will be fine. Without water, we knew the risks and consequences to our lives.
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Listen to the plants before compose the poetry.
How are they? Did they come from a prolific tree or they're in a vulnerable phase?
Is this their season to create, release bold prints and beautiful colors, or is it time for them to rest and be unproductive?
The plants are like humans, they're naturally a giver. Listen to their messages by learning their phases, seasons, and conditions are key to support you in composing botanical poetry.
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An offering to begin, an offering in closure.
Before and after making your beautiful creation, share an offering. They can be in the form of flowers and incense, or as simple as prayers and chants. The best offering is the one you give from your heart.
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Give back matters.
Gratitude reciprocates, and give back matters. Tending the land means tending our heartspace. Plant some seeds. Even better: native seeds. Give the land some space to rest after an intense planting-harvesting cycle. Nurture the plants with all the caring steps, yes, but also... with love, understanding, and compassion. The act of service in giving back may look different, but each of them counts and matters.
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Because self-love and self-care are inseparable from tending the land and the plants.
As natural dyers, we're all students of life who have the choice whether or not we want to move forward by contributing through our quiet-but-meaningful-activism.