I have been exploring the rich and nourishing ecosystem of memories, perspectives, cultural seeds, divine feminine strength, fearless honesty, compassion, plant knowledge/acknowledgment and courage that dwell in the pages of Awakening Artemis and it has been an inspiring, thought provoking, heart breaking, heart healing, heart opening, motivational and resplendent experience. I have had tears pouring down my face at least 5 times and I have only now reached the chapter on metamorphosis.
As I read the stories you share from your formative years feel like I am seeing my own childhood through the eyes of a little girl. I had a similar reaction to the animals caged at the zoo (for me it was the orcas), I also spent countless hours exploring in the forests and creeks near my childhood home (in Whistler, BC) listened to the voice of the streams, the trees and rocks came up against a similar brick wall when asking the questions that adults and teachers did not want to consider (whether it was questioning the rationality of religion, asking if trees and rivers could have a spirit or questioning the dogmas of stagnated patriarchal views disguised as "science"). I also had to deal with some abuse from my early years later in life after pressing it down and not allowing the wound(s) to heal and I also now strive to give a voice to the voiceless (with ancient rooted beings often at the heart of my activism, peaceful resistance and educational endeavors).
It has been very profound and cathartic to read your words, so imbued with the same love I have always felt for our Mother Earth, to see the world again through the eyes of my 7 year old self, you helped me remember things I have not in years. What a magical gift, to feel comradery across space, time and despite physical differences through a mirroring journey like this.
Thank you for the service you do to our human and more than human family through your sacred works. I am especially grateful for the medicine you provide for men, through your standing tall, fierce, setting boundaries and yet also embodying the nourishing, compassionate, beautiful, soft and open hearted aspects of the divine feminine.
Thank you for the holistic and multi-faceted medicine you provide this world sister.
I am so moved by your words, Gavin. Thank you. This is exactly why I dug deep and shared in the raw and honest way I did in Awakening Artemis — in hopes to elicit healing, deep remembering, and awakening. I'm so glad that the book found you and that we found each other's work here. Thank you for your words and work on behalf of the plants and our wild kin. 🌱 🐾 💚
I just wanted to clarify regarding the nature of my communications with you as people often misunderstand my form of self expression.
I have been labelled by various "medical experts" with some sort of autism spectrum status and while I do not necessarily put much stock in their definitions (and the limitations they imply) it is true that I do not have the same capability of recognizing social norms, what is deemed "appropriate" and social "conventions/expectations".
So with that being said I just wanted to clarify (incase you got some impression otherwise) that I am happily married, my communications regarding your book are in the recognition of you as a kindred spirit and a sister in spirit.
Just wanted to clearly define where I am at incase my raw and unfiltered communication style gave you some other impression.
Based on your description of the turn tables and DJ creations that were a big part of your time spent in NYC I imagine that your ex "Ernesto" would be able to mix up some interesting sets with this album : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJIPmHKhYfk
Have you heard any of Emancipator's stuff?
If not, I have a feeling the vibe of his earlier albums ("Safe In The Steep Cliffs" and "Soon It Will Be Cold Enough") would resonate with you and your warrioress spirit.
I imagine given your connection the hip hop scene in the city you are familiar with 3MG and the Living Legends? Some of my favorite tracks from The Grouch and Eligh which helped to open my heart and my mind were songs about strong women and recognizing the divine feminine rather than objectifying females (as most rap music does).
After my abuse and bullying in school (for being that weird space nerd and tree hugger) I sought out martial arts as well. My path was Aiki-jūjutsu (though knowing what I know now, I wish I had learned Aikido or Capoeira instead). I never fought competitively though, so that is one way that our paths differ somewhat.
I am curious to learn more about the permaculture farm you mentioned in the Nutmeg chapter where you described preparing xocolatl (or something that sounded like it).
I have a friend that runs a permaculture farm in the could forests of Ecuador and she also grows cacao regeneratively.
I wrote an article about cacao a while back and would appreciate any input you could offer regarding the medicinal properties of the plant and her ecological niche/ecosystem gifts in her native habitat.
You succeeded in your intent to elicit/evoke deep remembering in the reader via raw honesty, I have been having some very vivid recalls of childhood years thanks to your vivid way of imbuing words with spirit and life.
The shocking amount of similarities in our childhood years and proclivities/perspectives in general are only increasing the more I read.
I meet very few people who know of Ghost Dog, but I also found the film very compelling and it led me on a path to learn about the Samurai, the Edo Period in Japanese history and to get into more enriching music than I had been listening to up until that point in my life via exploring the world of underground hip hop. I had friends from Japan when I was apprenticing to be a stone mason in Whistler BC and one of them helped me acquire some ancient heirloom black soy beans from the Island of Hokkaido (which were a favored food of the Samurai all the way back in the Edo period). I still grow them in our garden today and use them to make homemade miso paste infused with local herbs from the forest such as ramps.
I am now at the Poison Ivy chapter and (as I had said in that note under my review of your book on my page) I am blown away that we both went on an Outward Bound course at age 20 (and so close together in physical terms, yet a decade or so apart in temporal terms). My grandparents also helped make that outward bound course possible.
During the course we were hiking through a stretch of what was once an old growth temperate rainforest (but it had been clear cut few years before then) and so as you can imagine, the berry bushes were thriving in all that new found sunlight. It was a berry smorgasbord, there were big juicy blueberries, thimble berries, service berries and huckleberries everywhere. My parents were park rangers in the backcountry of the coastal mountain range (at Garibaldi Lake and Diamond Head parks) when I was young so I spent a lot of time in the forest and was quite familiar with which berries are edible. I was happily nibbling on berries as I walked and the outward bound course instructors saw me and got really upset (as they did not know what berries I was eating and thought they could possibly be poisonous!). I tried reassured them by telling them about each species of berry and how they could be distinguished from look a likes but they were persistent in demanding that I stopped eating berries! haha There were a couple other people in that course that knew at least one of the berries well and they quietly said something like "I think you should be the one running this course Gavin". I did learn a lot from the ladies running the course with regards to kayaking safety, technique, rock climbing knots and the history of the area, but in retrospect I am somewhat surprised (as you were) that they did not know more about plants (which ones are edible or medicinal etc).
The two course instructors I had were vegan and so them having chosen our food I got my first crash course in plant based foods over that month long multi-elemental course. I even came to enjoy tofu scramble after a long hike along a glacial ridge carrying my big backpack :)
It took me some years after outward bound to learn about how the meat industry impacts the lives of animals but I eventually made the choice to choose a mostly plant based diet as an adult and my wife and I are now vegetarian (and we enjoy some dairy and eggs from a local organic free range amish farm). In fact, most of the recipes in my regenerative gardening and recipe book are vegan with some vegetarian dishes in there too.
The outward bound trip also got me inspired to learn more about the old growth forests of Vancouver island. My grandparents that ran that bed and breakfast/restaurant on a small island nearby (Galiano) grew or foraged for most of what they served their customers. They were also forest defenders and when the Clayoquot sound came under threat in the 90s they were among those that were arrested for standing in solidarity with the ancient rooted beings that dwell there when they came under threat by greedy logging corporations and the corrupt and complicit government. Thanks to their efforts (and the efforts of hundred of others) there are significant areas of ancient temperate rainforest protected in the Clayoquot sound now.
I am attempting to do my own small part to honor them and to honor the love and respect I have in my heart for the last few ancient (pre-colonial) primary temperate rainforest watersheds on Vancouver Island via my writing in shining a light on Fairy Creek and the nature of the modern industrial forestry industry in essays like this:
I was hoping to ask where I can learn more about your partner's work, as I found your description of the questions (which you describe in your book) which he had his students asking about plants (in order to get to know their personality and energy) particularly compelling.
I have been exploring the rich and nourishing ecosystem of memories, perspectives, cultural seeds, divine feminine strength, fearless honesty, compassion, plant knowledge/acknowledgment and courage that dwell in the pages of Awakening Artemis and it has been an inspiring, thought provoking, heart breaking, heart healing, heart opening, motivational and resplendent experience. I have had tears pouring down my face at least 5 times and I have only now reached the chapter on metamorphosis.
As I read the stories you share from your formative years feel like I am seeing my own childhood through the eyes of a little girl. I had a similar reaction to the animals caged at the zoo (for me it was the orcas), I also spent countless hours exploring in the forests and creeks near my childhood home (in Whistler, BC) listened to the voice of the streams, the trees and rocks came up against a similar brick wall when asking the questions that adults and teachers did not want to consider (whether it was questioning the rationality of religion, asking if trees and rivers could have a spirit or questioning the dogmas of stagnated patriarchal views disguised as "science"). I also had to deal with some abuse from my early years later in life after pressing it down and not allowing the wound(s) to heal and I also now strive to give a voice to the voiceless (with ancient rooted beings often at the heart of my activism, peaceful resistance and educational endeavors).
It has been very profound and cathartic to read your words, so imbued with the same love I have always felt for our Mother Earth, to see the world again through the eyes of my 7 year old self, you helped me remember things I have not in years. What a magical gift, to feel comradery across space, time and despite physical differences through a mirroring journey like this.
Thank you for the service you do to our human and more than human family through your sacred works. I am especially grateful for the medicine you provide for men, through your standing tall, fierce, setting boundaries and yet also embodying the nourishing, compassionate, beautiful, soft and open hearted aspects of the divine feminine.
Thank you for the holistic and multi-faceted medicine you provide this world sister.
I am so moved by your words, Gavin. Thank you. This is exactly why I dug deep and shared in the raw and honest way I did in Awakening Artemis — in hopes to elicit healing, deep remembering, and awakening. I'm so glad that the book found you and that we found each other's work here. Thank you for your words and work on behalf of the plants and our wild kin. 🌱 🐾 💚
Hey Vanessa,
I just wanted to clarify regarding the nature of my communications with you as people often misunderstand my form of self expression.
I have been labelled by various "medical experts" with some sort of autism spectrum status and while I do not necessarily put much stock in their definitions (and the limitations they imply) it is true that I do not have the same capability of recognizing social norms, what is deemed "appropriate" and social "conventions/expectations".
So with that being said I just wanted to clarify (incase you got some impression otherwise) that I am happily married, my communications regarding your book are in the recognition of you as a kindred spirit and a sister in spirit.
Just wanted to clearly define where I am at incase my raw and unfiltered communication style gave you some other impression.
Happy spring foraging.
Based on your description of the turn tables and DJ creations that were a big part of your time spent in NYC I imagine that your ex "Ernesto" would be able to mix up some interesting sets with this album : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJIPmHKhYfk
Have you heard any of Emancipator's stuff?
If not, I have a feeling the vibe of his earlier albums ("Safe In The Steep Cliffs" and "Soon It Will Be Cold Enough") would resonate with you and your warrioress spirit.
I imagine given your connection the hip hop scene in the city you are familiar with 3MG and the Living Legends? Some of my favorite tracks from The Grouch and Eligh which helped to open my heart and my mind were songs about strong women and recognizing the divine feminine rather than objectifying females (as most rap music does).
After my abuse and bullying in school (for being that weird space nerd and tree hugger) I sought out martial arts as well. My path was Aiki-jūjutsu (though knowing what I know now, I wish I had learned Aikido or Capoeira instead). I never fought competitively though, so that is one way that our paths differ somewhat.
I am curious to learn more about the permaculture farm you mentioned in the Nutmeg chapter where you described preparing xocolatl (or something that sounded like it).
I have a friend that runs a permaculture farm in the could forests of Ecuador and she also grows cacao regeneratively.
I wrote an article about cacao a while back and would appreciate any input you could offer regarding the medicinal properties of the plant and her ecological niche/ecosystem gifts in her native habitat.
Here is the article: https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/theobroma-cacao-mana-from-the-rain
You succeeded in your intent to elicit/evoke deep remembering in the reader via raw honesty, I have been having some very vivid recalls of childhood years thanks to your vivid way of imbuing words with spirit and life.
The shocking amount of similarities in our childhood years and proclivities/perspectives in general are only increasing the more I read.
I meet very few people who know of Ghost Dog, but I also found the film very compelling and it led me on a path to learn about the Samurai, the Edo Period in Japanese history and to get into more enriching music than I had been listening to up until that point in my life via exploring the world of underground hip hop. I had friends from Japan when I was apprenticing to be a stone mason in Whistler BC and one of them helped me acquire some ancient heirloom black soy beans from the Island of Hokkaido (which were a favored food of the Samurai all the way back in the Edo period). I still grow them in our garden today and use them to make homemade miso paste infused with local herbs from the forest such as ramps.
I am now at the Poison Ivy chapter and (as I had said in that note under my review of your book on my page) I am blown away that we both went on an Outward Bound course at age 20 (and so close together in physical terms, yet a decade or so apart in temporal terms). My grandparents also helped make that outward bound course possible.
During the course we were hiking through a stretch of what was once an old growth temperate rainforest (but it had been clear cut few years before then) and so as you can imagine, the berry bushes were thriving in all that new found sunlight. It was a berry smorgasbord, there were big juicy blueberries, thimble berries, service berries and huckleberries everywhere. My parents were park rangers in the backcountry of the coastal mountain range (at Garibaldi Lake and Diamond Head parks) when I was young so I spent a lot of time in the forest and was quite familiar with which berries are edible. I was happily nibbling on berries as I walked and the outward bound course instructors saw me and got really upset (as they did not know what berries I was eating and thought they could possibly be poisonous!). I tried reassured them by telling them about each species of berry and how they could be distinguished from look a likes but they were persistent in demanding that I stopped eating berries! haha There were a couple other people in that course that knew at least one of the berries well and they quietly said something like "I think you should be the one running this course Gavin". I did learn a lot from the ladies running the course with regards to kayaking safety, technique, rock climbing knots and the history of the area, but in retrospect I am somewhat surprised (as you were) that they did not know more about plants (which ones are edible or medicinal etc).
The two course instructors I had were vegan and so them having chosen our food I got my first crash course in plant based foods over that month long multi-elemental course. I even came to enjoy tofu scramble after a long hike along a glacial ridge carrying my big backpack :)
It took me some years after outward bound to learn about how the meat industry impacts the lives of animals but I eventually made the choice to choose a mostly plant based diet as an adult and my wife and I are now vegetarian (and we enjoy some dairy and eggs from a local organic free range amish farm). In fact, most of the recipes in my regenerative gardening and recipe book are vegan with some vegetarian dishes in there too.
The outward bound trip also got me inspired to learn more about the old growth forests of Vancouver island. My grandparents that ran that bed and breakfast/restaurant on a small island nearby (Galiano) grew or foraged for most of what they served their customers. They were also forest defenders and when the Clayoquot sound came under threat in the 90s they were among those that were arrested for standing in solidarity with the ancient rooted beings that dwell there when they came under threat by greedy logging corporations and the corrupt and complicit government. Thanks to their efforts (and the efforts of hundred of others) there are significant areas of ancient temperate rainforest protected in the Clayoquot sound now.
I am attempting to do my own small part to honor them and to honor the love and respect I have in my heart for the last few ancient (pre-colonial) primary temperate rainforest watersheds on Vancouver Island via my writing in shining a light on Fairy Creek and the nature of the modern industrial forestry industry in essays like this:
https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/death-by-a-thousand-clearcuts
I was hoping to ask where I can learn more about your partner's work, as I found your description of the questions (which you describe in your book) which he had his students asking about plants (in order to get to know their personality and energy) particularly compelling.
this will be so wonderful!