Dreams grow holy put in action,
Work grows fair through starry dreaming;
But where each flows on unmingling,
Both are fruitless and in vain.
May the stars within this gleaming,
Cause my dreams to be unchained.—Caitlin Matthews, Celtic Devotional
The daily reading goes on to say: “We live in a world where the divorce of dreams and their practical implementation is almost complete. How can we weave the two strands of dreaming and working together? By attending first to our dreams and visions, and by allowing space to appreciate and develop them.”
What is your dream for your life and Earth? As we continue to experience this retreat from so many of life’s “normal” routines, perhaps we have time to dream, time to envision how we would really like these dreams to manifest.
Earth Day was first celebrated 50 years ago on April 22,1970. After 5 decades of increasing awareness of our impact on Mother Earth, we continue to see the incredible power of our practical, industrial, problem solving skill—creating ever more new problems. Yet, our capacity for dreaming has also been increasing. We are at a cusp where we can see greater implementation of our dreams of healing and wholeness for the entire planet, if we have the courage to take the actions indicated by our hearts, our channel to Spirit.
The reading continues: “Unless we take these steps, our dreams fall barren into the rocky soil of our unconceiving imagination. Dreams will not manifest without our active help, or without the energizing grace of the spirit. And while that grace is generously available to us, it will not accomplish our dreams without our hard work. When our dreams manifest through this process, the whole world is recreated in that moment, for we have been cooperators in the work of creation, not merely passive creatures who crawl upon the earth. It is then that the stars dance where we step and the song of joy issues from our spiritual allies, for we have made holy the daily ground of our working.”
“Before sleeping, hold your inspired plans and visions in your heart as you recite this prayer. Be attentive in the days that follow to the clues and pathways that open to your dreaming.”
—Caitlin Mathews, The Celtic Spirit
Tonight, I invite you to start dreaming—there are a few nights (and days) until Earth Day 2020.
May we hear the call in our hearts and find the loving courage to take action on our individual and shared dreams and visions. May we connect with ALL of Creation this Earth Day to celebrate the manifestation of our highest dreams. May we share our dreams with Earth Mother, so that they may manifest in ways that our human minds alone cannot conceive. It is not alone, but together with all beings, that we create the most beautiful of dreams.
Here is a lovely Earth Day 2020 resource curated by Beth Piggush, Integral Ecology Director with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. May it assist you with your dreams and actions this Earth Day and beyond.
From my heart dreams to yours,
—Emelia Sautter, Prairiewoods ecospirituality coordinator