It is Earth Day once again…but everyday is Earth Day when you are a Witch. We want to honor Mother Earth and help protect the environment from the devastation created by human greed and over population ect. So, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, taken from their Earth Day Infographic…here are some ways we can honor Her and do our part as responsible global citizens.
Lower Your Carbon Footprint
- Bike or walk
- Carpool or take public transportation
- Choose an energy efficient vehicle
- Make fewer trips by grouping your errands
- Drive smart: go easy on the brakes and gas, use cruise control, and keep your car well-maintained
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
- Reuse or repurpose containers, clothing and cloth grocery bags
- Give clothes a second life by donating or buying used
- Know what items your local recycling programs collects, and what items are recyclable
Be H2O Smart
- Repair leaky faucets and replace old equipment like toilets and dishwashers when possible
- Turn off the water to brush teeth and shave
- Run full loads of laundry and dishes
- Collect rainwater to use in your garden
Feed People, not Landfills
- Check your refrigerator, pantry, and freezer before shopping to avoid buying foods you don't need
- Plan your meals for the week before heading to the store
- Properly store fruits and vegetables so they last longer
- Befriend your freezer and leftovers
If we all do our part we can help make a difference. Pressure your governments to place environmental regulations on corporations and wealthy individuals who profit from mass devastation.
Dedicate at least one day a week to eating meatless meals…the meat and dairy industry are number one polluters and carbon gas creators…It can make a huge impact if we commit to one day a week of meatless cruelty free meals.
Leave your suggestions in the comments for others…to inspire the changes we need. Blessings.
__________________________________________________________
Here is an article by my friend, Gregory Hancock
Earth Day for Witches
I can’t tell you how many times I have sucked in my breath with some folk “how can you call yourself a witch when you care nothing for the earth”.
Yeah, I get disgusted when I witness people’s thoughtlessness about it.
I can tell you though, as a witch, you and I have a huge opportunity to set things on a better course, even if it’s only one person at a time. There are ways beyond the obvious, like recycling that we can all do better.
Here are some ways you can witch without being harmful to the earth, even be helpful to it, nature and your fellow human beings.
Glitter
Ugh, one of the worst things ever invented. Once it’s out in the environment, how do you get it back out? Good luck with that.
Glitter is unlike, for example, a plastic bottle, the size of glitter particles makes them microplastics before they've even degraded. Microplastics are a significant source of ocean, air, and soil pollution. Due to their size, they often find their way into animals and human bodies, making them a threat to health.
Most glitter products are made from plastic, which contributes to the growing problem of microplastics in the environment. Microplastics are consumed by plankton, fish, and birds, and have a detrimental impact. Animals often die because of the buildup in their systems.
Another problem with glitter is that it isn't biodegradable and is a contaminant. Glitter makes products that you may normally wish to recycle, such as wrapping paper, no longer recyclable.
You also must think of all the dyes and chemicals that are in glitter too.
Solution? Don’t buy products that have glitter in them. Let metaphysical shops and other businesses know you don’t want to see products with glitter in them. Don’t buy it for children, find other beautiful crafting projects.
Biodegradable Witch-Works
Poppets, sour jars, spell petitions. These are often buried, burnt or cast into water when the practitioner is done with them. That’s a lot of rubbish and if it’s not all-natural material?
Solution? Choose all-natural materials. I buy all-natural cotton yarn and poppet shells. I use natural soy candles with natural dyes. Make sure what you are making is all-natural, so it doesn’t harm the earth when you are finally done with it.
Shipping and Packaging at Your Shop
This is a big one, boxes, paper and plastic when orders are received for your shop but also packing customer’s purchases too. That equates to a ton of refuse, so what can you do?
Solution? Reduce, reuse and repurpose. At our shop, we recycle all the boxes but save the packing paper and plastic bubble wrap. We cut up the paper and use it for wish and prayer paper for our prayer box at our store’s altar, some of it is used in classes, like how to make spell petitions. Some of it gets used to package fragile items for customers.
We also buy post-recycled paper and plastic bags for purchases. Any way that we can reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose, we do it.
Fast Food
It is astounding how much rubbish fast food creates. Make food and you’ll not only eat healthier you’ll save a ton of waste too.
Decline plasticware if you are bringing it home, call the corporate number when they give you 50 napkins for one sandwich. Some fast-food chains have recyclable bags, some don’t. Choose franchises that do, and call corporate on the ones that don’t. Your voice matters and you can be heard.
Coven and Circle Activities
For your outings and outdoor get-togethers. Plant trees, pick up some garbage to honor a deity. Teach care for the earth so future generations learn to care and help correct current generations. As a coven, adopt a park or green space to protect.
Bring a thermos with a drink instead of bottled water. It’s so easy to do this.
Conclusion
How many times have you heard someone say or have seen a meme “protectors of the earth, keeper of its secrets”. Do you walk your talk, or just wear witch like a bad Halloween costume?
As individuals, we cannot solve the world’s problems, but we can certainly work on it in our own backyards. We are always going to be imperfect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do better.
Blessed Be.
Author: Gregory Hancock
“I am a lifelong witch, active practitioner, metaphysical shop owner and community supporter and head of our coven. I love to blog about metaphysical topics and witchcraft. I love enlightening people to the fact witchcraft is not evil. Be well, be happy and healthy! Blessings.”