I’m reading the beautiful and inspiring book: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
“In her Onondaga Nation neighbours call the maple the leader of the trees. Trees constitute the environmental quality committee – running air and water purification service 24-7.” I offer you her notion of guidelines for the Honourable Harvest.
Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.
Introduce yourself. Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life.
Ask permission before taking. Abide by the answer.
Never take the first. Never take the last.
Take only what you need. Take only what is given.
Never take more than half. Leave some for others.
Harvest in a way that minimises harm.
Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken.
Share.
Give thanks for what you have been given.
Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken.
Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.
Buy the book at The Book Depository here
© Sue Orton 2020
sue orton | gathering threads 