9 Comments
Apr 28, 2022Liked by Sophie Strand

So grateful for this! I have been saying for 8-9 years that if Jesus lived around our North American forests, he would have said, “The kingdom of God is like a fungus!” because it is invisible to us most of the time even though reality is suffused with its threads of subversive love and justice. Then it shows itself, perhaps briefly—here, there, who knows? You have shown me that he DID tell that parable! As a Presbyterian minister (with a biochem degree), I’m pretty firmly monotheist but eager to learn from and celebrate with others!

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My god, you. i just had to hand my computer to a friend at hte coffee shop so she could read every word. you are unparalleled.

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Apr 18, 2022Liked by Sophie Strand

Thank you! Loved rereading this essay! The deep mycorrhizal contexts and connections of smalls, spirit, and myth woven together with history are deliciously nourishing! Sending lots of love!

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As I previously posted on Facebook, this made me remember how decades ago I thought how foolish the book "The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross" by John Allegro was, and now I think there might be something to it after all.

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My favorite phrase: " Like starlight, or a combustion of dust motes."

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The fact that I am a fan of Parcival may explain why for a split second I misread "fermented foods" as "fermented fools"

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Blessing for a Time of Trial

In this time of immense uncertainty,

In this moment of incomprehensible complexity,

We ask to be present with, and unmastered by -

Fear, anger, and assumptions.

May we have the strength of spirit, the openness of heart, and the flexibility of mind

To find and follow the path of harmony in the midst of chaos.

May we remember the miraculous gifts of Nature.

May we recognize that nothing is, nor can be unnatural.

May we know that if we go to war with Nature,

We will be at war forever and never triumph.

May we have the kindness and compassion to care for ourselves.

May we have the generosity and love to care for others.

May we have the patience and gentility to hold with calm

That which we would wish to shun.

May we be vigilant and wakeful.

May we use our voices to protect and defend

Those who do not yet know how to speak or sing.

May we bear witness to those who would be silenced

And speak truth to power, that their gifts may be shared and celebrated.

In this Time of Trial, may we have the fortitude to keep walking through

The dark night, with faith that morning will come,

And the sun will rise.

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