Earth Renewal, a Traditional Shamanic Ceremony of Dance and Song for Caretaking the Earth
- Location: Wolf Canyon Ranch, between Durango & Ignacio, CO, Friday – Sunday, July 25 – 27, 2008
- Contact: Anne, (970) 259-4027, e-mail:
- Price: FREE. Donations to help offset costs would be most appreciated
- Camping at the site is available at no charge
- Drummers, singers and dancers invited as well as general supporters
- Bring: See below
- Prerequisite: None
Why I Want to Dance Earth Renewal
I want to do something good for the Earth Mother. I want to pray on her behalf. I want to give
back to her. I want to heal her. I want to heal.
I want to go to that place of spirit--that place of the old ones--that place deep inside me that knows those ones. I want to leave behind my every day life and experience something magical and mystical. I want to feel Grandfather and my Grandmother deep within me.
I want to go within. I once got told in a dream, that I had to go within to go without. I want to go to that place of knowing. That place of feeling. That place of sensing. I want to go to that place of giving. I want to go to that place that calls me. I want to weep. I want to dance in joy. I want to feel. I want to know. I want to love. I want to express myself in the selflessness that I know is within me.
I want that in my life which is not. I want to meet with the Old One. I want to be with spirit. I want to see the golden light. I want to hear the drumming and the singing. I want to achieve something meaningful. I want to do something which has purpose.
And when I'm old, too old to move, I will remember that I danced with the Earth Mother, with the wind, with the sun, with the sky, with the trees, with the grass. I will remember that I tasted spirit, and I will smile.
I want to live. I want to die. I want to live again.
We recycle. We conserve gas. We buy organic and natural. We support local producers. We pick up litter. And, in the Earth Renewal, we take time annually to give back to the Earth.
The web of the Earth is the web of all things. You are the Earth. There is no nobler commitment of your spiritual resources than to take time once annually to support the empowerment and re-energizing of the out Mother through the Earth Renewal Ceremony. When the dancers enter the Earth Renewal circle, we know that they are making a very serious commitment to the well-being of the earth on behalf of all people and beings within the web of the Earth. The dancers dance for us all! The dancers will:
Dance as Caretakers!
Dance in Celebration!
Dance Knowing They Are the Earth!
This Earth Renewal will begin as the dancers enter the dance grounds on Friday evening and continue through Sunday morning until they join in the celebration of the Give-Away and subsequent Ceremonial Feast.
Follows is an approximate schedule totally subject to modification in accordance with spirit and the 
Earth Mother's needs:
- Friday (Come anytime – helpers appreciated. Events start about 6:00 pm)
Set up individual campsites for those camping
Prepare dance grounds. Add shade to shade houses
Erection of the dance grounds and Yupa (sacred tree) (about 6:00 pm)
Telling of the origination of the Earth Renewal Ceremony
Teaching of the song and dance for those unfamiliar with it or wanting a refresher
Practice for drummers
Sweat lodge for all dancers (and supporters, if room))
Dancers enter the circle and make prayers and dedications
Dance begins
- Saturday
Earth Renewal dancing from sun-up to sundown (breaks are taken)
- Sunday
Four-rounds of dance beginning at sun-up
Personal request for blessing from any of the dancers by any attendees
Give-Away Ceremony
Ceremonial Feast (pot-luck)
Take down Yupa
Pack up and go home (about 12:00 noon)
All attendees are invited to participate in the Feast and Give-Away. All dancers will maintain their commitment of dancing the entire time as well as participating in the Feast, Give-Away and Sweat. Please note, this commitment is made to the Earth Mother, not to any human. If you would like to begin your dance early, verbalize your commitment now. Your dance begins when you do, as do the blessings flowing into your life.
Drummers, singers and general supporters (the latter, to lend the dancers strength with their prayers) are urgently needed to help out. The dancers appreciate those who come and drum, sing and support however they are able. (By the way, supporters, drummers and singers are not required to remain in attendance.)
Please, if you are able, come and support the dancers in any way that you can, as you can! They are dancing for us all!
Bring a personal possession (a possession which has great personal significance and value) to release in the Give-Away Ceremony (no feathers, crystals or other potentially living things), pot-luck dish for the Feast and a folding chair or similar to sit on. If camping, bring necessary gear (of course). Those planning to drum should bring a drum beater if they have one. Dancers should bring appropriate gear for the sweat lodge.
Women pregnant or in their moon-time may attend this ceremonial if they desire. They will not dance, but will be honored as personally embodying the Earth, and protected by red earth. They may fully participate in the Give-Away and Feast.
Here is an article by Nick that offers description of the Durango/Ignacio Earth Renewal as well as its origins.
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