“Sacred Stories for the Sentient Earth: Collaboration, Intervention, Reciprocity”
March 27-29, 2025 at Westward Look Inn in Tucson, Arizona
Persistent dismissal of animal, plant , and earth intelligences, an attitude rooted in the hubris of Western culture, has isolated our species from the rest of life on the planet, with disastrous results. But, with recent research into animal behaviors and complex attributes of trees and other plants, a whole new interdisciplinary literature is emerging exploring the hidden lives of plants, animals and the earth herself. With rising consciousness, we turn instead to wisdom from Indigenous Cultures in conjunction with newer scientific discoveries and timeless mythologies to find inspiration and answers to our connections with every aspect of life on earth.
Our 2025 Conference focuses on meanings and relationships among mythology, science, and culture regarding animals, the green world, the land and various ecosystems.
Our Keynote Presentation features Yeye Luisah Teish and Kahuna Leilani Birely: “On Holy Ground: Commitment and Devotion to Sacred Land” Join us for a discussion regarding Land, Sacred Sites, and our Responsibility to Land and Life, in which you will experience the magic inherent in the mythology of Hawaiian and African diasporic culture.
Our Plenry Panel “Encountering Inanna: Stories, Images, and the Poems of Enheduanna” features Judy Grahn, Pinar Durgun, and Annalisa Derr. This remarkable group will explore the many roles of Inanna/Ishtar Inanna, the great Protectress of nature and women’s cycles, whose complex nature creates ambiguity in gender and religion and promotes women’s healing.
The conference takes place at the Westward Look Inn and Spa in Tucson Arizona (ask for the conference rates): “The Inn is nestled against the Santa Catalina Mountains, where guests enjoy a serene escape with lush greenery, hiking trails, and stunning views.”
Our Call for Proposals includes proposals for papers, panels, workshops, and posters. The deadline for submissions has passed–January 1, 2025.
Registration is open! Take advantage of our Early Bird rates to register as a Member or Non-member. (Joining saves $65 over Non-member rates.)
Our preconference bus tour, “Honoring Desert Gardens and Bountiful Harvests” will take us to the historic Mission Garden and to the Saguaro National Park. Tanisha Tucker, steward of traditional Tohono O’odham Saguaro harvesting, will accompany us. (Thursday, March 27, from 12 to 5.)
Thursday evening, March 27: Opening reception followed by a special evening event: A Poetry Reading in Honor of Patricia Monaghan
Friday March 28, 5:30-7pm – Goddess Banquet: Priestess Prayers to Shechinah Join two Hebrew Priestesses – Judith Maeryam Wouk and Sarah Chandler– for a vegetarian dinner to celebrate the opening of the Jewish sabbath with poetry, prayer, and song that plays with gender of God/Goddess both in Hebrew and English.
The Conference will be followed on Sunday, March 30 with a meeting of The Maternal Gift Economy-Movement, at the same location.
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Our thanks to Navajo artist Antoinette Thompson for sharing her artwork with us: “The Ancient Warriors Within.” See more of her art and learn about Antoinette on her website.