“Environmental stewardship doesn't demand perfection; it craves our dedication to making a difference, one mindful choice at a time." -- Aloo Denish Obiero

When the Ecological Social of America announced a new journal called Earth Stewardship, I was intrigued by their transdisciplinary approach. So much so that I joined the editorial board -- bringing voice to the arts and unexpectantly a voice to life outside academics. After only reviewing one paper but a lot of time dedicated to a working group focused on the submission and review process, we are in Italy on an in person retreat with about 15 members.

Acknowledge Earth Is Our Home

La Spezia, Italy is a place shaped by the gulf it surrounds. Naval base on one side. Commercialization on the other. Residential in between filled with seafood and pasta, clothes lines connecting apartments and wired under window coverings, cobblestone and color.

I've felt a swelling ocean rock my sea legs on a charter boat, the warmth of the autumn sun on my skin during meals and between sessions, felt the oncoming humidity and subsequent rain, ongoing allergic response to something, tasted iconic flavors, and so much more

I definitely feel like a guest here more than a home. Perhaps when I have time starting tomorrow to be more present instead of working all day -- even though our topic of discussion is Earth Stewardship. Or perhaps remembering that our time is short in any given place is a good reminder.

Discover Your Earth Archetype

In this group of people across 8+ countries, as we use English to create a journal encompassing a transdisciplinary relationship with the Earth, I'm definitely seeing new and interesting combinations of the Earth Archetypes across the spectrum.

Participatory Scientists.

Indigenous Practices.

Transformative Action.

Rigid Academics.

Impact Engineers.

Publishing Representatives.

And I find myself articulating new aspects of being a Metaphor type in the midst of it.

Yes, provoking emotion and imagining bigger.

But also somatic understandings, perception clarifications, market trends, and more.

Somehow I even gave an Italian professor recording, analyzing, and showcasing sounds of forests along the equator...who considers himself a artist who felt he had given it up to become a scientist...a sense of hope in what's possible.

Simply after leading a 5ish minute imagination exercise.

Then as I worked with a rotating group to explore project submissions under the 3 categories of research, practice, and action...

Where each group needed to first emphasize their disdain for such "artificial" categories, we then could dig deeper as to what they could mean, how we could navigate them, and how they can offer a scaffold.

Just like the Earth Archetypes are meant to do.

Work Together in Community

This has certainly been a week full of this step in the Reciprocity Cycle. A constant give and take. Idea exchange. Rotating power dynamics. Language navigation. All fueled by expresso.

I've certainly appreciated the exchange, but it also made me critically aware of the power of the moderator/facilitator in such a space.

The Weaver's ability to support and uplift people and ideas in order to reach goals, but also all the unseen bits.

For example, we were warned ahead of time that we would be asked to go along with some moments that benefit our hosts much more than us.

What I didn't realize was that 2/3 to 3/4 of our time would be that.

Or that simple discussions around moving food from one location to another would devolve into arguments.

Or that we would be paraded through press conferences, student forums, and declarations.

Or that I would be asked 15 minutes prior to lead a 15 minute embodiment sessions and then asked to "find my moment" to jump in without the support of the moderator or editor-in-chief while older Italian males went on and on about the history of the building in a language I didn't know.

Or we'd be expected to sit through an English reading of 10 Earth Stewardship bullets where we were told the English was a bad translation. And not given any context as to why. An endorsement? A signature? A.....?

During that last one, it took all my civility to not walk out.

What lead to this scheduling and unclear processes is unclear to me.

And of course, I have my own opinions and directorial notes I could give.

But ultimately, it emphasized how vital the Weaver role is in our journey as a global species to find true Earth Stewardship.