What is your Natural Awareness IQ?
An awareness of our natural world is something many of us are lacking. I was recently reading The Forest Reminds us Who We Are by Sean Padraig O’Donoghue. In it he posits that most of us are coming from a place of disconnection without the basic knowledge that even children would have had throughout history. He lists 3 questions to help test our natural awareness. Today I share those questions with you and ask, What is your Natural Awareness IQ?
Where does your water come from?
Full disclosure here, my IQ is not very good. When I first read this question I thought he meant city municipal or well, etc. But in actuality he is talking about watersheds. I first learned the concept of watersheds when I was working as a journalist for a local paper covering city council meetings. Before that I had no idea what watersheds were. Even this morning as I prepared to write this I had to look up my watershed (the town I was writing for was not my own).
A watershed is basically a network of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes that runs to a larger body of water. I am in the Goose Creek Watershed with the watershed flowing into the St. Croix River.
Learning about my watershed is surprisingly rewarding. I was able to look at a map and see how all the water in the area is connected. Since connection to the natural world is one of my goals this information was invaluable.
Once you are familiar with your watershed you can look at areas of pollution or disturbance such as field or road run off. Many watersheds have an improvement associations. Try attending a meeting and learn more about this vital resource in your area.
To find out my watershed I did a good search. You could try asking Google, “What watershed is [insert your city or town] in?”
What phase is the moon in right now?
Again total fail. As a kid I assumed there was always a moon. Living in a city with all sorts of artificial light I didn’t even notice if it was a dark phase of the moon or full. It wasn’t until moving to my property that I began to notice differences in this night time light, particularly by the shadows the moon cast through my favorite tree outside my window.
This year I began to study moon phases more in depth and discovered the Moongiant website. I believe that the first time you visit you can enter your location and then find information about moon phrases, even getting updates on full and new moons to your inbox.
Another amazing resource is the Farmer’s Almanac. I have heard about the Farmer’s Almanac for years and it has been published in the U.S. since 1818. But I didn’t know that many of the predictions were based on the moon and other basic ideas of astrology. I bought one for the first time this year and had a great time checking the predictions and suggestions for everything from planting dates, to going on trips.
Name 7 wild plants growing were you live
Ok here I finally feel like I did OK. With my herbalism studies I have learned many plants on my property, though the breadth and depth of plants is utterly incredible. Though I can easily identify and point out at least 20 plants that barely scratches the surface. It has been my goal to familiarize myself with a couple new plants each month. If it is a really busy month I at least try to really appreciate the plants I already know.
It doesn’t have to be only plants that have an strong medicinal value. Several years ago we got a grant to plant pollinator habitat. This year it is really taking off. I was surprised to notice at least 4 different types of grasses in a small area. Before I never would have looked for the subtle but amazing and fun differences between similar plant species. By simply bringing our focused attention to the natural world our awareness shifts to beauty and connection.
So how did you do?
I only got 1 out of 3 until I researched a bit more to find out the answers. But now it has inspired me to focus my attention more on my water and my moon.
What thoughts, did these questions bring up for you?
