"Returning to the Mother"
Is in development as a reimagination of
"Guardians of Gaia"
Conceived, produced and directed by Angela Bennett
Written with contributions from the Pacha Mamas, Anahata Iradah,
Joanna Macy ("Coming Back to Life") and
Llewllyn Vaughan-Lee ("Spiritual Ecology")
"Guardians of Gaia" ia a 40 minute environmentally themed show that was originally performed by The Pacha Mamas and had a workshop production as part of Atlanta's 7 Stages Homebrew Series. Subsequent performances were held at Mask Theatre, Alternate Roots and Get Off the Grid Festival.
"Guardians of Gaia" is inspired by: "Mother Earth Spirituality: Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and the World" by Ed McGAA, Eagle Man; "Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth" Edited by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee; "The Findhorn Garden: Pioneering a New Vision f Man and Nature in Cooperation" by the Findhorn Community, "Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World" by Joanna Macy; and, Nature Spirits & Elemental Beings: Working with the Intelligence in Nature" by Marko Pogacnik
Summary
The audience is visited by three spirits who represent indigenous goddesses that reign over elements of Mother Nature: Pele, the Hawaiian FIRE goddess of the volcano, creator/destroyer of the land; Mother Oshun, African goddess of all bodies of fresh WATER; and, White Buffalo Calf Woman, a goddess of the Sioux/Lakota nation representing all living beings of the Earth. These spirits have come, not only to praise and celebrate Mother Nature for all that she does to sustain us, but with important messages that will help heal and transform our relationship with Her.
"The stories, characters, and show is strong with the intention of offering healing and active movement towards coming together as humans to make decisions for the greater health of the planet. While it was whimsical and magical, it was grounded and focused; a hard thing to do in a concise and presentational style. Overall, the work was well received and their engagement with our community was phenomenal. I look forward to hearing how this show progresses and evolves throughout its lifetime."
(Heidi S Howard, Artistic Director, 7 Stages, Atlanta, GA)
Below is an excerpt from the show's opening number "Indra's Net"
(the lyrics are from a hymn found in the ancient Sanskrit text: The Rig Veda)
(the lyrics are from a hymn found in the ancient Sanskrit text: The Rig Veda)
Video Clips from the first workshop performance below.
Mask Theatre
It became clear during the early stages of development that the use of masks in taking on the energy/spirit of these goddesses was integral.
Mike Hickey and Sandra Hughes of Gateway Performance Productions coached us in the creation and use of our masks.
"No mask can belong to us definitively or exclusively; masks belong to the divinities. They are symbols through which we communicate with the multiplicity of archetyple reality." (from Pagan Grace by Ginette Paris)
(Below is our Pele Mask, goddess of FIRE : the destruction/death that leads to creation/new life)
"No mask can belong to us definitively or exclusively; masks belong to the divinities. They are symbols through which we communicate with the multiplicity of archetyple reality." (from Pagan Grace by Ginette Paris)
