For Earth Day this year, I want to draw the focus away from “earth” as an entity separate from us and from the many forces that act upon it. Earth is one of the (Western) traditional elements but it’s also a large rock we all live on. So today, let’s look at the three additional elements and the more new agey fifth element: spirit.

Earth
Earth is the ground beneath us. Earth is the walls around us. Earth is the planet we live on. Earth is the way we think of our world when we want to distance it from humans: the world is all the countries floating on earth’s continents.

For Earth Day this year, honor the Earth by
• planting a tree.
• buying some herbs-in-the-pot to keep in your kitchen or to plant outside somewhere. Cook food for your family using herbs just cut and see how much better the food feels, not just tastes.
‚Ä¢ (if you have the space) planting a Victory Garden (we’re not just at war in Iraq and at home, but there is an assault on the globe: fight back!). If you don’t have the room, find out if there’s a community garden near you.
• going on a hike/bike with your family and having a picnic.
‚Ä¢ recycling (I just started: my apartment doesn’t do it so I’m going to have to take it to the recyclinghof myself).

Fire
Fire is not just the campfire you can’t tear your eyes away from, not just the divine spark in all of us, not just the electricity running through wires so you can read these words. Fire is the heart of our earth. Fire is the hearth we gather around. Fire is the ever-present danger. Fire is the caged but never tamed.

For Earth Day, acknowledge fire’s power in our lives by:
‚Ä¢ cutting back on electricity: changing incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents; installing motion lightswitches if remembering to turn them off is a problem for you; not leaving electronics plugged in when you’re not using them (cell phone chargers still draw power when there’s no phone plugged in); trading old appliances for energy-efficient ones.
‚Ä¢ changing to green power. A lot of power companies allow you to choose green power: it generally costs a little bit more, but it’s certainly cheaper than buying solar panels, which is also an option if you want to change to green power.
‚Ä¢ not using your car for a day. There’s actually a planned oil/gas boycott scheduled for May 15 that started on MySpace; why not add another day to it?
• not using your oven & stove for a day. Maybe not in April but summer salads are a great way to beat the heat. Set aside a day when it gets warm where you are to purposely not cook.
‚Ä¢ camping! Fire is the original TV. The story’s always compelling, the score & dialogue can’t be beat, and there are never any commercial breaks. Try to cook your meal over your campfire, too! I don’t know about you, but I remember cooking on a coleman stove and then toasting marshmallows around a wood fire. Why not combine?
‚Ä¢ doing a sun salute. It’s a great way to wake your body up in the morning (I also use a shower and tea, but it really gets the blood flowing). If that animated model is more flexible than you (I know I can’t move like that), don’t worry, just do your best. If sun worship is a tad too pagan for you, remember that St. Francis was all for it. You can even pray about Brother Sun while yogaing!

Water
About 70% of our planet is covered in water. About 70% of you is water (not counting fat). Water is as essential to our health as food, if not more. Water is a political issue (especially in LA). Water is a utility.

This Earth Day, recognize the importance of water in our lives by
‚Ä¢ having a glass. A tall, room temperature glass of water with a meal is oodles more healthy than anything else, including ice water. We should be drinking at least 8 cups of water each day (I know I don’t). Most people have far less than that (1 cup of coffee counts against you because it’s a diuretic, ditto for a lot of sodas, some sodas and juices don’t count as a full glass of water because of all the other ingredients). The thirst mechanism is often confused for the hunger mechanism. If you think you’re hungry, have some water.
• switching from bottled to tap water.
‚Ä¢ reading When the Rivers Run Dry and educating yourself on the state of water in our world today. In my case, that should read “finishing When the Rivers Run Dry…
‚Ä¢ going for a swim. Immerse yourself in water: it’s a great way to both relax and exercise. If you have a fear of drowning (like me), go boating or simply picnicing on the shores of your local river, pond, lake, or reservoir.
• taking a shorter shower, installing a low-flow toilet, or otherwise limiting your water usage there and elsewhere in the home. Oh, and water plants at night.
• using your dishwasher (saves your hands, too).

Wind
Wind is the breath that sustains us, the cool breeze on a hot day, the smell of a forest or the ocean. Wind is the gale that blows against your window, making you glad of strong walls. Wind is the bane of New Orleans and of Kansas. Wind is the soft scent of roses from the house a block away.

This year on Earth Day, be aware of the power if wind by
‚Ä¢ planting roses or another smelly plant. I like gardenias, personally, and jasmine. Of course, you’ll need a garden for this.
• flying a kite.
• lighting incense: watching the curls coming up from the stick is always a near-religious event for me. Even hot tea, if the light hits it just right, does it. Brownian motion in action!
• flying a flag. Could be an american flag or an earth flag or just a cat with flowers flag (you know those ones I mean?). Or a prayer flag. You can even make your own flag with some fabric & markers (my husband & I did for Burning Man).
• watching birds fly. When they get lazy, the just let the wind pick them up and move them around.
• meditating on your breath. This never really works for me, I end up either hyperventilating or not breathing enough & passing out. But it apparently works for a lot of people.

Spirit
For these purposes, I’m defining the element “spirit” in much the same way that Dow defines the “human” element. It’s what pulls this all together. It’s why we should actually care about the other elements. It’s you & it’s me.

For Earth Day this year, acknowledge the importance of spirit in environmentalism by
‚Ä¢ doing some of what I’ve already suggested: take a hike, a bike, a swim. Whatever makes you feel inspired by the world around you.
• hanging out with your family. Eating a slow meal, cooking, playing euro- or videogames, even watching a movie you all enjoy.
• hanging out with your pets or adopting one. Studies show that people with pets are healthier & happier than petless people. A dog will make you get out & take walks more often: good for you & a good way to celebrate Earth Day.
‚Ä¢ connecting with like-minded people. Sundance channel has a great series right now (I just saw Fuel and we’re turning off our cable, so unless it comes out on DVD that may be the last one I see for a while, but I still recommend it) about the various ways we can make changes in our world. As one interviewee put it, “we’re all environmentalists” because we all enjoy nature. local chapter of the green party would love to have a new member. The Lazy Environmentalist has some great, easy ideas for changing how you affect the world. Find out what people are doing near you: the internet and city recreation centers are great resources.
‚Ä¢ writing your congresspeople and senators (even at the state level) about environmental issues. Don’t just tell them what you want them to do, do your homework & thank (or berate) them for what they’ve done. And remind them that you vote.
‚Ä¢ voting! If you’re not registered, hie thee to thy local post office or library, where you can easily get registered. If you are, make sure you vote as often as you can.
‚Ä¢ having sex! (This can go under fire, too, I think.) I don’t really think I need to elaborate.
• meditating. Whatever that means to you: whether reading a good book, exercising, or actually getting down & dirty in lotus position, take time to recognize the value of yourself.

How did you celebrate?