During this summer solstice, I’m reflecting on the power of ritual and ceremony. Rituals are more than traditions. In them, we meet our human needs for belonging and purpose, transforming how we connect with ourselves and each other.

In this meditation, I’ll move through the historical and cultural importance of solstices in pagan and Celtic traditions, and the symbolism of flowers, especially roses, as representations of growth, love, and fullness.

In this special episode for my series on Strategy, I chat with my dear friend Brandi Mack. Brandi is a wholehearted, joyous, and dedicated permaculture and community activist who has served in urban garden projects and land stewardship in Calaveras County. Co-founder of the Butterfly Movement, her work in fostering wellness, cultural regeneration, and land-based connection is wide and deep.

Learn more about Brandi Mack at www.brandimack.com

I have been wanting to speak to Daniel Hunter from Freedom Trainers for some time, and am delighted to share with you a conversation I had with him for this series on strategy. Together, we look at the underpinnings of effective social and environmental movements through decentralized organizing, nonviolent resistance, and strategic planning. All crucial for challenging authoritarian regimes and creating lasting change.

Thank you, Daniel, for sharing your soul and steadiness with our community!

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In this episode, we continue this special series on STRATEGY.

I first ran into David Snowden's Cynefin framework in a video about, of all things, grazing. Probably most of you are not worrying about how best to graze a flock of sheep or a herd of cows, and I don’t think Snowden had grazing in mind when he came up with this framework. But it works well for understanding the difference between systems that are simple, complicated, or complex—and living systems are generally complex. Not to mention politics! Which also currently threatens to devolve into the fourth domain, chaos! Come along on this journey—I guarantee you will look at things differently afterward.

David Snowden: thecynefin.co/

A good introductory video—The Cynefin Framework: A Leader’s Framework for Decision-Making

I was introduced to the framework by Graeme Hand in this video: Regenerative Grazing that Works in Practice

Starts at 10:54

Preview YouTube video The Cynefin Framework - A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making and Action. Preview YouTube video The Cynefin Framework - A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making and Action.

This episode is part two, looking at Donella Meadows’ 12-leverage points and work on intervention strategies.

So grab a notebook, listen with your groups, and of course, if you are on the move, take it along for the ride and revisit whenever you need.

Read: Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows

or her shorter article Leverage Points.

Learn more about Donella Meadows Systems Change

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I am so grateful for all your support!It’s what makes it possible for me to do this work!

This episode is a great study companion! So grab a notebook, listen with your groups, and of course, if you are on the move, take it along for the ride and revisit whenever you need.

Over the next forty minutes, I will look at the application of systems theory to movement building, particularly 12-leverage points from Donella Meadows’ work on intervention strategies.

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In this podcast episode, I offer a conversation about Mayday, Pagan Festival, International Workers Day, & General Strike.

SPECIAL MEDITATION:
PLUS, enjoy a special meditation at the end of this episode. To celebrate life, honor the workers of the world, and bring about a world of greater justice.

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• Become a paid Substack subscriber

  I know the economy is uncertain, and a lot of people are struggling. But if you can afford the price of a latte a month, you’ll be supporting my writing and activism, and gain access to special perks, like a monthly Community Conversation, live online: the next one is Sunday, May 3 at 10 AM PDT.

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I have decided to do a little series here on strategy because I truly believe we are going to win in the end. We are going to return to some form of democracy, hopefully a better form than we had before, which led us into this mess.

But to do that, we need to know where we want to go and we need a plan for how to get there. And that is what strategy is all about. In this episode, I want to talk about what I’ve learned about strategy from permaculture design.

Listen along, grab a pen and paper if you can, and even better, take this along to your groups for consideration.

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I wanted to do a little series here on the podcast on strategy. We want to build a movement for justice. And in order to achieve what we need to achieve, we need a strategy to get there. In this episode, I offer some teachings, guidance, and personal experiences that ritual, in particular, has taught me about strategy and movement building.

As we move into a new chapter of the podcast, I would love to hear your feedback and comments about what you would like to hear more of. Leave a comment here! I look forward to reading them.

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READ 📚
Starhark: Dreaming in the Dark

Silvia Federici: Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation

David Kubrin: Marxism and Witchcraft
Deirdre English: Witches, Midwives, and Nurses

Visit Starhawk.Substack.com