December 2010
Cabañuelas: Jewish and Mayan Meteorology Traditions Combined
Dec 1st
Juan Estevan Arellano
Before TV or radio, people used to rely on nature, the stars, sun and other natural phenomena to better understand when to plant or how much seed to commit to the soil. Part of that knowledge is embedded in the system known to New Mexicans as “reading” the cabañuelas.
For most urban folk, talking about cabañuelas is something exotic that they can’t relate to. But those in rural areas are more likely to be familiar with the word. No one knows exactly where the term originated, but it is believed it came from “Fiesta de las Suertes,” the “feast More >
From Polluter to Conservationist – The Calvin Hildebrand Story
Dec 1st
Sally Western
Calvin Hildebrand did not begin his early career with helping the environment in mind. Over four decades ago Hildebrand came to New Mexico as an investment banker, and made his living helping companies develop various types of mineral mining operations. This line of work was and still is notoriously hard on the environment, causing all kinds of water pollution, some deforestation and wildlife disruption. His additional work as a realtor working with developers did not benefit the land either. Hildebrand admits it: he helped trash the environment. But some twenty-odd years later, he had a revelation, and realized the More >
Bringing Nature Indoors
Dec 1st
Susan Waterman
Even though winter is upon us, there are many indoor gardening possibilities to continue “cultivating” and honoring the elements of nature. You may also reap much of the same satisfaction and healthy benefits as from outdoor gardening. There are many approaches to gardening creatively indoors, even if you don’t have lots of sunny windows, an attached greenhouse or other available space for large houseplants. What’s important in the winter is to sustain our personal connection with nature.
Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) from China and Vastu from India are two ancient traditions that have survived the ages, and are arts More >
Declaration of Core Values of the New Mexico Acequia Association
Dec 1st
2010 Congreso de las Acequias
1. We honor the connection between water, land, life, and communities. We believe that our acequias express the values of our culture and identity as a land-based people. Just as our herencia came from generations before us, we now have the responsibility of passing on our traditions to youth and future generations.
2. For generations, the well being of our communities has been sustained by sharing for the benefit of the common good, a tradition known as repartimiento. Through our acequias we have shared scarce water, between our families we have shared food and seed, and through More >
In the Green Fire Times we spotlight initiatives that create positive social impacts on climate change, energy independence, and green job development...
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