The photo was taken by the crew of Apollo 17 on their way to the Moon. Antarctica, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar, and part of Asia are visible.
Today is Earth Day. It’s a time to celebrate the glorious bounty of this planet, which despite hurtling through a hostile and unforgiving universe, has nonetheless fostered an abundance of life for millions of years. Quite an accomplishment.
Of course, Earth is not a docile mother. She can rage with a devastating fury. But she can embrace us with the warmth of the sun, sing to us in rushing waters and dance with us on currents of gentle winds. Indeed, from time immemorial, the earth has been a sentient, vital force. For the ancients, she was to be cherished and protected. What she bestowed was to be graciously returned by taking only what was necessary to life. In the rituals of many cultures was a heartfelt reverence for the symbiotic ties between nature and humankind.
In more contemporary times, we have been struck by a grim reality. The earth’s bounty is finite. As we see various animal and plant species diminishing and the climate dramatically changing, we are realizing the fragility of this symbiosis. We have not been kind to Mother Earth.
Fortunately, people around the world are trying to alter the consequences of centuries of disregard. If Earth Day can raise awareness, then we can rejoice at the awakening of the ancient spirit that roots us to the soil of Mother Earth. We can believe, as did those lives of long ago, that we live only if our Mother lives. So take a moment today to appreciate this grand and glorious planet.
To learn how the ancients valued nature and how nature is good for our health, read AntiquityNOW’s Nature, Ecotherapy and a Peek into the Past Through National Parks.
It appears that green is not only a color to be worn, but one to be lived. Read about a study in Living Near Green Spaces May Increase Women’s Lifespans that claims nature can prolong a woman’s life.
And for an awe-inspiring paean to Mother Earth by various cultures across the world, view the video below.
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