The Earth itself is not dying, of course. This planet has remade itself countless times over its four and a half billion-year lifespan and will do so again. But something very dear to us humans is dying, and that is our relationship with the seasons, plants, animals, and waters as we know and love them.  In many ways, we are called to offer Earth practices similar to that which hospice offers to our friends and family as they end their physical lives amongst us.

In 2022, Trebbe Johnson and Alison Cornish created Earth Hospice Rites as an online, ongoing gathering place to lament, celebrate, share, and offer mindful attention to the places and species we love that are endangered by climate change.  Participants from around the world meet on Zoom every other Wednesday for 20 minutes for this facilitated practice and conversation, acknowledging that the Earth is in grave danger, and finding ways to speak of it from our broken heartedness. Together, we take a deep collective breath and say, yes, the Earth as I know it is dying.

In this workshop, Trebbe and Alison will offer an experience of the practice they’ve developed, followed by an exploration of how Earth Hospice Rites can be utilized in participants’ own settings, both online and in-person.