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AimsOriginal: Organic Farming Natural Medicine Women’s Roles
Current: Permaculture Paganism Eco-feminism
This is a literature review based thesis which will seek to understand the emergence of Permaculture and Paganism as alternative practices, with an eco-feminist analysis.
Present Sit at computers Might have a lawn
Science instead of religion
Divide between nature and culture
Pagans• “people who live in the country”• Non-Christians• Those who are part of a modern “earth-based or
nature-based religion founded on ancient beliefs”
Animism Basis of most primitive
religions Gives souls to non-
humans, such as animals, plants, and sometimes minerals as well
A way to interact with nature
Edward Tylor coined the term with negative connotations
Neo-Paganism “New” animism Polytheistic Work with deities from
one or more pantheons Celebrate both the
God and Goddess, the male and female energies in nature
Two well-known religions: Druidry & Wicca
Permaculture Bill Mollison &
David Holmgren Agriculture/Culture
design Biodiversity Maximum
recycling/reuse, minimum consumption
Return control of food to the people
“earth care, people care, and fair share”
Common Themes1. Reverence for the Earth2. Emergence as an
Alternative3. Non-hierarchal structure
Where does gender fit in?
Eco-feminism Women are “enslaved to the species” due to their inherent
responsibility as child-bearers and rearers, while men can pursue other interests (Simoen De Beauvoir, 1949) Nature – feminine; Culture – masculine
Culture attempts to control nature Culture > Nature, therefore, Masculine traits > Feminine traits
“significant relationship between the oppression of women and the domination of nature” (Mortimer-Sandilands, 2008)
Vandana Shiva Proponent of eco-feminism
Reverence for the Earth Search for a “way of life in harmony with
the green Earth” (Greer, 2006)
Learning from nature, transforming the world
Nature-based spirituality or lifestyle of working with nature
James Lovelock – Gaia Theory Negative feedback loop on
earth to ensure homeostasis Threatened by humans
Rachel Carson – Silent Spring Toxic chemicals have
negative effects on people Disregarded as “hysterical
woman” who kept cats and was therefore clearly suspect
Gaia, “Mother Earth”
Non-hierarchal Structure
Neo-Paganism Independent
covens or groves In Wicca,
predominately led by women
Permaculture No central
governing body Still typically led
by men
Emergence as Alternative
Neo-Paganism Main stream: human-
centered religion, only a select few are connected to the divine
Alternative: nature-centered religion, everyone has the divine in him or herself
Emergence as Alternative
Permaculture Main stream:
Globalization of food production; Monocrops; over production
Alternative: everyday people are in control of their food production
“This concept of surplus has a patriarchal bias because, from the point of view of nature and women, it is not based on material surplus produced over and above the requirements of the community: it is stolen and appropriated through violent modes from nature (who needs a share of her produce to reproduce herself)”
-Vandana Shiva, 1988
Conclusions “permies” and Pagans believe in closing
the divide between nature and culture We all depend on nature to survive Work with Earth to ensure a positive
future Positive view of Earth could mean a
more positive view of women
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
--Vandana Shiva, 1988
Image SourcesBarrère, P. (1743). English: A Kali’na hunter with a woman gatherer.Français : Un chasseur Kali’na avec une cueilleuse.Español: Cazador Kali’na con una mujer.Italiano: Cacciatore Kali’na i una donna alla raccolta. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kalina_hunter_gatherer.jpgDoes your family need a tech time-out? (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from /parenting/articles/981077/managing-technology-and-familyGoddess Isis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.opednews.com/articles/Twisting-Symbolism-Isis-i-by-Cathy-Lynn-Pagano-Chaos_Death_Evil_God-140907-155.htmlGreenman by Joyce Gibson. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://fineartamerica.com/featured/2-greenman-joyce-gibson.htmlKlein, N. (2010). Addicted to risk. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/naomi_klein_addicted_to_risk?language=enMargaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West. (1939). Retrieved from http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/the-wicked-witch-of-the-west/images/25002105/title/margaret-hamilton-wicked-witch-west-photoMonocrops. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.greensteve.com/538/monocropping-necessity-or-environmentally-neglectful/Mother Earth. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://nacla.org/blog/2012/11/16/earth-first-bolivia%E2%80%99s-mother-earth-law-meets-neo-extractivist-economyNaturopathic Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.newportbeachindy.com/moment-health-naturopathic-medicine-wellness-option/Paleo Diet: What The Heck Is it? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://gamerfitnation.com/2014/06/paleo-diet/Permaculture Design Principles. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://permacultureprinciples.com/principles/Permaculture Farm. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://permaculturenews.org/2013/12/27/cold-climate-permaculture-video/Pile of Books. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://allthingsd.com/20131114/judge-says-google-book-scanning-is-fair-use/Reinbold, J. M. (n.d.). Cernnunos - Ancient Celtic God. Retrieved from http://www.druidry.org/library/gods-goddesses/cernnunos-ancient-celtic-godRitual Archives -. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://owlsandindigo.com/category/ritual/Unknown. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://riogrande-santafe.blogspot.com/Zell, O. (1998). Milennial Gaia. Retrieved from http://www.paleothea.com/SortaSingles/Gaia.html