There are things in life that are a constant. That connect us to our humanity. To the universe, our ancestors and to our medicine. I find myself digging into these truths, especially now.
It is Spring. Springtime. Quarantine Time. A different time. And perhaps, a not so different time. A time to remember. To remember how to be. Time to reflect. Renew. Tend to old wounds. Rake up dead leaves. Shake out the rugs. Dust the corners of each room. Take stock of what we have. Make room for new growth. Breathe deeply.
My hands are in the earth each day. It is necessary. It gives me life and deepens my connection to my ancestors, my familia, nuestra Tonantzin and all life. It feels urgent to plant. To tend to my herbs. To make sure that I am keeping the medicine strong and the traditions and teachings alive.
I have spent the last several weeks sorting through my semillas and taking count of what I have saved from previous years. Last year I focused on my herbs and only planted a small vegetable garden. The pinche pandemic now has me laying out all my seeds and wanting to plant every single one. Then I remember, it is a practice. It’s a tradition and a way of life. I breathe and remember. “Stay focused.” I tell myself. “Stay rooted.”
“It feels stifling and unsettling.” “ How dare this virus disrupt my way of life.” “We are ‘Americans’ this can’t happen here.” “WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING!!!!” Just a few things I’ve heard, and felt.
Yea. Crazy, right? And yet, here we are. In this time together.
So, I go to what I know. What I feel coursing through my body and my ancestral DNA. Holding tight to what works and letting go of what doesn’t. It’s not easy. I get tired. I get depressed. I want to stay in bed all day. I get anxious and the fear starts to sink in. I worry about my family and loved ones. My thoughts go to our vulnerable communities, to our Native, Black, Brown and POC sisters and brothers who are being particularly impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. Lack of proper healthcare, access to fresh food and clean water, immigration status, racism, systemic oppression..the list goes on and on.
Erin Trent Johnson writes, “The old paradigm allowed those who are the most marginalized to be harmed at the greatest rate without recognition or resources. They were invisible. The old paradigm continued to protect those with the most resources, historical and generational wealth, networks that provide ideas for adaptation and investment to actualize the ideas. It became very clear to me that in this old paradigm, This pandemic would amplify the suffering of those who are the most vulnerable in every way. The harm of systems that have marginalized them for generations would spread like wildfire.”
It is why is save seeds every year. It is why I plant. My ancestors will not let me stay in bed and hide under the blankets. They come to me in my dreams. I have a responsibility. I have to walk upright. Be the most human I can be. My daughter looks at me with big eyes and heart. If I don’t plant our seeds for us, who will?
“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.” –Arundhati Roy
I am ready to fight for something different, and I am also ready to fight for the medicine and traditions that have sustained us for millennia. Every time I push the earth back and lay down a seed it is a divine connection to our Mother Earth and all humanity. I don’t take this lightly. It requires patience. I’m not patient. I have to work at it, but when I see the new sprouts and flowers pushing through the ground as they reach for the sun, my heart explodes with joy.
I’m about to go and stare at my little pots. Searching for the first sprout to push through. Walk with me this Spring as we honor our traditions, create new ones and fight for the change we need. Aché.
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Alicia Lueras Maldonado is a multidisciplinary artist who brings performance, photography and a social justice ethic to her work. She is Native New Mexican, born and raised in the community of Atrisco. Alicia is the President and CEO of Atlixco Productions, LLC., which serves progressive nonprofits, individuals and businesses to achieve positive community engagement, social change, and cross-sector relationships that build toward the greater good. As an actor, photographer, director and producer, Alicia has collaborated with Ironweed Productions, Camino Real Productions, Duke City Repertory, Working Classroom, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Teatro Nuevo Mexico and Humano Productions, among others. Her photographs were recently featured in the “Genizaro Identity and Continuance” exhibit at the Gutierrez Hubbell House (January 2018 to May 2019).
Alicia is also a reiki practitioner and has studied natural healing traditions, curanderismo and herbalism for many years. She has a B.A. in Communication & Journalism and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of New Mexico. Her background in the arts, politics, community organizing and social justice gives her a unique perspective, which she brings to her consulting, coaching, facilitation, writing and art.