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Welcome to our blog. We invite you to read our posts and feel free to leave a few comments! Your feed back is much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Natural Building and a little bit more of what we are up to at our sanctuary. If you have any questions or would like to connect directly, please send us an email at info@ecomaste.com

Wholeness, Much Love, and Pura Vida.

 Why the World Peace Treaty Gathering in Ireland Matters Now More Than Ever


This July, something extraordinary is happening in Ireland. From the sacred lands of Palenque to the green hills of Dripsey Castle, a prophetic call is echoing across the globe—a call for unity, healing, and a return to our sacred responsibilities as Earth stewards.

Two powerful events—the Full Moon Eighth Fire Ceremony (July 10th) and the

 World Peace Gathering (July 18–20)—will bring together Indigenous leaders, elders, artists, and peacebuilders from around the world. Their purpose? To fulfill a sacred World Peace Mandate and ignite a living treaty between peoples, cultures, and the Earth herself.


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 Why This Gathering Matters

In 2023, at a spiritual convergence in Palenque, Mexico, a mandate was given to the Irish people by the Council of the Condor, Eagle, Quetzal, and Hummingbird—symbols of wisdom, vision, unity, and love. This wasn’t just a ceremonial gesture. It was a living, breathing call for Ireland to rise as Bridge Builders—linking Europe with the Americas, the Global South, and the ancestral memory of peace we all carry in our bones.

This summer, that vision begins to manifest.

Ireland’s history—marked by colonization, famine, resistance, and profound generosity—resonates deeply with the struggles and values of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. As Chief Phil Lane Jr. reminds us:

“The Irish are not colonizers but victims themselves… They do not make war on other nations… They send peacekeepers. They are proud of their neutrality. They recognize that unity is more powerful than separation.”

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🌕 Ceremony, Spirit, and Sacred Action

Full Moon Eighth Fire Ceremony — July 10th

In alignment with the Global 8th Fire Circle, this ceremony invites local and international participants to gather around fire in sacred unity, adding Irish ashes to the global flame. It’s a ceremonial act of environmental healing, ancestral remembrance, and global kinship.

World Peace Gathering — July 18–20 at Dripsey Castle

A hybrid event with over 500 attendees, this gathering will feature:

  • Indigenous elders and spiritual leaders from Turtle Island, the Andes, the Aymara and Maya Nations, Greenland, the South Pacific, and more.

  • Irish artists, poets, and storytellers offering cultural medicine.

  • Collaborative dialogue and ceremony between the Irish and global delegates to activate the World Peace Treaty.

It is a threshold moment—a chance to shift from war, extraction, and division toward unity, kinship, and regeneration.



🌎 The World Peace Treaty Is a Living Promise

This is not just an agreement on paper. The World Peace Treaty is a sacred covenant—a renewal of our roles as caretakers of Earth and one another.

True peace does not come from policies or handshakes—it emerges from within, from how we treat our communities, the land, the water, the ancestors, and ourselves.

If we want true change, we must embody it.


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 How You Can Participate

Even if you cannot be in Ireland physically, you are part of this treaty.

  • Create a ceremony in our own community during these potent times. Invite friends, family and gather for world peace on the 10th, 18-20th. Connect to the energy of peace and unity and to our brothers and sisters that are gathering in Ireland with this prayer. 

  • Pray, sing, reflect, and remember—we are one human family.

  • Support Indigenous-led initiatives like Four Worlds International Institute and Kindred Spirits Ireland.

  • Talk about it. Share this story. Help others see that peace isn’t just possible—it’s already rising.



 We Are All Indigenous to Mother Earth

As Chief Phil Lane Jr. so beautifully states:

“These traits are not just unique to First Nations or the Irish—they are in all of us. We are all Indigenous to Mother Earth… We are all sisters and brothers. We are all One Human Family.”

Let this summer in Ireland be a spark that sets your soul alight. Let it remind you that peace is not a dream of the past, but a reality we must plant, protect, and embody—together.



🕊️ Will you answer the call?

These gatherings are more than events—they are thresholds.

They are a call to remember who we are, to rise in unity, and to plant the seeds of a peaceful, thriving future. We welcome all kindred spirits, of all nations, who feel the call of this sacred moment.

Together, we become the Bridge Builders our ancestors dreamed of.



🔗 Learn more / RSVP / Donate / Get Involved








 
 
 


“Seed is not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being.” – Dr. Vandana Shiva

Every seed holds a story — a memory of the past, a map for the future. Inside each one lives the resilience of nature, the prayers of our ancestors, and the nourishment of generations yet to come. And yet, this ancient birthright — the ability to grow and share our own food — is under threat.

This is a call to remember, to act, and to honor the life-giving magic of seeds.


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Why Save Seeds?

Saving seeds is an act of resilience, protection, and love. Here's why it's so vital:

  • Preserve Biodiversity: Each region has seeds adapted to its unique climate, pests, and soil. Saving local seeds protects this diversity from extinction.

  • Protect Food Sovereignty: When we save seeds, we preserve our right to grow food free from corporate or governmental control.

  • Regenerate Culture & Ancestral Memory: Seeds are cultural carriers. They remember songs, seasons, ceremonies, and tastes that reconnect us to lineage.

  • Ensure Resilience: Heirloom and criollo seeds are often more resilient to droughts, diseases, and changing climate than hybrid or GMO seeds.



 Where to Get & Support Ethical Seed Sources

🇺🇸 In the United States:

Support seed networks that protect heirloom, open-pollinated, and culturally significant varieties:

These groups support seed freedom, regional adaptation, and regenerative agriculture.



 What’s Happening in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is home to countless criollo seeds — native, regionally adapted, and full of nutritional and ecological value. But many are at risk due to legislation and loss of traditional practices.

A proposed law — Bill No. 21.087 — claims to “modernize seed production.” But in reality, it could criminalize the use and sharing of native and ancestral seeds.

Here's what’s at stake:

🚫 Local seeds could be banned if they’re not registered with government systems.

🏢 Corporations could patent seeds, making farmers dependent on purchased, commercialized varieties.

💸 Traditional farmers could be fined for saving or exchanging seeds — a practice as old as agriculture itself.

🌱 Criollo (native) seeds may disappear, leading to a loss of biodiversity, food sovereignty, and cultural memory.

“Whoever controls the seeds, controls the food. And whoever controls the food, controls the people.” -- Dr. Vandana Shiva 


Support & connect with:

  • Red de Guardianes de Semillas de Costa Rica – A grassroots network preserving native and criollo seeds through festivals, community gardens, and exchanges.

  • Festival de Semillas  – An annual gathering (now in its 9th year!) community connection, educational talks about seed preservation and best practices, seed sharing, and sovereignty.

  • Proyecto Semilla Criolla – Community-driven effort to cultivate, document, and educate about native seed saving practices.


You can often find seed exchanges at local ferias (markets), eco-communities, or permaculture centers — especially in regions like Pérez Zeledón, Talamanca, and the Nicoya Peninsula.



What You Can Do to Keep Seeds Sovereign

Here’s how we reclaim our power and protect our future:

  1. Save Your Own Seeds – Learn the basics. Start with easy crops like tomatoes, beans, or lettuce.

  2. Share & Exchange Locally – Host or attend seed swaps. Exchange with friends and neighbors.

  3. Support Seed Libraries & Seed Festivals – Attend events like the Festival de la Semilla Criolla or local seed-saving workshops.

  4. Say No to GMOs & Patented Seeds – Only buy open-pollinated, heirloom, or native varieties.

  5. Teach the Next Generation – Pass down this sacred skill to children, schools, and community gardens.

  6. Advocate for Seed Rights – Stay informed and speak out against laws that criminalize saving or sharing seeds.

  7. Grow Biodiversity – Cultivate unusual, native, or endangered plants to keep their lineage alive.



A Living Act of Resistance & Love

Saving seeds is a radical act of care. It says: “I trust in life. I remember where I came from. I will not allow this sacred cycle to be broken.”

As we hold these seeds, we are also holding stories, freedom, and futures. Let us tend them with reverence, and let them remind us — that we are not separate from nature, but part of its great unfolding.



🌱Join the Movement:


🌀 Join our 7-Week Free Zoom Series: Awaken the Elements Within — returning to harmony through breath, movement & earth-based wisdom


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Most of us are familiar with the five elements from ancient and indigenous traditions:

air, fire, water, earth, and ether. These elements were used to understand both nature and the human experience — a map to the universe inside and out.


In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Qi-Gong, a similar yet distinct system is used: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. These Five Elements are not just poetic symbols — they represent real energies within you, connected to your organs, emotions, seasons, and even the time of day.

As more of us begin to reconnect with nature, there’s a growing longing for harmony, rhythm, and vitality — something our ancestors embodied and understood. If you’ve felt an inner ache or found yourself tired of being tired, the Five Elements might help you come back into balance.

Let’s explore what they represent and how they show up in your life:



🪙 METAL

  • Season: Autumn 🍂

  • Organs: Lungs & Large Intestine

  • Emotion (in balance): Clarity, inspiration, presence

  • Emotion (out of balance): Grief, rigidity, self-criticism

  • Time of Day: 3am–7am

Metal teaches us the power of letting go. Just as trees release their leaves in fall, we’re invited to release old stories, grievances, what weighs us down,  breathe deeply, and return to what truly matters.



🌊 WATER

  • Season: Winter ❄️

  • Organs: Kidneys & Bladder

  • Emotion (in balance): Trust, stillness, wisdom

  • Emotion (out of balance): Fear, anxiety, exhaustion

  • Time of Day: 3pm–7pm

Water asks us to rest, replenish, and trust the flow. When Water is weak, we can feel fearful, frozen, or overly withdrawn. When strong, it nourishes deep reserves of strength and intuition.


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🌱 WOOD

  • Season: Spring 🌸

  • Organs: Liver & Gallbladder

  • Emotion (in balance): Motivation, vision, patience

  • Emotion (out of balance): Anger, frustration, control

  • Time of Day: 11pm–3am

Wood is growth and vision. When balanced, we move through life with purpose and flexibility. When imbalanced, we may feel stuck, easily angered, or overly controlling.




🔥 FIRE

  • Season: Summer ☀️

  • Organs: Heart & Small Intestine

  • Emotion (in balance): Joy, connection, love

  • Emotion (out of balance): Burnout, anxiety, mania

  • Time of Day: 11am–3pm

Fire brings warmth, expression, and joy. It's what helps us connect authentically. When Fire is out of balance, we may burn too hot—leading to overexcitement, restlessness, or even emotional disconnection.



Our Toucan Cob Pizza oven 🍕
Our Toucan Cob Pizza oven 🍕

🌾 EARTH

  • Season: Late Summer or Seasonal Transitions

  • Organs: Spleen & Stomach

  • Emotion (in balance): Groundedness, compassion, nourishment

  • Emotion (out of balance): Worry, overthinking, co-dependence

  • Time of Day: 7am–11am

Earth grounds and stabilizes. It offers support, nurtures the center, and helps us feel safe. Without it, we may feel lost, overextended, or disconnected from nourishment.



The Cycles of the Five Elements

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements aren’t static — they exist in dynamic relationship through two main cycles:

The Generating (Creation) Cycle — Nourishing Each Other

Each element supports the next, like a circle of life:

  • Wood feeds Fire (like kindling for a flame)

  • Fire creates Earth (ash returns to soil)

  • Earth produces Metal (minerals within the ground)

  • Metal enriches Water (minerals help water flow)

  • Water nourishes Wood (helping plants grow)

When this cycle is flowing, we feel vibrant, connected, and balanced.



The Controlling (Regulation) Cycle — Keeping Balance

This cycle helps prevent excess by keeping elements in check:

  • Wood controls Earth (roots breaking through soil)

  • Earth controls Water (dams and earth banks)

  • Water controls Fire (extinguishing flames)

  • Fire controls Metal (melting metal)

  • Metal controls Wood (axes cutting trees)

When one element becomes excessive or deficient, the regulating cycle steps in. But if these relationships become strained (e.g., Fire overpowering Water), disharmony can appear in the body or emotions.



🌀 Do These Patterns Feel Familiar?

  • Overwhelmed, anxious, or fearful? → You may have too much Water or a weak Earth to hold and ground you.

  • Frustrated, easily angered, or trying to control outcomes? → These may be Wood imbalances needing flexibility and expression.

  • Tired, burnt out, or disconnected? → Your Fire or Water may need replenishing.



Ready to Discover Your Inner Elemental Balance?

Take the Free 5-Element Quiz! Uncover which element is asking for attention and how to rebalance with breath, movement, and awareness.


Starting June 18th 10am CST— explore each element through meditation, Qi-Gong, and ritual to bring your natural rhythms back into alignment.

 
 
 

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