Topic: Beaver

The restoration of the North American landscape through permaculture involves building millions of small farm ponds to inventory water and prevent flooding. Historically, 8-10% of the landscape was water due to beaver activity, a figure that has dropped to less than 4%. By holding water on the "high scape" rather than relying on massive downstream engineering projects, farmers can build soil health and mitigate the effects of drought and rising fertilizer costs.

Fostering a connection with a totem involves regular meditative visits to a "neutral ground" in the mind and the creation of physical shrines or altars. Different totems are called upon for specific life needs, such as invoking the Beaver for stability, the Badger for persistence during job hunts, or the River Otter for finding joyful work. These practices serve as conscious reminders of the relationship between the practitioner and the spirit.