(Re)Becoming Ecology with The Sabbats: An Overview

This presentation provides an overview of the researcher’s Creative Writing PhD in progress: (Re)Becoming Ecology with The Sabbats. It will begin with a reminder as to why the process of ‘(re)becoming ecology’ is necessary for the well-being and survival of our environment, and as such, its interdependent nonhuman and human animals. The project will explore in depth one of the ways in which we may (re)become ecology: creative expression. What will follow is a concise explanation of the ancient Wheel of the Year calendar, and a rationale as to why the project has applied itself to this environmental form. This includes outlining each of the calendar’s eight seasonal festivals, known as the sabbats. The presentation will outline selected key components from the project, such as the critical role of shadow-work and creative catharsis in responding to ecological grief, which is explored within the ‘Imbolc’ chapter (representing the sabbat that is the midpoint between winter and spring). It will also contain a summary of the ‘Beltane’ chapter (representing the midpoint between spring and summer), which works with Indigenous wisdom on ecological reciprocity, considering it in relation to the perception and practise of our use of language and ways of living, and outlining actionable steps to encourage vital methods in (re)becoming ecology.