Yellowbird of Earthdance urges people to go to sacred sites near where they live, to listen for a call from a particular site, to visit the sacred places of our ancestors, many of whom lived in peace and harmony with Earth. He suggests beginning with gratitude, making offerings back to the Earth to help lift the heavy energy of greed and lack that prevails in many places and many hearts.

"Give what you can. Nurture the Earth in a gentle way. We must be fruitful and abundant to manifest it for ourselves," he explains. People can perform simple rituals of remembering the Solstices and Equinoxes, Earth's natural cycles. Yellowbird says that a ritual can be as simple as lighting a candle on the Equinox to hosting a 2- or 3-day event including meditation, council circles, Earth Acupuncture and especially songs and dance.

One of the most important elements of the Gathering in Peru will be cultural exchange among the various tribes. Karpay Ayni is the sharing of the unique treasures of each community, "the gift that makes us happy," Delgado explains. Through songs and dance, diverse peoples can communicate through their hearts, bypassing the mental barriers that have created separation and suffering. (less info)