| There is an emerging planetary awareness ("Gaia consciousness") which is likely to fundamentally change our politics and culture. Chapter 1 introduces a banyan tree metaphor to show four major areas (branches) which intertwine to weave this new pattern of consciousness, namely geophysiology; ecofeminism; mythology; and deep ecology.;Chapter 2 explores geophysiology and James Lovelock's work. It looks at glaciations, changes in the Earth's geosphere, and galactic forces that affect overall planetary health. Many scientists are looking at the Earth as a physical mechanism (a self-regulating, though open-ended, system) rather than seeing it as spiritual.;Chapter 3 describes the ecofeminist movement (also Neopaganism and the broader feminist movement). More than just a movement, ecofeminism is an organic belief structure and has to do with a woman's religion ("womanspirit") which extends to the Cosmos itself. Gaia is seen as the Great Goddess immanent in all, and not only as the nurturing mother, but also as Kali the destroyer.;Chapter 4 is about images of Gaia in mythology, particularly psychological archetypes and ancient motifs/artifacts. This Great Mother represents an underlying psychic template which reflects a million years of experience on Earth--a collective recollection of symbols with potential for formation in our dreams and unconscious.;Chapter 5 covers the deep ecology movement and discusses "primary" cultures as a source of organic values and greater Gaian consciousness. Other sources include environmentalism and a literary and cultural tradition of naturalism and pastoralism in the U.S. The image stresses a violent, predative aspect of Life, just "part of being an animal.".;Chapter 6--"Seven Tomorrows of Gaia"--synthesizes some of the major ideas, cross-currents, and contradictions of the past and present. The final chapter addresses the convergence of the four branches of Gaia consciousness and their "thickness," or overlap, which includes: the emerging theology of ecology and women; Patriarchy; the evolution of consciousness; and, the passing of industrial power structures and industrial modes of thought. The focus on political "thickness" points to potentially fundamental political transformations of the industrial worldview and a shift to an organic/feminist worldview. |
