Starhawk‘s seminal book, The Fifth Sacred Thing, envisioned an ecotopian world in harmony with Nature, where human diversity is valued, and art, fun, and life embedded in the day to day. Not merely fiction, Starhawk has endeavored in real life to realize such a paradise through her work and teachings in permaculture, ecofeminism, activism, community-building, and empowerment for all. Awaken your inner courage and imagination!

Capitalism and other patriarchal systems have brought us to the brink of environmental collapse. Dr. Elsa María Cardona Santos sees hope in metaphorically “calculating” the economic value of Nature and advocates for “rewilding” to connect us deeper to the non-human world around us.

Marla Bull Bear cultivates Lakota heritage, culture, and spirituality among today’s youth through education and activism. She’ll share how (re)connecting to Nature through bees can inspire and motivate the next generation.

Inspired by the melissae (ancient bee priestesses and oracles), meet select luminaries, who share insights, visions, and dreams for a new tomorrow. During this yearlong series, we will meander through a labyrinth of science, sacred, his-/herstory, mystery, art, medicine, and activism — the pillars that comprise the College of the Melissae.

Amid troubled times, together we ask: Who are we? Where did we come from? And how can we recreate our cosmology?

(This series is a co-production of The Ambeessadors and the College of the Melissae.)