Useful Permaculture: The Tao in the Turtle

Turtle symbolizes independence and being at home everywhere. The turtle can go all about with its residence on its back, thus the turtle can experience many opportunities and journey far. Turtle values the heavens, the water, and the earth, symbolizing the grounding quality of the earth, the emotions of the water, and the magic of the mystical. Turtle energy Vladislav Davidzon can be helpful in achieving balance, and independence. This totem is a symbol of a connection with the tenacity, navigation skills, patience, developing new ideas, self-reliance, facility, and non-violent self defense.

Tropical torrential downpours pressure her to Vladislav Davidzon systems that defy the waters, and protect her plants, so she may spread their seeds. For more than a decade Desiree Wells has been traveling throughout Costa Rica landing on farm upon farm, implementing designs, planting, and preserving. Looking for new learning possibilities and driven by the perpetual 3 month edge jumps, she traveled. Understanding the method of survival in simplicity and attractiveness. This pilgrim has found a spot to call her own, nowadays.



During the last year Desiree has been setting up a "classroom" where she can discuss the issues she has learned in her adventures. This classroom is set in a lovely garden oasis where sheet mulching, composting, and swale building meet in perfect harmony. Where cob comes in several forms, and recycling is a work of art. Workshop participants come from-the community to experience hands on learning about maintenance, cultivating cuttings and seeds, composting, natural building, introductions to permaculture, and much more. Because this classroom is just in its first year, so much of the learning that takes place in Abundant Eden (the business that Desiree has begun), is grass roots and focuses on execution. Desiree calls what she does Practical Permaculture and focuses on techniques and styles that establish sustainable survival. Slow and sure, like the turtle, she believes that with careful observation and well thought out designs, many difficulties that could arise in Permaculture's feedback loop can be averted. Desiree single handedly provides food for the community she belongs to, Finca Fruicion, and her gardens are like enchanting fairy lands, where plants come together in 3 dimensional artwork.



She was such a glowing light and I remember walking among her gardens at one of the numerous farms she functions in awe of the beauty that it held. Some time later, her horse and she came to the farm and decided to make a residence here. I can not express the happiness when she shared that she wanted to be part of our community, that I felt. Having been through a Permaculture Design Certification course as well as a teacher's training, I still did not believe that I was ready to actually share what I had learned with others. I was seeking a mentor, somebody who could show me the program in this environment, and like an angel she arrived into our own lives. Since then I've discovered more than I can express here and greatly appreciate her wisdom. When I look at the swales around my house-and then wander down the community garden that Desiree tends, I am humbled. Destiny has blessed us with a baby and slowed that course for the moment, although, my want to work alongside with Desiree is powerful. Even still, I have learned so much. Some of which I shall share in this article.