Unite to Survive in Bath: Remembering our Sacred Lands and Waters
SEA Founders Christa Mackinnon and Jonathan Weekes arriving in Victoria Park, Bath, with the Unite to Survive march
In the historic city of Bath, activists from Sacred Earth Activism (SEA) joined forces with the "Unite to Survive" protest, creating a powerful and spiritually infused day. Against the backdrop of a diverse and inclusive gathering of nature, climate, and social justice groups, SEA brought their unique style of ceremonial activism to the forefront.
The day's events began with a powerful water ceremony, paying homage to the waterways that sustain us. Positioned at the shores of the River Avon, alongside the River Goddess, SEA's ceremonialists and campaigners from the Save the Wye campaign gathered to honour the river, raise awareness to the harm being caused to it by pollution, and ceremonially collect its waters to join the days actions.
Later in the morning, the group congregated outside the historic Bath Abbey, where ancient springs flow beneath its foundations. Here, a water ceremony unfolded, welcoming waters from distant regions, with participants hailing from all corners of the Southwest and beyond. The ceremony was a shared experience, with many attendees joining in, receiving a blessing from the River Goddess herself.
Subsequently, the groups merged into a march through the city, organised by Extinction Rebellion South West, all united under the banner of "Unite to Survive." The journey culminated at Victoria Park, where the water bearers, guided by the River Goddess and other water protectors, carried the cauldron of collected waters.
At Victoria Park, Sacred Earth Activism's co-founder, Jonathan Weekes, delivered a thought-provoking talk titled "Remembering our Sacred Lands." He passionately addressed the current ecological and climate crises, emphasising that they are not only environmental challenges but also a spiritual crisis rooted in our collective disconnection from the land and the sacred.
Gathering at the Waters - ceremony on the shores of the River Avon, Bath, at the start of the day
Welcoming the Waters at Bath Abbey - bringing together waters from across the region to honour the waterways that connect us all
Talk by SEA Co-founder Jonathan Weekes at Victoria Park, honouring our sacred lands and waterways in ceremony.
Participants also joined in the day’s water ceremony, offering their prayers to the water in the cauldron, in a symbolic act aimed to heal the connection between humanity and the land.
As the day progressed, the waters from this moving ceremony were returned to the river to be carried by the river's onward flow, so that those prayers and intentions would extend far and wide.
Participants expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this meaningful ceremony, acknowledging Sacred Earth Activism for bringing this spiritual dimension to the event. We are extremely grateful to Extinction Rebellion South West for inviting us to share this ceremony at the event, and for everyone who took part in remembering our sacred waterways and sacred lands.