Re-membering Ourselves to Place

Site: Catalina Island Conservancy Education Department

P.O. Box 2739, Avalon, CA 90704

Ancient philosophers argued that divine providence, the gods,

had filled the earth with an animating presence, which bestows

places with their unique characteristics and virtues. If we maintain

the perspective that spirits ñ the gods- inhabit place, then it seems

likely that where we are born, and the places in which we live, will call us into participation with these spirits. In the tradition of depth psychology, it is when we forget the gods that they become cultural, environmental and personal pathologies. How does one recognize the Gods that inhabit place?

I documented the memories of seven people who are actively engaged with the island, including a local Native American storyteller, a potter, two fishermen, an amateur geologist, a Catalina Island Conservancy worker, and a project manager for the Eagle Restoration Project. I have examined, through a variety literature studies the human history and exploitation of the island. Some of my information came as a result of my experience with the Catalina Island Conservancy during which time I served as a volunteer in the education department.

Betsy Perluss