Odyssey Magazine Issue 1, 2016 | Page 81

Odyssey Magazine would like to welcome to our list of contributors Sarchen Bassingthwaighte, who will be our garden guru for the editions to come. n gers I t is a relief to have an outlet like Odyssey where I can authentically convey the principles of gardening that I have come to learn through trial and error, and against what was taught through the tertiary educational system. These principles need to be shared through an outlet that fully embraces the new paradigm, such as Odyssey is doing, a paradigm that you will come to see my principles also reflect. It does not matter what the discipline or modality; whether it be healing, food, fitness, personal productivity or any life endeavours such as gardening; as one evolves and elevates in consciousness one will come to the understanding that everything is connected, and when this knowing becomes integrated within the self an authenticity develops and your intuition expands; and finally you drop the intellect and proceed to innate wisdom. This is my goal with gardening and this is where I aspire to bring gardeners to. So, as I proceed to share what I have learnt during the hard knocks of my gardening life you will notice from time to time that the discussions may expound a little to encompass broader aspects of universal principles, a gradual understanding of which is necessary to layer upon the more tangible and fundamental How To instructions; and eventually you will claim the 'green finger' capability that is your birthright but which was taken away from you through artful manipulation of a higher agenda that you will come to see with time. As I said, what I will come to convey has been personally learnt through trial and error and some research; however I have not followed any particular course of action. To this day I have not read a single permaculture book because if I start to delve into other specifics I lose my connection to self and my creative voice diminishes along with my authenticity. Rather, when you verify certain practices for yourself you will ODYSSEY 81 •  DIGIMAG