# More Inspiration & Ideas

### The Power of Celebrating Water
Connection through water, with nature and each other, fosters well-being, through a regenerative and healing relationship, encouraging the flow and exchange of energy and knowledge. Consider making more of an impact by following some of these suggestions:
- Actively cultivate a sense of curiosity/care/communication/collaboration through creative interactions with the river (e.g. song, music, poetry, arts and crafts workshops or installations).
- Demonstrate vulnerability: create an impactful ceremony to demonstrate your anger, grief and sadness at the state of our waterways and your love for all life.
- Explore: physically get to know your local waters (the source, wells and tributaries) to engage with and care for your local waterway.
- Research: look at wider connections, the history of the local waters and collect local stories and images.
- Consider your catchment area, sewage treatment works, landfills and other sources of pollution. How can you bring awareness of all the different sources of pollution to this waterway?
- Presence: Be present around waterways and feel the energy and power they can give to you.

Here is an example  <a href="https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/s/xFg5cRH2DmrAztK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">running order</a> for the Ceremony for the River Wye.
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### Words & Inspiration

<!-- word cloud youtube -->
<p class="align-center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LOJ27gEM8hQ?autoplay=1" title="Dirty Water WAVE 6  | Cultures Word Cloud" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>

<!-- link to source data for word cloud -->
Word Cloud created from <a href="https://aquaworldhub.com/what-does-a-fish-symbolize/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Symbolism Of Fish: Exploring Different Cultures And Meanings</a>





##### Fresh water is precious and finite | All life depends on it
Our waterways are the arteries and veins of the earth. If we pollute those waterways, life will die. 

> “Nothing on this planet had so forcefully hammered into her the ultimate value of water. Not the water-sellers, nor the dried skins of the natives ... Here there was a substance more precious than all others - it was life itself and entwined all around with symbolism and ritual.” - Frank Herbert, Dune

> “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.”  W H Auden, First Things First

Although issues are faced in multiple facets of water, some communities may prioritise different areas, such as flooding or pollution.


### Community
- Engage other river / water user groups to build a community of stewards.
- Lead walks, clear litter / blockages.
- Consider joining a <a href="https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/volunteer-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">water testing group.</a> <!-- water testing opportunity link -->
- Offer <a href="https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/s/AYtz6sifD6ceoKX" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science Street Talk</a><!-- Science Street Talk link --> to other groups.
- Share research to strengthen knowledge and connection to the waterways.
- Post on social media, highlighting local pollution issues.
- Discuss the change you want to see to the waterbodies you care about.
- Read about [other ceremonies](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1938#bkmrk-what-can-a-water-cer).
  



### Art & Creativity
- Create artwork
- Write or read poetry
- Make mandalas
- Chalk a message or word onto a casting stone
- Chant / sing to rivers / make music (more on this below)
- Use Sound Bowls
 <!-- sound bowls youtube -->
<p class="align-center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NOyP07_l50g" title="How to Use a Sound Bowl" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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### Puppets/Masks/Costumes
- Make a ‘big splash’ in your local media with colourful [puppets, masks and costumes](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1507#bkmrk-page-title).
- Welcoming the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZRMBgu7YYk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">River Wye Ceremony</a> [YouTube 5min] at Herefordshire Council featuring Wye River Goddess puppet.