How To Make the Earth Move

1. Go to the beach and choose a stone. Not just any stone, but one that fits perfectly in your hand, preferably with one flat side.
   
   
2. This will be your tool. Find yourself on the side of a mountain just past the Moonlight Inn, surrounded by a dozen friends who just weeks ago were strangers. See the sea in the distance and realize how far you have travelled. Somehow feel at home.
   
   
3. Light a small fire and perform the ritual. Fill three bowls with rice wine and drink to thank the spirits. Conjure positive thoughts. Whatever you do, do not let the fire go out
   
   
4. Breathe.
   
   
5. Pick up a shovel and begin to dig. Do not make holes. Instead tread smoothly across the Earth, one layer at a time. Give back what you are taking by respecting the ground.
   
   
6. With your stone begin to pound your gathered Earth against the asphalt until the rocks, the dirt, the shells are powdered. Perhaps spare the worms.
   
   
7. Add Water and knead, press, wedge the pulverized Earth until smooth. Add more Water. Add more Water. Add more. The Earth craves Water in order to become clay.
   
   
8. Begin to make, to shape, to form a figure, an object, a being, what have you. Let the clay bury under your fingernails, cake over your skin, and brush onto your clothing in a layer of dust. Surrender your instincts to the will
   
9. of the clay.
   
   
10. Pile leaves, dry leaves, on top of your creations.
    
    
11. Stack twigs, dry twigs, and then logs, dry logs, on top of the leaves. Remember
    
12. to leave a door at each end.
    
    
13. Make beautiful offerings, kiln gods who will sit atop
    
14. the pile and bless
    
15. this event.
    
    
16. Wait for dark.
    
    
17. Again, perform the ritual. Thank the spirits for protecting this art, for allowing us to perform these acts on this site, on this day, together.
    
    
18. Set Fire to each door. Fan the flames fast until a bright orange light begins to spread across the pit, catching every dry leaf, twig, and log.
    
    
19. Step back.
    
    
20. Watch as the flames rise into a column, a tower that lights up the dark forest, the brightest light on the mountain second only to the moon. Feel the heat pierce through the winter air and soak into your skin from 20 feet away. Stare into the glowing eyes of a lion as it is brought to life amid the dancing flames.
    
    
21. Witness the meeting of the elements, the transformation of Earth enabled first by Water and now by Fire. Brought together at first by the artists, the elements now act alone. We relinquish control to the elements for the sake of our art. We ask the spirits for help and pray that the forces of destruction may serve us in creation. We practice patience, humility, and surrender.
    
    
22. Return the next morning to a pile of white ash. Slowly excavate your art and marvel at what Fire has made for you. Take your creation and bring it home. Realize that although you are not of this land, this land is now a part of you.