Words are a mirror to human experience. The meaning of the English words such as “health” and “wealth” have altered over time, reflecting changes in society.
Today a healer is largely thought of as some kind of charlatan. However, “heal” comes from the Old English hælan, to make whole, says John Ayto. Health professionals are realizing that getting people healthy isn't a matter of treating symptoms, but of balancing a whole series of inter-relationships: family, work, lifestyle, environment, exercise, nutrition. Healthy behaviour takes account of the needs of the whole body, physical, economic, cultural, and spiritual.
“Health”comes from the Old English hælþ “wholeness.” "Health" is "heal" with the addition of þ (th), the Norse þurisaz or Anglo-Saxon þorn rune of transformation. Þurisaz is a very ancient name for Thor, says author Freya Aswynn. [Leaves of Grass, a synthesis of runes, gods, magic, feminine mysteries and folklore] In Norse accounts of Creation, Thor kept giants, representing "the forces of chaos," in their place. In the Norse tradition, Thor, also known as Jord, son of the earth goddess, cares for the land, brings life to the frozen Gerd, earth, and defends the people of the land. People who care about the environment ‘would do well’ to invoke the aid of þ Thor, suggests Aswynn. Thor, in the form of the þ rune, protected Anglo-Saxon rituals honouring life's passages. Bath, birth, strength, hearth, death: English perpetuates Thor's protection by retaining those Anglo-Saxon þ words. Like water, the þ rune is a carrier. It supplies life force, energy and focus to make things happen, says Aswynn. Add þ and you get ‘action,’ advises Edred Thorsson.[Futhark, A Handbook of Rune Magic]
"Time to Act on River Murray" urged the headline of the 8th August Lakelander, local paper for people living around the Lower Lakes and Coorong. "A river system needs to flow from its head to the sea ..." explained "lakes and Coorong Expert" Dr Kerri Muller. "Action is needed now," was the cry in the next issue. [D John Boundy, "Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink." The Lakelander,15th August.] If we focus on the health of the Murray-Darling, from the mountains to the sea, it is more likely to return wealth to the region, than by implementing more hoarding measures, the dire consequences of which can be predicted by past failures.
In the English word family, “health” “heal,” “whole,” “holy” and “Halloween” are cousins. This word family, which links physicality, spirituality and culture, finds common ground with MLDRIN, the call by First Nations along the River for holistic and respectful actions. And perhaps the drought is healing: the desperate lack of water reminds us that the river is not a “resource” but a sacred “source” of life.
“Wealth” which now is mostly thought of in term of economic value, comes via the Middle English wele "well-being," from the Old English wela "wealth, welfare, well-being." It and the “wealth” of “Commonwealth” ultimately derive from the proto Indo-European base *wel- "to will," says Douglas HArper [Online Etymological Dcitionary] What is needed for a wealthy river is a common will to look after its well-being and welfare.
It is to be hoped that the formation of the single Murray Darling Authority will produce healthier behaviour in the Murray-Darling Basin than the constitutional water right of states and landholders. It is to be hoped that the Federal Government will moderate vested interests. Its $400 million buy-back of water entitlements in the northern basin, including $350million in Queensland, is a start. It is to be hoped that this will encourage the wider community to behave coherently for the health, wealth and healing of the river. And already this appears to be happening: Victoria's Murray River Group of Councils recently supported the MDA in taking "an holistic approach to the national crisis including the whole Murray Darling Basin."[Murray River Group of Councils, July 2008, "Communique," http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/hardcopy/111751_188338.PDF.]
As the water dwindled around the eroding crannies of the Narrung Peninsula, local dairy farmers, Cathie and David Harvey, didn't wait for the government to act. They saw the need for an holistic approach and implemented biological farming practices. These work with the "natural processes" occurring on a farm. Rather than treating the symptoms with pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, biological farming addresses the cause of any problems. It pays attention to the biota that makes soil healthy, and prefers to optimize "soil, plant and animal health." And healthy soil produces more nutritious food. ["Introduction to Biological Farming" http://www.bioag.com.au/improving_natural_soil_fertility/biological_farming/]
"Biological farming reduces soil leaching and retains soil moisture," observed Cathie. In a record drought, the Harveys harvested a lucerne crop last year and they milk two hundred cows each day.
The Narrung Peninsula elsewhere is described by reporter Shane Strudwick as a "series of vacated dairies that have been mothballed." He lamented: "Families are leaving the region and quality drinking water needs to be trucked in with no subsidies or support from the government."["Australia’s True Catastrophe happening now." 17.3.08. http://rivermurray.com/petition/drought-tour/] In contrast, the Harvey's health-promoting methods demonstrate a staying power that is to be respected. Producers in Australia's food bowl upstream would do well to follow the Harvey's lead and implement biological farming practices.
"A healthy river is essential to ensure that future generations of Australians can enjoy the same quality of life as past generations," asserts the Indigenous Response to the Living Murray initiative. "The river is a place of healing. It provides a place of balance and relief from stress and sickness," came the consistent response to the question: "What is the significance of the River Murray to you?"
"The river is critical to health and welfare."
"The river has major economic importance. It is a source of food, fibre, water, medicine and other sustenance."
"The river is part of song and storylines."
"The river is a birthplace."
"There are burials all along the river."
"The river should be healthy and free-flowing."
"The whole river system should be respected."
"Everyone should come together to make the river healthy and protect its spirit-Indigenous people, landholders and government."
"It is our Lifeblood."
"It is Life." [http://www.mldrin.org.au/pubs/TLMIndigenousResponse.pdf]
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