-“It's been my belief that learning how to do something in your hometown is the most important thing.” - Pete Seeger
Few of our cultural elders in America ever reach the status of "Living Legend" but 90-year-old Elspeth Odbert, just may be one. She has been enriching and strengthening the Neo Pagan movement for over 30 years. She consistently breaks through our isolating armor and bares us to the full light of, "Wake up! Take Charge of Your Life!"
Her reputation for perceptive advice and earth-based & "mountain wisdom" draws people to gather in her teaching circles. Outspoken and opinionated, Elspeth is an inspirational teacher and change agent: leading her listeners along an eco-spiritual path of personal and planetary transformation. As an honored elder in the Neo-Pagan movement, she is a living example of the timeless truths that she teaches. She has stated many times, "I don't have the answers; you will find your answers. I am here to help you find the right questions."
Elspeth has appeared at many of the earth-based gatherings around the nation, even helping to found several of them. Among her multi-session sets of classes are "Building Community" and "Achieving Your Life Goals". Her current work-in-progress is: "Conscious Evolution - Choice, Change, Commitment". Called by Resonance Magazine "a combination of Deepak Chopra and Minnie Pearl" or simply "a force of nature" by those attending her lectures; she answers best to "Grandmother Elspeth".
For the last 45 years Elspeth's focus has been on shaping the present to bring a future of human justice, cooperation rather than extreme consumption, and lasting environmental health. Her personal studies in self-reliant communities, eco-psychology and alternative healing have enabled her to better serve those who come to her. Grandmother Elspeth has been married for 36 years to James Odbert, internationally revered science fiction artist. He is best known for his prize winning sacred and fantasy art under his professional name of "Nybor". Over the years Elspeth has studied in several fields. As a Master Gardener she has specialized in the many aspects of Permaculture. Together, Elspeth and Nybor created "GreenSong." Guided by the late Pete Seeger and with the extensive musical background of John Grastorf, they founded "GreenSong" as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2012.
"GreenSong" is a series of educational and entertainment events using the performing arts and suitable workshops to encourage and enhance sustainable world change. "GreenSong" can manifest in a number of ways: an evening, one-day or a weekend. In any event, it is filled with music plus demonstrations and workshops.
When she is not on the road Grandmother Elspeth is at home in West Virginia with Nybor and two fur persons, Maggie and Max.
Email: info@greensongfestival.com
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"You are the agents of Evolution. Choice came into the world with you. You have the burden of Freedom." - Margaret Meade