Ted Carter is an ornamental horticulturist, principal landscape designer, and co-author of Earth Calling: A Climate Change Handbook for the 21st Century, in which he and co-author Ellen Gunter explore where and how we have gone wrong in our relationship with the Earth and how we go about starting to heal. Ted joined Earth Shamans last autumn and has been collaborating on projects with Calen Rayne. About his work, Ted says, "The art of landscaping has been with me since childhood. Land and landscape have been and continue to be a central part of my life. In more recent years I have discovered the subtle Earth energies that inform and direct me in this co-creative endeavor. It is a joy to work and share this journey with others through my life’s work."

More than a landscape designer, Ted has been described as a Nature-Mystic for his devotion to the Earth and his ability to tune in with the land. He brings with him a perspective that goes beyond statistics about how our planet is changing, and speaks directly to our souls.  In the book, Earth Calling, Ted and Ellen challenge each of us to find our own earth "calling" by reconnecting with the planet. Reconnecting to the earth is about reconnecting to our senses, and using our senses to reconnect with Source. Reconnection begins with listening deeply to the earth, and waking up to what is all around us. Ted recommends spending time outside and turning your senses over to nature. The last chapters of his book read like a handbook for awakening, providing practical wisdom for getting in touch with your soul through nature.

As we learned from Earth Shaman Jean Fleury, we must start where we are. Ted reminds us that there are subtle energies present in land and landscape that need to be honored and called out, and the best place to start is in our own backyard. "Understanding the energetics of the landscape brings a whole new meaning to your understanding and connection to the natural world right outside your home," says Ted, "When you call out a space, it begins to be a destination in the landscape and take on a special presence it never had before. In a sense, your landscape has a re-birth – a new beginning as you see it through a different lens." 

Ted was recently featured in the Winter 2016 edition of Fine Homes of Western North Carolina magazine. Click here to read the full article and see beautiful photos of Ted's integrated landscape designs, and be sure to check out Ted's website.