Day 4. The Three Sisters, A Lesson in Mutual Care.
Corn, beans, and squash, known as the Three Sisters, are more than crops; they are sacred relatives. In Indigenous agricultural traditions, these plants are planted together so that each nourishes the other. Corn stands tall, offering beans a pole to climb. Beans return nitrogen to the soil, feeding the trio. Squash spreads broad leaves that shade the ground, conserving moisture and deterring weeds. Together, they embody interdependence in action.
As we navigate a world that often prizes independence over interconnection, may we return to this teaching of mutual care. In the garden of our faith, may we plant with intention, tend with gratitude, and harvest with love.
Stories of Mutual Care
The agricultural practice of the Three Sisters has sustained Indigenous communities across North America for centuries.
Complementary Growth: This polyculture system is a master class in sustainability, allowing these three crops to use resources, sunlight, nutrients, and space, more efficiently than if they were planted alone.
The Power of Nitrogen: The beans, a legume, use specialized root bacteria to “fix” atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, which is a vital nutrient for the heavy-feeding corn plants.
Protecting the Soil: The wide, prickly leaves of the squash plant provide natural mulch, preventing water loss, cooling the soil, and deterring pests, protecting the “roots” of the entire system.
“All flourishing is mutual.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
Who are your “Three Sisters”?
Relationships sustain your growth and harmony. This lesson from the earth mirrors our Unitarian Universalist understanding of community. None of us thrives alone. Our growth depends on the nourishment of others: friends who lift us up, mentors who replenish our spirits, and companions who protect our roots. The Three Sisters remind us that cooperation is not weakness; it is the foundation of strength.
Learn More
- Indigenous Seed Keepers Network – dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities in revitalizing and maintaining traditional seed systems, ensuring food and cultural sovereignty for future generations.
- Read the “How to Grow a Three Sisters Garden” teaching guide – This resource details the history, planting methods, and spiritual significance of the Three Sisters system, providing guidance on how to practice this ancient form of mutual care.
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