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Carrie Krystek
4QForum Active Member
Username: Xenacarrie
Post Number: 50
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 02:41 pm: | 
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Greetings, and Merry Meet all!
On behalf of the Four Quarters Labyrinth Project, I wanted to extend my thanks to everyone who through their work, help, and support made the "Journey to the Center of the Labyrinth" ritual so special. Words cannot begin to express my experience throughout the entire Stones Rising, except to say it was profound. It was our honor and privilege to be facilitators for this ceremony for Four Quarters.
Thanks to the Four Quarters Church and Board for their support of the project over the last year, and for thier guidance and suggestions.
Thanks to the Labyrinth Project Committee members-Wade, Bridget, Scott, Ed & Clarissa for their extremely generous donations and hard work in creating the Labyrinth on the Land.
Thanks out to Juggler John for his suggestions and ride to Cumberland to pick up a few last-minute supplies. Thank you!
Thank you to the tribe members who helped with set-up Thursday and Friday--your spontaneous generosity was amazing. I am most appreciative of your help--thank you!
Thanks to PagaNet for creating a wondrous ritual that will be remembered by the tribe for years to come! Thanks especially to Drema for coordinating with us to ensure we were on the same page, and to PagaNet members whose generous in-kind support of materials and work with the set-up was very greatly welcome.
A big "Thank-you" out to Tigre, who kept the rhythm flowing with a heartbeat drum for the 2 hour ritual. Thanks!
Thanks to everyone's generous in-kind support of torches, oil, candles, etc. Every time I looked around the Labyrinth Booth and Coffee Dragons, another item appeared--like the magick it was! We could not have done this event without your help--thank you!
Thanks to everyone who helped in invisible ways--by giving me a ride to the Hilltop, lighting hundreds of flames, putting out candles (and fires!), setting up and tearing down, etc. etc. etc. Thank you!
To any who helped who I didn't mention, my apologies--the fault is mine, and certainly not yours. Your service was valued and appreciated. I was touched by the efforts in so many ways by so many people, this whole event was a community experience as I have never seen.
And most especially, thanks to those who experienced the Labyrinth, either during ritual or as a quiet walk. You are the reason why we strive, and you make it all worthwhile. Our hope is that it was a positive experience for you. Thank you for spending time with us on the Hilltop Labyrinth of Four Quarters.
With much love, respect and thanks,
Carrie Krystek
Denise Scott
4QF Labyrinth Project
"Even though my feet may wander, my heart has found a home--in the Center of Four Quarters, in the Ring of Standing Stones!"
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Bridget Miller
4QForum Member
Username: Bird
Post Number: 16
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 12:51 pm: |
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thank you carrie and denise for having a vision, for committing to it, for birthing it, and for allowing others to see your vision. thank for allowing all of us to tag along, to help out, for helping us see the importance of your vision, and for welcoming us with open arms. i am so happy that you have allowed me to be apart of laybrinth. i feel blessed...
the ritual on friday was absolutely breath taking and i have yet to process all the lessons i learned on that walk, but there are many things that i took away from my experience on the hilltop. no matter where you stand in life there will be a tribe member who is there to support you, to share your space, to provide comfort and guidance. on the path there will always be a friendly face to share a smile with you...we are never alone, but when we need the space to find our own way it is there. i so happy to have been taught this by the mystery and magic of the labyrinth.
a good thing has been started...something as powerful as the stone cirlce...something that has been done in a very good way. thank you to everyone who has worked on the labyrinth.
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Admin
4QForum Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 364
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 03:27 pm: |
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Much thanks to all the folks who made the Labyrinth at Four Quarters a reality at this years Stones.
I believe that the Labyrinth worked on many diferent levels, starting with the simple fact that it is an example of a good idea (good ideas are plentifull) made very real with some steady hard work (rather rare). BRAVO to the Four Quarters Labyrinth Project and all who helped.
I also know that for at least one person (myself) the Labyrinth did function as a profound gateway to the center, it provided me with much needed internal quietude and an answer to a pressing problem, which I will mention on the forum in a week or three.
I had the pleasure of sitting in the registration booth as singles, couples and families rounded the curve in the road to veiw the Labyrinth spread out before them... the oohhhs and cries of wonder from people!
I had many comments from attendees about the Labyrinth and the Torchlight stone pull, which in my mind at least were all part of the same ceremony. For me it was one of the top ceremonials we have ever done at Four Quarters, and deserves consideration to become as regular a part of Stones Rising as the Rising itself. More later.
Orren |
Catharine B. Buck
4QForum Active Member
Username: Qira
Post Number: 186
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 04:29 pm: |
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Orren wrote: I had many comments from attendees about the Labyrinth and the > Torchlight stone pull, which in my mind at least were all part of the > same ceremony. For me it was one of the top ceremonials we have ever > done at Four Quarters, and deserves consideration to become as regular > a part of Stones Rising as the Rising itself. >
I wholeheartedly hope that these elements are considered as continuing ceremony for future Stoneses. (what is the plural of "Stones" anyway?) By the end of that evening's work -- Labyrinth, contemplation, Stone Pull, Elation-Celebration -- I felt as though I were in an entirely new place, somewhere belovedly familiar and yet altogether new. It was an experience the beauty of which I am not yet capable of describing in words.
Thanks to everyone who made it possible.
Qira
Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive
Is too small for you.
David Whyte "Sweet Darkness"
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Admin
4QForum Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 367
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 08:51 am: |
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Thanks for the comments Qira
I think the Labyrinth/Torchlight pull has a lot of potential for expansion in the years to come, and in fact represents a valued counterweight (creating balance) to the Stone Circle. Combined with last years Cliff Side Altar Walk and incorporating large altars at variuos points along the stones journey to the Circle. I strongly suspect that we will see this again at next years Stones.
I also think that we have been given the key for what to do with Beltaine, an event that in some respects has lost its way. The Labyrinth represents a very assessable focus in our need to develop an event that can be broadly advertised to the public at large, an intro to Four Quarters if you will.
To spin out a possibility: Friday and Saturday evening Labyrinth walks for the public at large, under a day trip admission, all day trip cars confined to Main parking. Saturday runs much like our current Beltaine with Maypole and some workshops., perhaps afternoon performance from the Stage. Early afternoon in High Meadow Stone Crew races by Four Quarters Members with daytrip attendees allowed to pull on ropes. Late afternoon a demonstration (at the Labyrinth site) Stone Raising by Members as part of the annual Labyrinth construction. Dusk public Moon Service at the Labyrinth followed by Saturday night Labyrinth walk for the public.
If this suggestion generates discussion I will move it to the Members section.
Orren |
Michelle L. Kostyn
Registered Non-Member
Username: Michelle_kostyn
Post Number: 1
Registered: 09-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 09:06 am: |
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Orren, I'm going to show my ignorance here, but why wouldn't just seeing the stones be a really great reason for the general public to come and visit? Everyone I have told about the stones want to know if they can come and see them no matter what their religious orientation is.=20
Michelle=20 |
Admin
4QForum Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 369
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 09:24 am: |
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Four Quarters is open to Members and the public 365 days of the year, and open to anyone of any (or no) religious affiliation. Yet almost all of our visits occur within the context of an event that we host. Events must be promoted and must contain content that will cause people to want to make the drive and commit the resources to attend. Likewise they must produce revenue in order to support the continued existence of the Circle.
Finding ways of communicating the existence of Four Quarters, the Circle and what we offer to folks who might find us appealing is the challenge in a world awash with pitches and advertising.
When compared to other org's within the "Magical" or "NeoPagan" world we are probably the largest or second largest nationally, yet we are vanishingly small in the world on non-profits. Probably 50% of our members have no connection to any of the group labels I mentioned above, yet I am confident that there are thousands of potential members within Balto-Washington. We just have to find them, let them know about Four Quarters, and tempt them to come just once. Thus the suggestion about Beltaine and the Labyrinth. 
Orren
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Catharine B. Buck
4QForum Active Member
Username: Qira
Post Number: 190
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 10:23 am: |
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I'll be interested to hear more about this Labyrinth idea....and to hear what those who have put so much of themselves into the Project think about it...
Beltaine could certainly use the development of some us-specific tradition...
Qira
Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive
Is too small for you.
David Whyte "Sweet Darkness"
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Admin
4QForum Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 370
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 10:36 am: |
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Regarding the Four Quarters Labyrinth Project, a bit over $300 was raised at Stones and this was matched dollar for dollar from church funds, bringing the Labyrinth fund up to $1,416. I think that we are ready to arrange for the first load of stones and I would like to do this before winter sets in.
HORRAY for the Labyrinth Project !
And Qira, what specific part of the previous posts would you like to hear more on? Watch out, I like to gab.
Orren |
Catharine B. Buck
4QForum Active Member
Username: Qira
Post Number: 191
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 10:47 am: |
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Stone Crew Races? Whaddya mean, hoss? Daytrip folks pulling ropes? Are you meaning to put Stones in over Beltaine? Granted, I'm doing about four things at once right now, and may have missed something....what are those crews pulling, and where would they go?
Q
Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive
Is too small for you.
David Whyte "Sweet Darkness"
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Michelle L. Kostyn
Registered Non-Member
Username: Michelle_kostyn
Post Number: 2
Registered: 09-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 11:22 am: |
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After the Labyrinth walk I heard several people offer suggestions on how = they would like to improve on this ritual and one of those ideas was to = have people bring stones from their section of the world to add to the = building of the labyrinth. Just an idea I thought I would throw in to = the mix.
Michelle=20 |
Admin
4QForum Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 371
Registered: 02-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 11:23 am: |
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OK, I'll rise to the bait
Stone crew races for Beltaine
Two starting lines, one at entrance to Merchants grove, other at entrance to in camp parking. Each team starts at one or the other end (facing each other) Teams have a stone, a sledge, ropes, rollers and levers. Only 4qf members may handle levers and rollers. Non-members are ropes only.
Each team must mount their stone on rollers and take it to other end of course, where it must be mounted on the sledge, rotated and returned by a straight pull to their starting point. The old silver back will take the down hill side and offer handicaps to the younger crew
Referees would deduct seconds off elapsed time for safety violations, BoD would make book with attendees. Winners receive Stone puller first class pins, losers second class pins.
That afternoon these two stones are pulled into Main Parking where Members only give a demonstration Rising for the attendees.
The Labyrinth design I am working on incorporates two horse shoe shaped semi-circles of stones (design yet to be submitted to the Labyrinth project) using stones of one half the size of what we raised this year in the Great Circle. They would be bedded in the soil rather than concrete making the process easier and quick.
I think the public would find this very interesting and a natual lead in to our more serious work
Orren |
Denise C. Scott
4QForum Member
Username: Dclausenscott
Post Number: 30
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 12:47 pm: |
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I have to say I am STOKED to see and hear so much commentary about the Labyrinth Project!
When I was called to do this I never expected things to go the way they have and I expect to be suprised by theway things go in the future.
The amount of donations given the number of attendees is WONDERFUL.
WOOOOOHOOOOO for the Labyrinth
By the way... This Labyrinth is also good at giving back energy...just ask. |
Carrie Krystek
4QForum Active Member
Username: Xenacarrie
Post Number: 54
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 10:55 am: |
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Greetings, all;
I am delighted beyond words to hear that the Labyrinth was so well received by the Tribe. I am also delighted to hear of the BOD's support by matching our funds--Thank you for sharing in our vision! I am really psyched to see this ball a rollin'!
Orren, you have exciting plans for the Labyrinth, and we would love to discuss them with you. Perhaps we can set up a time over the next few weeks to meet up and make plans.
My only request is that we do not rush into anything; that as we decide our plans, we take time to be sure it is what the Labyrinth wants. As an archetypal symbol steeped in history, it has a power of its own. My experience with the Labyrinth has shown that it will tell us how it wants to unfold.
Our goals between now and spring are many, and will require a lot of consideration and planning:
1. Determine final layout plan and size
2. Seek out the final position on the hilltop
3. Survey the layout to allow for building while remaining functional
4. Explore sources for stone, especially Dedicant stones (linked to the Circle)
5. Plan for any astrological alignments (solstices)
An ideal goal by Stones '04 is to have the layout finalized and to have the Center completed in stone.
When it comes to Raising stones on the site, the Project is still divided as to this idea. We <really> like the idea, but we will need to discover the right placement of the stones that will compliment the Labyrinth. Let's talk about all our options when we meet, and together we can come to an agreement as to what will work best for the Labyrinth.
I am so excited that you and the BOD are so excited, and look forward to working with you all on this project.
Respectfully,
Carrie Krystek
"Even though my feet may wander, my heart has found a home--in the Center of Four Quarters, in the Ring of Standing Stones!"
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Carrie Krystek
4QForum Active Member
Username: Xenacarrie
Post Number: 55
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 10:58 am: |
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P.S.
I'm debating whether my new signature line should be
"Never underestimate what 2 Determined Women and a weedwacker can do!" or
"Flaming Labyrinths are Us!"
:-)
c
"Even though my feet may wander, my heart has found a home--in the Center of Four Quarters, in the Ring of Standing Stones!"
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Michelle
4QForum Member
Username: Michelle_kostyn
Post Number: 3
Registered: 09-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 11:03 am: |
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Has anyone thought of using Drema's review of Stones Rising as a press = release to the D.C. papers? Press releases are free and would draw some = interest of both the stones and the labyrinth.
Adding my 2 cents...
Michelle |
Denise C. Scott
4QForum Active Member
Username: Dclausenscott
Post Number: 31
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 11:13 am: |
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I haven't seen Drema's review yet. Is it available? We would like to have some pictures or copy for use at Pagan Pride Day, to promote the Labyrinth Project. |
Michelle
4QForum Member
Username: Michelle_kostyn
Post Number: 4
Registered: 09-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 11:39 am: |
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I apologize, I know that she is working on it but I don't think she has = finished it yet.
Michelle=20 |
Robyn Carmen
4QForum Member
Username: Robyn
Post Number: 11
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 11:18 am: |
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Orren,
Thank you so much for posting the sketches of the labyrinth. So these are just preliminary ideas right? I do really like the idea of the graded stones and the large center with room for people to sit or meet. I was having trouble before imagining the evolution of the labyrinth and now your ideas seem much more clear in my mind, I'm very interested in seeing what direction this goes in. I believe the labyrinth to be an important part of the farm and how it evolves is just as important. |
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