| Author | Message | ||
     Catharine B. Buck 4QForum Active Member Username: Qira Post Number: 188 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
Now I realize that some of my notes, just now posted in Camaraderie - Pathways of Service, more properly belong here in Energy/Schedule. My apologies to the group. Qira Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive Is too small for you. David Whyte "Sweet Darkness" | ||
| Admin 4QForum Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 368 Registered: 02-2002  Rating: N/A |
The Schedule at Stones this year was set to allow for basically one ceremonial a day, with a great deal of free time. And I have been very pleased with the comments I have heard, Qira's "tender" being a good summation of the feeling. It seemed to me that we were moving in a new direction with Stones, and I did not want to create through the schedule a firmly formed "chalice" into which the experience would be forced to fit. I think the results were good and point out the new direction Stones seems to want to take. Part of this new direction is what is happening to Labor Day nationally; there have been many articles in the press that it is becoming a national un-holiday, with fewer institutions recognizing it. And there seems to be a growing focus among our attendees upon the Stones themselves, working the Stones, making ceremony with them. The labyrinth stone pull saw 200 people on the ropes at 10:30PM ! I was personally pleased with the way energy was held under the arbors during The Rising, (though I directly saw little of it) and I want to thank the principles who shepherded it through. This does need more work and is probably the single most challenging ceremonial task during Stones. I would love to hear peoples thoughts on this and it is worth a separate thread. The Altars in the Stone Circle were mixed. PagaNet did a beautiful job with the first Stone, but frankly our core staff had pretty much run out of gas by Saturday night. I belive that physical beauty is an important direction for the future and I hope to develop the support for this in the coming year. The Stones Peoples intensive worked wonderfully with the key note of twice a day shared meals working very well. I must admit to a certain fear in postponing so much of the heavy prep work until the few days before Stones, but the emotional investment in the Land and Stones was palpable. It worked very, very well. I have some very specific ideas about developments for next years Stones, if this thread shows interest I would like to share them. Orren | ||
| Jennifer Moore 4QForum Active Member Username: Crow Post Number: 81 Registered: 03-2002 Rating: N/A |
"I have some very specific ideas about developments for next years Stones, if this thread shows interest I would like to share them. Orren" I would love to hear these ideas, Orren. My last 2 years at Stones, I have not made my primary path the stones themselves, but I'm thinking of doing more of that next year--working with the stones, that is. A thought about the energy during the rising: You said you'd like to see more work regarding the actual energy being held during the rising. What about a second group (each) of drummers/musicians and dancers dedicated just to that? Meaning, those folk would dance and drum specifically for that, as opposed to having Drummers and Dancers of Service carry all the way through...Just a thought I had. I wish time, money, and my own physical energy levels would allow for me to dedicate more to actually helping hands-on. I'm not there yet, though. B*B Crow | ||
| Kailin Siobhan Miller 4QF Member BoD Username: Kailin Post Number: 421 Registered: 02-2002  Rating: N/A |
Just a point of clarification... The Fire Vigil Dancers and Drummers complete their vigil as soon as the Ceremony of Commitments is completed. They usually spend the entire Rising in a heap with the Healers : ) During the Rising, drumming is handled by the African Ceremonial Drummers and the Native American Prayer Drummers. There is also a special corps of Spiral Dancers for the Rising. All of these groups comprise people who are fresh for the Rising. thanks, kailin Kailin StoneSinger The Gods respect me when I'm working hard, but They love me when I sing! | ||
| Catharine B. Buck 4QForum Active Member Username: Qira Post Number: 189 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
There are already two groups of drummers working the Stones' energy during the Rising -- the Ceremonial Drummers, who were on the West side of the ceremonial space, and the Native American Drums, who were beneath a canopy on the North Side. One of the things that was difficult this year, due to our spacing, was truly hearing and connecting with the Native American drum, though they did a ROCKING job themselves. This year we also had a group of folks who specifically came together to dance for the Stones, and were mindful of NOT dancing too much the night before, so that they were fresher than the Dancers of Service could be. I was very grateful to them, and particularly to Doug Fort, that master of all trades, who became a sort of organizer for that group on the day of the Rising. I agree with Orren: minding the energy during the Rising, which I've worked on/assisted with during a few Risings, is the most difficult, draining, challenging work I ever do at Four Quarters. I think that one thing that might be important, somehow, is to think more and talk more about what it means to Witness. How can Witnesses best Witness? How can each individual, present at the Rising, positively contribute to the whole, no matter where s/he is in the Circle. I'm very interested in hearing ideas for next year. ps -- have we thought about Rising Child Care as a Path of Service? Qira Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive Is too small for you. David Whyte "Sweet Darkness" | ||
| Jennifer Moore 4QForum Active Member Username: Crow Post Number: 82 Registered: 03-2002 Rating: N/A |
Ok, Qira. Thanks. I thought I saw a hint of that, but (aside from the NA drummers) it was not clear to me that these folk WERE organized. Heh. At least I know I'm in the right mindset. It sure will be interesting to see how ideas about the Witness activities develop. Crow | ||
| Chris Carter 4QForum Active Member Username: Ccarter Post Number: 170 Registered: 02-2002  Rating: N/A |
ps -- have we thought about Rising Child Care as a Path of Service? If we haven't, I'd like to recommend that we do. Stones this year was really hard on Anne and I, even with lots of help from Mama Dragon, Marcia and others. When you are a parent of an infant (or two ;) ), that's really all you can do, and its a 24x7 job. What I saw this year was lots of both kids and folks happy to work with them. I think with a bit of planning we can put together some sort of Path of Daycare for next year. Maybe set up a small pavailion where the rugrats can crawl around, parents can hang out together, and folks looking to help can organize watches so mom can get a cup of coffee now and then. Something to think about until time comes to start planning next year. | ||
| Patricia Althouse 4QForum Moderator Username: P_althouse Post Number: 177 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
I offer special thanks to the Spiral Dancers, who were a *big* help in moving energy during the rising. I hope that more people will feel called to this pathway next year. Thanks also to the trinity charged with organizing and maintaining energy flows: Snowba'al, Ixchel, and Eldritch. It was inspiring to hear you Testify! With your encouragement, I put out more sustained intent and energy over a span of several hours than I thought I could. I wonder if some training of Witnesses before the rising would be helpful? Teach chants and dances, speak more in depth about passive vs. active witnessing, techniques in maintaining focus? (I am aware that I might be volunteering myself for something.  ) Blessings, PittyPat *Skinny dipping at* *Night. The moon. The beats of drums.* *Where did my stuff go?* | ||
| Catharine B. Buck 4QForum Active Member Username: Qira Post Number: 192 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
PittyPat, I think that this "training" idea is just the kind of thing I was hoping for. Word! We should think more about this...about what makes "effective" Witnessing. Thanks! Qira Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive Is too small for you. David Whyte "Sweet Darkness" | ||
| Douglas Fort 4QForum Active Member Username: Dougiepgh Post Number: 85 Registered: 02-2002  Rating: N/A |
>The Spiral Dancers have been a pathway of service in years past. >Unfortunately, last year they fell way to the Dancers of Service and I was >unablle to pick up the slack because I was completely energy depleted and >exhausted from being with the Drummers and Dancers all evening before. >Since this has been my personal path of service since my first Stones in >99, and there was no official path for it this year, I interfaced with the >"stage hands" and quickly found a crew of dancers while the ceremony of >dedication was finishing. It was somewhat unorganized, since we did not >have the benefit of gathering beforehand to plan and such. Fortunately all >of the staff of 4QF and many of the members are adept at working on the >fly! I am honored to be able to dance for the rising and am extremely >gratefull to those who were able to join me in that service for the tribe >and the Stones. It is not an easy path, but I feel it is a necessary one. >I intend to keep dancing for the rising every year until I am old and >gray, and I pray that others will find it in their hearts to join me in >the space between the witness's, the stones, the crews, and the gods. Peace to all, Dougie | ||
| Beth Taylor 4QForum Member Username: Runefaery Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2002 Rating: N/A |
Dougie, I would be honored to dance with you as a member of the Spiral Dancers next rising. Count me in! sparkles & smooches, Beth | ||
| lori jo holloran 4QForum Member Username: Anaisa Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2003 Rating: N/A |
I understand that this Stones was a step into a more laid back arena,however, I find a lot of people making comments like "if we had met beforehand" or "more time to organize ourselves". I personally felt that the meetings and times were a little to laid back and some didn't even happen. I think it was confusing for some newbies as well who were trying to find Pathways and weren't quite sure what was expected of them if they signed up for one or two. When I first came to Stones and the farm I was very intimidated by EVERYTHING and Everyone and I was also very shy making it hard to work myself into the groove. If I remember right the pathways of service had an orientation sort of meeting for each path explaining the duties (Fire circle=cutting wood and shifts as tenders) and meeting the Pathways "organizer". Then we were off to our own subgroups for more detail. This was a big help for a newbie. The Dragons have so much other stuff going on there that it's hard to get to meet and question just there. I found it worrisome that the Stone people and ropers got little to no info on safety and basic dangers (shoes are a good start). It was more of a lion's den experience for some. If we need a Newbie orientation hour each morning of Stones I would be more than willing to organize it and help explain what it is we do and kinda how it works. I wanted to be a part of the intensive but I couldn't take that much time off. Maybe if we do a Cyber-Intensive for those who want to be involved with the planning or a weekend in the summer to do stuff like ribbons and fabric that we KNOW we use EVERY year. Let me know if i'm too anal retentive;) lori | ||
| Admin 4QForum Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 376 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
Loro Jo I think you make a number of good points here. I too felt that the laid back was good, but perhaps a little too laid back, and from a planning point of view, I was trying more of a "roll your own" this year for Stones Rising. For me there is a trade off between setting up too much planning and activities on the front end, and setting up too little. So we did have four community circles starting at 10:30, they were averaging 30-40 people, and I focused the conversation on ceremonial topics. Perhaps next year they should start with Q+A from attendees, as you suggest. In former years we have set up the pathways with leaders names, meeting times and places, signup at the Dragons. That was made looser this year and perhaps does need to be tightened up somewhat. Nothing would please me more than to have folks step up and plan well in advance of Stones. For this year we did almost every thing in the Public area of the Forum, and these followup threads are in the public area as well, hoping to expand it on out. What I think I learned for next year could be summed up as: keep the schedule simple with lots of free time, start the community circle with open questions and answers, nail down our Pathway Leaders well in advance and identify them in the program (better yet, get them to write their section of the program), start the Monday morning feast as early as possible, even more work with the stones including a workshop on basic stone moving and SAFTY. Thanks for your thoughts and please send more. Orren | ||
| Kurt Griffith 4QForum Member Username: Kurtg Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2002 Rating: N/A |
Hau Kola! Have been back a week and gone through reentry to the Big City and environs and minor stresses of the new job etc., the steam has finally had a chance to rise from my head. > One of the things that was difficult this year, > due to our spacing, was truly hearing and > connecting with the Native American drum, > though they did a ROCKING job themselves. Wow. Nice to hear, thank you! Pilamaye! It is always an honor for me to represent the voices of the "Home Team" Sprits on the drum at Stones. I think I speak for me Medicine brothers and sisters that its a deeply moving and spiritually powerful service that is a true joy to perform for this unique community. That said, we were concerned about being spaced rather widely. But we bore with it in good spirits, since the paths of the Stones traversed the Stone Circle and safety is never an issue up for compromise. But it was hard this year to see the work of the stone people, so I must give deep thanks to the intercessor team for keeping things coordinated and the energy flowing. Washite aloh! Also kudos also for Dan Trevino, Alex and the Ceremonial Drummers for their work in rhythm as well, since we did have a sight line, we were able to sync up with them and support their rhythms with a bass thrum, and pick up seamlessly when the intercessors handed off to us for a song. Still we would have liked to be closer in, and perhaps the Path of The Stones will be allow this to be so for 2004. For Stones overall, It did seem one of the smoothest running Stones Risings I experienced, but then again, I survived the Hurricane Stones, and visions of mud, concrete dust, drenching downpours and woad running down McGee's face as he is bellowing something on the order of "PULL, ye whoresons!" I have socks that NEVER recovered. Anyway, the spacing of the major ceremonials was very comfortable, and there was still plenty to do, and the overall pacing of things seemed to allow for moments to reflect and recharge. The occasional blessings of the Thunder Beings served to keep us honest. Old Silverback did admit that safety concerns motivated bringing the #2 Stone down to the high Meadow, tho' the Upper Parking Field was also proposed. The camp certainly could have moved it from there, but the downpour that turned up minutes after we arrived in the Stone Circle, would have caught us in the High Meadow... and the phrase, "slip-sliding' away" occurs to me. Course would have been a story for the young'uns down the road a piece. As one of the people rather impacted by the twitch in the economy post 9/11, can certainly see that there are extended repercussions to the ongoing changes in the economy. In fact, I was uncertain that my family and I could participate at Stones this year for budgetary considerations and did indeed accept a partial giveaway. As it was, we did pass on Beltane, Drum and Splash, and other events and attended no other Earth religion events or festivals this season. As it turned out, the demands of my very new position nearly kept us away Friday, and our original plan to arrive Friday morning was pushed into late Friday afternoon due to work consideration. Additionally, a number of NYC tri-state area friends who had proclaimed a desire to attend Stones Rising this year utterly could not afford it and many of them were indeed working that weekend. The employment situation unlike previous recessions which impacted the workforce from the bottom up, this one has cut across all levels and professions. However, senior professionals have a much more difficult time seeking redeployment, as corporate America is following a trend to hire the youngest, and therefore cheapest personnel. Of course, there is little that 4QF can do about these largely external trends beyond trying to react as positively to them as possible and seek out ways to make it as possible as sanity (?!) allows for people to get out to the farm. And despite questions raised in other threads I have read in the Forum, events at Four Quarters are a good value. We treasure the uniqueness of both the events and the community, and values that the Farm embraces. It is literally one of the very few places where the entire village looks out for all the little people, and if I only see my boys at breakfast, and when I hunt them down to shoo them to their sleeping bags, I an not overly concerned. (Well except for the incident where the older one discovered the ... intensity effects... of accidentally pouring strong Dragon coffee into his hot chocolate instead of hot water. But was somewhat amusing, growing process and all that) Anyway, with any luck, we will make it onto the land a few more times next season! Blessings, Mitaquye Oyasin. Kurt Griffith / Talking Stone and Family ------------------------------ Email: khgriffith@worldnet.att.net Studio: http://www.fantastic-realities.com Chorus: http://www.imagecraft.com/fourwinds ------------------------------ "Life in the center of the bell curve; It's not only not what it's cracked up to be, It ain't even what it USED to be.. | ||
| (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered Guest Rating: N/A |
I think that the morning discussions helped alot for members and nonmembers and adding a newbie question forum to it may help open people up more. I also realize that as the summer season gets closer the main/core staff has more and more to prepare every year. So I like the idea of letting go of some of ther reins and see who steps up to the plate and learns more of the planning aspect of it all. I'm ready! I just have to figure out all the things in my little head I have thought may help... lori | ||
| Catharine B. Buck 4QForum Active Member Username: Qira Post Number: 194 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Lori! I was only able to attend one and a piece of the morning discussions, because I was off doing other stuff, but I have to say that what I saw was awesome. The meetings were really helpful, and it was great to hear what new folks and old folks had to say in response to Queries. I hope that these Gatherings continue. As I recall, Orren had asked us to post some of our thoughts and replies from those sessions....Should those notes go in this thread? Qira Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive Is too small for you. David Whyte "Sweet Darkness" | ||
| Ryan Kyle 4QForum Member Username: Funnyfreek Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2003 Rating: N/A |
I think the Newbie hour is a great idea.....I bieng a newbie myself, it would have greatly added to my knowledge of what exactly we were doing, and greatly increased my productivity in the event. Your Blue Haired Idiot... | ||
| Admin 4QForum Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 388 Registered: 02-2002 Rating: N/A |
Having been the host for the thematic talks each morning at Stones, I have been playing the tapes back in my minds eye and can see ways in which the opening would be reserved for announcements, then newbie questions and then the theme. I will certainly try it for next year. Orren |
