Our Return to the Land!
A Four Quarters Members and Guests Weekend
Friday May 1st - Sunday, May 3rd, 2020
Updated 1-31-2020
Balefire burns in our bellies and the Maypole rises to reach new heights while Drummers and Dancers unite as one.
It is time to return to the Land, to dance, to sing, and bless the Land and its Tribe with love of life and fertility.
The Land awakens with the tribe returning to the Land: setting up and cleaning, making ready for a new season.
Highlights from 2019!
-- Friday afternoon: Thanks and Blessing of Sacred Sites
-- Friday evening: First Fire Drum Circle
-- Saturday afternoon: Annual Tea Party and Raising of the May Pole
-- Saturday evening: Main Ceremony Blessing of the Land
-- Sunday morning: Raising of the Seed Stone by the Children's Stone Crew
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https://4qf.org/attending/events/beltaine#sigProIdd5f38c85b3
Wheat that in dark earth, many days has lain..."
Join us for our annual homecoming as we celebrate the Sweetness of Spring! It’s Beltaine at Four Quarters! As the Land awakens, we awaken to returning for a weekend of renewal !
The season of hibernation is at its end, nature sprouting inspiration for joyful fecundity! It is time for playful activity and growth to begin, for Balefire burns in our bellies and the Maypole rises to reach new heights while Drummers and Dancers unite as one. It is time to bless the Land and its Tribe with love of life and fertility, sweetness of inspiration and creation for the betterment of community… to greet the tribe you haven’t seen all winter long, and welcome new friends first on the Land… to share in communion of this sweet, sweet time and in this space.
Friday is cleaning and preening the sacred spaces of the Land as well as campsites. The first of ceremonies, first of hugs and laughter. First Coffee… Opening Ceremony with the lighting of the Balefire to kick off the weekend.
Saturday is filled with workshops and activities for adults and children: preparation of the Maypole, Ribbons and Wreath, Tea party, Main Ritual, and Feast for all from our Starvin’ Artist Café. The whole of the tribe is needed to lend a hand to raise the Maypole, dance, sing and celebrate. After ceremony, drumming and dancing at the Fire Circle, songs, stories, and poems at Bardic Circle.
Sunday, the whole of the tribe is needed again to nourish the sweetness of teamwork in the hearts of our children as we pass along the Stone Raising tradition. The Children’s Tribe will work the rollers and ropes to bring the Seed Stone home in our Stone Circle. We will witness as they raise the Seed Stone, giving their own blessing to the Circle and the Season. Followed by closing ceremony where we give thanks and remember the times we have had together during the weekend, and shout Merry Meet Again!
Etain Preston
is our Host for Beltaine 2019.
Ably assisted by JoAnn and Walter Bachteler, Beth Thomas and John Robinson.
The Starvin' Artist Cafe Saturday Feast with Pamela Alexander.
Want to present a workshop, or get involved?
We need help with building the Wreath and the MayPole.
The Ladies Tea Party too.
Many hands make for light work.
Call the office or email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
In addition to all your gear and springtime finery, please bring flowers to share for the Beltaine workshops and ceremonies. We want to the see the beauty of flowers everywhere we turn, so, if you would, pick up a grocery store bouquet or two on your way, and drop them off at the buckets by the Coffee Dragons.
The Starvin' Artist Cafe
Hosted by Pamela Alexander
Omnivore
Slow Roasted Pot Roast with Gravy; I don't know about you all, but this is better than my Momma made.
Candied Root Vegetables; Sounds bad. Tastes good. Pinky Swear.
Green Beans from the can; I don't know why we love them so much,but I have finally learned not to mess with success.
Corn Bread hot from the amazing new oven. In fact, lf you are enjoying all the baked goods...thank a BOD member.
Herbivore (instead of pot roast) Comfit of portabella mushroom on toast with darkbrown gravy and onion.
GF Option actually the same as the Vegetarian option but handled carefully and served on GF toast.
Meal Plans
Saturday's Beltaine Feast is free for all attending.
Beltaine Meal Plan by the Starvin' Artist Cafe!
3 meals and the feast, Friday Dinner-Sunday Brunch.
Omnivore and Herbivore options available.
Pre-Registration required, $45/person.
As Always you are welcome to arrive before Friday and stay after Sunday.
Early-In, Late-Out Camping $5/night for Members, $10/night for guests!
Our online orders are placed through Vanco,
our longtime provider of church focused credit card processing.
By Electronic Check, Debit or Credit Card.
Completely secure and smart phone enabled.
Got Questions? Need help? Prefer Humans?
Call the office to process your order 814-784-3080.
Online Memberships and Event Registrations
Promoting Members RSVP's, Accomodations, Auto, Fire and Tent permits by calling the office.
Registration Information:
Pre-Registration Deadline is April 26th.
Member's Pre Registration: $60
Guest Pre-Registraion: $80
Guest Saturday Arrival Pre-Registration: $70
Gate Registration: $90
Gate Saturday Arrival Registration: $80
Children Under 16 are Loved, Cherished, and Free!
Register On-Line Here
Your questions are welcome!
Our In Camp Domitory is available!
Rooms have double beds, blankets and pillows; Bunks have fitted sheets. During events rooms and bunks are bundled with meal plans and are booked for the duration of the event; you must call the office for reservations.
You are welcome to arrive before Friday and stay later than Sunday. Early In and Late Out camping is $5 a night for Members and $10 a night for non-members. Four Quarters has two hot shower buildings equipped with super low-flow dual-flush toilets, state of the art on-demand heaters for our low-flow showers and drinking water spigots throughout the camp. We are Green!
Friday
3pm:
Thanks and Blessing of Our Sacred Sites
Join us in the Stone Circle to begin your personal pilgrimage to those places which are Sacred to you:
Is it the Labyrinth? Bardic Circle? Sweat Lodge? How about the Coffee Dragons? Ritual Shed? Farmhouse?
We will collect tokens from our special sites, and reconvene at 5pm to bless and empower your Sacred Sites for the coming year.
All paths are welcome, and all things are sacred to someone...
6pm:
Meal Plan Dinner
8pm:
Ritual: Etain and Dietrich, JoAnn and Walter
Approx. 9pm: First Fire Drum Circle Ceremony
Approx. 9:30pm: Wittie Ditties and Bawdy Bardic
Saturday
9am:
Meal Plan Breakfast
10am:
First Labyrinth Walk of the Season )
11am:
First Sweat Lodge of the Season
12pm:
Preparing the May Pole: Ribbons and Wreaths
May Pole Games
1:30pm
Workshop - "The Insect Apocalypse" with Orren Whiddon
Mead Tasting with Joann and Brendan
3pm:
Seed Planting Workshop with Carrie Krystek
Annual Tea Party with Ivy
4pm: Raising of the May Pole
6pm: Beltane Feast, for everyone attending
8pm: Main Ceremony Blessing of the Land (Etain and Dietrich)
Followed by:
Approx. 9pm: Fire Circle
Approx. 9pm: Wittie Ditties and Bawdy Bardic
10pm: Late Night Labyrinth Walk and Meditation as Blessing of the Fields (self-guided)
***
Sunday
10am:
Meal Plan Brunch
11am:
Seed Stone Kid's Pull
12pm:
Closing Ritual (tentative, to include East Altar Raising)