The News from Four Quarters

November 4, 2021

Samhain
By Etain Preston

          Halloween. A delicious word filled with connotations of pumpkins and costumes, spooky movies, parties, and riotous fun. Over the years in pre-covid years I have spent time and expense jet-setting around between Witches Balls; the Elms Mansion in New Orleans, the Hawthorne in Salem.
           And while the glitz and glam has its allure, it is the older, more poignant and meaningful Samhain which draws me to Four Quarters.

We begin Friday evening with a shared meal.

August 30, 2021

Stones Rising Tropical Storm Ida Update

Forecast Eye Path of Hurricae Ida, Projected Tropical Depression by the time it reached our region. Map - 30 Aug 2021.

While we are preparing for this years Stones Rising the remnants of Hurricane Ida will be swirling overhead. No worries, we have worked with hurricanes before!

Best predictions are for TORRENTIAL RAINS of at least four inches here at Four Quarters on Wednesday, then breaking rapidly for clear sky's and dry, sunny weather thereafter, simply perfect weather for a Rising.

Projected impacts of Ida remmants into the Northeast. We expect drenching rainfaill for Wednesday. Map - 30 Aug 2021.

But the changing weather brings with it changing plans for our schedule. Our experience is that with four inches of rain in one day there is no way to keep our foundations and equipment from becoming water logged, so we are moving all of our preparation work until after the Wednesday deluge. We have rescheduled our concrete delivery for Friday afternoon, leaving precious little time to dig the foundations, form up the pour and attend to all of the other many details that usually take place during the week.

We have worked with tight schedules before, and it does add spice and meaning to what this great work is about. Bring your boot and gloves, and get dirty with us!

Find our more about Stones Rising  | National Weather Service

August 17, 2021

A Stones Rising Video Invitation

Stones Rising XXVII - Sept 1-6, 2021. Walking in Balance: Elemental Equilibrium.
An invitation to a Celebration of Hope and Renewal.

A Video invitation to Stones Rising 2021, conceived as a Celebration of Hope and Renewal. A six-day ceremonial working to restore Balance and Harmony in the world, to facilitate Healing among all of us, and of course, raise new Stones in the Stone Circle! Join us! We publised this video invitation on Facebook, and decided we really ought to share it with our web site visitors. Enjoy!

View on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/wUMrJ1eesLg

More information about Stones Rising

July 15, 2021

July 24th Full Moon Service “Honey Upon the Water”

Oshun, Orisha of the river, bringer of wealth and sweetness to humanity

The July 24th Moon service will be an honoring of Oshun, the Santeria Orisha (Goddess) of the river, bringer of wealth and sweetness to humanity. We will be making offerings of fruits, flowers, rum, and honey in honor of all the good things that Oshun brings us. We also make offerings to win future blessings from Oshun.

Oshun brings love, gold, and witchcraft to humanity. We honor her because her gifts sweeten our lives. It is said that she is the youngest Orisha, and she is known for her laughter, her dancing, and her beautiful fans. Her colors are saffron yellow and orange, and her number is five.

We will gather at the Fairy Cairn at 7:30 pm to make offerings to Oshun.

Celebrants are encouraged, but not required to wear white or yellow or orange clothing. Be aware that Oshun is a joyful spirit, and her ceremonies often end up with the celebrants spontaneously jumping in the sweet waters of the river for the sheer joy of Her.

June 14, 2021

Bringing back a Full-Fledged & Fun Drum ’N’ Splash 2021

Parade drummers Lighting up the night at Drum N Splash 2020.

Drum ’N’ Splash 2021

Wednesday June 30 - Sunday July 4th, 2021

We are gearing up for a fully-realized and festive Drum ’N’ Splash, restored to its happy, thumping, and splashing glory for all of us to enjoy. Last year, due to Covid-19 constraints, we had to assemble and prepare Drum ‘N’ Splash with an exceptionally short timeline and tight resources. Nonetheless, we still had a great event!  

As Pennsylvania relaxes its Covid mitigations, we continue to work closely with the Pennsylvania Dept of Health in maintaining safe public health during this public emergency.

We're planning a big year for 2021 with a lot going on, and plenty to do. A number of Crowd Favorites will be returning along with some New Presenters, more classes and workshops, and of course the solace and shelter of the Land. Here's some of what we have in mind for this year - click the link to see the schedule.

Draft Schedule of Activities for Drum ’N’ Splash 2021!

May 17, 2021

Beltaine 2021  
       Orren Whiddon
and Mike McConnell

How to Make a Beltaine

Take one nasty world-wide Pandemic
Mix well with Winter Seasonal Affective Disorders
Leaven with abiding Hope that The Lady and Lord's promise of Spring will be kept