The News from Four Quarters

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

March 31, 2021

Sweat Lodge Build 2021

Members of the Ceremony team rebuilding the Sweat Lodge frame, Spring 2019.

On Saturday April 17, 2021 we shall gather on the Land to rebuild the Sweat Lodge in Main Camp and we need your help. Lodge frames are subject to wear and the elements, and the stresses of ceremony. So from time to time they need to be de-commissioned and replaced. So, we invite all those with an interest to join the ceremony team and lend their hands to the effort. We expect it to be an all-day project and the more hands on board, the faster the labor, and if you're not watching out, you might even learn something! It is also a Labyrinth Build day! So plenty of opportunities to roll up your sleeves in a good way and give back to the Land.

We are ever grateful for the energy, effort and gifts of this labor to these sacred ceremonies and their service to the People. A Lodge Build is a powerful way to be of service and to add your energy to this good work. With enough help, and  the work done in good time, in a good way, we might even get to sweat in the rebuilt lodge! (Official First Sweat is scheduled for Beltaine - April 30-May 2, 2021) This work is deeply ceremonial. The work itself is sacred, and an integral, critical part of the Sweat Lodge ceremony and it is how we learn. We often say around the Lodge, “we learn by doing.”

March 8, 2021

Moon Service Misas

Preparing the Altar for a Misa Ceremony in the Loft.

Beginning with our Ostara Service, and continuing with the April 10th New Moon Service, Four Quarters is pleased to announce that we will be hosting monthly Misas to honor our beloved ancestors. Misas will be held on Friday nights of Moon Service weekends at 7:00 pm in the Loft.

A Misa, or Spiritist Mass, is a beautiful  ceremony of prayer and song to honor our family of birth and spirit. It is practiced by most houses of Cuban Santeria and many other traditions of the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora. The liturgy is mostly Roman Catholic and popular prayers with our own Four Quarters favorite prayers added in. (Prayer books and hymnals are provided)

March 3, 2021

Celebrate Ostara at Four Quarters

Crocuses, harbingers of Spring, rise up at the Farmhouse. Spring 2017.

”Winter's freezing cold and dreary stillness has lingered long, penetrating our hearts as well as our homes. But have hope; sunlight is returning, birds are chirping, and the smell of the Earth thawing heralds the Return of Spring.”

Join us on March 20 to celebrate Ostara at Four Quarters!

Weather and circumstances permitting, we will safely gather in the Great Outdoors for workshops, hands-on practical crafts, a nature walk/tour—perhaps an Egg Hunt—and we will welcome Spring's Return with an outdoor Ostara service in the Stone Circle. Light refreshments will be served at the at the Coffee Dragons. Festivities begin at Approximately Noon.

Tentative Agenda (as of 3/18/2021)

Friday, March 19 evening