Attending Stones
Rising 2006
Wednesday August 2nd
Sunday
August 6th, 2006
Friday
evening & Saturday
The Procession
of the Standing Stones
Saturday August 5th - The Rising A
gathering of Ceremonial Traditions
from the World’s EarthReligions.
The creation of an InterFaith Sanctuary,
a Work of Years... Stone by
Stone.
Saturday morning's
Loaves of the Corn Mother,
Saturday afternoon's
Feast
of the Standing Stones
are free of charge for all attending.
"Sacrifice,
willingly stepping into a place of service to the Land and People, offering of
ones energy and time in a reciprocal exchange with Spirit, understanding that
this is necessary to the process of transformation.
Ceremony, fully engaged in the rites and responsibilities of conscious change.
The people gathered in Purposeful Community, Working Traditions, making Real Magic.
Celebration, of libation made, traditions honored
and gifts received. For the Great-grand children of those whose Great-grand parents
have yet to be born.
The Seventh Generation."
Stones Rising is a intensive experience of Modern and Traditional Ceremonial
Traditions, where we believe that through making ceremony together, we can change
each other and the world we live in.
Stones Rising is a very diverse experience, and we hope these pages will answer
some of your questions, but they cannot hope to answer all of them. Please do
visit the supplemental pages on this web site, and of course feel free to call
us at 814-784-3075.
Blessings
Planning your
Arrival
There are three basic ways to attend Stones Rising.
For our Members, The Stone Peoples Intensive begins the weekend prior to the main event, Friday Aug 26th
thru Tuesday Aug 30th. This is an opportunity for our Members to participate in
the preparation of both the Stone Circle and the Camp for the week of ceremonies
to follow. We will be unloading the three new stones as they arrive from the quarry,
laying out and digging their foundations, as well as pouring their concrete footers.
The Witness Arbors (100's of yards of fabric suspended through the grove) will
be prepared, Altars created and all of the other site preparations that make for
Stones Rising. Some major Pathways of Service begin this weekend too, not the
least of which is the preparation of the GiveAway Bundles that every attendee
will receive.
We will
be offering some in-depth classes and exercises in the fine art of moving massive
objects to continue the learning and developement of the Stone People in their
core practise.
The
Stone People will be sharing their meals from Fridays dinner through brunch Wednesday.
For our veteran Members of the Stone Crews, this is the time to build a deep and
lasting relationship with the Standing Stones.
The Preparatory Ceremonies begin Wednesday Evening and we welcome attendees arriving a
few days earlier. For those able to take a few days off from work this provides
the full experience of Stones Rising... from its quiet beginnings
as we call our Ancestors Wednesday evening, through the ritual preparations of
Thusday and into Fridays preparations for the Major ceremonials to come.
The Major Ceremonials begin Friday evening with A
Ritual Complex of Grandeur. The Dionysian Mysteries.
Our journey to the center of the Labyrinth, a eighty foot diameter maze of luminaries
and grass cut into our mountain top, there to search for and return The Living
God . Moving the first great stone in a torchlight procession from the Labyrinth
into the Stone Circle.
Stones Rising has been structured in
such a way as to allow for a very full ceremonial experience, with plenty of opportunity
to share in the major ceremonials and personally work with the Standing Stones.
Both Friday and Saturday
arrivals will allow your particapation in a full spectrum of ceremonials, in preparation
for the Rising of the Standing Stones on Sunday. Mondays Labor Day holiday allows
time to access, recoup and make our journeys home. If you can only be here for
the long weekend, the experience is still very worthwhile.
A Few Notes about registrations: Because of the very real demands of arranging
for complex ceremony and the planning required to provide over twentyfive hundred,
we place a very high monetary premium on gate admissions. We realize that last
minute plans do change, but if at all possible, please do preregister for Stones
Rising. And for the same reasons, no special registration provisions for day trip
admissions have been made.
The Feasts
A profoundly important PathWay of Service at Stones Rising is the commitment made
by Staff and attendees to Vestas Hearth, the work of the kitchens in feeding the
People of the Rising. For it is surely true that living community is made...
one lovin' spoonful at a time.
Our volunteer kitchen staff provides meal plan meals for almost two weeks begining
with the Stone Peoples Intensive. And as a GiveAway by the People of Vestas Hearth,
and by Four Quarters; the ceremonial feasts at Stones Rising are included in the
registration of all attendees, without additional charge.
Saturday morning's Loaves of the Corn Mother,
Saturday afternoon's Feast of the Standing Stones.
This represents well over 2,500 separate meals and means that some of the Staff
will have no other experience of Stones Rising beyond their Commitment of Service
in preparing your food. If you are new to Stones Rising, volunteering to work
with Vestas Hearth preparing some of these meals is an ideal way to begin your
own process of Service to the Circle. Please do consider it as your own Commitment
of Service
About the GiveAways
The Three-Fold Law of Return
has always been understood by indigenous peoples ... That in order to receive
one must be prepared to freely give. This concept of Sacrifice and Service lies
at the core of everything that Four Quarters stands for. From our non-profit structure,
to the gifts of our Members that have purchased much of the Land, and the Commitments
of our volunteer Staff who pay their Staff Membership fees for the privilege of
working In Service throughout Stones Rising.
The day to day reality of The GiveAway at Four Quarters is also reflected in the
ceremonial structure of Stones Rising. We believe that it is the core lesson that
EarthReligions have to offer.
When you arrive at Stones Rising you will be presented with materials to create
your own giveaway bundles. Colored squares of cloth, corresponding with four of
the major ceremonies, as well as string, ribbon and other materials that will
allow you to create four GiveAway's. Gifts for a person well known to you, for
a person unknown to you, a Gift to preserve the Land and a gift to send this message
out to a troubled world.
As you pack for Stones Rising,
think of what small gifts you can enclose in your GiveAway bundles.
Perhaps a hand made item for a close friend, a book of poetry for the friend you
have yet to make, a donation or pledge to Four Quarters as a gift to the Land
and perhaps a private written prayer of Blessing for the world outside of our
Circle. Beginning with Friday evenings Ceremony at the Labyrinth there will be
a proper time and place for you to make all of your GiveAways.
Altars
Shining Everywhere
Beauty is important and Four Quarters is known for the physical beauty of our
ceremonials. By the close of Saturday evenings major ceremonial of Protection
for the Land, Four huge altars will be alight within the Stone Circle, one having
been created each night from our opening Wednesday evening. An important Pathway
of Service will be the maintenance of these Altars, changing out their candles
and freshening their flowers and decorations throughout Stones Rising.
No less important are the Keepers of the Vigil, the expanded role of previous
years Drums of Service and their supporters; who will undertake the Ceremonial
Commitment to Make Vigil from sundown Saturday until the Ceremony of Commitments
on the following morning of the Rising.
And we want to encourage the attendees of Stones Rising to share in this process.
To make living beauty of their campsite and of the Land... to create Altars
Shining Everywhere. Please bring your decorations, your fabrics, altars pieces
and devotionals. For our part, Four Quarters will use over 400 48 hour candles
during Stones Rising and we will make these very safe and high quality candles
available for sale at registration for use in your altar. And we will encourage
a tour of The Altars Shining Upon the Land, Sunday evening.
Have fun. Make it beautiful. Make it shine!
The
Major Ceremonials of past Stones Rising
A
hint of things to come
2003
Wednesday Evening - Call it ...Ancestors
A Candle for our Ancestors, based on Yoruban Ceremony
of Blessing by our Ancestors, with addition of English chant lyrics. An invitation
to our ancestors to come witness and bless their children, to include the lighting
and Blessing of the West Altar, to burn throughout the remaining days of
Stones Rising.
 Thursday Evening
- Envision it ...Foresight
ArcheDream - The Shamans
Breath, internationally acclaimed Ritual Performance Dance by the ArcheDream troupe.
After performance creation of the lighted South Gate Altar to burn for the duration
of Stones Rising.
Friday Evening - Collect It ...Family
PagaNet
with The Four
Quarters Labyrinth Project
Return to the Center, A journey through the grass
cut open air Labyrinth on our hill top, a return to that which is most important
- Family. To include the first Giveaway gifting of Yellow "Family" bundles
to those known to you. Afterwards, the first torchlight night time procession
of a stone from the Center of the Labyrinth, into the Stone Circle. This
first stone then placed as adjunct to the Mother Stone, a great candle lit Altar
burning until The Rising, Sunday morning.
Saturday Afternoon and Evening-
Protect It ...Land
Stone
Creed Grove ADF Saturday, to lead the "Long Pull" of the second
stone from its resting place in front of the farmhouse, up our mountainside and
into the Stone Circle, then placing this stone in front of the North Altar. This
will also include the second GiveAway gifting of Green "Land" bundles.
The First Feast of Inspiration, Saturday Afternoon
Saturday evening: Stone Creed Grove ADF: Ceremony
of Protection for the Land, a classic Druidic Fire Offering to cast protection
over that which supports us, The Land. This will include the creation of the North
Altar and Second Stone as a living Altar to burn through Saturday night. At this
point all four quarter altars will be burning within the Circle of Standing Stones
Sunday Morning- Extend It ...Tribe
The
Second Feast: The Loaves of the Corn Mother Sunday Morning
The Ceremony of Commitments and acknowledgement of the Pathways of Service, the
Commitments to the Circle that have been made and kept by the people of Stones
Rising.
The Rising, gathered under the Witness Arbors
as the third stone is brought into Circle and three new Standing Stones are raised.
The GiveAway and Blessing of the New Children,
the gifting of the Red "Tribe" bundles to a person unknown to
you. The Blessing of the new members of the Tribe, our spring borne children.
The Third Feast of the Standing Stones Sunday
Afternoon
Sunday Evening- Project It ...World
LumensGate Ceremonial Intensive:
A Ceremony of Consecration, a blessing and integration of the new stones and a
projection of our best hopes for this work out into the world. Incorporating the
four elemental intents from previous ceremonials; Ancestors, Vision, Family, Tribe.
Four great burning quarter altars present from previous four days of ceremonials.
The final gifting of the Blue "World" bundles.
Monday Morning-
Release It ...Spirit
The Forth Feast
of Silent Contemplation Monday Morning
Leading directly to our Ground, Center and Close within the New Circle of Standing
Stones.
Registrations
for Stones Rising 2004
Register
for Stones Rising
with our OnLine shop
or by calling our offices at 814-784-3075 Membership
Privileges Apply
Children under 16 are loved, cherished and free.
Member's
Only Early Bird Six Days, $80 Pre-reg by June 25
6
Days arrive Weds or after
Pre-reg by Aug 20, Members
$100, Guests $120, $140 at the Gate
4
Days arrive Friday or after
Pre-reg by Aug
20, Members $85, Guests $105, $125 at the Gate.
3
Days arrive Saturday or after
Pre-reg by
Aug 20, Guests $90, $110 at the Gate.
Late
Registrations, CALL US!
Sunday morning's
Loaves of the Corn Mother,
Sunday afternoon's Feast of the Standing Stones
are included in your registration.
Meal Plans with the Starvin’
Artist are Brunch and Dinner, all you can eat.
Please bring your own utensils.
Dinner
Weds - Monday Brunch, 8 meals-2 feasts
$73 pre-reg only, Omni or Herbivore
Dinner
Thurs - Monday Brunch, 6 meals-2 feasts
$56 pre-reg only, Omni or Herbivore
Dinner
Fri - Monday Brunch, 4 meals-2 feasts
$39 pre-reg only, Omni or Herbivore
Saturday
Brunch - Monday Brunch, 3 meals-2 feasts
$30.50 pre-reg only, Omni or Herbivore
Merchant Booths are juried,
pre-registered and very limited.
Contact us early to merchant.
Camp Fire
Permits and In-Camp Car Camping Permits are $15 each.
In-Camp
Parking passes are $25 and very limited.
Handicapped, please
contact us for your free in-camp parking pass.
Practical Matters
The weather is typically glorious in late summer here in the Alleghenies. Days
are warm and clear, nights can be cool. Pack for both warm and cool, with provisions
for the occasional afternoon shower.
Good food is important to us, and we hope you will be dining with The Starvin'
Artist meal plan, as well as the Four Feasts. Meal Plan Brunch and dinner are
all you can eat and our meals are prepared with the finest local produce obtainable.
The rice is Basmati, the coffee Colombian and as often as not the beef is raised
right here at Four Quarters. We have earned the reputation of one of the finest
camp kitchens anywhere and our staff volunteers are proud of that tradition. We
serve meal plans from the kitchen, with tables and benches provided under the
Kitchen Pavilion; our feasts are served from the Pavilion. Please do bring your
own plates and utensils, it really helps to cut down on wastage.
The Coffee Dragons Hospitality Pavilion runs all day and very late into the night,
providing free hot coffee, tea and chocolate thoughout Stones Rising. There is
nothing quite like walking the late night High Meadow in the soft light of the
Merchants booths and settling into your chair with hot cocoa, brewed by The Dragons.
This is one families Commitment of Service and they cover all expenses out of
pocket with a smile. Your gift to the donation jar will bring even more.
Tent Camping
Sites are available thoughout the Main Camp. Up on the High Meadow under the pine
trees, close in near the kitchen and down in the North Crook alongside the river.
The Big Bottom Members Camp is reserved for our Members and their guests, but
please do feel free to visit. And be sure to make the time for a dip in the Hemlock
Hole.
Car Camping and
small RV's are allowed in a limited area of the High Meadow with a $15 permit
fee. We can handle large RV's, but we place them in the main Parking area.
Four Quarters is not car
friendly. Frankly, if we could keep cars out of camp we would. Cars are allowed
in for offloading and setting up your campsite, but they must return to Main Parking
thereafter. There are a very limited number of In Camp Parking Spaces available
with a $35 permit fee.
Camp fires are the Family Hearth and we provide a steel fire ring and all the
wood for your stay with a $15 fire permit.
and do visit the The Four Quarters
Forum
for ongoing discussion of the Ceremonials and
Pathways of Service for this years Stones Rising.
Stones Rising is a Ceremonial Intensive
Major Rituals and their necessary preparatory workshops
offered by the sponsoring organizations with whom we work. Smaller more intimate
ceremony offered by individuals to benefit our community. The Pathways of Commitment
and Service through which a person may make their own ceremonial commitment in
keeping with their own needs and abilities.
The
Rising and the Ceremony of Consecration. Two full days of ceremonial summation
and completion of all that has gone before.
But it is not possible to convey the substance of a ceremonial intensive of this
scope by means of a web site, nor can Stones Rising be explained as a simple listing
of its component parts.
If you are considering a
first time attendance we can tell you to expect nothing... and everything. For
like the Ceremonial Circle, there is no beginning or ending other than that place
in which you stand. Perhaps you will be drawn to a Pathway of Service, but do
not feel that you must. For the first time attendee absorbing the impact of the
Ceremonials and their preparatory workshops is challenge enough. To simply stand
in the Witness Arbor and validate the Commitments of those who came before you
is a necessary honor.
For further information
about the Ceremonials and the Pathways of Commitment and Service for Stones Rising,
please look for the Stones Rising Ceremonials and Pathways of Service page on
this web site.
And feel free to call Four Quarters
at 814-784-3075, evenings before 9PM.
And do visit the Four
Quarters Forum for ongoing discussion and planning.
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