Home> Stones Rising> Ceremonial Prospectus

Updated Aug 20, 2004 

A Ceremonial Prospectus for

Stones Rising 2004
  

     "Sacrifice, willingly stepping into a place of service,
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."

Wednesday

:: Our Opening:

A Traditional Gardnerian Moon Service

7:45 PM in the StoneCircle at the peal of The Church Bell

Gather at the entrance to the Stone Circle, answering the peal of The Church Bell. To honor the Moon of Stones Rising, the Church’s tradition of focus on Service, Ceremony, and Celebration and to inspire the celebrants involvement in Stones Rising. An offering of Service by Pamela Alexander.

Nightly Drum Circle at the Upper Fire Circle

Bardic Circle at The Bardic Circle

Nightly Kids’ Circle at The Lower Fire Circle

 Thursday

:: Community Circle "Commitment"

10:30 AM at the Stone Circle

What is commitment, and how is it important? What are our Commitments to Family, Tribe, Land and World? Also, discussion for new attendees at Stones Rising.

:: Ongoing Projects for the Day

12 Noon - 5 PM various sites

Read further in this program for details and MeetUp times. Check with the Coffee Dragons for sign-up sheets and more information about PathWays of Service.

"A Megalithic Practicum"; a hands-on workshop about the art and science of moving big stones. Noon at the Coffee Dragons

:: The Kirtan: a Song to the Divine

6-7:30 PM at the Main Stage, Thurs, Sat and Sun.

The Kirtan is a form of call and response chanting in the Indian devotional tradition, indusive of trance; bringing one to deep stillness, bliss and to a profound sense of oneness with All. Join in the joyful noise! Bring drums, percussion, musical instruments, and your openness to merge into Love. An offering of Service by Robin Renée.

:: The Washing of the Stones

7:30 PM in the Stone at the peal of The Church Bell

The Formal preparation of the Circle and The Standing Stones for The Day of The Rising.

The Washing of the Stones symbolically cleanses and refreshes The Circle and ourselves, in preparation for New Growth. This is a "hands on" ceremonial so do come in your best paleo-tribal costume, ready to get wet, sit on the ground and wash the Stones! An offering of Service by Catharine and Julie Clarenbach and Robin Zanchetta.

:: Etanna Eggun: A Candle for our Ancestors

9:00 PM at the Upper Drum Circle

A traditional West African Ceremonial to remember and honor our families’ dead. This joyous call and response of song and rhythm is visually beautiful and very participative. Feel free to bring mementos of your honored dead for the Altar and to sing out your families’ names. It is traditional for celebrants to wear white clothes and white head covering. Ending in an open Drum Circle. An offering of Service from Baba’awo Eloy Hernandez Oturo Nico and The Ile Casa de Orunmila.

Nightly Drum Circle at the Upper Fire Circle

Bardic Circle at The Bardic Circle

Nightly Kids’ Circle at The Lower Fire Circle

Friday

:: Community Circle "Sacrifice"

10:30 AM at the Stone Circle

The word Sacrifice has negative connotations in our culture, yet it is an essential and integral part of Spirituality. What is the nature of Sacrifice and how does it benefit Family, Tribe, Land and World? Also, discussion for new attendees at Stones Rising.

:: Ongoing Projects for the Day

12 Noon - 5PM various sites

Read further in this program for details and Meet Up times. Check with the Coffee Dragons for sign-up sheets and more information about PathWays of Service.

"Creating the Space"; Volunteers for this Pathway of Service meet at noon at the Coffee Dragons.

"The Role of the Witness"; Those called to this Pathway of Service meet at 3pm at the Coffee Dragons.

:: The Rad Fey Tea Party

6:45 PM at the entrance to the Stone Circle

"Dream a Little Dream with me"

This year the RadFey are actually serving teas to accompany the birthday cake for the Stones. Bring a blanket and sit a spell and listen to recitations of Nursery Rhymes, Limericks and Fairy Tales. Together we will cast a circle and wish upon our star, Mama Cass, who will sing mystical favorites and then collect your wishes for Stones Rising 2004. Dream with us. Dream of all that can be at Stones Rising 2004. An offering of Service by the DC Radical Faeries.

:: The Dionysian Mysteries Ceremonial Complex

and Night Stone Pull

8:30 PM gather inthe Stone Circle at the pealing of The Church Bell. Procession of Dionysus and the Bacchants

The Dark Path to the Underworld

Search for the God in Underworld

Dionysus as Megalith

Restoration of the God to The Circle

Celebration of the life and Death of Dionysus

This year’s Friday ceremonial is an integrated six part ritual complex recreating an ancient Greek festival honoring Dionysus. Originally held near the Oracle at Delphi 2600 years ago, our ritual will begin in the Stone Circle at 8:30PM on Friday, September 3. There, we will honor the god Dionysus in company with other illustrious denizens of Mount Olympus: Hermes, Hera, Aphrodite and Eros. Through music and dance our Tribe will celebrate the life and death of the god whose gifts include theatre, wine, prophecy, possession, madness and ecstasy. Following the ritual death of Dionysus all will walk the Dark Path to the Underworld (The Labyrinth) to find him and bring him back to the Stone Circle. At the Labyrinth we will encounter the god of indestructible life lying in the meadow under the guise of a megalith. Together, the assembled Tribe will return him by torchlight to the Stone Circle. Following the joyous homecoming of the god, the Tribe will celebrate in music and dance at the Sacred Fire Circle where, in honor of Dionysus’ role in oracular prophecy, divination stations for Tarot and Runes will be available.

Join us in the night time procession of the Stone into Circle. We will gather among the twinkling lights of the Labyrinth, take up the long ropes and bring this Stone home.

The stone crew leaders will work hard to minimize their spoken directions and commands to the people on the long lines, directing the work with visual signals as much as is possible, allowing an atmosphere of celebration as we sing, chant, and dance the Stone home. The torches outlining the Labyrinth will be taken up and used to light the way of the Stone into Circle. Be there for a most intimate procession of The Stone.

An offering of Service by Alan Shear

Nightly Drum Circle at the Upper Fire Circle

Bardic Circle at The Bardic Circle

Nightly Kids’ Circle at The Lower Fire Circle

Saturday

:: Community Circle "Ceremony"

10:30 AM at the Stone Circle

Ceremony is a large component of Stones Rising; nearly everyone will participate in ceremony sometime this weekend. But why do it? How is Ceremony important to Family, Tribe, Land, and World? And discussion for new attendees at Stones Rising.

:: The Long Pull

12 Noon in the Stone Circle: gather at the peal of The Church Bell

The Hardest pull yet attempted by the Tribe!

Everyone is needed on the ropes and in support!

12 Noon Gather at the entrance of The Stone Circle, at the peal of The Church Bell. Then in procession to the Stone waiting at the FarmHouse. Everyone in camp is needed… To work the ropes and levers of the pull. To Chant and sing in support. To assist the Stone Crews in their Commitment. To support them with water and refreshment. And, if needed, to take a hand on the ropes! See the postings at the Coffee Dragons for details.

It would be a mistake to think that someone else will do your share, and there is no guarantee that we can move this Stone without you. We don’t eat till the Stone Comes Home!

:: The Kirtan: a Song to the Divine

6-7:30 PM at the Main Stage, Sat and Sun.

:: Final Meetups of All Pathways of Service

6-7:30 PM Various Sites

Drum and Dance Vigil - Upper Drum Circle

Loaves of The Corn Mother - Starvin’ Artist

Warriors Vigil - Bardic Circle

Stones Eve

:: The Blessing of The Vigil Keepers and

Presentation of Their Spirit Bundles

8:00 PM at The Stone Circle

A Charging of The Vigil Keepers with the hopes and blessings of the Tribe; and our presentation of the prepared Spirit Bundles to remain in their safe keeping throughout the night.

:: A Procession Upon The Land

Altars Shining Everywhere

8:30 PM at The Coffee Dragons

A walking tour of all the Altars of Four Quarters on this very special night, begining at the Dragons, thence through the North Crook, Hemlock Hole and Fox Altar. Through the Members Camp and returning to the Dragons. A chance to share in your neighbors beauty and add your own. Do you have group or personal altars at your campsite? Please, dress it up and light it up for the Procession!

Fire Vigil at the Upper Fire Circle

Warriors and Stones Vigil in the Stone Circle

Corn Mothers Vigil at The Starvin’ Artist

Bardic Circle at The Bardic Circle

Nightly Kids’ Circle at The Lower Fire Circle

Sunday: The Rising

Marking the Body Tribal

8:00 AM at the Main Stage

Ceremonial marking of the bodies of commitment makers and those standing in witness with paint. Come with an idea or picture of your preferred marking.

10:30 AM

Please form a large circle in the High Meadow across from the Stone Circle, answering the peal of The Church Bell.

The Breaking of the Loaves of the Corn Mother

11 AM Sunday Morning in the High Meadow

We share the loaves of bread that have been prepared from Saturday night as a Vigil and Pathway of Sacrifice, and adorn ourselves in paint by the pathway of service "Marking the Body Tribal," preparing for our parts in the Rising.

The Ceremony of Commitments

Procession into the Stone Circle

Singing of the Invocation to put our minds into a sacred space. Slowly processing into Circle, speaking of our Commitment to the Warriors in the East, our Sacrifice to the Drummers and Dancers in the South, our Ceremony to the Corn Mother Bakers in the West and of our intended Celebration to the Elders in the North.

The Vigils, having received the Spirit Bundles from the Tribe, return the blessed and charged bundles back to the Tribe.

The Departure of the Stone Crew for the Third Stone and The Support of the Witnesses

Those who have attended The Megalithic Practicum may now leave the Circle to begin moving the third and final Stone, as The Stone People begin the final positioning and Rising. The Witnesses maintain the ceremonial energy of Sacrifice and Service within the Circle.

:: The Rising

:: The Blessing of the New Babies

Receiving the new babies into the tribe, passed by their Mothers through the Mother Stone into the arms of their Fathers for presentation to and welcoming from the Tribe. A celebration of our fruitfulness as a people.

:: The GiveAway, Libations and a Special Gift!

Now is the time for our third gift bundle, for the Land. This is a good time to consider the importance of Four Quarters to you and your family, and to fill out your pledge card or make a cash donation. Then an offering of Food and Libation for the Spirits; and a special gift for the Tribe.

:: The Feast of the Standing Stones

Approx 5PM at the pealing of the Kitchen Bell at the Kitchen Pavilion

:: Rest

:: The Consecration of the New Stones

8:00 PM Gather at the entrance of The Stone Circle, at the peal of The Church Bell.

The Consecration Ceremony will give us an opportunity to work hands-on with the Stones past and present, an opportunity to make an offering to or mark a Stone (not permanently) during the ritual; calling its strength into our own lives or perhaps thanking it for having already changed us for the better. Please do come and join us as we link the Stones, new and old, with our remembrance of the past and promise of commitment to the future.

In preparation, please take some time with all the Stones in the days *before* the Ceremony so that you will find the particular stones that you wish to work with. You may find a Stone that calls to you, one that has become meaningful to you because you worked with it in a past Rising, one that has natural markings that symbolize a totem for you, or for whatever other reason is special to you. Remember which Stone it is, and bring your offerings with you to the Consecration. Materials for marking the Stones will be provided to you; please do not ask to use your own!

A ceremony to seal our work, focus our intent and send these Blessings out into the World. The final validations of The Witnesses willconstitute the Formal end of the Rising.

An Offering of Service by Dreama Baker

:: A Fire Circle for the Stars

Bardic Circle

Monday

:: Our Closings and Partings

11:00 AM at the Stone Circle

This is the time we return The Spirit Bundles to the Sacred Fire in thanksgiving. The share our parts in the thread that binds The Circle. And for a very special announcement.

:: Community Circle "Celebration"
11:30 AM at the Stone Circle
Discussion of the place Celebration plays in Family, Tribe, Land, and World. Assessment and Closure for five days of The Rising.

Vesta’s Hearth, Vigils
and Pathways of Service

In all cases, check at the Coffee Dragons for the latest information about any of these PathWays and changes to their meeting times. If you miss the first meetings, attend the others!
Vesta’s Hearth is a core part of Four Quarters and the experience of Stones Rising; and is certainly one of the most important Acts of Service that can be made at Stones Rising. Please do consider making this major Commitment of Service to the Circle. It Matters.

Vesta’s Hearth and
The Feast of the Standing Stones

Throughout The Stone Peoples Intensive and Stones Rising, the volunteers of Vesta’s Hearth prepare and serve the food that feeds us all. In ten days over 1,500 meals will be served, as an Act of Service. You can make a place for yourself in this process. Visit the Starvin’ Artist, see Holly Dunn and arrange to serve a shift or two in the kitchen. Feed Your Own Fire in the Belly.

Beginning late Sunday morning, the Feast of the Standing Stones is the major feast of Stones Rising and perhaps the most significant Commitment of Service that can be made. By feeding the Tribe we feed ourselves.

Meetup for the Feast Saturday 7 PM at The Starvin’ Artist
Holly Dunn, In Service

The Vigils represent individual commitments of service to the tribe through personal sacrifice; focusing on a specific aspect of the Stones Rising experience. Saturday evenings Ceremonial will charge The Vigil Keepers with the hopes and blessings of the Tribe; and our presentation of the prepared Spirit Bundles to remain in their safe keeping through the night; and returned to The People at The Ceremony of Commitments.

The Loaves of the Corn Mother (Vigil)
Beginning late Saturday evening and ending Sunday morning, preparing and baking the 200+ loaves of fresh bread needed to share before the Ceremony of Commitments and The Rising. This is a Major Commitment of Service.

First Meetup Friday 6 PM at the Coffee Dragons
Final Saturday 6 PM The Starvin Artist
Juliet Waldron, In Service

The Fire Vigil

Beginning at sundown Saturday night and ending at the beginning of the Ceremony of Commitments, the Fire Vigil maintains the pulse for the Eve of the Rising. If so called, you may make a commitment to drum or dance the entire 12 hours, or commit to support the Drummers and Dancers through the late evening or, more importantly, very early in the morning when their challenge is at its greatest. This is a Major Commitment of Service. First Meetup Friday 6 PM at the Coffee Dragons

Final Saturday 6 PM at the Upper Fire Circle

Richard Mulhern, in Service

The Warriors and Stones Vigil

Beginning at sundown Saturday night and ending at the beginning of the Ceremony of Commitments, the Warriors of our tribe, and those who support them and The Stones, will stand watch throughout the night, honoring our Sacred Land and those who are in service far from home. This is a Major Commitment of Service.

First Meetup Friday 6 PM at the Coffee Dragons

Final Saturday 6 PM The Stone Circle

Heather McDuff, in Service

The Pathways of Service are all of those means, both the lesser and the greater, through which the individual is able to own their responsibility for making ceremony, contribute to and hold The Circle. The Pathways are Stones Rising, you make it so through your choices and your actions.

Preparing Fire Circle

Beginning Thursday, each day to clean, rake and prepare Fire Circle as an Altar for Drum. Love Fire Circle? Show it!

Meet each morning at 11AM at the Upper Fire Circle

Doug Fort, Arial Rainfire, In Service.

Weaving the Web

Beginning Thursday, for every one of us to help spin from natural wool a part of the "Thread That Binds" for the Sunday Evening Ceremony of Consecration. Guided and taught by Drew Bogda.

Everyday. The Spinning Wheel at The Coffee Dragons

Drew Bogda, In Service.

Building the Labyrinth

Preparing the hilltop Labyrinth for its major role in Stones Rising Ceremonials. Do you like the smell of grass, glowing lamps and hands-on work? This is for you.

Meetup at 12Noon Thursday at the Coffee Dragons

Denise Scott, Carrie Krystek, In Service

Stone Singers Chorus

Songs of honor, prayer and ceremony, the ululations of the Women’s and Men’s tribe. Working closely with Spirit Drum, Intercessors and Witnesses for the Rising and other ceremonials. Lift your voice in songs of praise.

Meetup 3 PM Thursday at The Bardic Circle.

Sign up and attend rehearsals as posted

at The Coffee Dragons. Kailin Miller, In Service

The Healers Pathway

Intimately related to Vesta’s Hearth and The Vigils; The Healers Pathway begins at sundown Saturday night and ends at the conclusion of The Feast of The Standing Stones. The Healers serve and support the physical needs of those Feast Makers and Vigil Keepers who serve the Circle.

First Meetup Friday 6 PM at the Coffee Dragons

Final Saturday 6 PM at the Upper Fire Circle

Mathew Wilson, In Service

Preparing the Space

To raise the Witness Arbors and prepare the ceremonial grounds of the Stone Circle for the Dionysion Mysteries and The Rising. Continuing the work of The Labyrinth. Colored fabric, building Altars, stagecraft and more.

Meetup at 12Noon Friday at the Coffee Dragons

Alan Shear, Denise Scott, Carrie Krystek, In Service

Preparing the Sacral Foods

To prepare and serve sacred foods to all assembled in The Stone Circle during the Rising. With Grace and Reverence.

Meetup at 2PM Friday at the Coffee Dragons

Pamela Alexander, In Service

Preparing the Pathway of The Stones

Those people who accompany and support the Stone Crews by providing food and water for their labors. An excellent Pathway of Service for first-time attendees.

Meetup at 3PM Friday at the Coffee Dragons

Assemble Saturday for The Long Pull

Rachael Tucker, In Service

Marking the Body Tribal

Ceremonially marking the bodies of Commitment Makers and those Standing in Witness before and during Sunday’s Rising. Getting creative with paint.

Meetup at 3PM Saturday at the Coffee Dragons

Gather in front of the Main Stage Sunday Morning

Eliza Riggs, In Service

Sacred Dance

Trance dancing with The Fire Vigil, leading Stone Witnesses in Dances of Honor to Commitment Makers and for the Stones.

Meetup at 4 PM Saturday at the Upper Fire Circle

Christie Dunnigan, In Service

The following is reprinted from our 2003 Program           

Ten  times we will have gathered together to raise The Standing Stones, every year putting into practice what we have learned before, nineteen megaliths standing on a hill top. Every year the Rising grows and changes and has new lessons to teach. And perhaps the great thing we have learned, as hundreds have worked these Stones into the Circle; is that people are willing to make real sacrifice within a ceremonial context.
            In fact we have a deep need to do just that. This is Stones Rising.

            Sacrifice, Ceremony, Celebration. Wherever you look to indigenous ceremony, in any part of the world, these concepts form the foundation of magical practice. Those peoples that have preserved their ceremonial traditions unbroken, understand that our relationship with Spirit must be a reciprocal exchange of energy. That what we can receive into our lives is in proportion to the living energy that we have to offer. That this offering constitutes our sacrifice of ourselves and our service to our people. And that when we make these offerings and ceremony within our tribe, we can truly create magic, and change. That we become transformed. And it is this process, of libation poured, of sacrifice and of ceremony, that allows us to genuinely celebrate each other, our work and the gifts of Spirit we receive.
            Stones Rising is not a festival, but rather a ceremonial intensive. It is not an event, but rather a tradition. And we are not the passive observers of an individual ceremonialist, but integral parts of a ritual process.
             We are ready to make ceremony as our distant ancestors did, for we have come of age.

Our Intent
           Stones Rising is conceived as a multi-day ceremony, an integral ritual whole made up of many parts. Ceremony is the focus and the key for what we will attempt to draw down for the people. Our purpose... to create a lasting bond between the People and their Sanctuary. To awaken and hallow the old and new Stones of The Circle. To call down the Blessings of Spirit for the People and The Stones. Our means... the rites of sustained and focused ceremony.
            Willing Sacrifice and Service to The Circle.
            Four Quarters seems to draw people who thirst for more in their magical lives than merely a counter-cultural experience, more than just a pleasant time. We have become a people who are prepared to give of ourselves for something that may last and might a difference in this very large world. With every Full Moon Service, every monthly Pledge and Membership, and with every Standing Stone...   We show it to be so.
            We are moving Stones Rising beyond a festival and into a place rarely explored today. A place of sustained, demanding and ultimately transforming ceremony. A place where we reach through our own limits and move beyond, into the realm of Spirit.

Our Means
            The Native American Tradition has a lesson to offer about ceremony. As is the case with most traditional religion, it is conceived that one must offer of ones self to Spirit in the act of seeking Blessings. This offering or Sacrifice can take many forms. Money, physical objects or ones time, sweat and toil. One can make an offering of one’s own physical and Spiritual self, by undertaking a most demanding ceremonial pledge, or one can stand in witness and support of those who do make their own commitments and of their process.
            By making an offering of themselves in willing Sacrifice it is possible to create direct relationship with that which we call Spirit, or the Divine. And through that relationship to create a positive flow of blessings and change. This flow is not two way, but must include the people who stand in witness of sacrifice. It is for the people that Spirit is invoked, and it is the People who validate that ceremony is done with respect and understanding. Only they can then say, "I was there and it was done in a good way."
            So a three pointed circulation of ceremonial energy is created; between those who make sacrifice of them selves in relationship with Spirit. Who through their Service call down the blessings of Spirit upon the people. And the people who stand in witness and support of those who make sacrifice. And so the circle is completed and magic is made.
            At Stones Rising we begin the process of reciprocal exchange with Spirit through the preparatory ceremonials which will begin Wednesday evening. Holding and amplifying this energy through each evening’s Sacred Fire and Drum Circle and through the following day’s seminars and ritual.
            We provide a matrix of ways for people to choose Pathways of Sacrifice and Service to The Circle that span the entirety of Stones Rising. Some of these Pathways of Sacrifice require commitment prior to arrival on the land and will sometimes constitute demands upon the commitment maker that will stretch them to their limits. Other Pathways of Service will be open to the individual at the moment they are moved to make their commitment. For this is not ritual of the performer and the passive observer. No matter what the level of one’s experience, from seasoned member of The Stone People to first time celebrant within the Stone Circle, there will be a place to create personal relationship with Spirit through a Commitment of Service to the Circle.

The Preparatory Ceremonies
      The Procession of the Standing Stones
            A core part of Stones Rising is of course the Standing Stones, and a major Pathway of Service is to become a part of the crews that work to bring the stones into Circle.Each year we bring three standing stones into Circle, beginning from positions of increasing difficulty and requiring greater levels of experience and commitment from the Members of the Stone Crews. And as each year goes by the Stone Crews and their Crew Leader gain experience working together, and progress through the three levels of difficulty.
            If you are new to Stones Rising we recommend the you support the stone crews by watching and encouraging them in their work. Preparing the Pathway of the Stones is an excellent commitment to make and will keep you close by the process of moving the Stones. This is the best possible way to learn and prepare yourself to make your own ceremonial commitment to the Stone Crews in future years. And who knows, when the crew reaches a particularly difficult part of their pull, the Crew Leader may very well ask you to step in and help with the ropes!

                      This year three stones will be placed and crewed as follows:

           Friday Evening the first stone will be moved from its position in the center of the hilltop Labyrinth and will be moved in torchlight procession to the east Gate of the Stone Circle, there to become a candlelit Altar until the Rising, Sunday Morning. This is a very special procession, led by PagaNet, the Labyrinth having been prepared by The Four Quarters Labyrinth Project. Our focus is Family, that which we hold closest in our Return to the Center. 

          Saturday  the second stone will be moved from its place in front of the Farm House, the famous "Long Pull". This Stone will be sledged 1.5 miles up the mountain into the Circle and is expected to take 3-4 hours constituting a very real Commitment of Service.This stone will be placed in front of the North Altar within the Stone Circle, there to be candle lit until the Rising. This stone also represents our second GiveAway, For The Land.

          Sunday   during the Rising, we will move the third stone into Circle from its place at the far East end of the High Meadow. This is a challenging Stone, as it will be moved on rollers and will immediately be placed a raised as the final Stone of the Rising.

The Rising
            And finally Sunday Morning, the constellation of Ritual that we call The Rising. Taking place within the Stone Circle transformed into ceremonial grounds, the central axis through which The Stones arrive into Circle flanked by The Witnesses’ Arbors. The Pavilion of The Ceremonial Drums and The Prayer Arbor standing to the North.
            We begin by breaking our fast and sharing of the Loaves of the Corn Mother, prepared as a Commitment of Service. Then the Ceremony of Commitments itself, making and completing our personal work for Circle, as we pass through the Rites of the Four Quarters; four crystalline ceremonials processing us all through the Circle.
            The Blessing and departure of The Third Stone Crew and the fulfillment of many Commitments of Sacrifice and Service, witnessed and supported by the People. Holding the Circle in Ceremonial Space, completing the work of preparation as the Stone People carry out their task of Raising the Great Stones.
            Our welcome of The New Stone as it arrives into Circle. The placement upon their foundations by the Stone People and The Rising. The Stones Standing upright, pulled into their final place by the People in Witness. Songs of honor sung by the traditional Drum and The Stone Singers Choir.
            The Casting of the Odu of Ifa. To divine from the Spirits that this ceremony has been performed in a good way, that there is nothing left undone, that the Stones have found safe harbor.
            Our Blessing of the new children born to our Tribe as they are passed through the Mother Stone and into our Ceremonial Circle.
            The GiveAway to that person in Circle unknown to us.
            The Libations of Thanksgiving poured upon the ground and our Blessings received, as we share a tremendous meal of thanksgiving from the Fruits of the Earth, The Feast of the Standing Stones. A major Pathway of Sacrifice for those who have made this commitment. 
            And then rest, reflection and preparation; because we are not yet done.
            Sunday evening, The Ceremony of Consecration with The LumensGate Ceremonial Intensive. And the final GiveAway for the World.
            These are the elements of the Day of the Rising.

Pathways of Commitment and of Service to The Circle
            It is intended to provide many ways in which a person can choose to make their own commitment to the Circle through the Pathways of Service.
            Many of these Pathways are organized by a group leader working in advance for the overall organization of Stones Rising. We encourage you to contact the Four Quarters Forum to learn more about these commitments and contact the team leader. And we welcome your early participation in planning these Pathways. You will receive from these commitments in proportion to what you give.

         Commitments to Feed the People:  Holly Dunn
Holly Dunn: The Feast of Inspiration
Marcia Tirocke:  Preparing the Loaves of the Corn Mother
Mike Leyer (Finger):  The Feast of the Standing Stones with Vesta’s Hearth
Pamela Alexander:  The Feast of Silent Contemplation
Preparing and Serving the Sacral Foods of Ceremony
            Any of the these Pathways of Feeding the People are considered Major Commitments of Service, and are perhaps among the most demanding ceremonial commitments that are made at  Stones Rising. We honor you for considering them. Because they require advance planning and in some cases many hours of team work to complete, it is most important that you contact the Team Leader through the Four Quarters Forum. Be assured that in making and completing these Ceremonial Commitments you have made a profound personal contribution to Tribe, to Spirit and to The Circle of Standing Stones.

         Commitments of Personal Service
The Vigil Keepers Including:
     The Drums of Service,
     The Dancers of Service and
     The Healers of Service
The Stone Singers Choir
The Ceremonial Drums of The Rising
Sacred Spiral Dancers of The Stones
Painters of the Body Tribal

         Commitments to the Land
Building and Keeping The Drum Circle Altars
Making the Pathways of Arrival for the Stones
Building and Keeping The Witnesses’ Arbors
Keeping the Fire Circle
Preparing the Altar of Prosperity and Thanksgiving
Keeping the Altars of the Recumbent Stones

          Commitments to the Standing Stones
The Stone Crews bringing The Stones into Circle
with sledges, rollers and intent
Working the Ropes and Raising the New Standing Stones

          Commitments to the People
Sunday's standing as Public Witness to others as they complete their own Commitments of Ceremonial Sacrifice and Service
           Of especial importance is the Act of Witness, for without the People in Witness, the connection between Ceremony and Spirit is lost; and there are none to receive the Blessings that come of Sacrifice.  The Witnesses Prayer Arbor is constructed on both sides of the central axis of The Stone Circle, and it is here that all of the Ceremonial Commitments will be fulfilled and Witnessed. Through it will arrive the Stone People and The New Stones. And it is here that the Ceremonial Witnesses will hold the energy of the Stone Circle through the Ritual of Commitments and the Rising.
            If you are new to Stones Rising this is the most appropriate commitment for you to make.

            These then are the Pathways of Sacrifice and Service that have already been created. There is room for more. No matter if this is your first Stones Rising or your eighth, as a Commitment maker or as a Witness to Ceremonial Commitment, there is a Pathway open for your journey to join us in Service to the Circle.
            Please remember that if you are called to make a Commitment of Service, you should review the material posted to the Four Quarters Forum in advance of Stones Rising. While many of the Pathways can be shared upon the moment when you arrive for Stones Rising, others do require advance preparation. Full particulars and sign-up sheets will be available at The Coffee Dragons Hospitality Pavilion in the High Meadow.

            Some members of Four Quarters have made arrangements to offer smaller ceremonials within the context of Stones Rising, and this is encouraged. If you are a Member and would like to offer ceremony, please contact the offices at Four Quarters.

For first time attendance at Stones Rising
          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. In fact, for the first time attendee the flow of ceremonials at Stones Rising can be overwhelming. If you are considering a first time attendance we can only tell you to expect nothing... and everything.
          Stones Rising is a continuum. Each year leads into the one that follows. And it is proper and to be expected that it will take time for you to discover your own part in the Ceremonial Circle. 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. As a first time attendee we recommend that you participate in the ceremonies that call to you...  and stand in support of the commitments of others. To simply stand in the Witness Arbor and validate the Commitments of those who came before you is a necessary honor. And then through the weeks and months that follow, your own ritual experience will become more clear, and you will be well prepared to make your own choices of commitment in the Risings that follow.
           For like the Ceremonial Circle, there is no beginning or ending other than that place in which you stand.
           For further information about the Ceremonials and the Pathways of Commitment and Service for Stones Rising, please feel free to call Four Quarters at 814-784-3075, evenings before 9PM or visit the Four Quarters Forum.

In Closing
            The power and mystery of the Ancient Monuments and Old Ways of EarthReligion are undeniable. Karnak, StoneHenge, The Acropolis, The Snake Mounds. All continue to exert their message if only we have ears to hear and eyes to see. And surely their builders prayed for us too, as they made Sacrifice and Ceremony within their traditions.
            Now it is our time. To put aside our childhood and take up the work of our maturity. To offer Sacrifice and make Ceremony as was done for us, long ago. And in so doing to acknowledge the Blessings of the past, our place in the web of the present and offer our gift to the future.
            That these Old Ways may be preserved on the face of this Earth for the great-grand children of those whose great-grand parents have yet to be born.

For The Seventh Generation,
The Stones will Rise Again.