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Four Winds News
Greetings All and Blessed Samhain.
Well here we are at the end of the Summer, the equinox swiftly approaching. We have begun to schedule resumption of Chorus Activities starting on September 21st. Check out the Schedule for dates .
First off, I want to say what an excellent job that the Members that supported Grove Samhain and participated in the Witches' Ball did. A tremendous and well executed effort. Even though these were not Four Winds events, you have all brought us honor as we have supported ritual and ceremony in our community as sacred Bards. This is a very important part of what and WHY we are training.
This is true even if you *merely* stood in circle and raised your voice with those of us in the choral crescent.
I want to really thank Members at the Witches Ball who I called onto the stage to help me drive the spiral dance. That was unscheduled and worked marvelously. You guys are great and great sports.
We we will also have a table at The Pagan Spirituality Expo, November 12.
The 4th Annual Pagan Spirituality Expo (PSE 2000)
Sunday, November 12, 3-6pm
the Gay & Lesbian Community Service Center This will be at the Center's (Swing) space,
1 Little-W12th St & Hudson Street (West of the Old W13th Street Center Site),
in the East Storefront Room, a map is located on: http://www.gaycenter.org/relocation-map.htm
Information/Message Line: 212-388-8288This is a totally free event intended to provide newcomers & veterans of the Pagan Community (those who are life-affirming, goddess-centered, earth-honoring in general) an opportunity to learn about and network with our wonderfully diverse community.
First the Expo will give seeking individuals an opportunity to meet various group representatives (as well as other seekers), learn about different styles and traditions, get to know leaders from local groups, and options available. Our secondary goal in sponsoring PSE is to give local groups & solitary practitioners an opportunity to network.
You do not need to register to participate in the Expo!!! However, we ask all representatives (Groups or Solitary) to fill-out a form, so we may be better able to estimate table space and chairs needed for all who want set-up displays. In addition there will be a PSE Guide (a quick reference listing all represented groups) provided free of charge upon request
For more information & current updates (rain cancellations) call the Information/Message Line: 212-388-8288 or go to the New Moon NY's WEBSITE, which is always being updated and has some pictures from our past events (Beltane), links to other Pagan Calendar
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/9667/NMNY.html (or) http://www.newmoonny.faithweb.com
The Bardic Yule 2000
We are preparing for Yule on December 29th. It will be a mix of set ritual pieces and Bardic Circle. The Bard's Circle will be hit with the hard pieces. The format is somewhat informal on purpose. This is an event that is not intended to require too much logistics. And give returning and new Members an easy entry or re-entry.
Want to do Strolling Song, with the Charge of the Winds to invoke
Will also like to include:
Let The Way Be Open,
Invocation (with effects and Descants )
The Fairest Maid,
The Little Drummer Boy,
Light Is Returning (if we can pull it together)
We Come from the Fire.
Winter Solstice Sunrise (with all the fixins)
The Wintry Queen
A NEW arrangement of the six-chant Winter Solstice JourneyClosing not set... Let Your Journeys Be Safe(?) or Om Nahmah Shivaya
And of course a few surprises and unplanned mischief! Fun!
The rest of the time will be devoted to the bardic. Modified Chaos format - people queue up Whatever people bring or request or... Whatever you folks care to prepare:
THE BARDIC YULE 2000
FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2000, 7-9pm
Open Holiday Bardic Circle
Musical Theatre Works, Studio #4A, 440 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor, New York City,
Between Astor Place & 4th Street. Information: 212 677-0040Interactive Ritual Songs and Chants Celebrating the Winter Holidays
Four Winds has always had a special place in our hearts for the winter holidays. This year, after the hustle and noise of the shopping and celebration settles, join us for a special evening of song and chant, celebrating all the Winter Holidays; Solstice, Yule, Chanukah, Kwanza, New Year's. In Bardic Circle we will open our hearts and our hearth to welcome all with a song in their hearts.
Since we're not going to be doing a show at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in early December, we'll be expanding this event with some of the material we were preparing. Should be spiffy!
All are welcome in our circle of song. Please bring your voices, songs and chants of the season and simple (non-messy) food and drink to share. Best Blessings of the season!
Mitaquye Oyasin. Blessed be. Ashe.
Kurt Talking Stone
Choral Director.
Disaster Update: 11/8/2000
Review the story of the fire on the April 20-28 News Page.
We may be looking at the end of our days as semi-refugees. Spend the past month househunting in Rockland County, just north of the city and found a place that we're looking into. We have also put the Coney Island property up for sale instead of the long, expensive and soul-hammering process of a rebuild. So we will see what happens.
Been trying to get in the last bits of salvage before the weather turns. Finally got into my (Kurt's) studio to get at the flat files before the weather turned. Crowbar time. The bad news is they were flooded (one reason I couldn't open the drawers... Yick! EEEEWWW-GLEEE inside.
Because the fire department flooded the room, most of the contents of the files were submerged in toxic chemical smoke impregnated water. Graphic works (anything with a chemical based reproduction method self-destructed rather nicely... yeeech) and works on board or paper were utterly ruined or horribly damaged. DON'T ASK about watercolors... just play taps. Likewise charcoal drawings on newsprint.. ewwwwww..
However a number of acrylic pieces on gesso prepared canvas or canvas board were retrieved in surprisingly good shape. We are drying them and giving them a preliminary cleaning. In all cases the canvases have been removed from water-logged and mildewed frames, backing boards, or in the case of canvas boards, removed from the boards.
Was a little intense. The fire and water damage was so total I had emotionally wrote off my studio months ago while concentrating on the serious business of a roof over the head and relocating the clan. So these rescues are essentially a bonus. Still, having the record of 30 years of professional career essentially erased IS pretty freekin' wrenching. Heather was pretty sharp and fed me a St. John's Wort *before* I put on the hard hat and respirator mask.
As it were, we were both pretty flagged the next day. Headaches, achies, and exhausted. We have to go over there with our shields on full power to be able to work and keep from freaking. (Capt'in, ah kin only give ya thirty minutes at this power level! Any more, she'll blow for sure! ) And the environment IS pretty toxic. The basement with all the curious stuff growing down there and my ex-studio, full of toxic ash and debris. We always feel a little sick the day after any serious salvage. Have to limit our exposure.
For folks who have been asking what they can do. One of the overwhelming losses has been our extensive library, Books, Music and videos... One of Four Winds' special assets was our collection of folk, pagan, world and indigenous music and source material. So anybody with Books and Music to donate, particularly Pagan, Native American, and Science Fiction and Fantasy, they would be very welcome.
Our Continuing Thanks to everyone who has been offering their prayers, energy, support and helping out.
Kurt & Heather
Mitaquye Oyasin * Blessed Be * Ashe * Shalom * A Salaam * Amen