Once again I begin with the weather. I can’t help it, it’s been so bizarre. Upper 50s (Fahrenheit) one day, barely into double digits the next. Forecast calls for sun, then it’s cloudy. Calls for snow, it’s sunny. I give up, Weather, you win! I have no idea what to wear or when to plan outdoor work or laundry anymore…
Tereza here, with what she can recall of what happened this week at DR. The sun has been especially important to me this winter, as on sunny days my new little home (named The Haven), needs no other source of heat. I am very happy with the house’s performance, easily reaching the mid-70s, even on cold and windy days, if there’s sufficient sun. Mmmmm, cozy warmth without fires and firewood is soooo nice!
In other warm news, a number of folks became new members recently, prompting a bonfire and welcoming ceremony for them. I wasn’t able to attend but I hear it was a festive gathering, where the new folks said something they were letting go of, then stepped over a symbolic threshold (a short bench near the fire circle) representing moving into a new phase of life at DR, and then said something new they are embracing. They were then gifted a scroll containing our mission statement, membership agreement, and other guiding documents. Sounds great and I hope this will become a new ritual of welcome. Thanks to Amanda for making it happen!
Saturday was a very busy day in the village. Three men came from St. Louis to offer a workshop for the men in the community, starting Friday evening and going all day Saturday. The organization they are part of is focused on “building and supporting the emotionally mature, accountable, and compassionate male role models that our communities so desperately need”. I heard from several men that it was fabulous, and we’re extremely grateful to the men who shared their skills and knowledge with the tri-communities.
Also on Saturday a small group of us gathered to create a labyrinth on the land where our new community building will soon be built. Using rocks and some wood strips from Oakwood industries (for our out of town readers, that’s a local furniture company we get scrap/fire wood from), we created a winding, one way in and one way out path, to a central space filled with feathers, hedge apples, and other natural offerings for the space.
We wanted to make a special place to pay attention to a piece of our land that will shortly undergo a great deal of upheaval, as a new, very large building takes over prairie plants and wildlife. We see it as a way of saying thank you to the land for nourishing and supporting us.
If you’ve never walked a labyrinth before, it can be pretty special for humans as well. You feel yourself getting closer to the center, then the path veers away again, then toward the center, then away, until at last there you are! Perhaps pausing to reflect on how similar this journey is to life in general, you then turn around and retrace your steps, seeing everything differently from the perspective of return, even though the ground you tread is the same.
One of my favorite parts was watching the many different ways of approaching the labyrinth. Some were reverent, focused on connecting with the land or gaining insight; others skipped or strolled fairly casually; and one of the kids ran most of the way. Some stayed on the paths, others crossed the stone lines at will, while Thor, Bear’s dog, mostly ignored the process, seeming to just want to be where the humans were. I imagine he thought we were all out of our minds. Why cart heavy stones around in the frigid air when you could be lying in some sunny spot out of the wind, getting treats from Sparky or petting from passersby? Hmmm, good question, Thor.
Saturday was also a skillshare event, spearheaded by Liat, where folks offered to share skills they have with those who want to learn them. I didn’t manage to attend any of those either, but they sounded fun and/or useful. I wish I could have made it to the one where Toon taught how to fix (actually fix, not replace) a broken zipper.
Saturday night also brought an Imbolc celebration. Imbolc comes halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and is often celebrated as the beginning of spring. (Yes, this year it also coincided with Groundhog’s Day, which I just took a few seconds to look up, and I for one hope that rodent knows what it’s about! Even though it hasn’t been a bad winter, I for one would be just fine with an early spring!)
I’m noticing that everything I’ve mentioned so far is from the weekend, and that’s because of a visitor that’s been making the rounds of the community the last few weeks, and that I was unfortunate enough to spend several days with early in the week. Yes, the stomach flu. I won’t go into details other than to say I was not the only one who was thrilled to say farewell to that unwelcome guest. Yuck.
Wherever you are, Dear Reader, here’s hoping that you are healthy, happy, and warm. Until next time!
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an intentional community and educational nonprofit in northeast Missouri, focused on sustainable living. Our free tours start up again in the spring. Meanwhile you can find more information at www.dancingrabbit.org, read our blog at blog.dancingrabbit.org, or give us a call at (660) 883-5511. You can also find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/DancingRabbitEcovillage.