This was the 13th year that Infinity Farm has hosted a St. John’s Festival gathering. It is a wonderful tradition that includes many components and offers something for everyone. Many families attend as has been the case in other years.
Joy and Bob Kwapien provided the space outside and under cover and also many other important pieces such as dry wood, an experience of the beauty of the land around their farmhouse and much more.
Marie Nordgren came with her usual grace and style and provided all the children (and adults) a chance to decorate a small boat and put a sail and candle on the boat for later floating on the darkening lake by the bonfire. There was an array of delicious summer foods which we shared with one another along with delicious, cool drinks and homemade ice cream made by Joy herself.
Eve Olive dressed in a special gown as we gathered in a circle while the children followed and listened to her tell a short story of St. John and the Archangel Uriel. IAO in poetry and verse and eurythmy in a spiral made for a very magical experience for all.
What became a very real highlight of this day were the thunderstorms that blew through at two different points in our gathering. Huge dark clouds and a tumult of rain pounded and blew us all into the house, huddled in the kitchen and living room as the storm raged on. The house became dark as the electricity failed and so did the generator which has always worked before.
Eventually we were able to go back outside and a beautiful clear sky welcomed us to sing and enjoy eurythmy together. The Festival Singers offered St. John’s songs in harmony and round and others joined in to sing with us as well.
As we were not sure if we’d be able to have a bonfire, there were a few moments where we stood in suspension, as it were, in the unknown. Would we be able to go to the pond and launch the boats? How would we start a bonfire with wet wood?
But as the skies cleared and the thunderous rain subsided Joy suggested that we take dry wood from the house and truck it down and remake a new dry bonfire.
Everyone made their way to the field and the pond and all unfolded as it always has — the fire was lit and the children one by one launched their colorful boats onto the lake.
A soft, gentle wind blew and we were cool and bug-free! (It was 74 degrees!!!!).
The insects began to sing and echoed themselves throughout the night air. More songs were sung as we enjoyed a crystal clear night sky with the crescent moon with Jupiter and Venus together who graced us with their presence. Others identified constellations and more planets and we even sited the International Space Station gliding over.
Eventually we each made our way to our homes, quite late into the night. It was an experience of the elements and the forces of nature in harmony with us and all around us.
A true St. John’s experience visited us for a few short hours as we traveled through the rains and the unknown and the opening and greeting of the earth as we celebrated being together in communion with all of nature. Many thanks for the CIC (Cultural Initiatives Circle) for taking care of many of the details and making sure that all happened in the best way possible.
Many thanks to the families and children who came from near and far and brought such life and goodness and delicious food. Many thanks to Marie Nordgren for bringing the boat making experience to the children.
Many thanks to Eve Olive for leading us in a wondrous journey with eurythmy and verse and poetry. Many thanks to the Festival Singers who practiced the day before to be able to bring St. John’s songs to the community. Thanks to the parents who were so flexible in the unknown moments and who took up needed tasks just at the right moments.
Thank you to Bob and Joy Kwapien for all you gave to us. It’s a great privilege to be able to come to Infinity Farm each year to truly experience the many mysteries of the natural world unencumbered by mechanical noise and the concerns of daily life.
Blessings and many thanks to all.
Joanna Carey, Cultural Initiatives Circle