The rites of spring

Although I am often reluctant to travel outside of my “comfort zone,” this past weekend I put some miles on the truck and wandered far afield, which proved to be entertaining, enlightening and stimulating beyond my expectations.

Once again, the change of seasons heralds celebration throughout the countryside, and May 1 seems to be the target for many revelers. Maypoles, full-moon gatherings and parades seemed to be everywhere as I decided where to go, whom to visit and which sights to see.

I found myself drawn to the Center for Symbolic Studies (CSS, symbolicstudies.org ) located a bit off my usual beaten path, at 475 River Road in New Paltz, NY. The center, which provides workshops, professional trainings, environmental programs, seasonal festivals and performances, is situated on 260 wooded acres of forest, fields and cliffs at Stone Mountain Farm.

The center’s mission statement reads, in part, that it is “dedicated to provide a theatre of opportunity for conscious myth making, leading to personal growth and communal awareness.” Its founding directors, Drs. Stephen and Robin Larsen, were inspired in large part by the work of mentor Joseph Campbell, who is quoted in the CSS literature as saying, “Myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human cultural manifestation. Religions, philosophies, the arts, social forms of primitive historic man, prime discoveries in science and technology—the very dreams that blister sleep all boil up from the basic magic ring of myth.”

As part of this mission, CSS celebrates the rites of spring—big time. I attended (along with several hundred others) its 20th annual Beltane Festival, which is described as “A life-affirming white magic celebration, conducted by and for families, children and community.” Music, dance, processions, Maypole ceremonies, lighting of the fires and pageantry were all in high gear as the crowds milled about in what appeared to be a great love-fest of all things nature. The costumes, color and general sense of good will was palpable throughout the day as the throngs sang, danced and participated in what turned out to be a great and unusual party, thrown by Mother Nature herself, to commemorate seasonal diversity.

It seemed a natural progression, then, to make my way to the Crystals and Well-being Center in Wurtsboro, NY ( www.thecrystalscenter.com ), where the celebration continued. Marking the return of spring in its own way, the center hosted an opening party with a drumming circle and introduction to its roster of upcoming events, classes and workshops- including shamanism, crystal healing, pet readings, color chakras, angel channeling, women’s circles and (now this really sounds promising) a “Laughter & Screaming” workshop that sounds right up my alley.

“Ongoing Inspirational Events” are touted in the brochure, alongside Sunday meditations, therapeutic massage and the promise of “Making inspiration and well-being accessible.” Sounds good to me, and I will look forward to their season, which appears to be chock-full of fascinating subject matter to fulfill the desire for magic in the minds of all.

On Sunday, with a renewed sense of wonder in all things metaphysical, I breezed through the Southern Tier, taking Dharma the Wonder Dog on a magical mystery tour of her own. I visited family and friends in Binghamton, wowed by the explosion of greenery that was generated by the sun, rain and (yes, magic) that is Mother Nature personified. Breathing deeply and awed by the beauty of where we live, I begin the season, invigorated and feeling very much in tune with the world around me. As one well-known (you tell me) film character proclaimed, “It’s alive, I tell you, alive!”