This extended mild autumn weather saw us considering a fall burn of the prairie and the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth. November 29th was perfect and Rich along with Ben Stamats tackled the task while I taught.
My before picture shows tall, tawny grasses and open milkweed pods standing among stiff stalks of coneflower and Maximillian Sunflower. And the little bur oak in the center.
After, the scorched ground with the smell of ash wafting on the breeze contrasted to the path to the center and back out.
I walked it contemplatively, remembering the work with friends this spring, watching it grow all summer and tending the plants. Then, the exasperation at the overwhelming aggressive grasses. “You guys are too exuberant!” I’d moan as I swash-buckled my way along a path. So, next growing season will see more changes as I prepare the ground and we plant beaucoups forbs.
The Transitions course I am doing on-line through Veriditas asks participants to think of transitions in our lives, what the status was before then after and who was involved and who was “left out.” Some transitions are happy, others sad, some downright devastating. All learning experiences.
So, the Phoenix Harmony Labyrinth is an excellent place, especially in its current state, to contemplate these and prepare for the next lesson in transitions.
1080 Labyrinth 