Tree Songs: Braiding Labyrinth Paths & the Celtic Tree Zodiac. A Virtual Qualifying Workshop with Barrie Carter Gibby

 I go among trees and sit still. All my stirring becomes quiet/around me like circles on water. . .As we sing, /the day turns, the trees move. ~ Wendell Berry

Trees are the oldest living beings on earth and are more precious now than ever. How does their wisdom deepen our understanding of transformative life? Touching on Celtic spirituality, how can we braid our listening to trees with the pilgrimage path of the labyrinth? What song rises in the sap of your soul tree to share with the world? What meaningful action can we take for eco-justice to partner with the Mother? 

In this two-part Qualifying Workshop, participants will engage as pilgrims in a deeper understanding of the labyrinth journey by linking its quadrants to life seasons and the Celtic Tree Zodiac. With beginning eyes and ears, we will gather to celebrate the beauty of the mystical Celtic birth trees and healing properties, identify your soul tree, and interweave the sacred feminine on the labyrinth. Labyrinth information and experiences of journaling, sharing in a slide collage, honoring your Ogham birth symbol, creating an altar, and chanting with the trees to unfold a new path gifted from the ancients are elements of this mini-retreat. Come create a chapel in the woods.

The mini-retreat will run from 9 AM to 11:30 AM Friday and 9 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday.

“Those who are uninformed about the reality of the natural world cannot discover the hidden truths, and therefore [will] live a superficial life”. Baha’i writings

Barrie Carter Gibby works on that creative edge between the branches of words and movement expression. A long-time educator, social justice activist, accomplished pianist, theater director and labyrinth facilitator, Barrie entwines her many loves to facilitate retreats to a worldwide audience on a variety of themes. She is especially fascinated by the parallels of Celtic and Native American cultures and their loving embrace of nature-centered whole life. Barrie longs for the return of her once annual pilgrimage to the 13th c. Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in France and other favorite pilgrimage destinations, where her passion is reignited for her labyrinth work. As a member of the Veriditas Faculty, Veriditas Council and an Advanced Certified Labyrinth facilitator, Barrie finds sacred spaces everywhere.

Rob Hodges is a cellist and singer with extensive performance experience in the United States and abroad (Egypt and Indonesia).  Rob completed his Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from UC Santa Barbara in 2009, following several years of living and teaching in Sumatra, Indonesia.  His research interests and projects include the interaction between traditional laments and western Protestant hymns as expressions of grief and loss in Christian communities in Sumatra, as well as the use of music in peacebuilding and reconciliation among strife-torn Muslim and Christian communities. Rob’s ongoing musical interests and explorations involve mind – body – spirit connections to music in relation to healing, ritual, and collaborative improvisation. Rob is a labyrinth designer and builder.  He attended the Veriditas Summer School at Earthrise in 2017 and completed Advanced Facilitator Training in 2022.  He operates a small landscape design and installation business, enjoys continued exploration with the cello and voice, and frequently collaborates with his wife, Catherine Abbey Hodges.