I wanted to create a space in the garden for contemplation of what is painful in life. Gardens to me, sometimes feel like these extra-ordinary , falsely contrived paradises, where everything is prefect, where there are no weeds, and where people walk around smiling. All that is very nice, and I must say that I love going to the Botanical Garden and reveling in it’s perfect beauty.
But my garden is a sacred place, and a place of transition and transformation. Here I honor life in all it’s phases, in all of the seasons, both beautiful and harsh. Here I honor love and joy, pain and sorrow.
I have a special place to meditate and commune with the land spirits and with the Fey, I have a space to celebrate and dance and drum in joy and companionship. I also need a space to experience paid and sorrow, stillness and solitude. This place I have named The Garden of Pain. Here, I leave my pain and failure, my sorrow and my worries.
I walk upon the path through the exceptionally thorny Rosa Rugosas and contemplate that which pains me; I walk the path as the thorny branches of the Locust and Russian Olive reach out and catch my clothing, reminding me to stop and not proceed through so quickly.
Here I leave my tears for the Fey and for the Roses to feed upon.
The beginning
The stones are being placed in the middle of the sanded walkway because I am planning to add a mixed media design around the central walk way, on both sides.
The materials will be in congruent and installed over time as they are discovered or acquired.
Turning the corner was difficult, the large stones had to be cut with the tile saw so the corner could be accomplished.
On the right, the two sections end 2′ before the dry river bed stones. Eventually, there will be a bridge here to connect the sections while allow-ing overflow from the pond and/or water feature to move through the GoP and into the main dry river bed drainage system.
These stepping stones bring you into the Garden of Pain. Some will hop-scotch their way in, while others will spend time walking from Sephira to Sephira.
Brian built this simple arch way/trellis to support the gate and the Jasmine vine that is planted on either side of the gate.
Phase 1 complete, more to come.
Welcome dears, Come on in, soak the sand with all your tears,
prick a finger on the thorns, and bring an offering the path adorn.