For our 2014 summer solstice celebration, we created a large sun dial in the center of the dragon garden. It’s a 6′ diameter circle of concrete, with sun ray shaped pieces of red flagstone (which I got for free from the scrap bin at Bedrock Landscaping), blue glass bubbles to create the sky around the sun, and coins and trinkets which were brought by those who worked on the project.
The process of mixing, pouring and leveling the concrete was really intense. even with close to 20 people helping it took us two hours or really fast-paced work.
We had to press the flagstone pieces in with our feet and event a rubber mallet.
Many wonderful rituals have been held in this space, using the sun dial as the center altar.
Over time though, the glass bubble beads kept popping off. I glued them back a couple of times and then I decided to try to find some way to seal the entire surface so it would last longer and not loose it’s smaller pieces. I thought the sealer would also help to reduce some of the unevenness between the stones.
I found a solution which is used to make pavement out of gravel. It forms a hard, clear, smooth surface. I thought this would be perfect! Not so much. As you can see from the picture, it bubbled and turned into a 1/2″ think foaming, sticky topping like marshmallow.
After 6 hours of trying to scrape it off, over a three day period, I had to give up and then deal with my defeat, and the destruction of this very special feature in the garden.
All the love and energy of all those who worked on creating this piece; all the love and energy of all those who have stood on it during ritual, sat on it under the dark sky and meditated; danced around it in joy and laughter – gone.
In my sorrow and my anger at myself, I took to it with a sledge hammer. Well, I got in about 3 strikes before I realized that this 5″ of concrete is not coming out under the strength of one small woman, no matter how determined or pissed off. I had to hire someone to jackhammer it out. OMG – what an un-ceremonial end.
The sun dial was eventually replaced by a plain slab of concrete. I may get around to painting it. I need to forgive myself first.