july 18, 2015

posted in: photography | 0

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet, and the winds long to play with your hair.”
~ Kahlil Gibran

 

Kate
Kate

There’s a Spiritualist Camp, of sorts, at Sparrow Hawk Mountain near Tahlequah called Sancta Sophia. It was established as a seminary in 1992 by Carol Parrish as part of the Light of Christ Community Church. The location of this church was critical as Sparrow Hawk is believed to sit on ley lines where the Earth’s most powerful spiritual forces are at their peak. Ley Line sites are sacred to those who subscribe to ancient wisdoms.

 

walking the labyrinth
walking the labyrinth

 

Around Sancta Sophia was built a community of believers, and between their homes and the church they built a labyrinth. Labyrinths are meant to be used (walked) as a means of spiritual transformation. Ancient in their use, the labyrinth has been making somewhat of a comeback among more mainstream Christian denominations. They are meant to inspire one toward introspection, bringing one closer to God with each step.

 

cross as water tower
cross as water tower

 

Though the teachings of Sancta Sophia are admittedly “esoteric,” the church is Christ based, as is the case with most spiritualist churches. In keeping with Christian tradition, they built their camp’s water tower in the form of a cross. I’m told the first version wasn’t well designed and the arms fell off when filled with water. I don’t know where the stairs are supposed to lead. Angie calls them “the stairs to nowhere.” Fair enough.

 

yogini
yogini

 

Kate Michael Gibson lives, and has a small farming operation, on Sparrow Hawk Mountain near the church. She even worked for a time for Carol Parrish. She’s also on the road to becoming a yogini, itself a means of spiritual enlightenment, not to mention great physical abilities. I’ve known Katie for 25+ years, when she was just a young girl living with Angie well before the 2 Pony Ranch existed. I used to help her with school projects, and take her to Taco Bell when I was in town from traveling the country playing music. It was Katie who first made me realize I was aging, since she’s the closest thing to a child I’ll ever have. I love her for that and so many other things. She’s a hard worker, and works equally hard to become a better, more spiritually attuned woman every day. I couldn’t be prouder.

 

core family
core family

 

It was an honor to have Katie take Angie and I around the camp, and to walk the labyrinth with her boyfriend, Ben, for my lens. What a beautiful time I had with these people I love so much. Any time I get to spend with them is just icing on life’s cake.

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