Cedar Dreams Fountain Projects

At our annual New Year’s dinner in February of 2006, members of the Seattle Guild brainstormed ideas for a new service project. We explored possibilities for group clearing work, and one interesting idea related to intersections or areas in the city with histories of traffic accidents. We also talked about community projects relating to water, such as those inspired by The Fountain International Project.

Our ideas came together when member Jane Brisbin discovered a possibility for our own “Fountain Project.” Jane lives in Edmonds, a lovely town situated on Puget Sound, 15 miles north of Seattle.  At the center of downtown Edmonds is a roundabout with a central fountain installation. The intersection has a pronounced history of traffic accidents. The most severe in 2005 actually destroyed the entire fountain.  In early 2006 the city was in the process of recreating the fountain.

We wondered what underlying energetic influences were contributing to the ongoing pattern of difficulties at the site. Since the roundabout is located at the energetic heart of the city, we also understood the potential for the fountain to become a beneficial power spot for the entire area.

Our project unfolded over a couple of years, and included research on the history of the site, creating a proposal for the local arts and business organizations, group energy clearing, community education, and a public blessing ceremony.

We first researched the history of the land, settlement, use, and traffic patterns. The history of the roundabout showed a definite pattern of conflict. Repeated traffic accidents occurred at the site, and the central installation had actually been destroyed and replaced twice in the last ten years. 

At the same time we planned a group site visit. We met early on a Sunday morning, when the area was relatively quiet. Each member conducted their own diagnostic. We agreed on a variety of disturbances including a crossing of earth lines, imprinted energies from various accidents, and disturbed ancestral energies (this area was settled by Native Americans before it became a logging and fishing town in the 1800’s). These energetic obstructions were magnified by a large two-color pinwheel pattern in the pavement circling the fountain, intended to emulate a jagged saw wheel as a reference to the city’s logging history.  This spiral pattern greatly intensified the energy of the circling cars. All of these factors combined to create a strong vortex of disruptive, even chaotic energies.

Based on our research and diagnosis we recognized the value we could offer to the community. The fountain clearly held the potential to become a beneficial power spot. The difficult history and current use of the roundabout were not allowing this potential to be realized.

We felt strongly that the best long term solution would be to remove vehicle traffic and convert the roundabout and fountain to a pedestrian-only area. In our research, however, we learned that the Downtown Merchant’s Association was definitely opposed to a pedestrian core. We made the decision to move forward anyway and we developed a plan to improve the given situation with a project that could be more readily accepted. At the same time we held the clear intention for the long term possibility of pedestrianization of the area.

The next step was to receive approval for our project. We created a brochure, outlining our project and the services we were offering to provide. We met with representatives from the local arts commission as well as the Downtown Merchant’s Association. Our project proposal was met with enthusiasm and we moved forward.

The next phase was to clear and harmonize the existing energies. In June of 2007 we conducted a group clearing and healing session. We met on an early Sunday morning and each member contributed with their own methods. We closed with a group blessing and then shared our experiences. 

To support the healthy energy of the site, we created a healing intention. We were inspired by Fountain International, a world-wide community healing project based on the simple concept of healing communities through group focus and intention. Guild member April Martin composed the following healing intention for the Edmonds Fountain:

From my heart, I send peace, love and healing
to the fountain at the heart of
the Edmonds roundabout.

I see the fountain as a heart of healing
for all who pass by, and for the
entire Edmonds community.

I intend this now, in to the future, and through all time,
with benefit to all and harm to none.

The culmination of the project was a public blessing ceremony in October of 2007.  The goal of the public ceremony was to share the healing intention and increase awareness of the fountain as the energetic heart of the community.  We printed the intention with an invitation to the ceremony on flyers and postcards and displayed them in surrounding businesses. We also submitted an article to the local paper explaining our project and inviting the public to attend the ceremony.

Our ceremony coincided with the weekly Farmer’s Market, located at the fountain roundabout. We spent the morning distributing postcards with the healing intention. The blessing ceremony began at noon with a welcome and introduction. Next we led a simple meditation and water blessing ceremony, and finally everyone together spoke the healing intention.  It was a powerful day and wonderful to experience the enthusiastic support and appreciation from the community.

As we know, the effects of Feng Shui unfold over time. The most recent update to our project came this past summer, when the local newspaper published a front page article proposing a vehicle-free downtown pedestrian core, to be centered at the fountain roundabout and extending one block in each direction. This was precisely our initial recommendation and the intention we set for the best possible solution at this site! Most importantly, the article began by saying that the proposal has the support of many of the local business owners. There is also discussion to integrate music and arts and children’s activities. What a lovely vision for the heart of a city.

This project was rewarding for our group on many levels.  It was inspiring to have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other. It is wonderful now to see the positive results unfolding in the community. We are happy to think that we have contributed to the healthy evolution of this city center.
 

By Beth Schermer, Seattle Chapter Director
email:  beth@fundamentalfengshui.com