CAMP NEW FOREST

CAMP NEW FOREST
"The overabundance of the rational mind
prevents us from experiencing the awe of Life...
from the Mystery of Death, to the simple colors of an Autumn Forest."
Einstein, 1947

In the Winter of 2010, New Forest Enterprises purchased a mountainside property in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in central New York State.

The land was acquired as a working extension of New Forest Centre, a specialized place which would be utilized for training purposes by those working under NF apprenticeship programs.

This we named CAMP NEW FOREST.

This new piece of real estate was painstakingly chosen for its unique combination of spiritual and physical properties; in fact, local legend records that the site was once the location of an Iroquois 'healing lodge,' and the natural spring (Artesian Well) found there was believed by both Native Americans & locals, to possess rare curative properties.

During the process of 'rebuilding' the well-housing, at least 3 distinct phases of habitation were uncovered: the first in stone, the second in wood, and the third (ca. 1830-1850) in striated iron piping. For our part, it was decided to restore the well exterior with local stone. In the IMAGE BANK section to follow, several shots of the well can be seen. Water analysis done through Home Depot, revealed an unusually high concentration of Iron and rare trace minerals such as Magnesium Sulfate & Zinc Fluoride .

But, above all, it was the Trees which identified the land as a worthy complement to New Forest Centre.

On last count, Camp New Forest had 11 [Ogham] Oracle Trees within its boundaries! For all those acquainted with the difficulty of locating such a tree within walking distance, this is a remarkable statistic in itself, indicative of the highly active system of Ley Lines which underscores the property.

The IMAGE BANK section to follow, contains photos of many different varieties found across the Mountain.

CAMP NEW FOREST was purchased from a life-long (octogenarian) resident of the region, who had one highly unusual legend to recount concerning the property.

On the far Eastern boundary, is to be found an almost perfectly circular mound of stones, (some 15-feet in diameter and 5-feet tall), with a single Shagbark Hickory tree growing exactly from its top center. Upon first sight, it appears to be artificial--- which it indeed turned out to be!
According to local accounts, the stone pile bears the name, "The Son Mump..." or just the "The Mump." (A 'mump' is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning small hill or ridge). The local town historian was able to supply these further details:

"According to legend, an Iroquois hunting party was camped one Autumn at the lodge by the well, at the very roots of the Mountain. There were about twenty deer hunters present, including the Chief and his Son, who were hoping to replenish their tribe's venison larders before Winter set in. Just before dark, the Chief's Son and some of the younger braves, were boastfully firing arrows to determine who was the better shot--- when an arrow misfired and ricocheted off a Hickory tree, killing the Chief's Son. The party consulted the spirits, and it was decided that the unfortunate young man should be buried where he fell, so the Chief ordered that a stone mound be erected to mark his grave. Ever since that time, a Hickory tree has prominently grown on the mump, as can (quite remarkably) be seen to this day."

During exploration of the lower Eastern slope of the Mountain, the remnants of a Stone Circle some 12-feet in diameter were found in a central clearing devoid of larger trees. Upon closer inspection, a 3-foot pile of smaller stones was unearthed at the exact center of the larger ring, which we took to indicate a fire pit or perhaps an altar of some type.

Using the original stones, we rebuilt the structure as close as possible to what appeared to be the original design. Who built the circle, or when, is unknown--- neither the former owner nor the town historian could supply details, although the circular remains were known to two neighbors who were long-time hunters across that area.

It certainly seems conceivable that the stone circle might have been constructed nearby the Iroquois lodge as a bonfire site, cooking area, or even some kind of ritual monument. Due to this uncertainty factor, it was decided that, during our own "New Forest occupation," the re-constructed circle would serve in each and every capacity that necessity might demand.

Although the principal goal of Camp New Forest was to maintain a tract of land as pristine from development as possible, admittedly, there was a second motive involved.

Our founder, Douglas Monroe, had become increasingly eager to procure a 'remoter' tract of land as a get-away-spot for himself, farther from the busyness that New Forest Centre has become since he first purchased it in 1990.

And so, since acquiring our new property, a cozy cabin has been built on the exact site of the old Iroquois Healing Lodge by the Well--- which we all now affectionately call, "Cottage Douglas..." a haven for research, writing & receiving special visitors whenever he is home in the United States.