Brigit Rest

Black Earth Institute

Connecting earth, spirit and society through the arts

Black Earth Institute is based at Brigit Rest, a farm in southwestern Wisconsin. Fellows and Board Members hold group meeting there annually in fall (Fellows) and spring (Board). Individual retreats occur throughout the year as well.

Natural History of Brigit Rest

The 22-acre farm called Brigit Rest, after the Celtic goddess/Christian saint, is located in Wisconsin's Driftless area, so called because the last four glacial periods did not affect the region. The topography is dramatically different than the rest of the Midwest, representing an island of much older land in the plains.

Brigit Rest is near the ancient Indian trail between the Four Lakes (Madison) area and Blue Mounds, then to the mining area near Mineral Point and down to the Mississippi. The trail across the land may have been used by Mound builder culture peoples for as long ago as one thousand years. During the Black Hawk war in 1832, after Black Hawk's partial victory at the battle of Wisconsin Heights about 10 miles to the north, the Iowa militia marched through. Army records that describe the intersection warn against descending down into the ravines due to the dangers of brambles and rattlesnakes. The old road still exists on the property, cutting through a circle of trees that represent all the letters of the ancient Celtic tree alphabet.

To the south, Blue Mounds can be seen clearly. In legends of the Hotcak (Ho-chunk) Nation, Blue Mounds was called Wihagadja or "the place of the second born daughter." It is said that Earthmaker sat on a rock outcropping and looked over the land. When the Hotcak Nation lived in and around Blue Mounds, Earthmaker's smoke would lie horizontally if he were happy and rise straight up if he were not. Now the blue haze only rises straight up.

In addition to the Celtic Tree Circle, several other areas for meditation and creativity exist on the land. A grove of pines provides shade all year round as well as coolness in the summer. At the base of the hill below the house, a massive hickory tree spills its nuts every fall on a table placed for writing or picnicking; documents tell of this hickory tree being a destination in the 19th century for nut gatherers. Further down the hillside is the largest white oak tree in the township, perhaps in the county. An old seedling apple growing beside a sinuous "snake" of limestone has been dubbed "Eve's Bower" and is a fine place for hiding away. A large butternut grove provides ample nuts each fall as well as dappled shade through the summer.

Nearer the house, large organic vegetable beds provide much of the household's food. A vineyard has been established with Native American, French-American and some vinifera vines; wine from the vineyard is anticipated in 2009. Beside the house, a small pool and a fire circle provide a location for outdoor meetings and enjoyment.