Rock Cairn

Rock cairn in the meadow on top of Long's Peak, Colorado

I don't believe I'll ever think of a rock cairn the same after becoming familiar with the Russian dolmens. Anastassia's explanation of these sacred sites is so vibrant. I get a tingle all the way to the roots of my hair every time I read about her story of the forebears. Although there is a huge difference in structure between a dolmen and a rock cairn, I believe there are cross over concepts.

Some cairns were constructed to act as directional markers which would point the way home or to safety. I've seen these near sacred Native American sites in the U.S. Other cairns might have been placed as a symbol of the spirit of friendship and hope by builders who had been down a path and wanted to mark the way for others to follow--rather like the energetic wisdom and thoughts which circle in the space of the dolmens for visitors to access.

Whether a monolith like Stonehenge or the Russian dolmen or a small cairn of tiny stones, the balancing of the rock is integral to the structure. The mere practice of placing a stone so that the others do not topple is an exercise patience--really a meditation.