Community Considerations

We strongly encourage safety and personal responsibility. We do not support unsafe behavior; this includes jumping the fire.

Consider drum etiquette. If a drum is covered, or lying on its side, the drum is resting and is not to be played by anyone other than the owner. If a drum is left upright and uncovered, it is considered to be available for anyone to play with proper respect. We avoid playing drums while wearing rings, since this can damage both the drum and the hands of the player.

Additional space is needed on the outside of the circle for perimeter work, so all resting or "nesting" spaces should be far enough back from the torches so that congestion and noise disruption won't become a problem.

Benches or hay bales are for drummers that are engaged in playing. If we decide to take a break from the front line of drumming, we take our drums with us, to our nests, so there will be room for other players to sit.

The intention is to maintain the magical space and to avoid "splodging" (disrupting) the energy of those who are doing deeper work. We strive to maintain magical space and to avoid mundane chit-chat. Please be mindful of the state a drummer or dancer or singer is in before talking to them, touching them, or offering them food or water. If they don't make eye contact with you, leave them be.

Enter the dance circles at the pace of those already dancing. Be aware of the fire tenders entering with wood and exiting the dance tracks. The dance track closest to the fire moves the fastest. The next ring of dancers moves a little more slowly. The third ring is for rattles and trance dancing and moves even more slowly.

We honor small voices and softer stories with deep listening and focused attention. This includes checking in with eye contact and empowering others, since "every man and every woman is a star."

All are empowered to share the honors of smudging and watering and feeding the fire, to be actively involved in holding space, drumming, singing, and dancing.

Our intention is to keep the energy moving, in a focused, magical way. Keeping the energy moving around the fire will prevent the drummers from getting blocked from the fire.

"Driving the fire" is the term we use for the people who are circling the fire with small rattles, and antlers. The intention is to keep the dancers entranced during times where the rhythm stops or fluctuates. There is always some sonic stimulus occurring, with the exception of moments of sacred silence.

After a period of silence, or an energy crescendo, we need to be very mind-full about what the words are that are spoken into this fertile space. Before you speak, consider if what you are about to say is an improvement over silence.

Avoid making announcements -- sing or speak directions poetically instead of didactically.

"Sacraments," smokable or drinkable, stay outside the torch ring.

Do Your Will