Comments on: The question of safety http://gleewood.org/threshold/2009/10/23/the-question-of-safety/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:41:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: thoughts from a threshold » Blog Archive » The question of safety: part two, planning and running an event http://gleewood.org/threshold/2009/10/23/the-question-of-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-865 thoughts from a threshold » Blog Archive » The question of safety: part two, planning and running an event Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:53:28 +0000 http://gleewood.org/threshold/?p=854#comment-865 [...] of my post on ritual safety from the organiser/priestess/etc. point of view, (part one, focusing on the participant point of view is over here.) I should note my experience here: besides priestessing for various and assorted [...] [...] of my post on ritual safety from the organiser/priestess/etc. point of view, (part one, focusing on the participant point of view is over here.) I should note my experience here: besides priestessing for various and assorted [...]

]]> By: Mantelli http://gleewood.org/threshold/2009/10/23/the-question-of-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-860 Mantelli Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:21:57 +0000 http://gleewood.org/threshold/?p=854#comment-860 Training the host group is really key for these events. There need to be volunteers who give up their own ecstatic experience in order to monitor the safety of participants and the integrity of the ritual setting. I've done it more than once myself. I've had to eject addicted tobacco smokers from circles, shush chatterers, escort out the dizzy and nauseated (what, didn't you eat today, kiddo?), and comfort those who were confronting an inner reality that was too strong for them. I've also been to rituals where badly-trained staff censed sage smoke (yes, the allergen-filled artemisia variety) right into the faces of all participants, where they insisted on <B>everyone</b> dancing, and where no non-alcoholic alternatives were offered during Cakes and Ale communions. I've also had people get very shirty toward me when I refused to dance because of asthma problems. I've raised a lot of power over the years, and I know full well that dancing is hardly the only way to raise it, and that not every circle member must take part for the energy to be raised. Fortunately, I have the weight of my experience to lean on, and can keep saying "No" with credibility. It's a lot harder for younger people to refuse. I'm so glad that you're pointing out these hazards. Thank you. Too many idiots in this world! Training the host group is really key for these events. There need to be volunteers who give up their own ecstatic experience in order to monitor the safety of participants and the integrity of the ritual setting. I’ve done it more than once myself. I’ve had to eject addicted tobacco smokers from circles, shush chatterers, escort out the dizzy and nauseated (what, didn’t you eat today, kiddo?), and comfort those who were confronting an inner reality that was too strong for them.

I’ve also been to rituals where badly-trained staff censed sage smoke (yes, the allergen-filled artemisia variety) right into the faces of all participants, where they insisted on everyone dancing, and where no non-alcoholic alternatives were offered during Cakes and Ale communions.

I’ve also had people get very shirty toward me when I refused to dance because of asthma problems. I’ve raised a lot of power over the years, and I know full well that dancing is hardly the only way to raise it, and that not every circle member must take part for the energy to be raised. Fortunately, I have the weight of my experience to lean on, and can keep saying “No” with credibility.

It’s a lot harder for younger people to refuse. I’m so glad that you’re pointing out these hazards. Thank you.

Too many idiots in this world!

]]> By: Tweets that mention thoughts from a threshold » Blog Archive » The question of safety -- Topsy.com http://gleewood.org/threshold/2009/10/23/the-question-of-safety/comment-page-1/#comment-859 Tweets that mention thoughts from a threshold » Blog Archive » The question of safety -- Topsy.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:07:43 +0000 http://gleewood.org/threshold/?p=854#comment-859 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lorie Johnson, Harlee. Harlee said: RT @Sunfell My friend Jenett has some insightful thoughts about ritual safety in the midst of our ceremonial season: http://bit.ly/25hTJH [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lorie Johnson, Harlee. Harlee said: RT @Sunfell My friend Jenett has some insightful thoughts about ritual safety in the midst of our ceremonial season: http://bit.ly/25hTJH [...]

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