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Rainbow Gathering

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"Wecome home" is a common greeting at the Rainbow Gathering.

Rainbow Gatherings are freeform gatherings of individuals who come together on public lands with an expressed desire to espouse the ideas of peace, love, freedom and community while trying to live free from ideals of mainstream popular culture, capitalism and mass media. Many people who attend rainbow gatherings refer to mainstream culture as "Babylon", connoting the "Rainbow Family of Living Light" self-declared participants widely held belief that modern lifestyles and systems of government are unhealthy and out of harmony with the natural systems of planet Earth. In the United States, these gatherings generally take place on National Forest lands, citing rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to peaceful assembly though other alternative gatherings may also be held in State Forests and on privately owned properties. The gathering's greeting to new arrivals is "Welcome Home" and "We Love You!".

Gatherings traditionally takes place from New Moon to New Moon with a silent prayer for world peace and a celebration on the Full Moon. The most notable Rainbow Gatherings are the US National Gathering, which differs from what has become the traditional method of gathering. This annual gathering “officially” takes place from July 1 - 7 every year, but many come up to a month earlier to set up and stay up to a month later to clean up and perform ecosystem restoration. Other smaller Gatherings are held at other times of the year and in different places throughout the United States and the rest of the world. The first gathering was in 1972 and took place partly on private land offered for temporary use, and partly on National Forest land in Colorado. This was intended to be a onetime event. However, people liked it so much that gatherings continued to happen annually on federal lands, each year in a different state. The length of the gathering has since expanded beyond the original four-day span.

Rainbow Gatherings are an open invitation to people of all walks of life, all beliefs, to share experiences, love, dance, songs, food and learning, celebrating human oneness.

History

One of the first Gatherings occurred in San Francisco in 1969. Two gatherings happened in 1972, in April, 'A Gathering of The Contact Tribe' in Missouri and in July, the 'World Family Gathering' in Colorado.

Legend of a Hopi Prophecy

In 1972, the first fully recognized Gathering of the Rainbow Family of Living Light was held in America. A rumor spread among Rainbow People that their gathering was recognized by the elders of the Hopi people as the fulfillment of a Hopi prophecy. The legend of recognition in native prophecy endured among Rainbow people, even though Michael I. Niman's 1996 book People of the Rainbow, A Nomadic Utopia traced the supposed Hopi prophecies to a 1962 evangelical book titled Warriors of the Rainbow by William Willoya and Vinson Brown. [1][2][3]

Guiding Principles

File:Rainbow Gathering peace prayer.jpg
Gathering peace prayer

Core principles

The Rainbow Family of Living Light was founded on certain principles which include:

Every peaceful person is welcomed to attend and participate. Rainbow family participants often call the circle "Family" out of respect and as a sense of common kinship. Gatherings promote shared "traditions" of love for the Earth, and prayers for peace.

Food and water are freely provided, although if one can contribute to the effort, (through materials, labor or monetary donation), it is appreciated. As the Rainbow sayings go, 'Everyone does a little so no one does a lot' and 'If you see a job to do, it's yours'.

One of the wry things rainbows have as a principle is that they are the 'largest non-organization of non-members in the world'. The Rainbow Family is a non-organization (known within as a disorganization). There are no leaders, no structure, no official spokespersons, and no membership. Instead, the Rainbow Family 'forms community' by gathering and the gathering is called and maintained by informal councils consisting of any attendee who wishes to be part of that council. These open councils strive to be non-hierarchical and egalitarian. Most daily operations, (including security and maintenance), are handled through co-operation, consensus and self-sufficiency.

Although each event is more or less anarchic, some guidelines have been reached out of respect through the consensus process. Items which are strongly discouraged at gatherings include firearms and alcohol. Other items are also discouraged, including radios, tape players, sound amplifiers, and power tools. Some people who attend the Rainbow Family Gatherings wish to prohibit pets, particularly dogs, which they see as both a nuisance and a potential danger to others as well as wildlife, and each other. But dogs are rather ubiquitous at large gatherings. Along with the Rainbow Family's lack of authority to supersede U.S. laws that govern National Forest lands, widespread resistance by their owners and other supporters have hindered any efforts thus far to suggest a ban. Also, many Rainbow Gathering participants, (particularly those who may not have a permanent residence), feel they need to bring their companion animal(s) since they do not have a place to board them; this is tolerated so long as they control their companion animals, clean up after them, and show generally good stewardship.

Creativity and Spirituality

One of the central features of the U.S. Gathering is the ceremony on the Fourth of July ("Interdependence Day"). On that day, many Rainbow Family members traditionally spends the morning in complete silent meditation. A peaceful silence settles over thousands of people in the wilderness, and the Family gathers around a central location (often a "peace pole"), in a huge circle holding hands in silence. Then around noon,the entire group begins a collective "Ohhmmm" which is ended with a whoop and a celebration,a parade of children comes from the Kiddie Village, singing and dancing into the middle of the circle. Often, fresh fruit is brought in for the celebration, which lasts for hours.

Many spiritual traditional are represented, often with their own kitchen, from Hare Krishnas to Orthodox Jews to many varieties of Christianity and much more. Also, creative events are constantly organized by whomever wants to organize them, such as variety shows, campfire singing, fire-juggling, and large or small art projects. At one gathering, a group of about 50 people worked for a full day to carry in an upright piano and create a riverside, candlelight piano lounge. At another, someone designed a maze built of sticks with sheets arranged between them. At yet another, someone built a hot shower heated by a radiator over a campfire that was kept oxygenated by a bicycle hooked up to a vacuum cleaner in reverse.

Non-Commercialism

Trading Circle

Rainbow Gatherings are non-commercial. There are no entry fees. All workshops and activities are free. There are no paid organizers, although there are volunteer focalizers who are crucial to setting up the gathering site. This means that everything that goes on at a Rainbow Gathering, from digging communal latrines to creating beautiful communal kitchens to ceremonials happens because people voluntarily offer their time and energy to create those things. There is always something to be done and everyone is asked to contribute to help the Gathering flow smoothly. Experience has shown that when only a few people are "putting in" the gathering struggles even to maintain its basic aspects. When everyone "puts in" their little bit, the Gathering reflects the incredible splendor and magical diversity of the Rainbow Tribes empowered.

Aside from taking up collections for essential items, there is generally no exchange of currency,but in the last few years, money is being used to purchase things there. There are some attendees who would prefer that a Magic Hat not even be used for collections and a return to coming self-sufficient. If everyone brings a little there is always enough for everyone. The preferred method of acquiring goods is by trading with other attendees. Trades can be initiated at any time, but there are often designated areas called "trade circles". Here people set up the goods they have to offer while others walk through and potentially trade for what they need or want. Anything can be traded, from a small amount of tea to handmade jewelry to clothing, etc. Goods that are essential to life in the woods are usually valued more highly than pretty trinkets or excessive comforts. Selling of items has been found to happen in trading circle and is highly discouraged.

Attendees of the gatherings are often organized by common interest into camps, for example "Kiddie Village" is where attendees with children camp out. Towards the entrance of the site is "Bus Village" where those with live-in vehicles park and camp. Alcohol is frowned upon at the gatherings because of the tendency for intoxicated people to become violent. At some gatherings there is an "A-Camp," usually located near the front gate, where those who need to drink alcohol can stay. Each camp may take on a specific duty to help keep the gathering running smoothly. Some camps serve as kitchens and prepare meals, some as makeshift doctor’s offices, while others pick up trash around the site or roll and distribute cigarettes to anyone who needs one. These camps adopt catchy names, such as "nic-at-night" for those that provide cigarettes. While alcohol is strongly discouraged, mind expanding drugs such as psycedelics and marijuana are used by some people. They are sometimes given as gifts to people or camps who are working to complete some needed activity. It is important to note that drugs are not taken merely recreationally, but as part of a spiritual journey or vision quest. However, hard drugs such as crack and heroin are discouraged because they often harm a person and rarely enlighten the user in any way. But are sold in the gathering.

Kitchens

Another important aspect of non-commercialism is the food. There are two communal vegetarian meals served daily - breakfast and supper, and there are snacks and drinks about in between for whoever is in the right place at the right time. Everyone comes and creates a circle at these times to share communion together as a big extended family. The food is openly shared with everyone who comes. Afterwards the "magic hat" is passed around the circle to gather donations. The monies are collected, then passed to the Banking Council, then used to purchase food and provide for other basic necessities such as water, cooking pots, tarps, sign materials, etc. It should be noted that this majic hat money left over at the end of the gathering has been known to disappear.Twofeathers 00:54, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Talking circles

Talking circles are a feature of the egalitarian nature of gatherings. Each participant in the circle talks in turn, all the others present listening in silence. A ceremonial stick or feather is passed from person to person around the circle to mark their role as the speaker. If they don't wish to speak, they may hold or pass the stick in silence. Talking circles may be general (such as those following meal circles in international gatherings), or may be called for a specific purpose (scout's council, brother's circle, sister's circle, heart circle, vision circle, shanti sena circle, elder's council, supply council, magic hat council). Talking circles are effective at allowing the quieter voices to be heard, in a meeting these are drowned out by the quick and the loud.

Shanti Sena

Within the Rainbow Gathering, security, conflict resolution, and emergency situations are handled by the Shanti Sena ("Peace Keepers").

While some individuals make serving as Shanti Sena a personal priority, everyone present at the gathering is encouraged to be prepared to assume the role of Shanti Sena as the need arises. Although lacking formal organization, experienced volunteers of the active Shanti Sena sometimes employ methods to maximize their effectiveness (these include, but are not limited to the use of amateur radio, FRS Radio and GMRS Radio Repeaters, to improve communication, networking, and mobility) both individually and as a group. [4] [5]

Hypothetically, anyone at a Rainbow Gathering can call out "Shanti Sena!" (as a synonym for the more widely recognized "Help!") and swiftly receive assistance from those nearby who are ready and willing to deal with the given situation.

Shanti Sena also sometimes act as liaisons to and observers of law enforcement officers who patrol the Rainbow Gathering, often tracking the movements of police and park rangers through the gathering, and overseeing the interactions between officers and people attending the gathering to ensure that neither group instigates or takes part in illegal or inflammatory confrontations. In some particularly serious situations, Shanti Sena have collaborated with law enforcement officers (although without violating the Gathering's principle of consensus). For example, a wanted murder suspect and gathering regular, Joseph Geibel, was peacefully approached by Shanti Sena and transferred to police custody at the 1998 gathering. [6].

Relations with law enforcement

Police and medics near "trading circle" at the annual U.S. national Rainbow Gathering in West Virginia, 2005

All major American Gatherings are held on National Forest land, which are under the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service, a federal agency. The Forest Service has often tried to prevent the gatherings from taking place or insisted that a group-use permit be signed. The government contends that this is standard practices for large groups wishing to camp on public land and that it is necessary to protect public safety and the local environment. Many participants of the Rainbow family gatherings affirm that the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights give them the right to peaceably assemble on public land and that requiring a permit would violate that basic right by turning it into a privilege to be regulated. Others in the Rainbow Family feel differently about this. Participants also affirm that respect for the land is a basic tenet of their philosophy and allege hypocrisy on the part of the Forest Service because it allows logging, mining, grazing and a host of other interests that run counter to good stewardship of public lands. In recent years, some attendees of the Rainbow Family have illegally signed (allegedly) permits, though this was against the wishes of the popular consensus and done by individuals without consent of other participants. A guiding principle of the Family states that no individual may officially represent the Family as a whole.

The Forestry Service deals with the scale of the US National Rainbow Gathering by assigning a Type 2 National Incident Management Team (NIMT), a distinction usually reserved for wildfires and large natural disasters. Around 40 personnel from the NIMT are assigned, including NIMT members, Forest Service law enforcement officers (LEOs) and resource advisors [7].

An application for a permit for the 2006 United States Annual Gathering was denied. The reasons for denial were that there was "inadequate ingress/egress in case of a large fire" and that a permit would "conflict with existing uses for businesses that have Priority Permits and have activities planned in the area". The Gathering took place anyway. Three "incidents involving aggressive actions toward Forest Service personnel" were reported in a Forest Service press release of June 29, as were two arrests for assault on Forest Service personnel [8] [9]. After fire restrictions were imposed the Forest Service reported they were satisfied with the Gathering's responsible attitude to the fire danger.

The most visible actions of the NIMT were to serve citations for non-permit occupancy (around 300 in 2006) and other legal infringements. At the 2006 gathering the NIMT arranged their own courthouse to hear permit and other matters, mostly resulting in small fines and an undertaking not to return to the National Forest. The same matters heard outside the NIMT court only attracted the fine.

Health

A Rainbow 'brother' waiting in line to fill his water containers at the 2002 Family Gathering in Michigan

Water

Sanitation has historically been a major concern at Rainbow Gatherings. Drinking water is filtered at gatherings, both by small pump filters and large gravity-feed devices. Many of the latter have been improvised by members of the Family.

Although hands, dishes, and surfaces are now routinely sterilized with bleach-wash solution, as long as novice-built water filtration systems are used at Gatherings, there will continue to be a considerable risk of water and food contamination. This is not to say that amateur water filtration systems can not be made safe. Many amateur-designed water filtration systems have been designed to work safely at the Gathering, and work is still being done by a number of participants to improve the safety and quality of water filtration systems through integrating high-tech filters into homemade solutions and promoting a more scientific understanding of water filter design and safety.

C.A.L.M.

C.A.L.M., or the Center for Alternative Living Medicine, is the primary group of healers at Rainbow Gatherings who take responsibility for the health, wellness, medical emergencies and sanitation of those who attend these large gatherings. It is an all volunteer, non-hierarchical group encompassing both mainstream medicine and alternative medicine such as allopathic and naturopathic healing modalities. It is common to find physicians working with herbalists, EMTs helping massage therapists and naturopaths coordinating with Registered Nurses in regards to patient care. C.A.L.M. works closely with Shanti Sena, as they are often the first on the scene in a crisis. There is usually one main C.A.L.M. camp near the inner part of the gathering and smaller first aid stations set up around the Gathering. Even those without medical experience are encouraged to help with things such as gathering water and cooking for the healers, who are often too busy to attend main circle or visit other kitchens. In case of any emergency CALM can be contacted on FRS Channel 3 (no tones, 462.6125mhz UHF) and other site specific radio frequencies.

Gatherings outside the United States

The Québec tipi at the World Gathering in Costa Rica, 2004

Sizable gatherings are routinely held all over the world, in such places as Europe, Canada, and Israel, though the largest Gatherings are still the annual national Gatherings in the US.

Rainbow gatherings outside of the US are usually a little different from the American gatherings. Since they tend to be smaller, there is a much stronger focus on communal living and "family". Most people attend the main circle for a meal and talking circle twice a day, and there is only one main kitchen that supplies food for the whole gathering. The gatherings go for longer, usually for a full moon cycle, starting and ending at the new moon and peaking at full moon, with the seed camp and clean-up adding an extra month to the gathering time. While in the US the gatherings have a strong focus on not signing permits to "uphold the constitutional right to gather" by some, in other countries there often is no such "right" and people gather with more focus on peace, healing and getting closer to nature. There is also a lot more focus on healing and rainbow retreats. Towards the end of a gathering a "vison council" may be called to discuss the timing and location of the next gathering.

Each country or area brings different traditions to Rainbow. For example, cooking gas is seldom used in the US, but is common in Israel since the Gatherings are often in the desert. In most places alcohol is frowned at, but at French gatherings wine is common at dinnertime.

European Gatherings

Many European countries host their own national gathering. In addition to these is an annual European gathering. The first European Rainbow gathering was held in 1983 in a Ticino valley (Val Campo), Switzerland. The 2005 European gathering was held in eastern Germany.

World Gatherings

World Gatherings have been held in Australia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica and Turkey. The 2000 World Gathering in Australia, held on farmland in Boonoo Boonoo State Forest, northern New South Wales, attracted 3000 people at full moon. A world gathering is planned for Thailand in 2006, all using the name world gathering. It should be noted that even tho they use the name World Family Gathering, alot of other gatherings are attended by world travelers. It should be noted that the first four "Rainbow Gatherings" were aptly named World Gatherings too!

Rainbow Retreat

Rainbow Retreats are an extension of Rainbow gatherings. They happen shortly after a rainbow gathering, in a nearby location. They work in a very similar way to the usual gatherings, but with 'retreat' conditions, a strong focus on healing and purification. There are usually periods of fasting and cleansing, group meditation and yoga. Silence is kept through much of the retreat and food is generally raw and very simple. Part of 'retreat conditions' means that participants forgo all drugs for the duration of the retreat, including tobacco, caffeine and sugar.

Alternative Rainbow Gatherings

Rainbow Gatherings have always celebrated freedom of choice, encouraged diversity and have helped inform generations of people about various cultural ideologies and Spiritual beliefs. Over the years these freeform gatherings have spawned several and various same type gatherings to include what might be termed Alternative Rainbow Gatherings. While many of these newer Rainbow Gatherings are still in their infancy, they do share much of the same Spirit, energy and sense of communal reverence. Alternative Rainbow Gatherings may well have had their start early on. Subsequent gatherings beyond the original invitation in 1972 may well be alternatives manifested to recreate the love shared at the first gathering. Certainly there where many people who wanted the gatherings to continue. While all Rainbow Gatherings share some common traditions and popular consensus', it is only proper that different "tribes" celebrate these blessings in different manners. Not all Rainbow Gatherings have the same focuses nor do all gatherings enjoy the same focalizers. It is in this celebration of diversity that in 2003 the "A Gathering of the Tribes" was consented to on the land by individuals who wanted to preserve and continue certain aspects and traditions of the rainbow. These unified / anarchy alternatives give participants an opportunity to experience the gatherings in a more intimate setting and help install Rainbow Family values to a broader spectrum of the populace. Rainbow is many things to many people and it is through participation that the gatherings grow and become.

List of Gatherings

United States Annual & Alternative Rainbow Gatherings

The European Gathering

  • 1983 Switzerland
  • 1984 Switzerland
  • 1986 France
  • 1987 Spain
  • 1988 Spain
  • 1989 Norway
  • 1990 Austria
  • 1991 Poland
  • 1992 Poland
  • 1993 Ireland
  • 1994 Slovenia
  • 1995 Czech Republic
  • 1996 Portugal
  • 1997 Greece
  • 1998 Russia
  • 1999 Hungary (on the path of the solar eclipse of 11 August)
  • 2000 Romania
  • 2001 Croatia
  • 2002 Italy
  • 2003 France (Pyrenees)
  • 2004 Bulgaria
  • 2005 Germany
  • 2006 England

World Gatherings

  • 2000 Australia
  • 2002 Zimbabwe (on the path of the solar eclipse)
  • 2003 Brazil
  • 2004 Costa Rica
  • 2004 Quebec (Turtle Island)
  • 2005 Turkey
  • 2006 Thailand

World Healing Gatherings

  • 2006 Egypt (Sinai)

See also

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