Ritual Encounters
As part of Cycle 4, and in the sacrificial and playful spirit that we have been bringing to this work so far, I would like to begin to experiment with some ritual encounters to help us explore the shared space we are building here. This thread will be a place to plan, decide, and reflect asynchronously on any ritual encounters that take place during the cycle.
Poll Created Wed 27 Oct 2021 2:14PM
Invitation: Sharing Darkness Closed Thu 4 Nov 2021 1:05PM
Thanks, everyone, for weighing in on this proposal. It seems like there is general interest but a couple of things that still need to be sorted out before this is ready to happen.
1) @Ronen Hirsch and @Josh Fairhead expressed discomfort with the time. I chose it because it coincides with the darkest hour in the monthly lunar cycle---in other words, when the "new moon" is "newest". I will follow up with an hour-by-hour time poll to discern when people would be available within a 24-hour period around this time, since I'm not attached to doing it at that particular moment.
2) Invoking the idea of "ritual" brought about some requests for clarification about what exactly would be happening during this time, and why. I will articulate this in more detail in a subsequent proposal.
Happy New Moon, friends!
In the sacrificial and playful spirit we've been working with thus far, I am proposing to convene a ritual gathering for the crew from 7-8 am UTC on December 4th, 2021. This aligns with the December new moon, one of the darkest times on the astrological calendar. (It will also be in the middle of the night for those of us on Turtle Island). Although the details of the ritual remain to be worked out, and I welcome collaboration on those in advance of the gathering, my intention is for this to support us in exploring our intentions for Cycle 4 and to nurture whatever seeds are germinating in the space of our work together. I also imagine it as the first in a series of ritual encounters that will play out over the space of 13 subsequent lunations, through the new moon on December 23, 2022. Of course, this may or may not actually happen! So this is just to see if folks are open to the first one. A note about voting: If you would like for this to happen and are able to attend at that time, please vote "Agree". If you would like for it to happen but will be unable to attend, please vote "Abstain". If you do not wish to participate, but are open to it happening in your absence, please vote "Disagree". If you object to the proposal for any reason, please vote "Block".
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Agree | 66.7% | 4 |
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| Abstain | 16.7% | 1 |
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| Disagree | 16.7% | 1 |
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| Block | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 0% | 0 |
6 of 6 people have participated (100%)
Jennifer Damashek
Wed 27 Oct 2021 2:14PM
Alex, thank you so much for offering ritual encounters. I am strongly drawn to participate and help plan, even though it means getting up at 3 AM on December 4th. 馃檪 Having experienced the power of group rituals, I think this could positively effect the cohesiveness of the crew and our work together.
Toni Blanco
Wed 27 Oct 2021 2:14PM
Big Yes.
Ronen Hirsch
Wed 27 Oct 2021 2:14PM
Thank you for this container Alex.
I have mixed feelings about rituals. I am suspicious of rituals when they are performed superficially. I am wary of rituals when they carry unspoken assumptions that can alienate and cause subconscious harm. Yet I recognize the potential of ritual if construed and performed well. You can say that the entire first part of my day is an extended ritual.
I am open to the date but not passionate about the time. I'm curious why you chose this time. I think sleep itself s a precious ritual. For me, your proposed time collides with my established practice ritual. I can be flexible with this, but I feel it needs to be for a good reason ... and I'm not yet clear about what the reason is in this case.
I am marking the date (and time) and look forward to seeing what unfolds.
Robert Damashek
Wed 27 Oct 2021 2:14PM
I am interested in experiencing this encounter and then seeing what follows.
Josh Fairhead
Wed 27 Oct 2021 2:14PM
I'm open to it happening but for me its at a time that I don't wish to convene at (too early by my standards). I'm also unsure what the ritual represents other than a meeting and I'm trying to minimise those (unless given good reason). If you do go ahead with this, I can introduce you to a number of lunatics who may wish to gather. I don't want to block this as I wish you/it success; I just don't feel inclined to participate right now. With more details this may change provided they feel important to tend to and speak to me.
Josh Fairhead Sun 31 Oct 2021 11:24AM
Oh yeah, standard terminology. At one point I was filling in my occupation as "sense-maker/lunatic" until I got bored with the theme, I know a number of people using the moon as a narrative device. Seems to have been a pattern of history fwiw: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Society_of_Birmingham
Jennifer Damashek Mon 1 Nov 2021 1:54AM
Well, that's fascinating history, thank you @Josh Fairhead. It's funny how the same word and the same topic has such different meanings for different people. For you, a lunar ritual encounter seems to be associated with social and networking meetings of (from what I can tell) mostly men.
For me, a lunar ritual encounter evokes feminine energy and ancient rituals arising from the connection to the usually invisible, but most definitely real, influence and power of the moon on our lives and on our environment.
This leaves me with a curiosity about how this crew would manifest a lunar ritual encounter. I like the words "playful spirit." Whatever happens, it won't be taken too seriously. 馃檪
Josh Fairhead Mon 1 Nov 2021 11:18AM
Your welcome for the link but honestly I don't associate gender with the moon (identity politics), though I do associate various archetypes/energies with it. I was just pointing at an example of people using it as a signalling device with a nice historical anecdote I was once sent by Maija as I thought you'd enjoy it.
Something in this response however, probably the words "defiantly real", screams loudly at me that a lunar narrative is a bad idea and brings up a good deal of anxiety. For the moment I currently desire to leave this thread, its hard to pin point exactly why but words as strong as those in support of a(ny) narrative really puts out my flame.
Jennifer Damashek 路 Sat 30 Oct 2021 2:04AM
I have to say, this made me laugh so hard (from @Josh Fairhead): "If you do go ahead with this, I can introduce you to a number of lunatics who may wish to gather."