Rites weekend: Some moments (and outtakes)

[hess42]

Truly, I have no idea how to distill the experience of last weekend's Rites of Passage event at Diana's Grove into anything resembling a coherent narrative. There are just too many images filling my mind and my heart. The culmination of the weekend was Saturday night's ritual, and the processing I'm doing from that is still ongoing to an extent

Comments

[hess42]

The body-check was all right, but I'd have to say that my favorite part was when the New World collapsed and everyone cried. Good times, good times.

Actually, my favorite part might have been when Laurie came in with the challenge of death and loss and started with, "Don't stand up too quickly." I remember thinking, "Well, yes, okay, that would have been a more effective way to stop the stampede." A really interesting awareness of the difference between knowing what needed to be done and knowing how to do it. :)

[zylch]

I totally missed the body check to RvH -- but that might be because I was still distracted by almost getting hit on the head by the curtain rod ;)

(Really, it was a good and insightful ritual. I think I took it in a completely different direction than the team intended -- but that's not unusual for me.)

[hess42]

Really, I think your ritual experience might have been improved by actually being hit. I find that our team's approach truly carries more emotional impact once you've been concussed.

Okay, maybe that's not the best approach after all.

[firedancer_ny]

So fun to get the "inside scoop"!

Oh yeah, the curtain. I noticed it when it happened, but quickly forgot all about it, b/c the ritual was MUCH MORE absorbing and memorable.

I was one of those people who got up, good little IPP'er that I am. I wasn't actually personally ready to get up, but I was trying to do my duty to model what is supposed to happen now........oops! I don't remember what you said, but I remember it being smooth and non-shaming.

Overall, Friday night's ritual was powerful and meaningful for me. I very much liked having the physical weight of the rocks to match the weight of the challenges, and I was grateful to be given the chance to release that weight. It was also good to hear that the challengers in my head are universal, that they don't just speak to me, that I am "normal" for feeling so challenged.

Really, great idea and great manifestation of that idea. Thank you!

I look forward to hearing about your ass-kicking!

[joy_walker]

Honestly, I noticed neither the body check nor the falling curtain. I thought it was a pretty awesome ritual, is all. (I did notice your "but not yet" after Robin spoke, so I was paying *some* attention.)

Ooopss

[otterdancing]

Guess I got so caught up in the moment...I know that is a big surprise for everyone...I didn't realize I hadn't made the WAIT THERE IS MORE part clear at all. Sorry...pied piper and all that...

Re: Ooopss

[hess42]

Sorry? What are you talking about, "sorry"? You were awesome. And besides, you can't help it if you simply draw people to you like moths to a flame. ;)

Re: Ooopss

[shauna_aura]

LOL...wish I could have seen it. I love seeing how people deal with the "oops!" moments.

Heh, while you guys were in your ROP ritual, I was leading a group in Iowa City. We'd lit a cauldron fire inside of a park shelter (windows/doors/heated) but the windows had no coverings. We were invoking Hestia and I noticed the park district's truck going past, so I "smoothly" (read, not smoothly at all) said something about how we needed to invoke Hestia in the dark as there might be people who didn't want us to have such a big fire. I put out the cauldron fire really fast until the truck was gone then relit it.

Ritual adventures; love them! :D I especially wish I could have witnessed J bodychecking RvH. Priceless.