Webmaster Welcome
I downloaded this information from another Rainbow site and added the pictures. I'm not real artistic but this should get the point across. The pictures are mine and you are free to copy them. I chose these images to help convey the feel and mood of a gathering so you know what it's all about.
Welcome Home
- Main Rainbow Gathering Web Site
Main Page
- Central Rainbow Page
Welcome Home
The Rainbow Family of Living Light welcomes you to our family gathering. A place where people co operate not compete.
Each year the family holds the Gathering of the Tribes, a totally Free non-commercial sharing of our lives and sacred hearts, in the Cathedral of Nature for the healing of the earth.
There is no authoritarian hierarchy here. It works because each of us takes the responsibility to make it work. Part of that responsibility is a pledge we keep to each other :
Technology
Recent councils have reaffirmed original consensus that the gathering
of the tribes is intended as an opportunity to experiment with
different ways of living. For this reason and others we ask that
firearms, radios, tape decks, electric lights, sound amplification
equipment, chainsaws, and power tools be left at home. All vehicles
stop at the parking lot or bus village.
Dis-Organization
Beware of people who say things like, "I'm in charge!"
We are All leaders of the rainbow. The dishes get done and crappers
get dug because We see to it personally.
Main Gate
When you volunteer for main gate you get to see it all come in.
Parking crew keeps the roads open and gate crew greets the world
with hugs and info. Main gate is where new gatherers first see
RAP 107 (Read and Heed!). All weapons and alcoholic beverages
stop here. All forms of intoxication can be harmful to the spirit
of our gathering. Main gate is where newcomers learn that, in
terms of ideas, they are about to enter "Liberated Territory".
Kitchens
Once you have helped a silent forest glade become a bustling volunteer
kitchen that serves thousands of nutritious Free meals and becomes
a silent glade again you will know what they mean when someone
tells you magic did it! Each person needs their Own cup, bowl,
and spoon. Wash buckets, including a bleach dip prevents the spread
of disease.
Calm/Mash
Center for Alternative Living Medicine. In this wounded world many of our family come to the gathering in need of healing. CALM provides free health care, healing workshops, a woman's center, an herbal apothecary, and counseling to all in need. Look for the large tents. Healers of all kinds are invited to join the staff!
MASH provides field care and an evacuation vehicle. MASH provides
emergency care and volunteer experts who combine gentle natural
remedies that promote the body's natural defenses with standard
medical practice.
Gathering on Public Lands
Our Permit to Gather reads as follows: "Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or
of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble
and to petition the government for redress of grievances."
IGNORE ALL RUMORS OF CANCELLATION!
Council
It is around the council fire that everday questions and the future
of the rainbow are decided. When the conch is blown we assemble
in a circle and, holding hands we seek to treat each other and
the earth with respect.
Consessus
All council decisions are by consensus. This means that action
is taken on an issue only After a clear statement of the proposal
has been read and no one has blocked Consensus. This is why it
is important to be present when issues that concern you are discussed.
Everyone is given an opportunity to speak. A feather is passed
to designate the speaker. We respect the person holding the feather
with silence and attention. When we hold the feather we respect
the council by being short and to the point.
Shanti-Sena
Shanti-Sena means "Peace Center"! There are no "Rainbow
Police". We are secure because we watch out for each other.
We are All Shanti-Sena. Experienced Shanti-Sena hold regular peace
keeping workshops which everyone is encouraged to attend at least
once. Do you know what to do in an emergency?
Magic Hat
At each gathering we have a magic hat. Its magic lies in the miracles
sharing Can do. By combining our resources we can buy in bulk
and use our buying power most efficiently. Magic hat also collects
for consensus projects like All Ways Free, the newspaper. We feed
the multitudes! A banking council appointed by the main council
handles purchases and keeps open books.
Drugs
The rainbow council is in favor of gentle herbal remedies that
promote the bodies natural defences. Chemical intoxication of
any kind is dangerous to the spirit of our gathering.
Silent Circle For Peace and Healing - High Noon! - July 4 Each
year on the fourth we gather at Main Circle and the entire camp
is hushed for an hour of silence. Join us in prayer for the peace
and the healing of the earth! This event is a central focus of
the entire gathering.
Sweats
Experienced volunteers lead native style sweat lodge/sauna baths
for health and pleasure. Sweating re-invigorates you by flushing
built-up toxins from your body. The closeness and fellowship of
the lodge is an opportunity for prayer and song. Don't be afraid
to show up with an armload of firewood. Please don't enter the
lodge with an infectuous dis-ease.
Kid Village
Parents camp around Kid Village. Kid Village has a spring of its
own. The kitchen is supplied with drink and nutritious snacks
around the clock for children and parents. Volunteers and parents
share the responsibility of childcare.
Bus Village
Many of our family are nomads, either part-time or year round.
When a vehicle becomes a home it becomes unique. Bus village is
a small town of unique vehicles. If you live in a bus, park it
here!
Trade Circle
Many of our family work in various crafts and many bring their
best work to show off or to trade for pieces that catch their
eye. The mutual exchange of gifts is encouraged. Money changing
in the temple is not. Our right to gather on public lands depends
on our remaining a non-commerical event!
Info Center
Bullentin boards, notices, information, networking, rides, and a crew of volunteers to deal with rumor control and camp communications.
Workshops
Anyone with a skill may announce a free workshop and post notices
on info center bulletin boards. There is also a time for public
announcements at evening meal.
Scouting Council
The general area of next year's gathering is decided at this year's
Vision Council. Experienced scouts are sent out to inspect dozens
of potential sites. They co-ordinate their activities by contacting
a focalizer for the region and attending Scouting Council in April.
Building the Rainbow Camp
Once a site is chosen, teams move onto the land and begin to mark
trails and develop springs. Main Kitchen is raised and begins
to feed workers. Sanitary trenches are dug and water lines set.
This preparation is necessary to deal with the influx of people
around July 4. As many as 20,000 people have attended at peak.
Howdy Folks Letter
When a site has been chosen the Howdy Folks goes out to focalizers
who copy them and pass them on. The Howdy Folks letter is the
"Official" notice of the site and should have instructions
for finding it and an info phone number.
Clean Up
The gathering runs from July 1-7. Clean up begins the morning of the 8th. Gear and trash are brought in to the center and channeled up the trail to main gate.
WE PICK UP EVERY SCRAP, EVERY LAST CIGARETTE BUTT! All trash is
separated for recycling. Recycling Depots are color coded.
Campsites are dismantled and "disappeared". Paths are broken up and bare spots re-seeded. Potential erosion is banked and trees planted. A clean up kitchen is last dismantled and continues to feed clean up crews until the job is done.
In a year's time you won't be able to tell that a small township of people had lived here for weeks! In all things we walk lightly on the land.
Each year at the national gathering a different Regional Council
undertakes to publish at least two issues of All Ways Free, the
family newspaper, in the coming year. All Ways Free is a totally
open forum to publish the diversity of ideas that makes up the
rainbow. The paper takes stories, letters, poems and art. Rather
than sell subscriptions or advertising space, All Ways Free is
produced by volunteers and supported by personal donation, regional
fund raising activities, and magic hat. You can Earmark part of
your magic hat money for All Ways Free.
The Guide
At the info booth are signup cards for those who wish to be included
in the Rainbow Guide, a networking directory for the use of family
members in contacting each other. The guide is distributed free
but is supported by donation.
Local Gatherings
In order to lessen ecological impact and give more people the opportunity to experience Rainbow the family council is encouraging the formation of Local Councils to hold regional gatherings. Contact your regional focalizer as listed in the Guide. All Ways Frees lists dates and sites.
A Local Council can also be a useful way of addressing local concerns
and issues. Local Councils hold cleanups, drum circles, pot-lucks,
and yard sales. They put energy into shelter for the homeless
free kitchens and tree planting. The Rainbow way of "Hands
On" problem solving gives people of diverse viewpoints an
effective means of co-operating in the healing of the planet.
PEACE Projects
Positive Energy Alternative Community Foundation is an umbrella
for various councils seeking to apply the lessons learned at gatherings
year round. These include peace village - a year round encampment,
the peace fleet of sail ships and the peace caravan. The Guide
lists focalizers and All Ways Free reports progress.
Artists for Peace
A project intended to stimulate and aid the contribution of artists
and crafts-people to the whole. Check All Ways Free for details.
Following is information on the Rainbow Family of Living Light
and pointers on getting more information. This is a work in progress.
Thanks to all on who have provided this info. An up to date list
of gathering and council dates will be posted shortly.
Hot Lines
The Rainbow Guide (Note that the Wisconsin address P.O. Box 29446 is no longer valid.) St Louis, MO 63126-7446
The directory of participants and supporters of the Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes. The names and addresses in it are freely submitted and distributed for our family's benefit. It is always free for those who need it to be. However, if you can send a contribution, every little bit helps. New Issue comes out at the National, this year in New Mexico, in July.
All Ways Free (Note that the Eugene, OR address Rt. 2 Box 84 is no longer valid.) Warrens, WI 54666-9802
Annual Rainbow-oriented publication, independent of Rainbow Family Tribal Council. Lots of info, Lots of Love! All Ways Free, but a donation is All Ways Welcome!
Normal camping stuff (this varies depending on "how"
you camp):
Alcohol: Near the parking area there is a place called
"A-camp". Rainbow says We love the alcoholic, but not the alcohol." Personalities change on alcohol (and hard drugs). Sometimes people can't control themselves as well. Therefore you are respectfully asked to leave the alcohol in A-camp when you hike in to the main gathering space.
Please understand that all of these suggestions are "agreed" upon by consensus. No one is specificaly bound to these
decisions. You are asked however to respect the space of others and the rights of those who _did_ agree to consensus.
With thanks to the hundreds of contributors who wrote this book.
Original Issue June '87 Revised Summer '88 Reconsensed Sprint '89 FAQ created Spring '95 E-Texted Collated Spring '95
Obligatory Disclaimer: I do not speak for Rainbow; I speak only for myself. And that said, COPY FREELY! This Rainbow Mini-Manual is intended to introduce newcomers to the basic technique of "Gathering". It Does Not represent the last word on any subject! The contents of this booklet are designed to "Evolve" with the family and not to become any form of "bible". We can do this by basing its contents on the consensus of our councils and by changing those contents as the consensus changes.
The copy you hold in your hand is a "Generic" Mini-Manual
agreed upon by the Nevada '89 Seed Council. Local councils are
invited to reproduce this booklet for distribution at regional
gatherings. Feel free to add "Site Specific" information,
art, new titles. You may rework the content in any way you please
with the single restriction that if you do, the booklet can no
longer be called a Rainbow Mini-Manual.
Focalizers have been supplied with a "copy original", so they can fill requests for copies. Send along a couple of bucks for costs. The "Mini-Manual" is a Copy Freely publication. This means that it will only be distributed as far as people find it useful to do so, not only does this save one group or individual a burdensome "publication" job but guarantees that very few copies will be printed above what its merit justifies! If everyone runs off twenty or a hundred and sends them off to others who do the same there will soon be enough mini-manuals around so that everyone who needs on can get one.
The Original Mini-Manual was designed to be easily reproducable on two sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Any stock, any means of reproduction! Print both sides, slit lengthwise and collate. With the E-Text version you can Do as You Will, however 17 cpi print at 8 lines per inch, with two columns per side and on both sides of normal paper, will print up to the Rainbow Addresses section on 1 piece of paper, and the rest will print on the front of another piece. HOORAY!
The Map is not the territory-but the map Can teach us new ways to See the territory. The Mini-Manual presents the barest outlines of the process it describes. You must fill in everything else from experience and imagination.
Together, We can create the dance!
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