Looks like a consensus was reached.
"We, the individuals assembled at the Rainbow Family of Living Light
vision counsel on the land, day 6, Oregon, July 12th, 2017, invite all
people home to a silent meditation and prayer for peace on July 4th from
dawn until high noon, and to gather from July 1-7, 2018, for the 47th
Annual North American world peace and healing rainbow family gathering
on Turtle Island in the region of the Atlantic Appalachias, from the
Shenandoah mountains through the Chattahoochee forest, in a forest we
have not gathered in before."
To stay tuned on updates for the 2018 gathering, visit the 2018 blog here.
Showing posts with label Gathering Location. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gathering Location. Show all posts
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Friday, June 23, 2017
2017 Site Map
This is a map of the Annual Rainbow Gathering in Oregon for 2017.
Please Click to Enlarge.
Included are the Parking Area, many of the early kitchens and camps,
Main Meadow (in the heart) where Main Council and Dinner Circle happens,
the Information Booth, Kid Village, Handicamp, CALM Medical, etc.
If you would like to print this out before arriving for personal use,
or wish to make copies to pass out to folks on the land, please go to this link and download.
Many thanks to Henry for making this happen!
Friday, June 16, 2017
Caution For Those Driving to Seed Camp
Updated 6/20/17 2:50 p.m. California Time.
RIBBONS: Once on the Site, you will see PINK RIBBONS and GREEN RIBBONS attached to vegetation. The PINK RIBBONS mean STAY OUT. These are areas that are ecologically sensitive and that we want to protect from human disturbance. The blue ribbons signal good creek crossings or access points.
LEO's are sitting on the corner of Grant County Road 63 and Forest Service Road 24. Please read the side bar on this blog for instructions on how to get into the gathering without a mandatory court appearance ticket.
Please note there will be two CATTLE DRIVES in the next few days
on the roads leading to the Gathering Site.
The FIRST CATTLE DRIVE will be on Monday June 19th
on County Road 63, near the Gathering site. This is the paved road between 395 and the dirt road FS24.
We are working together with this rancher in order to Gather peacefully on this
site. This means there will be cattle walking on the road! We are still trying
to get more info on what this means for folks driving in that day. We are not
sure if it means the road will be totally closed for some time. While the road IS open, please be aware and
drive slowly, watch for animals on the road and understand there may be REAL
delays.
Tuesday morning, June 20th (the next morning) there will be ANOTHER CATTLE DRIVE from 6AM until 9AM which WILL block access to the Gathering
temporarily. We DO know that the road needs to be closed during this period of
time. This is the dirt road between 64 and the last left turn to Welcome Home.
🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🤠
RIBBONS: Once on the Site, you will see PINK RIBBONS and GREEN RIBBONS attached to vegetation. The PINK RIBBONS mean STAY OUT. These are areas that are ecologically sensitive and that we want to protect from human disturbance. The blue ribbons signal good creek crossings or access points.
PINK means STOP do not enter area.
GREEN means GO.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Welcome Home (a.k.a. Directions to the Gathering)
Updated 6/20/17 @ 3:30 p.m. California time - updates will be posted on and off through June 22 or 23.
Welcome Home 46th Annual Rainbow Family Gathering of the Tribes
Last week of June (give or take) to July 7
- All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love.
- All nations & national leaders -- out of respect
- All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith
- All politicians -- out of charity
Feel free to arrive a few weeks early to create the gathering and/or stay a few weeks late to clean it all up.
RAP 107 ~ Gathering Consciousness
Please protect this Beautiful Land.
Walk softly. Harm no living thing. Harmonize - Blend in. Use only down, dead wood. Cut no living trees. Preserve the Meadows...camp in the Woods. We are caretakers of this land.
Everyone sharing makes a strong Human Tribe!
Please Protect the Water Sources by staying out of DELICATE spring areas. Avoid camping, peeing, washing above spring areas. Keep ALL soap (including biodegrable, Dr. Bronners, etc.) out of streams, springs or the creek! Use a bucket to take your bath 60 feet away from the water source.
To be certain of drinking water: boil it for 20 minutes! Use the slit trenches or covered latrines - cover your paper & waste with ashes or lime, wash hands. Break the fly/illness connection: shit-fly-food-you! Dig no shitters near water areas or kitchens.
Protect our Health! Use your own cup, bowl & spoon! Wash them after eating and rinse in disinfectant-water.
Visit C.A.L.M./M.A.S.H. if you feel ill - especially if you have a contagious disease - or are injured.
Camp Together - Establish neighborhoods. Community Fires only! ~ Each with 5 gallon water bucket and shovel for Fire Protection. If you are the last to leave a fire PUT IT OUT!
Watch your gear: Be Responsible ~ "Tempt Not Lest Ye Be Lifted From."
Pets are discouraged but if you must bring them keep them fed, on a leash and out of the kitchens, springs & fights. Clean up their poop. Clean up their poop. Love them.
PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT !!!
Cleanup begins when you arrive. Bring in only what is necessary. There is no janitor here...you are the cleanup crew. Separate Garbage for recycling. Don't litter - Find collection point. Compost in pits only.You are the Gathering! Participate in Shanti Sena, the peace keepers council, and all activities, councils, work crews, workshops. Volunteer wherever needed: kitchens, welcome home, firewatch, parking lot, shitter digging, supply, front gate, etc. R-E-S-P-E-C-T your Sisters & Brothers energies. Keep the Balance: Earth, Sky, Trees, Water & People!
Alcohol is Discouraged, Guns are Inappropriate, Violence is contrary to the Spirit. Please take no photographs or videos of people without permission. Discourage Drug Abuse.
Buying and selling endangers our legal right to be here. The Magic Hat is our Bank, donate early to fund our Needs. The Magic Hat goes around at mealtime circles and with the Magic Hat Band.
Our power together is many times our power separated.
Enjoy the Rainbow with an open heart and you Will see the Vision.
Join us for the July 4th Silent Contemplation & Prayer for Peace, respect those maintaining silence from dawn. Hold the silence until the arrival of the Children's Parade and all the children are in the center of our circle.
Click here for the some suggestions on what to bring. Remember the more you bring in the more you need to hike out and take home.
WE LOVE YOU!!!!
CONSENSUS:
Spring council for the 46th annual rainbow family of living light gathering of the tribes reached consensus by passing the feather in silence as follows: "The 2017 Annual Rainbow Family Gathering of Living Light will take place at Flagtail meadows."
***** DIRECTIONS *****
The gathering is taking place at Flagtail Meadows in the Malheur National Forest south of John Day, Oregon.
From the south: Take the interstate of your choice to Highway 395 anywhere in California, Nevada, or Oregon to Seneca, Oregon on Hwy 395. About 8 miles north of Seneca, turn left on Izee-Paulina Lane (Road 63). Continue for 11 miles. You should pass the Diabartolo Ranches. Turn right on Forest Service Road 24 go 2 miles. Take the second left. WELCOME HOME.
From the north: Take the interstate of your choice to Highway 395 anywhere in Washington or Oregon to John Day, Oregon on Hwy 395. Go south on Hwy 395 17 miles. Turn right on Izee-Paulina Lane (Road 63). Continue for 11 miles. You should pass the Diabartolo Ranches. Turn right on Forest Service Road 24 go 2 miles. Take the second left. WELCOME HOME.
TIP! In the early days, the USFS may change the parking rules multiple times and the parking that was legal when you put your car there may become illegal two days later. Stay plugged in to the parking rules on a daily basis for at least the next week or two if you want to avoid your car being ticketed to towed.
WARNING! LEOs are sitting at the intersection of Grant County Road 63 and Forest Service Road 24 and looking to pull people over for anything they can pull you over for. Read the side bar post to learn how to avoid a mandatory court appearance ticket.
Some ACME Mapper Site Images
Click here for a handy printable version of this information in PDF format.
Misc. Info
Elevation is about 5,200 feet at the meadow. Folks on site now setting up Handicamp. If you have mobility limitations, please ask for Handicamp when you arrive.I think the coordinates are N44.20043° W119.23107° Datum: NAD83 or N 44.20014 W 119.22926
Some folks are saying the cheapest airport for last minute flights is into BOISE, IDAHO.
GAS: Oregon does not allow people to pump their own gas. Most gas stations in this area are only open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rumor is some gas stations will allow self-serve outside of these hours but only with a credit card. Some family have tried this and it didn't work -- so be prepared. Gas stations are far and few apart in this part of Oregon. UPDATE: Gas Stations in rural Oregon towns are allowed to offer self serve by credit card after hours, but a local gas attendant said that many stations do NOT leave their pumps ON. They turn them off when they close. So this opportunity will be sporadic. Rumor has it that the SHELL STATION in Canyon City, 2 miles south of John Day, leaves their pumps on at night and you can purchase gas with a credit card.
Be prepared for sunny days and cool nights into the 40s. Rain happens in Oregon.
If you have questions about parking and shuttles, click here.
Please copy and distribute freely. Ignore all rumors of cancellation.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Spring Council/Counsel/Circle
Updated June 16, 2017 @ 8:45 a.m. California time
Spring council is over. Click here for directions to the gathering.
Spring council/counsel/circle (spring ccc) starts June 10.
Directions: From the South on US 395. From Mt. Vernon, OR go North on US 395 towards Dale for approximately 45 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road NF 3980. FS 3980 is also known as Trout Road. Stay on FS 3980 for approximately 11 miles to Hunter Spring. There should be rainbow signs at intersections. The sign for 3980 is on the left hand side of the road, but the road is actually a right hand turn (coming from John Day).
From the North on US 395 (reportedly this is a better road for large vehicles--fewer hills and crossroads): A half-mile North of Dale, OR go East on NF 10 for 9.9 miles. Take a right towards NF 105, then in 465 feet take a dogleg to the left onto NF 105. Go .9 mile, turn right onto NF 10. In approximately 6 miles, take a right onto NF 1007. Go 2.8 miles to your destination.
Alternative directions are go all the way to Dale take a right on N.F..10 for 5 miles, turn right on F.S.1007 and go 3 miles. Turn right on f.s. 3980 for 2 miles. Forest Service Road 3980 is also known as Trout Road. The sign for 3980 is on the left hand side of the road, but the road is actually a right hand turn (coming from John Day).Welcome Home to spring council.
Click here for the Google Maps link.
Spring Council is where the site for the 2017 gathering will be determined and gathering layout begins. There may be travel to see sites the scouts propose, lots of walking, discussion and/or consensus. All are welcome to participate in the process.
However, if you come, please be self sufficient. Bring clothes for warm, wet and cold weather, good boots/shoes. Water and Food to share, shelter (tent, sleeping bag, etc) your own cup bowl spoon, all the stuff you'd need for gathering & a sense of humor.
As a refresher, the purpose of spring ccc is to determine where home is. The individuals who have been out scouting will have information to share about the site(s) they found and the family on the land at spring ccc will have to reach consensus by silence or by foot on where we will be.
Please be advised that from spring ccc, the gathering moves into Seed Camp. Folks at seed camp find and develop water sources,set up the first kitchen and dig the first latrines, locate and mark out the parking lot, lay out trails and remove obstructions, locate Main Circle and dig the fire pit, and set up a welcoming entrance to the gathering.
This is a time when you can work intensely with a few other people
and form some deep friendships.
This is a great time to form relationships with the USFS resource personnel, work out an unsigned operating plan with the rangers, and set up a process by which the USFS personnel can meet with gatherers on-the-land. A specific location and time is a really good strategy as then everyone in camp knows where/when to be if they want to meet or not meet with the forest service. It takes many voices to do this work. If you are not sure what an operating plan is, check out the collection of past operating plans on-line.
For more information on how home is found, click here.
Spring council is over. Click here for directions to the gathering.
Spring council/counsel/circle (spring ccc) starts June 10.
Directions: From the South on US 395. From Mt. Vernon, OR go North on US 395 towards Dale for approximately 45 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road NF 3980. FS 3980 is also known as Trout Road. Stay on FS 3980 for approximately 11 miles to Hunter Spring. There should be rainbow signs at intersections. The sign for 3980 is on the left hand side of the road, but the road is actually a right hand turn (coming from John Day).
From the North on US 395 (reportedly this is a better road for large vehicles--fewer hills and crossroads): A half-mile North of Dale, OR go East on NF 10 for 9.9 miles. Take a right towards NF 105, then in 465 feet take a dogleg to the left onto NF 105. Go .9 mile, turn right onto NF 10. In approximately 6 miles, take a right onto NF 1007. Go 2.8 miles to your destination.
Alternative directions are go all the way to Dale take a right on N.F..10 for 5 miles, turn right on F.S.1007 and go 3 miles. Turn right on f.s. 3980 for 2 miles. Forest Service Road 3980 is also known as Trout Road. The sign for 3980 is on the left hand side of the road, but the road is actually a right hand turn (coming from John Day).Welcome Home to spring council.
Click here for the Google Maps link.
Spring Council is where the site for the 2017 gathering will be determined and gathering layout begins. There may be travel to see sites the scouts propose, lots of walking, discussion and/or consensus. All are welcome to participate in the process.
However, if you come, please be self sufficient. Bring clothes for warm, wet and cold weather, good boots/shoes. Water and Food to share, shelter (tent, sleeping bag, etc) your own cup bowl spoon, all the stuff you'd need for gathering & a sense of humor.
As a refresher, the purpose of spring ccc is to determine where home is. The individuals who have been out scouting will have information to share about the site(s) they found and the family on the land at spring ccc will have to reach consensus by silence or by foot on where we will be.
Please be advised that from spring ccc, the gathering moves into Seed Camp. Folks at seed camp find and develop water sources,set up the first kitchen and dig the first latrines, locate and mark out the parking lot, lay out trails and remove obstructions, locate Main Circle and dig the fire pit, and set up a welcoming entrance to the gathering.
From this seed grows the flower of our Gathering.
Just an FYI, early in the gathering is when law enforcement presence can be the most intense as ratio of cops to gatherers may be high.This is a great time to form relationships with the USFS resource personnel, work out an unsigned operating plan with the rangers, and set up a process by which the USFS personnel can meet with gatherers on-the-land. A specific location and time is a really good strategy as then everyone in camp knows where/when to be if they want to meet or not meet with the forest service. It takes many voices to do this work. If you are not sure what an operating plan is, check out the collection of past operating plans on-line.
For more information on how home is found, click here.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Thanksgiving/Fall/T-/Council/Counsel/Circle
Updated 11/20/16 7:00 p.m. (PST)
The annual gathering of the tribes, which takes place over the 4th of July, has a cyclical process. While various regions in the USA often host a Thanksgiving get together, this blog deals with the annual gathering. In Vermont this summer, vision council on the land reached consensus that the 2017 gathering will take place in Oregon.
But then what?
Because the Rainbow Gathering has no leaders, no board of directors, no staff and no one in charge of anything, we depend on people working together to do all the preparation for the gathering in the north east. So over the years a process has come together to make sure that planning is open to everyone who wants to be involved.
The year starts off with Thanks giving Council, T-Council, or Fall Council/Counsel over the four day weekend of the same name. This is a time for people interested in plugging in, talking about visions for the gathering, discussing scouting, strategies about legal issues, etc. to get together. (see we don't even agree on the name).
T-Council generally takes place in the state or region where we will be gathering although sometimes it happens in other areas not to far from the consensed upon areas. It's usually a camp, cook, council, share heart songs kinda of thing. Often but not always, the people at T-Council pick the dates for the Scout Rendezvous and Spring Council. Some times a PO box is established for snail mail and a banking council is formed to deal with any donations.
As with all things Rainbow, no experience is necessary, just a willingness to participate. Keep in mind this is not a gathering, it's a working council and the way this council unfolds sets the tone for the gathering.
I'm hoping that there will be a real mix of generations at T-Council. We need older people, we need younger people, we need more experienced gatherers and we need less experienced gatherers to come together to create a vision for a peaceful, healing and fun gathering in 2017. Be the change you want to see in this world.
Dear Family,
This year’s Fall Council will take place in the Eugene, OR , on:
• Friday, Nov. 25th, from noon-7pm
• Saturday, Nov. 26th, from noon-7pm
• Sunday, Nov. 27th, from noon-5pm
There will be a potluck feast and circle on Thursday, November 24th. Please bring food to share.
Remember, this is not a gathering, but rather a working council to plan for the 2017 annual gathering in Oregon.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Parking and camping space is extremely limited on site!!!! If possible, please carpool and plan for alternate accommodations. When you arrive, be ready to unload your gear onto the property right away. Family will be there to keep an eye on your stuff and direct you where to park within a close radius.
Pet owners are strongly encouraged to leave their pets at home; there is no place for pets to shit!
This is a private home in a suburban residential neighborhood in Eugene. Please be respectful and help to maintain the quiet neighborhood vibe.
The address is 119 Arbor Drive, Eugene, OR 97404. Directions from I-5: take exit 195 from I-5. Take a right at the Y to go West on Randy Papé Beltline (OR Rte. 569) for 4.2 miles. Get off at Exit 8, and turn left on River Road. Drive for 1.3 miles, then turn left onto Arbor Drive. The house is on the left, at the corner of Rome Lane and Arbor. If you are driving a bus or large rig, you MUST call before arriving. Tel. 541 915-1295.
The communal kitchen will serve dinner on Thursday, brunch and dinner Friday and Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Please bring food to contribute, such as veggies, fruits, grains, pasta, bread, spices, coffee, tea, dairy and dairy-substitute products, and zuzus.
What to bring: cup, bowl, and spoon; food to share; green energy to donate to the hat for communal food and porta-potty rental; warm clothing and rain gear; visions, ideas, maps, positive vibes, and every good thing.
Limited sheltered floor space will be available for sleeping.
Prepare for wet, cool days, and wet, cold nights (this is Oregon, folks!).
The annual gathering of the tribes, which takes place over the 4th of July, has a cyclical process. While various regions in the USA often host a Thanksgiving get together, this blog deals with the annual gathering. In Vermont this summer, vision council on the land reached consensus that the 2017 gathering will take place in Oregon.
But then what?
Because the Rainbow Gathering has no leaders, no board of directors, no staff and no one in charge of anything, we depend on people working together to do all the preparation for the gathering in the north east. So over the years a process has come together to make sure that planning is open to everyone who wants to be involved.
The year starts off with Thanks giving Council, T-Council, or Fall Council/Counsel over the four day weekend of the same name. This is a time for people interested in plugging in, talking about visions for the gathering, discussing scouting, strategies about legal issues, etc. to get together. (see we don't even agree on the name).
T-Council generally takes place in the state or region where we will be gathering although sometimes it happens in other areas not to far from the consensed upon areas. It's usually a camp, cook, council, share heart songs kinda of thing. Often but not always, the people at T-Council pick the dates for the Scout Rendezvous and Spring Council. Some times a PO box is established for snail mail and a banking council is formed to deal with any donations.
As with all things Rainbow, no experience is necessary, just a willingness to participate. Keep in mind this is not a gathering, it's a working council and the way this council unfolds sets the tone for the gathering.
I'm hoping that there will be a real mix of generations at T-Council. We need older people, we need younger people, we need more experienced gatherers and we need less experienced gatherers to come together to create a vision for a peaceful, healing and fun gathering in 2017. Be the change you want to see in this world.
Dear Family,
This year’s Fall Council will take place in the Eugene, OR , on:
• Friday, Nov. 25th, from noon-7pm
• Saturday, Nov. 26th, from noon-7pm
• Sunday, Nov. 27th, from noon-5pm
There will be a potluck feast and circle on Thursday, November 24th. Please bring food to share.
Remember, this is not a gathering, but rather a working council to plan for the 2017 annual gathering in Oregon.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Parking and camping space is extremely limited on site!!!! If possible, please carpool and plan for alternate accommodations. When you arrive, be ready to unload your gear onto the property right away. Family will be there to keep an eye on your stuff and direct you where to park within a close radius.
Pet owners are strongly encouraged to leave their pets at home; there is no place for pets to shit!
This is a private home in a suburban residential neighborhood in Eugene. Please be respectful and help to maintain the quiet neighborhood vibe.
The address is 119 Arbor Drive, Eugene, OR 97404. Directions from I-5: take exit 195 from I-5. Take a right at the Y to go West on Randy Papé Beltline (OR Rte. 569) for 4.2 miles. Get off at Exit 8, and turn left on River Road. Drive for 1.3 miles, then turn left onto Arbor Drive. The house is on the left, at the corner of Rome Lane and Arbor. If you are driving a bus or large rig, you MUST call before arriving. Tel. 541 915-1295.
The communal kitchen will serve dinner on Thursday, brunch and dinner Friday and Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Please bring food to contribute, such as veggies, fruits, grains, pasta, bread, spices, coffee, tea, dairy and dairy-substitute products, and zuzus.
What to bring: cup, bowl, and spoon; food to share; green energy to donate to the hat for communal food and porta-potty rental; warm clothing and rain gear; visions, ideas, maps, positive vibes, and every good thing.
Limited sheltered floor space will be available for sleeping.
Prepare for wet, cool days, and wet, cold nights (this is Oregon, folks!).
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Where will the gathering be?
For directions to the 2017 gathering, click here.
Usually when someone gets on my email list, this is the first information I send them. So to you out here in blogsphere, here's that same information.
From the invite to the very first Rainbow Gathering in 1972:
We, who are brothers & sisters, children of God, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves Rainbow Family Tribe, humbly invite:
to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. This gathering to take place beginning July 1, 1972, near Aspen, Colorado - or between Aspen the Hopi Navajo lands - on 3000 acres of land that we hope to purchase or acquire for this gathering -- to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, for three days, but upon the fourth day of July at noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honor & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world -- asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace.
The 2016 Vision Counsel of Rainbow Family of Living Light on the land in Vermont has consensed to invite all peoples, out of love and with respect, to gather peacefully for silent meditation on the morning of July 4th, 2017 until noon; and a peaceful assembly of free speech and expression from July 1st through the end of Vision Counsel; in the public lands of the Oregon.
Thanksgiving council
The next step in the process of landing on a site is always Thanksgiving council (T-council) which takes place over the four day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This is a time of people to council and share their hopes and dreams for the 2016 gathering. If you have potential sites you think are worthy of scouting in the spring, bring topo maps and forest service maps. Directions to T-council usually come out in the first half of November. Check back then. If you're not familiar with T-council, read more here.
Scout Rendezvous
T-council usually picks dates for one or two scout councils. Scout councils/rendezvous is a time for people out scouting to connect up, share information, talk about scouting efforts. As with all things Rainbow, no experience is necessary, just a desire to walk, learn, teach and share. If you come, please be self sufficient - have green energy for gas, food, etc. You don't need your own vehicle if you can be a positive traveling companion, but $$$ are always in short supply for scouting, so please bring enough for yourself and some to share with the person whose vehicle breaks down.
Spring council
Spring council is when all potential sites for the gathering are brought to any people who want to be involved in selecting a site. The council usually takes one to seven days and normally ends with either a consensus by silence among people at the council or an exodus of the majority of people heading to the preferred site. Spring council goes until a decision is reached by consensus or by foot. The exact location for this council generally isn't determined until one to two weeks before spring council starts. Until the spring council process reaches a site, there is no home. For more information on spring council, click here.
For those of you who think the site is picked in advance and want to get the 411 now so you can book plane tickets. I'm sorry, but there is no site picked at this time.
Keep in mind that weather conditions (which are unpredictable) play a part in all of this. So let's say someone finds a great site during the summer of 2016 (and I have no knowledge that anyone did or will), for all we know come the first week of June, 2017 that site is still under snow, then what? Keep in mind that 4 feet of snow at a gathering is rough (anyone remember Washington 2011?).
Drought and high fire danger can have the same effect. A great site that was nice and wet in August 2016 can be dry as a tinder box in June 2017. If the Forest Service has a no open fire ban on that site that looked so great last year, guess it's not looking that great this year. Available water can change year to year as well depending on snow melt. Conditions change all the time. The family needs to find the best possible site for the health and safety of gathering participants and the land on which we gather.
Seed Camp
Once Spring Council reaches a decision, people move onto the site and start Seed Camp. Seed Camp is about creating trails, building kitchens, digging shitters, taping springs and dealing with the United States Forest Service. Historically, law enforcement harassment is highest during Seed Camp so if you are planning on being there, take the necessary precautions to keep your self out of the system if you so choose or need to. Bring your own food and drinking water. Bring first aid kits.
The Gathering
The main day of the gathering is July 4 when we observe silence from dawn until high noon and put our energy into manifesting world peace, the positive evolution of the planet and other good things. Many people observe this with a prayer or mediation for world peace. Others do Yoga for world peace, blow bubbles for world peace, etc. Basically, if it's a silent, gentle energy then it fits in very well. As to when the gathering starts, that's dynamic. It's usually one day during the last week of June when some friends and I look at each other and say "today it's a gathering." (of course you may pick a different date than I do when it feels like a gathering and not like seed camp).
The earlier you come the more self sufficient you need to be and relationships with the Forest Service can be rougher. On the other hand, showing up for seed camp allows you to influence the way the gathering goes. If you show up later, say after June 27, then most (but not all) of the drama has subsided. Traditionally the dates are listed as July 1 to 7, but most years people start leaving in droves on July 5th.
Usually when someone gets on my email list, this is the first information I send them. So to you out here in blogsphere, here's that same information.
From the invite to the very first Rainbow Gathering in 1972:
We, who are brothers & sisters, children of God, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves Rainbow Family Tribe, humbly invite:
- All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love.
- All nations & national leaders -- out of respect
- All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith
- All politicians -- out of charity
to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. This gathering to take place beginning July 1, 1972, near Aspen, Colorado - or between Aspen the Hopi Navajo lands - on 3000 acres of land that we hope to purchase or acquire for this gathering -- to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, for three days, but upon the fourth day of July at noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honor & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world -- asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace.
The 2016 Vision Counsel of Rainbow Family of Living Light on the land in Vermont has consensed to invite all peoples, out of love and with respect, to gather peacefully for silent meditation on the morning of July 4th, 2017 until noon; and a peaceful assembly of free speech and expression from July 1st through the end of Vision Counsel; in the public lands of the Oregon.
Translation: The 2017 gathering will take place in Oregon.
Thanksgiving council
The next step in the process of landing on a site is always Thanksgiving council (T-council) which takes place over the four day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This is a time of people to council and share their hopes and dreams for the 2016 gathering. If you have potential sites you think are worthy of scouting in the spring, bring topo maps and forest service maps. Directions to T-council usually come out in the first half of November. Check back then. If you're not familiar with T-council, read more here.
Scout Rendezvous
T-council usually picks dates for one or two scout councils. Scout councils/rendezvous is a time for people out scouting to connect up, share information, talk about scouting efforts. As with all things Rainbow, no experience is necessary, just a desire to walk, learn, teach and share. If you come, please be self sufficient - have green energy for gas, food, etc. You don't need your own vehicle if you can be a positive traveling companion, but $$$ are always in short supply for scouting, so please bring enough for yourself and some to share with the person whose vehicle breaks down.
Spring council
Spring council is when all potential sites for the gathering are brought to any people who want to be involved in selecting a site. The council usually takes one to seven days and normally ends with either a consensus by silence among people at the council or an exodus of the majority of people heading to the preferred site. Spring council goes until a decision is reached by consensus or by foot. The exact location for this council generally isn't determined until one to two weeks before spring council starts. Until the spring council process reaches a site, there is no home. For more information on spring council, click here.
For those of you who think the site is picked in advance and want to get the 411 now so you can book plane tickets. I'm sorry, but there is no site picked at this time.
Keep in mind that weather conditions (which are unpredictable) play a part in all of this. So let's say someone finds a great site during the summer of 2016 (and I have no knowledge that anyone did or will), for all we know come the first week of June, 2017 that site is still under snow, then what? Keep in mind that 4 feet of snow at a gathering is rough (anyone remember Washington 2011?).
Drought and high fire danger can have the same effect. A great site that was nice and wet in August 2016 can be dry as a tinder box in June 2017. If the Forest Service has a no open fire ban on that site that looked so great last year, guess it's not looking that great this year. Available water can change year to year as well depending on snow melt. Conditions change all the time. The family needs to find the best possible site for the health and safety of gathering participants and the land on which we gather.
Seed Camp
Once Spring Council reaches a decision, people move onto the site and start Seed Camp. Seed Camp is about creating trails, building kitchens, digging shitters, taping springs and dealing with the United States Forest Service. Historically, law enforcement harassment is highest during Seed Camp so if you are planning on being there, take the necessary precautions to keep your self out of the system if you so choose or need to. Bring your own food and drinking water. Bring first aid kits.
The Gathering
The main day of the gathering is July 4 when we observe silence from dawn until high noon and put our energy into manifesting world peace, the positive evolution of the planet and other good things. Many people observe this with a prayer or mediation for world peace. Others do Yoga for world peace, blow bubbles for world peace, etc. Basically, if it's a silent, gentle energy then it fits in very well. As to when the gathering starts, that's dynamic. It's usually one day during the last week of June when some friends and I look at each other and say "today it's a gathering." (of course you may pick a different date than I do when it feels like a gathering and not like seed camp).
The earlier you come the more self sufficient you need to be and relationships with the Forest Service can be rougher. On the other hand, showing up for seed camp allows you to influence the way the gathering goes. If you show up later, say after June 27, then most (but not all) of the drama has subsided. Traditionally the dates are listed as July 1 to 7, but most years people start leaving in droves on July 5th.
Ignore all rumors of cancellation or organization!
Live lightly with the Land and People!
Please copy and distribute this information widely
Please copy and distribute this information widely
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Vision Council Consensus
"A consensus made with love, respect, and earth conscious intent by
the individuals assembled as the 2016 rainbow family of living light
gathering of the tribes vision counsel on the land in the Green
Mountains of Vermont near the peak of Willard Mountain...
...states that all individuals deserve to feel safe at the gathering. Be aware and respectful of consent before hugging, kissing, or touching another individual.
...states that all individuals deserve to feel safe at the gathering. Be aware and respectful of consent before hugging, kissing, or touching another individual.
...states that
some substances can be detrimental to individuals and communities and
encourages individuals to be mindful of the manner in which they
consume, offer, or share any substance.
... affirms an intent in our hearts and minds to be as earth conscious as possible in our personal, camp, group, and economic decisions on the land, in our travels, and in our homes.
... encourages individuals to join in a prayer for peace on July 4th, 2017, and to gather in solidarity from July 1st to the 7th of 2017 in Oregon."
... affirms an intent in our hearts and minds to be as earth conscious as possible in our personal, camp, group, and economic decisions on the land, in our travels, and in our homes.
... encourages individuals to join in a prayer for peace on July 4th, 2017, and to gather in solidarity from July 1st to the 7th of 2017 in Oregon."
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