It's one of the discoveries that got me hooked to the rainbow and one of the main reasons I have kept coming back.Īt dinner circle, one or several songs ususally get sung before the Om that signals the start of dinner. At my first gathering, I fell in love with all the communal singing that took place. There's a lot of singing in the rainbow, and there are many songs. Talking circles are used at workshops, sharing circles, and for 'vision council', where the location of the next gathering is chosen. I have heard that some of these rules where adopted from Hopi Indian traditions.

In practice, the focalizer sometimes politely interrupts rambles rainbow newbies often try to talk over speakers (they are promptly put in their place) and old hands who cannot contain themselves often butt in with a 'May I please address the stick?' In theory, others in the circle do not interrupt the speaker. When you hold the stick, it's your time to speak, if you have anything say. (Actually, the direction is that of the sun: clockwise in the northern hemisphere, counter-clockwise south of the equator). Often, a small object (such as a feather or a small stick) is passed around clockwise. Typically, a focalizer calls the meeting (circle) to order. Groups of people (from a handful to over a hundred) sit around in a circle. At rainbow gatherings, 'talking circles' are the traditional way that many decisions are made and information is passed along. In a sense they are managers without decision-making power. In theory, focalizers do not direct others they just help the process along and make sure that rainbow procedure is followed when decisions must be made. For instance, you can focalize a kitchen, a chai tent, or the building of an oven. because of a decision made at a talking circle (see below).Ī focalizer is someone who takes on the job of focusing a group's energy on a certain task. because someone or a group of people spontaneously decided to 'put some energy into it', And others would resist that kind of labeling.Īt gatherings, things mainly happen for one of three reasons: Some might describe gatherings as anarchistic communes.

In theory, rainbow gatherings have no official organizers or leaders. 'Babylon' is a codeword for the dominant culture, and sometimes for the local big smoke (for instance, Sydney). Occasionally it's used with less gusto, as a way to exclude those outside the culture because 'they don't speak rainbow'.Īt gatherings, you can hear people make speeches about how 'we must reach out to Babylon', and you can hear just as many rant about Babylon. Rainbow lingo can be used with gusto-as a fun language, as a playful way to describe the strange rainbow reality. To say 'brother' or 'sister' is the normal form of address to someone you don't know.Īs any tribe, the rainbow has its lingo. (In a sense, the very act of documenting a culture places you a little bit on the outside.) On the other hand, there is not one rainbow archetype, so I am not sure what a true insider would look like!Īt rainbow, everyone is either a 'brother' or a 'sister'-though I have met some in the undecided category. I should say at the outset that I consider myself a bit of an outsider to that culture. This page aims to provide a primer on rainbow culture. The rainbow songs page contains lyrics and streaming audio of rainbow gathering songs. The introduction to the rainbow gathering page contains narrative about my experience at gatherings I have attended around the world. Two rings can be equipped at the same time.įootwear can increase defense, immunity, or both, and also show up on your character's model.This page is one of a three-part series.

Rings provide a variety of passive benefits, from providing light to increasing combat stats. Hats, shirts, and pants are purely cosmetic items, unlocked from collecting certain Achievements or tailored. They can be found, bought, and won in several ways (for example, won during festivals or found in the mines). Clothing consists of hats, rings, footwear, shirts, pants, shorts, and skirts that can be equipped in the player's inventory screen.

Rainbow clothing