hmm... i'm not thinking too kindly on the rainbow right now...

so.... a couple of weekends ago i went to a small festival, cavestock. there were some rainbow people there, and they were having a "cooler check"... supposedly checking people's coolers for glass bottles (which werent allowed at this event)... well they would confiscate the glass bottles... but then drink them for THEMSELVES. not cool at all.

all they were doing were begging people for cigarettes and clothes... everytime you walked by they would ask. personally, it was really pissing me off.

another thing. i was talking to my brother's girlfriend, who used to travel with the rainbow, and she said that the rainbow used to be all about giving and trading. you couldnt take one thing without trading another, pretty much. well, when i went to a gathering, all i saw was a lot of rummaging, stealing, and looting. i was completely disappointed. i was so excited to be at my first gathering, and it turned out completely sucky because you had to watch your stuff so carefully... not cool, once again.

last! at the gathering i was at, if you had to shit, there was a BIIIIIIG HUUUGE hole to do it at, and if you wanted to shit so that other people wouldnt walk in it, two or three other rainbows had to hold your hands, and you would lean over and shit.... and these rainbow people were supporting your weight. they tried to explain it to me, and it was some sort of trust issue thing, something about how you had to trust them to not let you fall... it was really actually kinda scary. cult-ish, almost.

i was very very very disappointed... it was definately NOT what i expected out of the rainbow gatherings that i had heard were so awesome, and so accepting!

therefore, i am hesitant to go to another rainbow gathering. are there any KYND PEACEFUL gatherings that i could go to?? distance isnt really an issue, but gatherings in the midwest would be best.

sorry this is so long, but i felt i needed to explain my situation, and have someone's opinions on it. did i just go to the wrong gathering? or what?

bleh... i'm tried, im going to take a nap!

 

In my opinion Rainbow's going down hill with the rest of society.....regardless of my opinion though.....

if you don't like something you can always bring about change. It's not like doing things at a gathering requires red tape or anything(well,unless forest service gets involved).If the hole in the ground is too big to poop in then dig a smaller hole....just make sure it's far far from any water source. If the staph infected drunk in the kitchen makes you skin crawl eat somewhere else, make your own food, make food for everyone......you get the point. Rainbow is what you make it.

FYI...some regions just have better gatherings though. Ya win some, ya lose some.

I did rainbow for a few years, and some gatherings were beautiful and left me smiling for months after....others made me want to cringe and get into a bath of bleach to wash away all the iiccckkk.

Honestly the police presence seems to have gotten worse by 10 fold and it leaves a really icky ununified unsettled screwed up feeling that just can't be entirely squashed and it's killed a good deal of the vibe and scared off a good many people that just want to peacefully gather with their family without feeling as if they are in a war zone.

 

Wait a minute... You're judging rainbow gatherings by your experience at a festival called cavestock? That's like judging the Grateful Dead by listening to Phish...

Cooler checks -- I could see certain A-Campers trying that... But they would tell you that no alcohol is welcomed in the church and push you to drink it all with them, whether glass bottle or can or whatever. Because that's how a real Rainbow Gathering is -- or at least was a few years ago. Mind expanding substances (pot) were OK, mind numbing substances (booze of any sort) were highly frowned upon inside the gathering.

As for the bumming of tobacco, get used to it. Especially if you smoke tailor mades (pre-rolled filtered smokes). If this bugs you, learn to smoke rollies (roll-your-owns) and just bring some Top or some Bugler to gatherings. Most of the people bumming from you can't afford the fancy tailor mades, so it's a real treat when they do get 'em. (Keep in mind, you find all types at a gathering -- from the weekend warriors who are doctors 51 weeks of the year to homeless kidz who don't have an address or a shower so have a real hard time getting a job to pay for their own smokes).

So, did you actually go to a gathering? Because up to this point, all you mention is this cavestock...

Yes, even at a real gathering, you need to be careful about your stuff. Basically, you should always camp near a group of people who you can at least somewhat trust and where at least one person will be nearby pretty much all the time. I would always hook up with a kitchen, get to know them by working with them, and camp with the kitchen crew -- someone is almost always in the kitchen, which deters theft. I have a hard time believing that there was a time since the early 80s at least when theft was not a concern at all... As much as we like to focus on the highlights, there are always going to be some who are mentally fucked up, who are just there for the free ride, etc. who are going to do anti social things...

Keep in mind, as well, to be aware of your surroundings to protect yourself against rape. Based on the stories I've heard from many long-time rainbows, it's been an issue for as long as anyone I've known has been involved. Don't assume that just because it's supposed to be hippies that they are all cool -- it's an easy environment for creeps to hide until the right moment, especially with all the cute young trusting hippy chics. Most of the stories I heard dealt with duct taping rapists to a tree and feeding him a massive dose of acid (so majorly bad trip as punishment), but the fact that such a response was necessary means that it has been a problem for at least 15-20 years at rainbow gatherings.

And, this is all much more rare at a real gathering than in society as a whole, but don't just assume that everyone is safe because you are at a gathering.

Have you surfed around on www.welcomehome.org? Buried somewhere in there they have a whole list of safety tips, stuff you should bring just in case, etc.

Since you are in the midwest, this wasn't a Peace Conspiracy event, was it? They are a group that has a history among old Rainbows in the region for hosting events ("cavestock" sounds like the kind of thing they would call their get-togethers), which they then let people spread the word as though it were an actual rainbow gathering... Whether they actively intentionally deceived anyone or whether they just failed to correct misconceptions is not for me to say. But I've known plenty of people to go to these events that sound like gatherings but are nothing like what the old rainbows would call an actual gathering. Whether it's this group, another group, or just your misconception of the event, you can't judge rainbow gatherings by this cavestock festival.

Again, I highly suggest reading up on www.welcomehome.org for background, what makes a gathering, etc.

 

every gathering i've been to, there may be 1 or even a dozen people who dont knoew how to gather who rummage & steal. but generaly its incredibly safe.. we found someones pants he shed by the side of the trail, & in the pocket was over a thousand dollars..he wasnt too concerned about it odviosly, but others were so stayed in the area for 6 hours till they found him & returned the pants & $

as for that strannge shitter experience,
some shitters have tioletsm others are trenches but i've nevr heard of anyone having to hold anyones hands

i did notice allittle more creepy activity at this last gathering that may explain that
but when i noticed me & others stepped in to make sure the sister was ok

the next gathering is in colorado, & i really hope you do go, & have a much more pleasant experience.
your welcome to camp with folks you know from the forums or whatever if that makes u more confy
i'm thinkng we could do a little popcorn/coffee cafe
hugs sis

 

We live in Woodstock and The Rainbow Tribe is very much as you describe in your post here.
It's pretty sad that a great base concept has been turned into what it has become these days.
Grubbing from others sucks when the person grubbing is living their life on others efforts and energies. I doubt Black Elk would have acted in the way many do now.
If I have to guard my stuff-worry about my old lady getting raped and a list that is as long as your arm of shit I have to worry about my safety...to say I was at a Gathering...I would rather stay home and do my own thing with some friends and REAL Hippies I can trust!

 

we never have problems with people stealing our stuff at a Gathering, but we also camp with the same folks that we've camped with for years & years. Cinnamon feels much safer walking the trails of Rainbow at night then she does walking on the streets of any inner city. And people bum smokes from us no matter where we are, Rainbow or Babylon.
Unfortuately because Rainbow is open to all; some people choose to take advantage of others but if people become involved in what's happening around them, the negative things can change. the problems happen when people choose to turn away from a problem (example: a guy wants to give psychedelics to young, cute sisters, then takes them to his tent when they are high and aren't capable of making sound decisions. The next day, the sister is upset and says she was raped, which in effect, she was. Some people say that it's the brother's trip to give the drugs & the sister's mistake for taking them; other people say that the brother should be removed from the Gathering; meanwhile, a covert group helps the brother's tent disappear, and when he finds it missing, all the people who know what has happened tell the brother that Karma must be trying to tell him something. They explain why his actions aren't acceptable to them and hopefully he sees that he is in need of healing {or he gets mad & leaves the Gathering}) in the example, people have chosen to do something. The trick is to get people active in some sort of Shanti-Sena action and to approach the situation in a manner that won't create a worse situation. Not always easy, but it can be done.

 

no, i did not pay for the event... i do believe it was a REAL rainbow event....

no, cavestock was not a Peace Conspiracy event... i have heard of those though, they suck, seriously.

i am thinking about going to the colorado gathering, if i can get the money up... gas is such a bitch! soaringeagle, maybe i could camp with you?? i will be by myself, and i would prefer being with a person who knows Rainbow... but if not, its all good.

thanks so much everyone! i would type more, but my veggie omlet is done! i'll reply once im done eating, LOL.

 

How was the veggie omelet? I'm just eating some of the veggie chili we are serving at the drum circle Rainbow thing.
I want to encourage you to stick with it sister. There is much love in Rainbow despite the downward spiral of society we are all trapped in. I've has crap stolen, my van busted apart and gotten sick at rainbow but I still can't stay away long. I'll be there in Colorado next year-- hopefully a weekend at Thanksgiving council and spring council as well, doing my best to keep the downward spiral at bay. And that's because we are not all a part of that crap. most of us rainbowers are hard-core peacekeepers and lovers and searching for the higher spiral-- that road's a hard climb instead of an easy slide but it's worth it for the moments of clarity, the blessings of sharing, the beauty of nature in harmony with humans.

About that shitter-- yeah that was a bad shitter. The best are the covered trenches with seats. otherwise, a trench should be like 5 feet long by two feet wide by however deep you can dig it. That way, you can place your hands on the other side if you have to, and not freak out about falling in. Sounds like you ran into at best some kynd and not-too-with-it rainbows, or some of the darker spectrums who may have had some unkynd intentions in leading a newbie such as yourself to such a hole in the ground. Anyway, I'm one of those rainbows who for some reason could go on and on about shitters and love to dig them in the woods. Both of my kids, even the 2 year old, are not afraid of the shitters because I make sure the one by my camp is clean, stocked, well-dug and maintained. no way in the world a beautiful sister like yourself should let herself be afraid of one. Be strong, sister and go with the spirit of what your heart tells you. Loving you!!!

 

Wow!!! we were Welcome Home-Road Dog Cafe(breakfast crew)-It's A Beautiful Day Cafe(lunch & dinner crew-us)-Popcorn Palace(nighttime munchie crew) & Night Shift (don't ask! ) all in one that year. Our old bus, Lucy Blue, was just to the side of the top of main trail (next to the white Kansas bus & Vegas's van). That was a wild Gathering, got lots of stories just getting to that Gathering, let alone the stories from when we were there. It was the year we learned to live a cartoon from the cartoon bus turned sailbus .

 

OK, I've been sitting in quietly on a lot of your conversations on this forum and for the most part believe that most everyone here is decent, loving folk. The amount of optimism and hope I hear really makes me question some of my own pessimistic views of society. But one question prevails through out all my observations. Why not fix what sounds like a sinking ship through some minor altercations in structure and organization. For example; a 'don't steal my stuff' site wear someone is assigned to be on the watch 24-7. Post several of these around various areas for accessibility. Also, you are simply going to have to evolve into some sort of discriminating admissions policy. I know, it reeks of babylon, but the innocent must be protected. The creeps are on to you and will rot you from the inside out like they do everything else that was once pure. It's their job. You 'the rainbow' might just be the last positive thing society has going for it. Therefore you have a great responsability to the rest of us in babylon to rebuild the family and prepare it for the upcoming "turmoil". The "A-camp" is brillant, if you could keep things in line with that logic it could work. In short, it sounds like it's time to man the tower and protect those not unlike the girl who started this thread. If you are Rainbow, than you are advertising the possibility of real community and escape from babylon to a nation of scared, confused kids whose only current means coping with babylon's dread is basement bong sessions and dusty dead bootleg cassettes. So step up, and encourage your fellow rainbows to step up and free these kids. Or at the least stop luring them out to the woods if you can't contain the wolves. You read these forums and can feel desperation of babylon's youth. Round up the troops, clean up the yard and make it what it can be. If you don't do it, the creeps will turn your paradise into their trap of an illusion. It's already happening. Negative stories like the one that started this forum are spreading accross the land and the whole thing is dying. Praying for world peace is good, working for it is better. Pray like you can't work and work like you can't pray. This next national has to be different. Please.

 

god damn dirty fuckin rainbows!!!

fuckin A campers ,gutter punks,bliss ninneys,high hollies, man fuckin sounds like its always sounded...

Cant grasp the reality then dont fuckin make it yours..

plain an simple...

Luv~N~Lite

 

Rainbow isn't dying! (Not that I'd know) I went to rainbow for the first time this past summer and it blew me away. Although I wish I had camped on my own, or in a different camp (I won't say which I camped at) I really loved everyone, and felt like a part of the family. I did see some things that could have bummed people out, but it's like anything in life: you get what you put in. Thanks a lot to everyone, and if I'm still in I-merica next summer, I'm gonna do my damndest to haul my broke ass to the other side of the country for another romp in the woods (desert?) with some kind ass people.

Lovin' y'all

Sam

 

man your stories make more loops than nascar...

So your the one that got rocks thru at ya at ithaca that ya made such a big deal about on here...

ahhh,,, i see i see said the blind man...

you are one strange dood..

 

Holy shit hillbilly! You said dood! Damn that's classic

 

McCooly had some good points. I get offended sometimes reading post titles like the one above, I get to thinking, well what does that mean? Is that like saying, hey I go to black clubs and there's shootings and shit and maybe the black culture is dying, man, I am sick of those black people. Well that would be utter bullshit and way offensive. Painting a whole culture with the same brush.
But at the same time, like McCooly says, we Rainbows keep saying, hey, just go to a gathering and you'll see that it's not all scammers and useless stoners and energy vampires. And then some kids go to gatherings and have bad experiences.
I wish I could go to every gathering and pitch in. When I do go to gatherings I feel like I can never stop working and never leave, that I'm needed there too badly because I know how to build and run kitchens and dig shitters and what not. And I'm not at all special or alone in that. After your first gathering if you're a keener you'll end up will the ability to be a focalizer . Thing is that we can't all make all the gatherings, and not every gathering is going to be timed right so that experienced family can show up and provide focus. And there's nothing to stop a bunch of a-camp roaddawgs from calling a council, consensing on a gathering site and advertiseing it on welcomehere and calling it a gathering. It's just not always wise.
Gatherings require a high level of participation to run smoothly and I've been to more than a few where participation was sadly lacking. A good focalizer can work with even that lack of energy and mobilize people in a way that doesnt seem like anyone is i charge or that there is any kind of 'organization'. These people are a declining breed it seems sometimes.
I guess there needs to be a disclaimer. Go to a gathering and you will very likely find family, you will very likely have one of the most amazing experiences of your life. But you may get to a gathering and find some crazy shit and maybe even get violated somehow. I've never been to a gathering that dint have kind family. Seek them out. Put yourself out there, allow yourself to truly connect with the people who seem loving and kind and trustworthy and powerful. We are family and you won't be rejected. Together we are each other's security, but sometimes you need to ask, you need to put yourself out there. Sometimes there is family around who will notice that you're in need of guidance, support or protection and offer it to you without asking, but sometimes there is just too much going on. That's when you need to be a little more assertive about connecting.
I'm just riffing, but it seems to me these are the kinds of things we need to figure out how to tell people new to gathering. I myself have been guilty of posting on this forum about how blind you must be not to see the love and just ingore the crazyness and have a good time, but perhaps we need to be a little bit more specific about how to have a good time at a gathering.
Because I dont want to have to lie; I too am disapointed with my American Rainbow experience. That doesnt mean I didnt have amazing experiences at every gathering I've been too, just that I see a lot more of the disintegration of the family down here than I did in Canada. But I don't want that to stop people from going to gatherings. Because if people stop going to gatherings, then this whole "Rainbow is dying" becomes a self-fufilling prophecy.
You can have the most life-altering, hope inducing, paradigm shifting experience at any gathering. Some gatherings are better than others. Sometimes you just need to be shown where to look and how to protect yourself.

 

How do you find out about these gatherings. Are they only in the states? Raven you mentioned one you attended in Canada. Where was it. I seem to missing out on a lot of good stuff that I read about on the forums. Now that I'm single I want to FLY and get back to my old hippie roots. Peace and love

 

www.welcomehere.org
www.welcomehome.org

theyre all over the world
i dont know a good site for international gatherings right at the momment, but searching for "international rainbow gathering" should find u plenty ..i think theres a www.worldgathering.org (or .ws or .info forget which)
thheres also the alt.gathering.rainbow newsgroup

canada has gatherings fairly often, usa has them nearly all the time
other countries habve them occassionaly

theres probly only a dozen or 2 countries that havent had on yet

 

Thank you for your response and patience Raven. I come off a little strong some times. I guess that I have become completely fed up with babylon and need rainbow to exist, even if I never make it there. Perhaps the knowledge of such a place and people existing makes life a little easier. About your analogy about black culture, American black culture is, for the most part, dying. Along with every other part (save capitalistic hedonism) of American culture. Some talk about a 4th white buffalo and others talk about Jesus coming back, but it seems to me that the concensus is that these upcoming days are going to bring about monumental change. I'm not a doomsday kind of guy, but when the government does hit the fan and American abundance is no more, is the rainbow going to be there? Can they be there year round? because from what I understand (which is not a whole lot about this topic) is that the rainbow in essence only exist at a gathering. I say this because it has been said to me that attendenace at a gathering is the only prerequisite for membership. So, in your opinion, can the disinigration be reversed? Because America just might be flooding the gates real soon. Is it a money issue that keeps a "family" plot from existance?

 

The Rainbow Guide Online http://rainbowguide.info/index.php seems to have THE COMPREHENSIVE index of regional links and Lightlines.


Here's the International Links list: http://rainbowguide.info/LinkMaint/LMlinks.php?vw=1&id=3

There's 8 listings for Canada.