Regional Rainbow Manual




Regional Rainbow Gathering
Miniature Manual






Welcome Home!






The Rainbow Family of Living Light welcomes you to the regional family gatherings;  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.  Regional gatherings like this one are where our tribes are defined; here we forge relationships, practice the alternative living skills and keep alive the spirit we bring to larger gatherings like the North American Gathering.


Our Pledge to Each Other and the World






*  We pledge to respect and care for each other in all things.



*  We pledge to drop all forms of violence in our relations with each other.



*  We pledge to deal with each other up front and with open hearts.



HERE ARE SOME OF THE TRADITIONS OF OUR PEOPLE





Focused Magic





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.



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, alcoholic beverages, and other forms of intoxication stop here.
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.



C.A.L.M.

Center for Alternative Living & Medicine.  In this wounded world many of our family come to the gathering in need of healing.  At larger Gatherings, CALM provides free health care, healing workshops, a woman's center, an herbal apothecary, and counseling to all in need.  At regionals, we provide services as we are able.  Healers of all kinds are invited to join the staff!



Council

It is around the council fire that everyday questions and the future of the rainbow are decided.  When the conch if blown we assemble in a circle and, holding hands we seek to treat each other and the earth with respect.



Consensus

All council decisions are by consensus.  This means that action is taken on an issue only after a clear statement of proposal hjas 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 (or other symbolic article) 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.



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!



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 bulk and use our buying power most efficiently.  Magic hat also collects for consensus projects.  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 defenses.  Chemical intoxication of any kind is dangerous to the spirit of our 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 infectious disease.



Kid Village

The innocence and spirit of the flower child is what brings us all to Gatherings.  Ideally, the whole world should be safe for children: this is our vision of peace.  At national gatherings, where thousands are new to our ways, Kid Village is where we defend and protect this freedom and innocence most strongly.  Regionals are known for offering a more intimate, friendly space.  Protect our children wherever they are!



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-commercial event!



Info Center

Bulletin boards, notices, information, networking, rides, and a crew of volunteers to deal with rumor control and camp communication.



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 as this year's Vision Council.  Experienced scouts are sent ouit to inspect dozens of potential sites.  The 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. At national gatherings as many as 20,000 people have attended at peak.