Ecstatic Workshop & Ritual Participation
Dear Explorer,
Congratulations on accepting our invitation to explore your ecstatic space. Here are few things you might like to know in order to make the most of your experience.
The energy pull ritual is not about pain or stoicism but rather a way, by gradually increasing tension on piercings, to shift your energy towards an altered state. It is also a wonderful tool to share energy with others. You connect intimately with friends, lovers and even strangers pulling on your cords, tuning in to each other, experiencing group energy in a "tribal" ceremonial ring.
During the first part of the program Cléo and Grin will explain a few things about travel to inner space and unseen worlds. They will encourage thought about: "Going to Core", "Being Aware of Awareness", "Practicing Surrender", "Attention as Spirit" and "Touching the Void". You will understand more about where this kind of spiritual body practice comes from, how we as leatherfolk, body modifiers, and serious ritualists have adapted these ancient practices to our contemporary spiritual explorations.
The Piercing Experience
You will receive two piercings in the upper chest area. The piercings are extremely fast. They are done shamanically with very sharp 12 gauge body piercing needles. We use rhythmic breathing for pain control (as in yoga and Eastern medicine). As you let out a deep, slow exhale, we synchronize the piercing with your "chi energy". You are likely to get an instant "high" from this focused input. Post ritual marking is minimal, if at all, but it can happen depending on your skin. There maybe some light scarring from the hooks for pale skin folks. Bleeding is uncommon. The hooks we use are much lower pitch than play needles when they are under tension. We think of them as "sweet". If you add a cheek spear to tie your face to your body, so to speak, it can add a wonderful new dimension to the experience -- help get you "out of your head"! Some cheek spears will be available.
Specially trained professional piercers will be piercing you. At the conclusion of the ritual they will also remove your hooks and cheek spears. All this will be done to strict and exacting medical standards with sterile packaged needles, hooks, cheek spears and supplies. Participants will be asked to sign a liability release indicating an understanding of risks. We encourage piercees to tell us, in strict confidence, about any medical condition they have that may put them at risk. Piercers may advise against participation in certain risk situations.
We may ask participants if we can take some photos of the event with their permission.
Cléo Has this to Say About the Ritual
I have done this ritual many times now. Every time it has been a different journey. The whole exploration for me is about altered states, a heightened state, energy, fire (yes it can be really hot) and visions. Most especially if I am pulling alone against a stationary object with my eyes closed. Any awareness of others or spectators quickly disappears. It is a personal dance of ecstatic fire, bright or soft. I went several times to a place that is not a place. Beautiful!
My last hook dance was first like wringing my heart from its grief. During the second stage it was a very sexy big energy exchange with my puller/lover. The third phase was fun and releasing as I pulled in a big circle with other dancers. At the end I was laughing and very high in this pool of energy and fantastic live drumming.
Here are a few things you should know for participation:
Food: Eat a real good breakfast/brunch before attending, protein and carbs. We will supply some power bars and fruits during the seminar as well as water. And you can bring your own snacks. Our ceremony will conclude with a nutritious sit-down meal.
Clothing: Wear something comfortable for the seminar. For the ceremony you will need to be bare chested (you may wear a bra, open-top swimsuit, or leather bra if preferred). Kilts, skirts, sarongs, ceremonial pants and leather pants are appropriate for the lower body for all dancers.
For preparatory exercises: Bring a couple of floggers for the group exercises to raise energy prior to body piercing. We will have a few floggers to loan, but if possible, bring your own. Please bring one soft flogger and one heavy one if you can.
Be aware: After the ritual, you will NEED to ground before you re enter the outside world. After the workshop will we will not be able to provide proper sharing time and a long closure for the ritual. Think of what you need after an intense scene. You will be high, you may crash. Have a friend help you. Please have that support available to you that evening and next day. Emotions can be overwhelming and process is important. If you have to do your own aftercare, please allow for that time for yourself. Be gentle.