Red Deer:

OK FOLKS - MAY I PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?

VIRAGOWITCH:

sure... {g}

Red Deer:

Tonight VW will be discussing Sacred / Ritual Dance

But first, I'd like to remind you all of class etiquette...

1) Please keep all side conversation - including MMs etc. - in IM during VWs time

2) I hold the right of exclusion - Please exclude without comment upon my call. Please do not talk to or about excludees in the room during class.

3) Would a few folk log this offering in case of system failure?

Elenya:

{-----logging

Magyar:

logging

melilot:

{------------logging

Red Deer:

OK - and thanks loggers...

People - I give you VW {g}

VIRAGOWITCH:

Thanks, RD...

VIRAGOWITCH:

Ok.... tonight's class is on Sacred Dance/Dance in ritual. Please bear with me, I threw this together on short notice... and I'm in the middle of moving and am on my laptop, so please forgive any typos

Dance... Dance is the glorious partnership of music, movement, and gesture. It can be a simple means of communication a form of recreation, and a marvelous method of worship. Music and dance were among the earliest magical and religious acts. Hand signals and gestures have the potential to raise deep emotions.

The primary focus of primitive dance, was the Circle of Life... the Wheel of the Year People would dance to celebrate and to honor the changes that occur during the natural progression of life. They would dance to honor and celebrate the change of seasons. We would consider the earliest music to be primitive and rather simple. It was highly rhythmic, lacking in melody and harmony. Slapping the chest/thighs, clapping, snapping, and other natural sounds were used. Fuller sounds were later added, with simple instruments such as log drums and reed flutes. Such instruments can produce amazingly evocative sounds... This is still used by many Shamans.

Originally, musical accompaniment was provided by the dancers. Rhythms were played on the simple instruments Later, melodies were added, such as bird calls played on reed or bone flutes. These simple melodies served as vocal and audible expressions of the dancers' state of mind. Frequently, the simpler {"primitive"} dance is more effective, because it requires less conscious thought... it bypasses mere consciousness and goes straight to the heart of the matter. The rhythm of dance music was the central focus It not only enabled the dancers to stay in time, it also helped to raise energy and release power. Medicine men/women were probably the first choreographers. Primitive people shared gestures and movements, that aided in communication. For example, tender caresses signified love. Clenched fists and angry scowls indicated anger... rage... even hatred. Hunger could be expressed by rubbing the belly. These common gestures were incorporated into dance, as well as other gestures from daily life. For example, a dancer could imitate someone planting seeds, by swinging their arms and bending down rhythmically.

These early dances were not for pleasure... They were teaching dances... important teaching aids, to pass on tribal traditions and teach basic skills to the young. Dance spans the cultural gap - the origins are lost in prehistoric times, but we know from anthropological studies that men and women have always danced. Why? What drove humanity to dance? Dances in primitive cultures were a celebration of life: the changes of human development, the changes of Mother Earth's seasons, the Wheel of the Year. People would dance to celebrate births, commemorate life, relieve grief over death. They would dance to ask for Gods for assistance: such as relieving a famine, or for a good harvest.

The first great culture to be saturated with the magic and the mystery of dance was Ancient Egypt. Dance was a central part of Egyptian life - it evolved from simple hunting dances, lead by a priest-dancer, into a more complex religious art form. Dance was the major element in festivals honoring Isis and Osiris... the flooding of the Nile... Harvest of corn... All Souls Night... fertility rites of Apis the Bull... Music was a less important part of these festivals - Egyptians had stringed, wind, and percussion instruments. Egyptian dance movements were named after the gesture they imitated... For example "leading the cattle" or "capturing the boat".

Moving on... According to Aristotle, Greek Theatre originated with the myths surrounding Dionysus. The poet Arion established the basic theatrical form: dance, spoken words, and costumes. There was a primary dancer, who served also as choreographer. Greek theatre was always connected with Dionysus, and was a religious exercise. Dance was highly important... In fact, three of the great Greek dramatists {Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus} were dancers. Greek religious dances were performed by single sex groups, and utilized two kinds of motions: movements and gestures. Movements were similar to gymnastics or acrobatics. Gestures were more highly developed. They were postures and expressions portraying emotions.

Around 364 BCE, Romans began importing Greek dancers for religious rites. Soon, the Romans were incorporating their own dance. The Romans distorted the Greek dances - disrupting the balance and harmony, putting more emphasis on the spectacle and pantomime. Roman dance was based on three principals: motion, posture, and the indication of nearby objects. Small theaters gave way to large arenas, and dancers had to resort to cruder movements, to pass their message on to the audience. Still, Roman dance has a ritual/religious purpose... Sometimes also a military purpose.

With the rise of Christianity, dance was also incorporated into the Early Christian church. The Latin Mass was the best example - it was a highly dramatic rite, with dance, music, and dramatic dialogue. The Latin Mass was often performed in village squares, as a means of entertainment, and also as a way to educate people about Christianity. Ritual dance had become a source of entertainment.

In the Middle Ages, ritual dance continued to celebrate the passing of the seasons... as it had done for generations. Another important sacred dance of the Middle Ages was the Dance of Death... performed from the 14-16th centuries. A parade of dancers, lead by the masked dancing figure of Death, expressed the intense grief and misery of a culture ravished by the Black Plague. On a happier note... another important dance was the MayPole dance... to assure the return of fertility.

Every culture has developed a means of expression though movement. Tribal rituals... to be danced at crucial and important times... There is great variety in Native American dances... There is tremendous emphasis on the movement of the feet and head, and less emphasis on the arms. Drums were very important. In India, dance celebrated religious festivals and rites of passage. There was the very important classical Hindu dance, the drama bharata natya, performed by a single female dancer... And the all-male Kathakali- similar dances Both had a great range of movement, and great energy. Japanese sacred dance was more formal and stately.... with slower movements... It combined dance steps with mime. Chinese ritual dance was a very very important part of religion and philosophy. Sadly, the majority of the old Chinese dances have been forgotten. We can only watch the dance in the Chinese opera, and imagine how splendid the ritual dancing must have been.

Dance can be a marvelous way to open the magical floodgates... by letting your feelings dance freely with your body and allowing the power to wash over you and surge through your body... allowing it to peak and released. Dance is one of the many ways of making magic, and one of my favorites. Ritual/Sacred dance need not be elaborate!!! You don't need fancy choreography with dozens of chanting priests and candle-carrying, dancing priestesses, to be effective! Simple movement, again, is often the most effective. Clapping and skipping, for example... They're both amazingly simple, yet powerful. Clapping has a nice crisp powerful sound... skipping is joyful. A small group of people, skipping in a circle and clapping, can raise enormous energy. Many people are embarrassed by the idea of singing or dancing before others... Remember, you don't need elaborate choreography, folks! You don't need to be a tap-dancing pagan to incorporate dance into ritual! Dance can be your link to the Gods... merely walking around the circle can be considered dance.

Red Deer:

{--- raises hand

VIRAGOWITCH:

Music can be either created, or, if you're not musically inclined, provided from any of several excellent and readily available CDs/tapes... I'll post a list of recommended on the BB.

Yes, Red Deer?

Red Deer:

I just want to point out that, if you observe the ritual dance of many "primitive" societies - African or Native American, for example - each dancer has their own individual rhythm... it's often not choreographed at all...

VIRAGOWITCH:

Excellent point... thanks.

Red Deer:

but the whole is VERY powerful

VIRAGOWITCH:

Ok.... some more about musical instruments...

They can be classified by the elements. Earth instruments include most drums... rattles... the xylophone... great for fertility rites, Goddess-invocations. Air dominates the wind instruments... flute, recorder.... piccolo... great for intellectual/mental powers. Fire rules the strings... harp... guitar... health, passion, courage. Lastly, water rules the resonant instruments: bells, etc. love, friendship, healing!

Nestor:

{-----Raises hand

VIRAGOWITCH:

It is no secret that physical movement generates and releases bodily energy...Group dances {such as the Meeting Dance} are terrific... but I recommend some rehearsal! For individual worship... or less formal group workings, let the spirit and the passion of the moment move you! Feel the energies... of the earth, your group, yourself... Stomp around, wave your arms... Be Savage! Imitate the animals or the elements! The possibilities are unlimited!

Nestor:

Where would you place the "brass" -- under the fire element?

melilot:

brass are wind instruments i think... you blow into them with air

Nestor:

while using columns of air -- they are seen as a separate class of instruments... the mouthpiece and materials are entirely different

Kocia:

Might you not just match brass with the element that seems right at the time? I mean, if you stretch it, they could be water instruments too, because of the spit collectors!

melilot:

LOL

Morrigan:

lol

Nestor:

lol

Morrigan:

Well... air gets my vote just because it involves blowing out of breath

melilot:

i am now getting a lecture on brass instruments... THANKS NESTOR

Morrigan:

did VW get bumped perhaps?

hello? is this thing on??

Kocia:

Can't find VW anywhere.

Nestor:

personally I could see them mainly as a fire instrument --trumpet, frenchhorn .etc

melilot:

lets make them spirit then cause we don't know where they go {G}

RyanDaGrape:

is what on

Morrigan:

good choice Meli! {g}

Elenya:

She's on a lap top...could be she got bumped, I'd give her a minute to get back on

Morrigan:

me either Kocia, I think she got bumped

Nestor:

I am think of the psychological effect of the brasses - often most martial of all instruments

Kocia:

I would agree, Nestor, despite my cracks about water. But to each her own, perhaps.

Morrigan:

any of you use dance regularly in you ritual?

Red Deer:

I'm afraid she did - perhaps she'll be back momentarily

love doing spirals

Morrigan:

yes... that is something that I like to do by myself, as opposed to group dancing which is hard when you are your own group.

Elenya:

{g}

Venia:

My main "ritual dance" is just turning up some good native stuff and dancing till I drop.

Nestor:

Well in some of the early groups I was involved in there were traditional simple dances taught -- open for the opening and entrance to the circle and one for "the Spell" or raising of power during magick

Kocia:

"Native stuff," Venia? Native to where? (Curious)

Morrigan:

that makes sense Nestor, different dance for a different type of energy or mindset

Venia:

All places; anything that I like at the moment. East indian and Native American mainly.

Nestor:

it seems to have worked quite well but there was really not "history" of each dance just divided by function

Morrigan:

Venia, I can raise some incredible energy with a nice Celtic "romp" tune

Elenya:

Nestor, can you type out the steps for us? {g}

Nestor:

they were very similar to English round dances

Morrigan:

{g}

Venia:

I tend to dance to get rid of negativity... just light some incense and let it all hang out...

Red Deer:

{--- rarely has "live music" but always has music in my head

Morrigan:

it works very well Venia

Morrigan:

ya Red... tis the voices that we worry about tho

would you believe, most often Baroque?

Morrigan:

{---likes Baroque too

Red Deer:

I ignore all of them except the Gods, Morrigan

melilot:

Morrigan, depends on which head is talking to him also

Kocia:

My sister and I practice together and often use dance - these days, believe it or not, it's Mexican pop and mariachi!

Morrigan:

true Meli!

Nestor:

I always liked

Red Deer:

ladies, I NEVER ignore the voice behind the gods {VBEG}

melilot:

kocia i like upbeat 50's rock {g}

Morrigan:

heheh Red!

LMAO

Nestor:

Anthony Quinn in Zorba telling that the meaning of life to a Greek was to Dance

Venia:

Does anyone hear do heavy metal dancing or am I just weird?

Nestor:

they still remember the old movements and patterns

Red Deer:

aye nestor

melilot:

venia your just weird {EG}

Venia:

You can create a great banishing ritual that way...

Red Deer:

as do most of the country folk of everywhere

melilot:

but weird is a good thing dear {G}

Nestor:

if any of you get a chance go to a local Greek Festival --usually held by the Orthodox church in the area and watch those folk dances

Red Deer:

It's time for their Yule festivities

Nestor:

you can see the dance of the men -- as if it was straight out of the Iliad

Red Deer:

the Greek Orthodox Church that is

Venia:

Armenian weddings have some interesting folk dances...

Nestor:

yes RD

melilot:

so do the polish

Nestor:

each nationality and culture had traditional dances with meanings, often the origins are quite pagan

Morrigan:

One of my brother in laws is from Greece so I've seen some of the dancing up close and personal

Venia:

The prob. is most of the time they can't remember the meanings...

melilot:

as does the american culture

Morrigan:

but that's not religious dancing

melilot:

the jitterbug has to qualify as a cultural dance and a ritual mating dance

Nestor:

one of the things that Morgan was so impressed with in Greece and turkey was the 'belly dancing' --she had studied ballet for years and we have season ticket --but she was amazed and delighted to see that

Red Deer:

is there a difference between religious and non-religious dance?

Nestor:

that it is an amazinging art form

Kocia:

I think dance is dance, Red.

Morrigan:

technically no Red

melilot:

sure is red one you feel and one you don't

Red Deer:

I can't dance without feeling something meli

Morrigan:

it doesn't matter what I get up to dance for, I always feel something about it. usually joy

melilot:

dance with my uncle real close you won't feel shit

Red Deer:

of course, El would just say I can't dance{g}

Morrigan:

oh me either Red, but that doesn't stop me.

Nestor:

Red Deer My Brother --is it not you who told me that there is no bound to the sacred ? yet I can understand the question is more are there dances which are more associated with religious functions

Kocia:

I think we look at things separately in the States (religious, not so) and that many cultures do not.

Red Deer:

aye, Kocia - except I'm in the states and make no separations...

everything is religious for me

Kocia:

Good for you! I agree in principle, but have to work at it in practice.

Morrigan:

Well folks, do you think it's safe to say that VW isn't going to make it back on line tonight?

melilot:

i find functional dance to bring no emotion it is just movements when i dance for the pleasure of the dance then it is religious to me

Red Deer:

aye Nestor - I intended it as a rhetorical question - I experience no boundaries

Morrigan:

ya meli. It's like when they tried to teach me the Hustle. I never could enjoy myself when I danced that... too structured

Red Deer:

Thanks for a GREAT class VW!!!

melilot:

thanks vw sorry we can't see you {EG}

PAniteowl:

Good Job VW {G}

Nestor:

thanks VW

Elenya:

Excellent class, VW!

Morrigan:

yes, from what I caught it sounded great

Red Deer:

she's in a place that is no place {g}

Aralia:

Thank You VW

Kocia:

Come back one day, VW -- I've got questions!

Morrigan: