ePlaya

by **KinestheticThought** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:16 pm

I seek the input of spiritual healers (such as Shaman) as well as body modification experts (particularly scarification though cutting) and artists (especially those who consider their work tribal) to assist with a scarification right.

Healers:
Any/all healers will be welcome, though I seek a small (and highly dedicated and skilled) team to actually participate in the right. If you are interested, please email me directly (through ePlaya eMail).

Body Modification Experts:
Please provide a few paragraphs about you, your experience/training, safety practices/standards, and any other information that you think I should know (and that will help me be able to select the best, most qualified individuals to be part of my team).

Artists:
Please feel free to submit artwork even if you are not interested in attending/participating in the scarification. I seek tribal artwork that can be utilized on it's own and/or in combination with other pieces. To submit your art, pleast post a link and/or images as a reply to this post or contact me directly (for example through eplaya).

...a sincere thanks to those who consider participating (and in any way supporting) my Rite of Passage.

by **C187** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:57 am

Just to clarify, are you seeking these people and the services they provide for yourself. Or are you seeking for a camp set up?

I'm asking because how I read the bulk of what you wrote make me think camp, while the last line makes me think personal.

by **KinestheticThought** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:35 am

I had meant to ask for help with my own personal rite of passage.

At this point I feel that it is a rather large undertaking to gather the support needed for my own ritual, let alone a theme camp.

[As a side note, the reason that I posted this under "Art and Performace" is that I plan to allow participants to come visit me, making it not only body art but also a performance piece...It also reminds me of the Dickie Box because I am asking the community to help me in a variety of ways with the hope that it will create a symbiotic experience (the person helping me and me being helped).]

[Edited on 8/7/2011 to remove offers to assist others with body modification/exploration as it is a huge undertaking and I simply cannot take on the responsibilities involved. If anyone is already doing body rites that they would like me to attend, please contact me...but I cannot take responsibility for ensuring the safety of any body rite besides my own.]

by **mudpuppy000** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:25 am

You might want to read up on the branding thread. The playa is not a nice place to be if you have open wounds.

viewtopic.php?t=36860&highlight=branded+exodus

by **FIGJAM** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:12 am

I got a very small papercut like wound last year.

During the week it would dry, crack, dry, crack,dry,crack, by the end of the week ,it was 5 times as large and very painful. And I was moisturizing and taking good care of the cut.

by **KinestheticThought** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:23 am

Mudpuppy000:
Thank you very much for linking me to the branding thread (I had been aware of at least one branding camp, but did not know their name or how to contact them).

I am well aware of the risks, as well as the increased risks of doing so on the playa (as FIGJAM pointed out). However, I feel a spiritual calling that should not, cannot, be ignored.

That is why I am seeking to establish a team well in advance (especially to include healers as well as a scarification expert) and make sure that I do so as responsibly as possible.

Thanks for your concern.

by **Peacekeeper** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:34 pm

a brief heads up....

most serious & experienced suspension & body mod people would never, ever consider doing either of those things on-playa: the risk of infection and/or aggravation is so high they just wont touch it.

If that's the nearly uniform position of most the really good practitioners in these fields, anyone you find who is willing to do it might not really know what they are doing... I'd talk with that person in greeeeeeat detail about their experience & track record, and i'd try to get references too...

just sayin'

by **AKDMAN** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:32 pm

In 2009 we branded around 30 people with a brand heated from the ashes of the man Sunday at sunrise, it's a bad idea, I still got one because I was leaving that day and I had silver nitrate, a prescription burn cream to keep it from getting infected, I was prepared... Some people were not, don't be like them or me, 2nd degree burns are not cool

by **KinestheticThought** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:12 pm

Yeah, as I said I understand the risks.

The thing is that I am either going to do this by myself or with a team to help make it slightly safer. I have no illusion that it'll be easy, and understand that I must be prepared (and that even if prepared, the risks will be much higher on the playa...).

Peacekeeper:
Thanks for the heads up. I had already considered that as a possible obsticle, but I appreciate the note. I will definately be speaking with any/all interested parties in GREAT detail.

[As another side-note, the risks are definately a large portion of the reason that I do not seek to setup a camp...I do not wish to encourage other participants to engage in such activities, nor do I wish to deal with such large-scale logistics. Earlier I had said that if there were interest I would be willing to help...which is still true, but I'd like to clarify that that would only be under the perameter that I would be assisting other people who feel as strongly about this as I do to help make their experience safer, not just to provide a scarification booth. In general I do not recommend scarification practices on-playa, but am willing/eager to accept the personal risks...]

by **TomServo** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:48 pm

Met Fakir at the 2002 or 03 burn. he was giving out BM brands. Brands would be safer...I imagine, than cutting. On that note...If anyone has fresh tattoos on the playa, keep them covered!

by **Speedbump** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:47 am

I'm actually planning on gettting a tattoo before the burn this year. I'm actually planning it about 30 days out in order to allow it to heal properly BEFORE I get to the playa.

I'm also probably getting a nice large ink stamp made for those that would like a )'( stamp as a gift rather than burning or cutting themselves.

Again, the playa is no place for any kind of open wound of any kind, especially one that is self inflicted.

by **jkisha** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:07 pm

This whole concept is totally beyond my ability to comprehend.

by **Dust Becomes You** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:57 pm

i ripped open my thigh in 99 in a terrible bike accident. after self medicating (thanks Mustang camp for unlimited keg access), it seemed like a good idea to stop the flow of blood with playa dust. i packed the wound-stretching the skin to fit larger pebbles of playa, duct taped it closed, and carried my bike and djembe back to camp where i promptly fell asleep. ok, so i tried to create my own bacon shot glass where i continued the medication phase with jaeger.

when i finished the sleep cycle, i put my clothes back on and crawled out from behind the bar. my camp mates were worried and they applied several techniques popular in western medical circles to fix me.

but nothing worked and since i supposedly 'aggravated' the injury the healing process was not efficient.

the weeping of fluids pretty much ceased in 2004. i worked thru most of the mental/emotional issues related to the limp, and the scarring is minimal.

so really all i have to show for it is this story and an unnatural fear of inverted nipples.

by **tamarakay** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:48 pm

jkisha wrote:This whole concept is totally beyond my ability to comprehend.

i'm with you. i try, but just don't get there.

by **AntiM** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:40 am

I went to the playa with open wounds in 2004. I'd had brachytherapy radiation on my breast, through 16 long catheters. They removed them on Friday, we headed to the playa on Sunday. I kept them bandaged, as clean as possible, and hydrated with a special ointment I'd been given. No problems, a few are still visible. I'll show them on request for the truly curious.

I was heavily medicated that year. That's why I look so serene in my White House picture.

So wounds can be dealt with on the playa, but somehow I didn't think playa dust was the cure.

A traditional method: If you have nothing else at hand, clean the wound as best you can. Cover it in honey, and wrap it in cellophone/saran wrap, clean plastic. Keep the air and dust out. I want to know how well this works, so if anyone tries it, lemme know (I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV)

Ask MyLarry about the time he accidentally pierced his thigh clear through with a honey-locust thorn branch. Gruesome.

by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:38 am

I think that KT needs to speak those such as AKDMAN who appear to have done this deliberately and responsibly - although you can learn a lot about fire from someone with 3rd degree burns, I guess...

by **hancockjonathan** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:28 pm

I have a brand from a glassblowing tool called the jacks. it was an initiation to being a glass blower from my senior year in college.
Does anyone know if you can put a brand on top of a brand or will it scar unevenly? I am interested in helping out with your project but i am not a shaman or any spiritual figure. I am an artist though.
let me know how i can help?
thanks
jon-a-thon[/img]

by **KinestheticThought** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:22 pm

Tamarakay and Jkisha:
Most people will probably not be able to comprehend my reasons for participating in such a rite. However, if either of you (or anyone for that matter) would like to ask specific questions or discuss the topic further in email, I'd be more than happy to discuss it with you.

**************************************************************************
Dust Becomes You:
I'm so sorry to hear about your bicycle accident. That sounds like it hurt, a lot.

I'm glad to hear you are doing better now...

Most definately a lesson to those who think they can deal with injuries while intoxicated!

*************************************************************************
AntiM:
OUCH! I'm glad to hear that you were able to make it to the playa, and that you were able to keep your wounds from becoming infected.

Honey does have antibiotic and general healing properties (I have a friend who cut her hand to the bone and was having problems getting it to heal using all the newest/"best" creames provided by western medicine...when she finally gave up on the doctor's advice and applied honey, it fully healed within two days), though I'm not sure yet whether or not I will be using it on-playa.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, best wishes! :-)
**************************************************************************
HancockJonathan:
Thank you very much for your offer to help with my rite. In addition to body modification specialists and healers, I also seek artists (to help me with the art portion of the ritual prior to my trip to the playa, and to be able to draw the finalized version onto me on-playa). Thanks for volunteering, I'll go ahead and follow up via email.
As far as your question regarding putting a brand over an existing scar, I would research that extensively before trying it (not just for the evenness of your scar but also so that you don't end up with a wound that refuses to heal).

Do your research and ask professionals first!!!

by **Bob** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:56 am

jkisha wrote:This whole concept is totally beyond my ability to comprehend.

Ditto. Wouldn't a 'healer' tell you not to fucking hurt yourself on purpose?

by **some seeing eye** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 5:53 pm

You might want to have medical care available down the road that understands the microorganisms in playa dust, there are even viable brine shrimp eggs in it which hatch when the playa floods. Definitely horror movie material. There are some old threads about the dust composition.

For others who get open wounds on the playa, go to medical. Always have had great interactions with them.

by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:44 pm

some seeing eye wrote:You might want to have medical care available down the road that understands the microorganisms in playa dust, there are even viable brine shrimp eggs in it which hatch when the playa floods. Definitely horror movie material.

Especially in a 1950s camp production with totally pathetic explanations tendered by guys in lab coats...

by **Kinetik V** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:07 pm

I happen to think that the people who seek these sorts of things out usually have a good idea what they're getting into. And with that being said if I get to go this year this sort of thing is really appealing to me.

As for the rest of it...be prepared, take your own medical supplies, yadda yadda...I call it radical self reliance. A few people might have heard of such a thing. Many consider it a dead idea...but a few still believe in it.

Oh and the best things I've had with me on the playa was gorilla tape, multiple tubes of Loctite Super Glue, and hydrogen peroxide. On float trips I've taken in Southern Missouri in the past those three items have made the difference for over 30+ people that I can think of...it allowed them to finish their float vs. having to take a long ride to go see some doctor to patch them up. And on the playa...well it kept me out of the medical tent. The only time I've had to visit the med tent was for dehydration which was my first year, and one other time when my meds kicked my ass....otherwise...I've held my own and if I can anyone can.

by **MyDearFriend** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:56 am

Kinetic V wrote:I happen to think that the people who seek these sorts of things out usually have a good idea what they're getting into. And with that being said if I get to go this year this sort of thing is really appealing to me.

What? Oh, man... okay well if you wind up not going I can at least look you up while I'm in Henderson, right???

Kinetic V wrote: Oh and the best things I've had with me on the playa was gorilla tape, multiple tubes of Loctite Super Glue, and hydrogen peroxide.

I heartily endorse the gorilla tape in a harsh environment, esp if applied over skin glue (much like super glue but, available at your drug store in a skin-friendly applicator) but would ask you all to at least consider using soap & water instead of hydrogen peroxide, which is a good surface cleanser but an anti-healing agent in wounds. Soap & water will kill a lot more germs anyway. And your own urine out-performs peroxide in controlled studies... just saying.

by **delle** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:09 am

some seeing eye wrote: You might want to have medical care available down the road that understands the microorganisms in playa dust, there are even viable brine shrimp eggs in it which hatch when the playa floods. Definitely horror movie material.

Ooooh, how cute. A seamonkey-encrusted scar. Very original!!!!

by **mudpuppy000** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:31 am

delle wrote:
some seeing eye wrote: You might want to have medical care available down the road that understands the microorganisms in playa dust, there are even viable brine shrimp eggs in it which hatch when the playa floods. Definitely horror movie material.

Ooooh, how cute. A seamonkey-encrusted scar. Very original!!!!

Maybe they'll hatch every year during burning man

by **some seeing eye** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:33 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bx_JimGwM4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLI2aCNSjTg

by **some seeing eye** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:35 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bx_JimGwM4[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLI2aCNSjTg[/youtube]

by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:15 pm

The Sun Dance (or Sundance) is a religious ceremony practiced by a number of Native American and First Nations peoples, primarily those of the Plains Nations. Each tribe has its own distinct practices and ceremonial protocols. Many of the ceremonies have features in common, such as specific dances and songs passed down through many generations, the use of traditional drums, the sacred pipe, tobacco offerings, praying, fasting and, in some cases, the piercing of skin on the chest or back for the men and arms for the women.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_shamans

by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:22 pm

Does anyone remember this performance artist?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CeH7wSjwXk[/youtube]

by **KinestheticThought** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:23 am

Bob,
Thanks for your concern. Yes, I have heard that a lot. However, I feel a deeply rooted need/desire to do this and seek the support of the community to help make it a positive spiritual experience rather than just some scarification.

I seek spiritual healers because most are familiar with energy and can be sensitive to very subtle changes in my mood, consciousness, experience, etc. The reason I mentioned "Shaman" is that Shaman are known for walking people through mental/spiritual journeys, which I hope to be at least a portion of this ritual. I do not expect to have my wounds healed by them, but would like to have energetically-sensitive individuals help support my sacred space and be able to assist me with my spiritual journey (as several people on this thread have pointed out, not everyone will be able to connect with the concept let alone be able to communicate with me on my level during the rite/ritual).

Sorry I wasn't clear about that from the beginning (I also discovered that you can only edit your posts for an hour...so I can't change my request). To be clear, I seek the following...

SPIRITUAL HEALERS:
I seek spiritual healers to help establish and maintain sacred space for the ritual, assist with my spiritual, mental, and emotional experience, and to generally oversee the rite from a spiritual/energetic perspective.

On-SCENE MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS:
Due to the nature of this rite/ritual, I would like to have medically trained individuals on-scene. If you have medical training and are interested in participating, please send me a private message through eplaya.

WOUND CARE ASSISTANCE:
Some of the planned cuts will be in areas (for example my back/shoulder blades) that I will be unable to see and/or effectively care for. In order to be able to receive scarification in those areas, I will need a dedicated individual/team to assist me in caring for them...

CUTTER/BODY MODIFICATION EXPERT(s):
Although I have been contacted by a few individuals with *some* body modification experience, I do not yet have anyone with the experience necesary to safely complete the rite/ritual. If you are an experienced body modification specialist (especially through cutting), please consider assisting (even if you normally would not do a modification on the playa, please consider that I plan to do this with or without assistance...you will not be contributing to an irresponsible act, but instead to help make a spiritual moment a safe one as well...).

ARTISTS:
I have some of the pattern drawn, though I still seek the input of other artists. If you are interested, please contact me via pm.

OTHER:
I also seek the assistance of mutant vehicles (especially immediately following scarification) and the general support of the community.

If you are interested in participating, please contact me. Please include your name/playa name, a little bit about your reason(s) for wanting to participate in the rite/ritual, and any skills you are willing to offer.

Thank you!!!

ePlaya

Help Needed for Body Scarification Rite

Help Needed for Body Scarification Rite

scarification

burns from glassblowing tools

Who is online