naked eye, I might be throwing myself around like a madwoman tripping, you’d better believe I’m dropping conscious intentions into that potent field thick and fast, baby. Because I have great faith in the power of collective energy, especially when its embodied and infused with passionate celebration. And this is the essence of a world I
want to live in; one where each of us feels free and supported to express our unique experience of life in our own way, and to share it through celebration and creativity. Not just on the literal dance
The Newkind Festival, which launches a few days after the time of this writing, is taking yet a deeper step in the direction of merging of festival and conference culture, with the expressed intention of creating a social movement, capable of precipitating tangible change in everyday reality, not just within the alternative reality of the festival site. It’s expected that this year’s iconic
Burning Man Festival in the USA, as well as the Global Eclipse Gathering in Oregon shortly before it, will be brimming with all the more passionate calls to action for
by our indigenous brothers and sisters of the Wadawurrung people brought me to tears. Here I felt no ‘us and them’ division, nor was there any judgment being passed on anybody for their motivations for gathering at the festival. As we were treated to displays of
the traditional dance and music, body painting, art, tools and rituals of our native people, it dawned on me: There has been festival culture on this land for 40,000 years or more. Whether or not we succeed in
‘changing the world’, the call to come together to connect, to creatively express and to celebrate life, is, I believe, a profound human instinct. It has been going on for a very long time, and long may it continue to stir us to gather. As I stood on the Woodford stage,
taking in the thousands of people before me, my body tingled, my heart sighed and I felt a rush of resonance with every individual and with the crowd as a whole; this giant, powerful organism. This highly privileged subset of humanity, that I’m blessed to be a part of. There is power here, no question.
floor or in workshop space, but more and more regularly in our everyday reality. “Tell her she’s dreaming.” OK, I hear
you. I respect the understandable viewpoint that this may sound like a far- fetched pipe-dream to some. For those who appreciate a good oxymoron, it’s utopic as Hell. But festivals being a platform for skill-
sharing and creating foundations for a better world is far from a new idea. ConFest, which I was chuffed to share a 40th birthday with last year, was originally designed as, and continues to be, a gathering primarily for the sharing of practices and experiences of what it’s like to live in freedom and sovereignty, as a community of self-empowered people. Whether this, or other festivals like it, has had a profound impact on society at large is a matter of opinion.
social change, given the current political climate in the America. I’m very inspired by the efforts of
these and other festivals across the world to harness the potency of festival culture and channel it in practical ways for the betterment of our planet. Like so much in life, the way I see it,
this all boils down to one key element; connection. Whether it’s to change the world, to be surrounded by our kinfolk, for ceremony, to be entertained or purely to party, festivals offer a haven to deepen our sense of connection; to our unique selves, to each other and to the world around us. At the opening and closing ceremonies
of Rainbow Serpent Festival, I was deeply moved by the sense of connection I felt. The warm Welcome to Country and heartfelt embracing of the festival offered
And with power and privilege comes responsibility. So may we honour our responsibility by taking every opportunity we can to let ourselves be lit up with our passion for being alive. Regardless of whether festivals are your thing or not, may the festival of life call us all to connect to, embody and express the miracle of our existence through all our actions. Shake, pour and share generously, friends. ‘Tis potent medicine indeed. n
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www.livingnow.com.au
Jules Sutherland is a lover, artist, dreamer and realist who passionately believes that humans are pretty awesome. Her business,
Perpetual Mojo, is the lovechild of her long-term love affairs with human connection, embodiment, consciousness and self-expression. Jules and Perpetual Mojo are devoted to bringing sexy back to self-empowerment through passion, presence and play.
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JONATHAN DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
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