Event Rules
(The unpleasant realities of life dictated by lawyers and insurance companies)
1. Events are held at A Sacred Place 970 NH Route 118 Canaan, NH. All events will open at 9 AM on their opening day and close at 3 PM on their last day. We ask that attendees make every effort to arrive during daylight hours for safety reasons.
2. All attendees must be registered and have submitted a completed Registration Form, Assumption of Risk Form, and be paid in full. No unregistered guests will be permitted.
3. All minor children (under 18) MUST be accompanied by the parent or authorized guardian who has listed them on their Registration Form. Parents are to be responsible for their children at all times.
A guardian will require a notarized letter from the parent that grants them authority to give permission for medical treatment if needed
4. This is a family oriented gathering clothing is required. It is NOT optional.
5. Convicted Sex Offenders are PROHIBITED from attending. This statement shall serve as notice that attempting to do so shall constitute CRIMINAL TRESPASS! Any person attempting to join this event who has been convicted of a sexual crime involving minors or force will be arrested! Child safety and parental peace of mind are our priorities.
5. This is a drug-free event. Illegal drugs will not be tolerated.
6. Alcohol is allowed in moderation and permitted with the following exceptions:
B. NO UNDERAGE DRINKING.
C. Drunkenness and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
Violations or Items 5 and 6 (a-c) will result with immediate termination of attendance, no warning, no arguments, and no refunds. We require that all Federal, State, and local laws be observed during our events.
7. Fires: The organizers will make every effort to secure a Fire Permit from the Town of Canaan to allow individual camp fires. Please be aware that possible dry/drought conditions may prohibit open flames.
B. Fires inside, or within 10feet of, the tree line must be elevated in a suitable fire bowl with cover.
C. BBQ grills, sterno stoves, hibachi, etc. need to be raised off the ground/grass and only use approved fuels.
D. Campers are welcome to all the deadfall they can find. Please DO NOT cut living trees or take split firewood.
E. Leaving a fire unattended, by an adult, is prohibited.
F. Fire extinguishers or water must be within easy reach in the event of emergency
G. Per town ordinance open fires may not be used for burning trash
H. All fires must be completely extinguished, drowned, and cold by noon the day of departure
8. Smokers:
B. There is NO SMOKING in the Temple. A designated smoking area is set up near the tree line.
9. Pets, Familiars, and Companion Animals are not allowed, Registered Service Animals are. Please let us know in advance. The local wildlife (coyote, great horned owls, fox, fishers, and bears) have learned that house pets are easy prey.
10. Swimming is allowed in the Indian River and brook. The water can be extremely cold and fast moving and the rocks slippery. There is no lifeguard. Water safety is the responsibility of the individual and parents of children.
11. This is private land, and Festival Organizers reserve the right to refuse entrance to anyone.
12. Festival Organizers reserve the right to eject anyone they deem creating a disturbance, or danger to themselves or others. If a person in your party’s behavior is disruptive and begins to have a negative impact on others, you will be warned ONCE. The second time the problem has to be addressed attendance will be terminated for that individual and possibly their entire party.
13. In the interest of safety: If a member of the event staff tells you to do something, they have a good reason (and may or may not have time to explain at that moment) your cooperation is expected.
14. When you arrive you are welcome to drive to your campsite to unload. We ask that you move your vehicle to designated parking areas immediately afterwards so others may also come through. Please be watchful for Ritual Areas that may be set up Please do not drive through them.
15. If you should arrive after dark please us parking lights ONLY, DRIVE SLOWLY, and stop at the top of the driveway. Someone will meet you and help you find a campsite. If a ritual is in progress you may have to wait and we ask that you do so.
16. Campsites are on a first come first served basis. Attendees are responsible for providing their own tents/housing. If you need help setting up just ask. Please collect all trash when you leave and pile it at the top of the driveway.
17. We will try to accommodate RVs or trailers but the ground conditions at the time of the event will dictate where you may park. We do not have dump facilities.
18. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO, and AUDIO RECORDING has become an issue in the past few years. WE CAN NOT GUARANTEE YOUR PHOTO WON’T BE TAKEN. If you do not wish to be photographed PLEASE wear something to help identify you to photographers.
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Taking photographs is a privilege not a right. We understand that you wish to record memories of your experiences. We understand that you may wish to share these with others. Yes! You own the photo, but an individual owns their image. We ask that you:
B. Please consider joining the ASP Yahoo Group at ="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/a_sacred_place. You may post your photos there. It’s a Member’s Only site and photos that are objected to can easily be taken down.
C. DO NOT indiscriminately post them to social networking sites ie: FaceBook without the expressed consent of ALL in the photo. This has been THE major cause of problems.
D. If you’re participating in a ritual then that should be where your focus lies. Do not bring cameras, or any electronics, into Circle. Find someone that’s not participating to take photos for you.
E. NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY at the Fire Circles after dark. The sudden bright light has ripped people out of their trance state leaving them disoriented and blinded in close proximity to a large fire. It’s rude, dangerous, and will not be tolerated.
Some in the community have good reason to remain in the “broom closet” others take offence to their image being captured. Photographers please be mindful that your privileges end where the rights of others begin. You are expected to respect the wishes of those you photograph. Failure to do so may result in revocation of your privilege to take photos at future events. We gather in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust, please don't betray that.
Audio recording is allowed ONLY with the prior permission of the subjects!
19. Electronics: Please leave your cell phones and other electronics in your vehicles. Energetically it’s a leash to the mundane and interferes with you being in the Here and Now. We have an apiary and it interferes with the bees finding their way home. The Land Spirits don’t like electronics and they have taken them in the past. We have reason to believe they feed them to Ahhhnold, the mower, because he really enjoys crunchy snacks.
Cell reception here is poor at best and wandering around staring at your phone won’t help. I admit it’s funny to watch the concentration on people’s faces, but when they bump into each other, trip, or fall it’s no longer a laughing matter. Please put a message on your phone directing people to contact you at the house phone (603) 523-4051. EMERGENCIES ONLY PLEASE! They can leave a message and someone will find you. If you need to make a call just ask one of the staff members
and we’ll take you to one that works. In NH no problem, out of state please leave a donation….thanks.
20. Your registration includes the Feast which follows the Main Ritual. Currently there is no additional meal plan; we’ll notify you if that changes. We make every effort to have a food vendor at events and will let you know if there will be one. If you would like to bring foods to share they will be most welcome, we can provide refrigeration. Medications and infant formula that requires refrigeration may be stored in the house. Attendees will to be responsible for all other meals, snacks, extra beverages etc. We recommend a cooler to discourage small animals and pests.
21. Vendors are normally welcome but must pre-register. Please contact us as soon as possible for specific information.
Ritual Etiquette
We will be celebrating a number of rituals during the course of the event. To those unfamiliar we post the following:
B. We will be erecting a Circle of Energy to be our temple. We ask that that the boundaries of this temple be respected.
C. We do not require participation; however, if you choose not to join us we ask that you remove yourself to an area that will not distract or detract from the experience for others.
D. Those that do wish to participate we ask that you plan to stay for the entire ritual. Bouncing in and out of Circle disrupts the energy flow. In the event of an urgent need to leave please go to the exit and have a portal “cut” for you to exit/return by the Gate Keeper.
E. Altars, ritual tools (including musical instruments) are personal consecrated items. DO NOT handle, touch, or play with them without the specific permission of the owners.
! PLEASE do not put anything into Ritual Fires without asking!
