Pantheacon, Friday

Wrapped up work at 6:30, called Rick to see if he wanted to join me at Pantheacon tonight. Though some of the stuff I wanted to see had already happened (Led Zeppelin and the Occult), but there was more to happen. I arrived late enough after 7 that Rick and I decided to go get dinner.

During dinner, we decided we'd do several things, including going to the Robert Anton Wilson memorial tomorrow night ("Put the fun back in funeral"). One panel description (for "Waking Up the Spiritual Self" ritual) Rick described as: "so it's tai-chi manqué." Here's the description for that panel:

Whether you belong to a group or you're solitary, whether you travel a particular spiritual path or your own eclectic blend of magic and mysticism, whether you prefer tradition or embrace change, everyone is welcome at our morning ritual to greet the day with chanting, drumming, singing, and movement. You want to get the most out of your day, so join us for a ritual to awaken the senses, ground the spirit and body, and give intention to your actions so you get the most from the glorious Con!

At 9, we headed for the Men In Black: Luck-Bringers in British Folklore, only to find out it was cancelled. Rick asked what I wanted to do instead, and I replied "Break on through to the Other Side."

So we headed back across the convention for The Dionysus/Morrison Ritual, held by Clan Morrison. It's sort of a high-concept melange, so I'll quote the program description:

For one night, allow yourself to be swept up in the mystery, might, and magick that is Dionysus! Celebrate life through music, dance, love, and drink as we gather to worship the god of bards and bars. Join Ash and Pan Morrison as they take you down the path of excess! This is an interactive ritual, all set to the music of the Doors, full of poetry and motion. Feel the power of Dionysus, see the beauty of Aphrodite and get caught up in the madness of Dischordia. All Hail the Morrison Clan! Surprises and madness await.

Upon entering, we drank from a glass of wine (as did everyone) and were greeted with something welcoming us.

However, I wasn't really prepared for the concept, which is quite possibly just simply because I was tired and hadn't really thought it through -- it really was a Doors dance, with bits of ritual thrown in. It would have been more fun if I hadn't come in so sleep-deprived from the last few days of work, but was still really enjoyable.

Oh, and the first song they played? "Break on Through." I so called it.

Naturally, another early song was "Alabama Song."

I want to go to the yoga thing in the morning (missed my yoga classes this week), so I'm going to bed now.

One of my goals this weekend is to participate in a ritual I wouldn't normally (not too difficult, being a solitary and all, but I still want to experience the different, not the similar).