Rainbow Family of Living Light is a loosely-knit organization of folks who gather together in the national forests to celebrate peace and harmony with nature and with one another, we aspire to be a Loving and Caring people toward one another and all the varied hues of our Mother Earth. We practice non-violence and peace activisim, ecologically sound ways of living and respect for all beings and ways of life.

However, I felt I should provide a more in depth answer to a very complicated guestion. If you ask someone this question you will see there is a different answer from each folk who happens to respond, and mine is no different. Rainbow is different things to different folks. Most of us, though not all, who consider ourselves part of the Rainbow Family, have attended the National Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes, which takes place in July every year, and or reginal gatherings, or local gathering potlucks and a few more who simply just continue to live a peaceful communal way of life even without currently living on a commune.

Some say we're the largest non-organization of non-members in the world. We have no leaders, and no organization. I think it's safe to say we're into intentional community building, non-violence, and alternative lifestyles. We also believe that Peace and Love are a great thing, and there isn't enough of that in this world. Many of our traditions are based on Native American traditions, and we have a strong orientation to take care of the the Earth. We gather in the National Forests yearly to pray for peace on this planet.

The first gathering was in 1972, and the first gathering took place partly on private land offered for temporary use, and partly on National Forest land. The gathering was intended to be a onetime event. However, folks like it so much that gatherings continue to happen annually on federal lands, each year in a different state.

Sometime around the mid-1980s, folks who felt it was too far or too long to the annual gathering started coming together for smaller, regional gatherings as well as local drum circles or potlucks. folks all over the country developed local and regional bonds.

In the past few years, the spiritual focus has been less obvious, due to the huge influx of folks who may not realize the central purpose of the gatherings. These folks may come to party, to hang out, to find like-minded folks, to find help with health or help others. What ever the reason it's interesting that we all consider ourselves to be part of a huge, extended family gathering no matter what our spiritual or religious or political or economic or social views may be.

There is no formal organizational structure, no membership qualifications, no fees or dues, no leaders, and virtually no rules other than the one of peaceful respect of each other and the planet. Each year, individuals take responsibility and work together with others on whatever they are inspired to do, from office work, to scouting, to building the kitchens at the gatherings, to hauling in food and first-aid supplies, to alternative health discussions, etc. Every project undertaken operates essentially on a consensus basis. Participation, communication, and cooperation are how things get done. And it is nothing short of miraculous.

The gatherings are free and non-commercial, and everyone is welcome. Each folk is asked to bring their own camping equipment, healthy goodies to share, already prepared food, their own cup, bowl, and spoon, and whatever they might want to share to help the gathering happen (tarps, rope, shovels, musical instruments, plastic jugs of water, bulk food, etc.). No one will be turned away because they didn't or couldn't, however. Everyone is also asked not to bring bad vibes, alcohol, drugs, weapons, boom boxes or electrical music. The Magic Hat is passed at mealtimes and around camp. Donations are used to buy food in bulk for the kitchens and whatever else may be necessary for the communal well-being.

With anywhere from a couple dozen to a few hundred folks gathering there are as many different things to do or talk about. There's also lots of accoustical music, drumming, dancing, workshops, herb-walks, council circles, sister circles, brother circles, brother-sister circles, folks hanging out, folks bartering, folks enjoying nature, folks meditating, chanting, and praying, folks talking politics, folks talking spiritual and folkal growth, folks visioning the future, folks doing bodywork and other healing work, etc..

For me, the Rainbow Family is where I have found my greatest opportunities to learn, to grow, to celebrate, to be one with folks who are of like mind, and help or try to help mother Earth, to help others, to play. The gatherings for me are a chance to see and not just invision folks playing, working and living together even for short periods of time.

Picture hundreds of folks in a sunlit meadow, standing silent in prayer, holding hands in one huge, unbroken circle. Picture a parade of children approaching, singing songs, their facess bright with enthusiasm and face paint, baloons and banners waving in the breeze. Picture the breaking of the silence with a cheer from the circle, then the silence returning once again, to grow slowly into a thrum of voices united in a single OM reverberating through the valley and on to the hills beyond. Hold the OM in your mind. Let it spread through and around and in you. Feel it pass from hand to hand and heart to heart. Feel the vibration and see the vision and the magic, the connection you feel is the essence of the Rainbow Family of Living Light.

Rainbow Hugs,

Starshyne