#ecstatic dance

I grew up socialized female in the 80's to hate my body, but that's not the point of this story.

Last night I was at dance, Monday night ecstatic dance. I have not been working out much, and my body is crunchy and painful. The weather has changed recently, and this room with 20 ft tall vaulted ceilings and hardwood floor was actually quite chilly, in spite of the people moving around vigorously.

I danced for a while, Taiyesia was teaching, and she usually spins some good tunes. I'd warmed up enough, I thought, and for a little while I was extending, reaching, bending, twisting, moving more thoroughly than I have in weeks.

I started to feel it, a bit, old scar tissue conspiring against my fun and fluid motion, and I went into the side room to sit on a 🪑 chair, and try some self massage around my foot and ankle.

Someone who I'd called a "technomage" because she made the payment system work in the entry hall, checked in as she was walking past: "you okay?"

I grimaced. "Fine, just scar tissue and the change of the weather."

"Getting older SUCKS" was her instant reply, and I said

"Yeah maybe, but it fucking beats the alternative..."

She laughed short and surprised, said, "thanks for the reminder" and went back to dance.

I left a bit early, knowing I'd have way too much trouble getting back up off the floor if I sat down for the talking circle.

Came home, got some more food, added warm socks, sweater and my new fuzzy skeleton blanket, curled up in the armchair.

Thought for a moment about all the different ways a person can have a body: eight billion ways at this instant.

My way is the only right way for ME.

We all DO come to terms with our bodies in our own ways. What we need, what we want, what we're willing or able to tolerate, what we can't. The special care that we learn we need and how to give it to ourselves.

I'm proud of myself for one thing: that I've grown, trained myself out of, trash talking myself for being different from others. Being differently abled, than others in a class or a room or a gathering.

Last night was nice, and I'm sore again today, and I'll BE tender and SORE after most nights of dance. It's an improvement over being CRUNCHY and sore, though, with more strength and greater range of motion.

(Just to confuse you, I have added a photo of a drummer--who is not a monitor, nor are they capable of doing these two jobs at once. Pretty pic though. lol)

If you have not yet read my post on roles in traditional group trancework, here is the link so you have a little background. This post is complicated because it involves amateur diagnostic work. In an ideal scenario, you would learn about these things in person from a qualified person who could show you the nuanced differences between spiritual needs and medical needs in a hands-on, experiential way. It is nearly impossible to truly get this information and understand it from reading about it alone.

However, I am very much aware that people do go out and perform trancework and attempt to reconstruct ancient ecstatic traditions on their own without any guidance apart from text, intuition, and conviction. And I have seen the injuries that result from this sink-or-swim style of trancework. If I can give you any kind of leg up, heads up, or framework to help you, I would like to do so. So, please accept this information in the spirit that it is being provided--which is good faith. Use your common sense. Defer to medical professionals when it comes to medical needs. And for those of you reading this who are medical professionals in some capacity, think of the entranced like sleep walkers and go from there. As always, talk to your doctor about these kinds of activities if you have a medical condition that may be impacted by changing elevation, altered states of consciousness, physical exertion, allergies, etc. And also be aware that every living trancework tradition has roles for different ages and abilities. This is not for the able bodied alone but thoughtful care does need to be put into how things get done. Also be aware that some traditions out there place an emphasis on the spiritual value of self-harm--a few Catholic practices come to my mind on that. So, not everything that is traditional is benevolent or even harmless. Be careful, be aware, and take care of each other. Do not ever feel pressured into doing something that you are not comfortable with. If any of the advice that you read here sounds weird, reach out to me and I can walk you through it or you can walk me through something I may not know myself. Oral traditions are far more interactive than books because you get to ask questions and get answers. We can mutually learn from each other. Utilize this opportunity. Now onto the info! Brace yourself for a particularly long post.

 A monitor is someone who takes care of the entranced, usually a dancer who has gone into a state of trance.

A monitor is kind of like a bodyguard or personal assistant for a trance dancer. They hang out in the background most of the time and don’t do much until they are needed. One monitor is better than none but I prefer to always have two on hand whenever possible. A monitor can be someone who just enjoys doing that job and it is all they ever do during trance ceremonies. They can also be a supportive friend or family member who knows the drill. Or they can even be dancers who have not tranced yet who want to help out before they get their turn. The most important thing is that a monitor should always secure consent to do the job before any part of the ritual begins. This is a bodycare role so talk about it and find out what the person you will be monitoring is comfortable with. Stick to it. Informed consent is key to this.

*Dancers who have already tranced during that session really should not serve as monitors because they will be trance drunk. Monitors need to be sober.

(Pictured: Just a night out with the squad. Don't worry about it.)

I have compiled some advice for those who are interested in doing trancework of any kind, especially ecstatic dance. There are some tools you will need to do the job. So, let's get that list out of the way.

A monitor’s toolkit includes:

-White flat sheets. These can be used to stretch between a dancer and an obstacle, used to cover a dancer when they are done trancing, and used to subdue a dancer who has become “full of spirit”--if they need it.  

-Scented water. Rose water or Orange blossom water are great. This is used to cool down the dancer’s forehead and limbs when they are done trancing. It helps them to come back/revive. 

-Wake-up oil. I use a blend of cedar, rosemary, cloves, and something strong like eucalyptus or cinnamon. The monitor covers their fingers with it and then wipes the nose of the entranced after they have been sheeted and sprinkled with scented water. Check in with the people you are monitoring to see if they have a preference and if they have allergies that should factor into what you use here.

-Food & Water. Eating and drinking happen away from the rug so once the dancer is awake enough to move, the monitor can offer food and water. Bread is good, chocolate is also good. I like to have a couple bites of roasted chicken or fancy cheese but everybody has their preference. 

-Medications. If the entranced person that you will be monitoring requires medications for conditions such as asthma or something, the monitor should have those things in pocket when they begin so they don’t have to go looking for them should their charge need them. 

Useful skills to hone!

The key trait of a good Monitor is empathy. To perform their jobs well, they have to be able to reach into the entranced’s body language to retrieve information about what is going on. The Monitor is up close to the entranced when needed, sometimes stepping onto the rug to help them. Understanding what the entranced feels & what they are going through, helps the Monitor to become better at their job.

A Monitor needs to be familiar with the behaviors of an entranced individual to be able to differentiate normal behavior from distressed behavior. The vast majority of the time, the job is easy and there isn’t much to it. Occasionally entranced dancers will do strange things but how do you know what is within the spectrum of normal and what is actual distressed behavior?

I made you this handy little guide so that you don't have to learn from the disaster that is trial-and-error. Hopefully.

The Normal Job

Keep outsiders from disturbing the entranced. Nobody should come up and touch your charge, or try to get their attention, or yell at them, or hand them things, or take things away from them, etc. Interrupting a person who is in a trance can make that person nauseous or sick. It is also physically and emotionally damaging. It fricken hurts! Don't let it happen.

Remove things that your trance dancer sheds without disturbing their movement. Usually this is jewelry, sometimes this is clothing that has come off, hair clips, that sort of thing. Just move it out of the way quickly and quietly, without disruption, and put it somewhere safe.

Keep the entranced from knocking into others who are entranced (if you are doing group work), obstacles, and other random hazards. This is more of an issue outdoors or in small spaces. You can do this by stretching out a flat sheet and holding it taught to separate the entranced from the obstacle. You will need 2 monitors to pull that off.

Once your dancer has PTFO’d: (PTFO = Passed the eff out.) Place the flat sheet over their body and apply light massaging pressure to their limbs, sprinkle their exposed skin (hands and forehead) with scented water, take your time, and follow up with the wake-up oil to the nose.

Help the entranced get up and get them to a safe place where they can be wide eyed for a while. After they wake from PTFO it takes a while for their senses to return so you may end up sitting with them for some time unless you are needed back on the rug. Make sure they are safe before you return to work.

(This is what PTFO care looks like. Be a gentle and supportive human. Trancework is labor.)

Reading Entranced Body Language

Understanding the hidden body language in the structure of trancework requires an experiential familiarity with it. Reading about it can help to prepare you for it but you have to see it and do it to really understand what is going on. Make peace now with the fact that trance is weird and wonderful in its own special way.

Normal Behavior. Acceptable behavior for a trance dancer consists of all kinds of strange things. It may look disturbing but if it isn’t harmful, just carry on as normal and everyone can muse over it later.

1. Bending back and forth rapidly. This might look painful, but it’s quite normal and a seasoned dancer probably won’t even experience muscle ache afterwards.

2. Screaming, yelling, or crying while clearly entranced. This one normally causes concern in inexperienced onlookers, but trancing can be a deeply emotional experience, or it may be that the dancer is simply releasing excess energy. Occasionally, a dancer may even make weird breathing or animal noises, it is all totally normal. If the person you are monitoring wakes up and starts doing these things, that is completely different and you can render care as normal. But as long as they are still in the magic floppy zone, this is just energy moving around.

3. Dropping to the ground suddenly. Know the difference between this and a fall. Dancers regularly throw themselves on the ground and dance on their knees or back, even dramatically collapsing at the conclusion of a ritual (PTFO). If a dancer doesn’t look troubled by it, then don’t worry about it. However, if the entranced trips and falls, the lead musician should just steady the music. They will come around if they need to.

4. Sitting around bobbing their head. If a dancer starts doing this after they have been in a trance for a while, it does not mean that they are fatigued. It normally indicates that they are in a fairly deep trance. The music will need to add some zing to get them going again so this is a lead musician fix. The lead musician should up the tempo or try a different rhythm. Monitors can't really do much about it.

5. Talking. If a dancer starts talking while entranced, only an actual official Guide should engage them in conversation. Never talk to the entranced, you will only encourage it. This is exclusively ecstatic territory. It is perfectly fine to let a dancer chatter as much as they want but only a Guide is qualified to carry on a dialog. If the entranced starts swearing or babbling in gibberish, definitely seek the aid of a Guide at the completion of the session. That whole thing requires a different kind of trance ritual and everyone involved will have to consent to performing it. No spontaneous ecstatic rituals without consent.

6. Speaking in tongues. This is a possible symptom of possession but it just as naturally occurs on its own. Just proceed as normal. Ignore. See above.

7. Shaking fiercely. Occasionally, the entranced will do what looks like a full body extended shiver. This is another way of melting off excess energy. It is actually supposed to be good luck if this occurs. This is very different from a seizure or a body tremor. Experience will help you learn the difference.

8. Bending backwards. Not all dancers are as flexible as gymnasts, so when they start moving in a way that they ordinarily can’t (such as bending backwards at the waist until their head touches the ground) most people familiar with that person tend to become concerned. During an altered state of consciousness the body is unimaginably loose, and it can go far beyond the limited movements of its conscious state. Even those with arthritis or fibromyalgia can achieve this kind of flexibility, they are just not fully awake to enjoy it. They may or may not feel it the next day. ***

Troubled Behavior. Some trance dancers are having trouble descending into a trance. Either they can’t relax or something isn’t clicking right. Occasionally you will meet someone who isn’t really even trying or is hamming it up for what they think is an audience. A good lead musician can spot the difference and they will handle it with music.

1. Stealing frequent glances at others. This can be fixed with a blindfold or they can leave the rug.

2. Attempts to communicate with others while on the rug. If they are awake enough to be communicating, not simply talking while entranced, then they are awake enough to leave the rug.

3. Overly showy dance moves that require great concentration. If they are awake enough to put on a show, they are awake enough to leave the rug.

4. Frequently changing outfits or rearranging themselves before their turn on the rug and during. If the dancer is on the rug while doing it, just let it go unless it becomes problematic. It can take some time for trance dancers to learn to let go of concern for how they look. Be encouraging during off-the-rug time. This issue is about trust and patience. 

5. Dramatic behavior or symptoms of possession. Trance dancers who have a spirit have a separate kind of ritual that they go through for a reason. Their trances tend to be more violent than a normal trance ritual can handle. If this is a thing for one particular dancer, they need to trance exclusively in spiritwork oriented rituals with a qualified group who understands their needs. Handle it as a monitor should in the moment and then talk about it openly as a group at a later time. There is no shame in it, we all need what we need. ***

Distressed Behavior. Distressed trance dancers are having trouble trancing for some reason, possibly due to improper music or the simple inability to reach beyond a certain point. When a dancer is distressed, the lead musician will handle it with music. Monitors should keep in mind that a distressed dancer on the rug may be sore the next day. 

1. A lack of energy. The dancer just doesn’t seem to be following the music. It may be the wrong rhythm or song for them.

2. Signs of deep concentration in the lines of the face, accompanied by tight body movements. This indicates that the dancer is trying too hard and is not relaxed enough to descend properly. Trust, relaxation, practice, stretching or massage before trance, or participating in a catalyst trance ceremony could all work but those are long term solutions to work on off-the-rug.

3. Returning to their basic stance and techniques repeatedly. This indicates an inability to remain in an altered state, most likely due to the current rhythm or some kind of distraction. Not much you can do aside from being encouraging and supportive off the rug.

4. Slowly shuffling with little or no body movement. This means that the dancer is plugged in deeply, but needs the tempo raised to become more animated. ***

Potentially Dangerous Behavior. Trance dancers who give off danger signs are likely in some kind of peril and need help. A monitor can step in at any time they feel that something dangerous is going on but it would be best to make eye contact with the lead musician so that they know. This allows everyone to work together to get the dancer through whatever they are going through safely. This almost never happens but you should be ready for it anyway.

1. Collapsing suddenly and becoming non-responsive. If the dancer suddenly goes limp in the middle of a trance ritual with no outward signs leading up to the collapse, there is a serious problem. The Monitor needs to get to them quickly and feel for vital signs while the lead musician slows the music down. Someone needs to be poised to get the dancer some real medical attention if the Monitor is not satisfied with the dancer’s condition. The Monitor should check for a pulse and breathing, and attempt to rouse the dancer. This needs to be done very quickly. If the dancer does not wake and say, “I’m fine,” the Monitor should take steps to get the dancer proper medical care from a professional. If the dancer has a known medical condition that this fits, initiate their personal medical plan (that was discussed before trancework ever began).

2. Going into a seizure. A seizure looks very different from a collapse or a full-body shiver. You can gain a working familiarity for the ways that different types of seiures present by watching videos on YouTube. There are multiple kinds and there are different strategies for them as well. Taking a first aid course would also be really helpful and practical. A good Monitor should have a first aid background for occasions such as this so that they know what steps to take. If the dancer has a known history of seizures, they should not be doing trancework like this. Hopefully someone present will have medication or a standard procedure to go by. If no known history exists, call for medical help and be advised by a professional on what to do next.

3. Serious Bleeding. If the dancer begins to bleed and it is more than a light scratch, the lead musician should slow the music down and the Monitor should attempt to rouse them as normal. Even if the dancer does not seem to be in any pain, they should probably still wake up for medical assessment. If a dancer seriously cuts themselves while trancing, the Monitor’s first concern is to stop the bleeding with pressure while the lead musician keeps the music slow and steady. If the bleeding cannot be stopped, they need to get to a place of more advanced medical care. Tiny scrapes are not much cause for concern, and they are not worth waking the dancer over. Just use good judgment.

4. Panicked, jerking movements. If the dancer starts to panic while entranced, they need soothing music or they may hyperventilate and faint. There are a number of things that could cause a fear reaction; identifying the cause comes secondary to finding the solution. The Monitor should move nearby, just in case the dancer passes out, so that someone can catch them before they fall and really hurt themselves. If the soothing music does not help and they start going wild, they will need to be wrapped up in a sheet like a baby and that could take 2-3 Monitors to pull off. Once they are awake, the Monitor should follow their empathy and PTFO formula to calm and soothe. This can also be an indication that they need a different kind of ritual at a later date.

5. Sudden change from a loose dance posture to alert and unfamiliar dance behaviors. If the dancer goes from a perfectly normal trance experience to something completely out of character for them, they have either gone in deep or they need a guide.  Watch them and look for other cues. If it is not immediately dangerous, let them continue. If they start going wild, they will need to be wrapped up in a sheet like a baby and that could take 2-3 Monitors to pull off. Once they are awake, the Monitor should follow their empathy and PTFO formula to calm and soothe. This can also be an indication that they need a different kind of ritual at a later date. 6. Displays signs of a known medical condition. I am asthmatic. If I am trancing and I start to have an asthma attack, I may not be in the right frame of mind to make responsible decisions about my health. If my Monitor notices it, I would want them to hold up my inhaler as a sign to those watching that I need my medication. The lead musician would then slow the music down, the Monitor would go through the PTFO response if I am dazed, and THEN, while on the rug, offer me my medication. Having a medical issue like that does not make trance impossible and an attack is not necessarily a dangerous situation unless it is left untreated. If you have a medical condition that could be a problem, then make a battle plan with your Monitor before trancing.

7. Hitting Their Head. Sometimes an entranced dancer will start engaging in a headbanging-like movement. This can really hurt the supportive muscles of the neck and they will probably be sore for a while afterward. There isn't much you can do about it in the moment but you can have a conversation before trancing starts to work out a game plan. Ask the dancer if they want you to stop them if they should do that. Otherwise, use your own judgment in situ. If the headbanging looks like it is going to turn into head bashing against the floor, you can slip a pillow under their head if it is on the gentle side. If it is clearly too aggressive, the music needs to be slowed down and the entranced needs to be gently roused. The long term fix for this is for the dancer to train to move in a different way while fully conscious and just building up some muscle memory with those alternative movements. This goes for any potentially harmful movement.

Fire in the Disco!

The vast majority of the time trancework is chill and pretty simple. I have done a lot of trancework in my life. At my peak I think I was trancing about 3-4 times per week. And in my 30+ years doing this, I have only had a dangerous situation pop up a handful of times. The most common injury being people who dance around a bonfire and inevitably fall into it. The only kind of trancework that can be "safely" (as safe as it can be) done around a bonfire would be a group circle/chain dance. Solo dancers orbiting flames do weird things and I have zero trust that they can keep themselves out of the fire 100% of the time. If there is fire present anywhere where trancework is taking place, you had better have burn care materials on hand and a protocol in place for handling burns. Be prepared.

Emphasis on Safety

If you do not actively work to create a safe environment for the entranced to do what they do, you will not have one. Aim for controlled chaos. Prioritize strong supports, open communication, and consent. Keep your trance space open and clear. Remove as many hazards as you possible can. Monitors should train and drill outside of trance rituals to coordinate their methods for handling the entranced. Practice using a sheet to block the entranced from smacking into objects and other people. Also practice wrapping someone up in a sheet. (And do not let it constrict the entranced.) Do it as many times as you need to until you have it down.

Aftercare

Part of the monitor's job is to provide aftercare for the entranced. Food and drink will help them come down. Simple conversation when they are ready is also helpful in getting the mind used to thinking and being present again. Physical touch also helps to return awareness to the body. Calmingly rubbing your charge's limbs and back (with consent) is an excellent way of doing this. Making sure the entranced gets home safely is also part of the job. A few check ins in the days after would be helpful as well. Just to make sure that there aren't any lingering injuries or issues. It is psychologically nourishing to care for others and to be cared for. This is a major part of how trancework heals and benefits us as people. If the entranced has muscle fatigue or mild soreness the next day, encourage them to hydrate, rest, and ice the spot if it is needed. A full day of rest after a major trance session is normal. (Do not book yourself for strenuous activities the next day.)

Not every traditional form of trance will emphasize aftercare. This is something that is more common in North African traditions. It is conspicuously absent in Catholic based trancework. Just something to be aware of.

Monitors Outside of Mediterranean Trancework

I have noticed that folks who do not have a connection to a living trancework tradition are less likely to be aware of the role monitor's play and of any kind of care or assistance for the entranced. So, not everybody uses monitors. Trancing, especially open trancing around bonfires, is very common at large polytheistic camping events. These are the places you are most likely to encounter a group trance effort out in the wild. I have never seen official monitors at these things. If you want one, you have to bring your own. To their credit, there is usually a first aid tent though. So, there's that.

The secular version would be at concerts where some kind of trance goes down--like moshing and headbanging. Those settings have their own rules. Call it pit etiquette but basically it just means protecting yourself and fellow entranced. Looking out for each other. If someone falls, pick them up. If someone is injured, stop and get them help.