Becoming a Good Blazer — Blazing Swan

Being a Good Blazer

A Blazer is someone who embraces the 11 Principles of Blazing Swan, not as rules or dogma, but as reflecting their values and the culture of our community. Blazers seek ways to make the Principles real, both at the event and in their lives.

The unique social experiment and temporary intentional community that is Blazing Swan provides us with an opportunity to experience and understand what living in a “Gifting Economy” and a “Do-ocracy” means. Being a Blazer is not about where you’ve been, or what you’ve attended, but what you do, and how you live right now - Immediacy.

Participation

People new to Blazing Swan often assume that it’s a regular ‘festival’ as they’ve come to know them. A mostly passive experience where everything is planned, orchestrated, and pre-packaged by the event producers where attendees just come and enjoy the show.

In fact, the exact opposite is true of Blazing Swan. The people who attend Blazing Swan are no mere ‘attendees’, they are active participants in every sense of the word: they create the city, the interaction, the art, the performance, and ultimately the experience. Participation is at the very core of Blazing Swan.

Keep this in mind. There is no ‘them’ in Jilakin Rock City. There is only ‘us’. When we see a job that needs to be done, we roll-up our sleeves and muck in. Sadly, there are always a few people who just don’t get it. These folks believe that the mystical ‘them’ will appear to provide for their needs and clean up their mess. Don’t turn your nose up at them! Start a conversation, educate, inspire and help grow our community. If you see someone acting irresponsibly, introduce yourself, and speak up (in kindness not in anger).

Consider stepping up your participation by volunteering. Blazing Swan is dedicated to encouraging Civic Responsibility and Participation, creative and Radical Self-expression, and collaboration.

Consent

Consent is now an official Blazing Swan principle. Consent is the cornerstone of a healthy community, even in an erotically charged, mind-expanding and boundary-challenging environment such as Blazing Swan. We want to help prevent sexual harassment, substance abuse, and unwanted gifting while ensuring that Participation, Immediacy, and self-expression thrives!

Know and express your boundaries.
Ask about and respect the boundaries of others.
Look out for each other, including anyone you might encounter who may be in distress.
If you see behaviour that disturbs you, contact a Jilakin Rock Ranger.

Proper content practices are essential to the safety and inclusion of all participants. Only when every single member of the community understands, respects and sees consent as essential will it become non-essential.

Here are a few tips for exploring consent at Blazing Swan:

Is someone naked, scantily clad, or showing skin? This is not an invitation to touch, caress, photograph or hug without permission!
Blazing Swan is full of amazing bottoms, booties, butts, and asses. Do not touch, pinch or spank these pieces of private, prime real estate without consent!
Are you intoxicated? Are your senses heightened by party favours? Have you been day drinking mystery shots all day? Do not use these situations as excuses to touch, fondle, cuddle or kiss people without their permission!
Is someone else intoxicated? Are they not speaking or thinking clearly? This is NOT an invitation to violate their boundaries. If they are too altered to understand what is happening to them, then they cannot give consent.
What you see as a gift might be a curse if it is unwelcomed (or unwanted)
While many boundaries between what is public and private may seem to soften and blur in relation to property and possessions, remember that gifts are always given, not taken.

Our community is open-minded and progressive, but communication about consent is always vital. Never assume that you have consent based on someone’s clothing or actions. By asking, you’ll eliminate confusion and foster a tighter, safer community where people know that their boundaries are respected.

Silence is not consent! Always ask and wait for a yes!

Grattitude

As the week unfolds you’ll meet some pretty special people at Blazing Swan. Folk for whom art, performance, Theme Camps, Mutant Vehicles, volunteering and crewing knows no bounds. Folk who are gifting their time, energy and resources to make Swan the amazing experience that keeps us going for the next 51 weeks. Please remember that nobody in our community is paid to do what they do. Think about the difference between a gift and entitlement. If you didn’t bring it or aren’t doing it, then everything you experience or consume has been unconditionally gifted to you.

Keep the love flowing!

See an amazeballs piece of art or performance? – then acknowledge the artist!
Keep going back to a Theme Camp coz you love the vibe? – reveal your regard!
Been given something delicious and yummy? – express your esteem!
Walked past a couple of Rangers on your way back to camp at 4am? – announce your approval!
Seen a member of the crew fixing an effluent leak? – proclaim your praise!
Danced to a great set? – declare the DJ!

You get the idea. A simple “Thank you” goes a long way. Heck… Radical Gratitude could even be the 12th Principle!