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self-hypnosis, and the raising of power?
    In dance, we characteristically identify ritual dance through several elements. To mention just a few: simple and repetitive movements, grounded circular patterning, arms raised upwards to the heavens, performing in a sacred place, symbolic gestures and costuming, drumming/bells, and human calls for aural accompaniment. Much in the same way as ritual dance is performed, I see trance work achieving its goal. In no way would the codified steps of ballet, the commercial and competitive nature of hip hop, or even the centred practices of contemporary dance achieve this. Trance work is free from stylized movement. Its most common ally is ritual dance. I most often associate this work with the collective movement rituals at Woodford Folk Festival or the trance dancers in clubs or at doofs. [6] The movement elements have a commonality of grounded and repetitive footwork. There is an innate connectedness to the earth. The music and calls form the base of rhythm in the body. As the music builds and layers, so too does the rhythm in the body. We often find ourselves becoming more frenzied, our actions becoming more upright, elevating our body and hands towards the sky. And with this surge of adrenalin, which has been spiralling through the body looking for its exit point, it releases out. We hit that high point of ecstasy; we smile and simultaneously feel interconnected with everything around us.
    When you dance, do you become someone or something else, or do you remain completely yourself, if not enhanced?
    When dancing, in essence I remain myself. I embody a state of being rather than a character. This may take the form of a memory or emotion. This is what makes my experience and performance unique to me, my students, and my audience. Non-stylised movement is my most favoured form. When dancing at festivals, I best describe it as being the person I actually want to be—happy, free of inhibitions, and connected to the people around me.
    To Touch
    Love is a verb.
    —Unknown
    Touch is a sacred art form. It too is an expression of the spirit within, channelled most often through raw passion and sensuality. In itself, touch is a neutral medium for expression—unless, like so many things, it is harnessed to either extreme. It is always important to be ethical and to integrate that wholly into your life.
    In my life, the art of touch generally manifests either through my sexuality or the blessed massage (sometimes they meet). My friends and I are generally very candid with each other. We are unashamed of our sexuality, and our sexual experiences form a popular topic of discussion. The act of sex is a sacrament to my goddess Aphrodite (and to so many other love and sex deities) and to the Great Mother herself, who declares that “all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.” When I have sex and make love, I bless it as a prayer to Aphrodite. With every caress, a soaring syllable of my whispered prayer is sent to the Golden Goddess. This holy act can be reclaimed from the labels of “dirt” and “smut.” I visualise making love as a pouring of the waters of one’s grail into another’s—sharing intimacy is the aim and the journey.
    Touch is all-pervasive. It is often noted by many newcomers to Paganism that we Pagans love to hug—and nothing says “I acknowledge and honour the Divine within you” like a well-meant physical embrace. Once perfect trust is attained in a relationship, touch is a tried and true method of creating comfort between people. If applied correctly and with pure intent, touch can help to soothe an upset friend, open channels of communication, excite the senses, and bring healing and wholeness to the body.
    I have had several truly intense experiences through sacred touch. One involved massaging a roommate in a share house I used to live in. She was leaning against my body as my legs flanked her torso. I centred and then channelled healing power into her as I