Burning Man’s Temple 2015 + my promise

logo by Monica Wu

Most people who know anything about Burning Man (beyond the stupid trope of drugs, naked people, EDM) know that on Saturday night, a giant human effigy is burned followed by a raging party. Think the biggest New Year’s Eve party you’ve been too and then multiply by google.

Fewer people know about the Temple Burn which occurs on Sunday night. This is a quiet burn, one of reflection and contemplation of life, and those we’ve lost. People bring in photos and other objects and leave them there to be burned. They write messages on the wooden structure as well as on scrap pieces of wood which will burn with the Temple.

My friend Marlayne Bellenson told me she was making sage bundles and I offered to take some to the Temple of Promise for her. She made me some too; I will be placing one for my cousin Kris –her birthday would have been today but she died a month ago of cancer three weeks after her diagnosis. She never made it to Burning Man but I know she would have loved it.  I will also place a bundle for my wild friend Vee who was the same age as I am when she died last month also of cancer. Okay can’t right any more about this because I am crying and I have so much to do that I can’t grieve right now. Anyway, aren;t they beautiful? I am so grateful to be able to bring these.

This brings me to my promise: If you mail me a letter and would like me to take it to the Temple of Promise http://www.templeofpromise.org, I promise to deliver it for you.

Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator
white vw van + mailbox
Kidsville
523 and Ersatz
c/o BRCPO
Burning Man
Gerlach, NV 89412

But in order for me to keep my promise, YOU MUST put it in the mail immediately (Tuesday! Maybe Weds or use priority mail — NOT CERTIFIED–too complicated!!)

And yes we do have a mailbox!

My friend Leori Gill has been working on this year’s sanctuary: Temple of Promise, and she gave me permission to post her photos.  Thank you Leori! See you on the playa!

photos by Leori Gill

Watch the stream from the playa here:

Read more about Burning Man from a depth psychology perspective:

Part 1https://artpredator.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/burning-man-1992-2002-the-shadow-grows-a-journey-into-community-soul-making-part-1/
Part 2https://artpredator.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/how-burning-man-integrates-its-shadow-journey-into-community-soul-making-part-2/
Part 3 https://artpredator.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/burning-mans-10-principles-a-journey-into-community-soul-making-new-economy/