The Red Dragon Feast is a popular annual fundraiser sponsored by the DC Radical Faeries to heal and cure blood-borne disease. According to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, DC has the highest rate of new AIDS cases per 100,000 population in the United States - a rate that is 12 times the national average. More than 15,000 people in the Washington metropolitan area living with AIDS. Tens of thousands more people are estimated to be infected with HIV.
The Red Dragon Feast this year began with prayers honoring the four directions, elements, ancestors and gods. As the main part of the ritual began, participants circled around in a spiral dance, raising a crescendo of energy to heal the sick, protect the healthy and find a cure. The ritual was followed by a feast of all-red foods. Feasters wore all-red clothing.
Red Dragon Feasts are held in other areas of the world as well with the same intent. The story goes that a man passing into the Otherworld had a vision of a great red dragon approaching him. The dragon told the man that if Red Dragon were venerated, the sick would be healed and a cure would be found. Thus a tradition began.
Our thanks to Eric Eldritch for providing photos for this posting.
You can honor the Red Dragon by getting tested and knowing your status.
"All Hail the Red Dragon, All Hail the Life-Giving Blood" -Red Dragon Feast Chant
0 comments:
Post a Comment