Bohemian Grove: The Anti-Burning Man

by Joe Persinger
@Brew_Mastr_Joe on Twitter


"Weaving spiders come not here" is their slogan.  A 40 ft cement owl stands atop an altar amongst pillars of redwood trees in front of a small man made lake.  Different camps are labeled with stone signs with ghoulish icons and some kind of latin phrase carved into it.

What is all of this?

Burning Man 2012?

In 1872, writers and artists--who sought shelter from uncultured frontiersman--started a private all male group on Post & Taylor streets in San Francisco called the Bohemian Club.

What started out as a going away party for a fellow artist, slowly evolved into the club's yearly ritual.

Every two weeks in July this club hosts a two week camp at Bohemian Grove, which is about an hour north of San Francisco.



What's the big deal if a bunch of old rich people want to get together in the woods?

It's just not that simple.

Members of this exclusive club have been some Democrat and Republican presidents, cabinet members, Directors & CEO's of major financial institutions, military contractors, oil companies, utilities, and even national media (print and broadcast) all have high ranking persons as club members or guests.

A lot of US and foreign poilicies are discussed at this two week getaway.  The slogan for this group may be "Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" (Which is basically saying don't talk shop) most of them do.

It's all about networking.

When I used to serve tables I remember being out in social settings with my co-workers and even though we always would say "Let's not discuss work tonight" it always comes up at some point in the night.

Imagine you're a world leader and you're in the same company with other powerful and wealthy men.  If you have your own agenda, but have similar interests, this is the perfect time to network and lobby to get things done.

A small group of powerful men getting together to discuss our country's future while partying it up Burning Man style.  Only one word to describe that.

Wow.

Through my research, it has been suggested that the idea of the "Manhatten project" was first deliberated at the Bohemian Grove.  Before Nixon ran for election, he and Ronald Regan both discussed who would run for president first.  In the summer of 2000, at some point during George W. Bush's two week stay, he chose Dick Cheney as his Vice Presidential running mate.





Cremation of Care Ceremony 


The Ceremony begins with a small boat containing the "Effigy of Care" making its way down the man made lake toward the altar.  

Effigy of Care after being burned

Men in robes receive the effigy and carry it to the center of the altar.

A Druidic Shaman/Priest leads the group in a speech.  It's then followed by some banter  (With Walter Cronckite's voice as the Effigy) and the Shaman/Priest gives a signal for the pyrotechnics to start.

A firework spark is shot at the effigy (signifying a lightning bolt) and is followed by an array of pyrotechnics.

The effigy screams in pain as it is burned and everyone claps.

What is this Pagan Druidic effigy represent?

It represents evil and all that it corrupts.  By sacrificing it, they sacrifice all their worries and fears.

This definetily sounds like Burning Man.  Just on a different level.

They watch (and participate) in plays and comedy shows in which male actors portray female actors.  Plays range from really raunchy comedy, to the classic hero takes on tyranny and becomes the new king.

The overall theme to this get together is to let loose in a very private place, have a great time, do a little networking, but mostly getting away from a daily grind and escaping to a place where you're free to do whatever you please.


Drinking starts early in the day and late into the night.  They bask in their freedom being able to urinate on the redwood trees (who wouldn't?!?!).  Prostitutes are brought in from all over the world and some of the men leave at night to enjoy their company (Women aren't allowed on the premises after a certain time of day).

Burning Man. Black Rock City, NV

There are a lot of Americans who are spooked by this activity of our world leaders.  A percentage of some feel that a small concentrated group of men making decisions for the well being of the masses is not what democracy stands for.  Really?

What do you think Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Hancock, Hamilton and the rest of the Continental Congress were doing in 1776?

Another group of people are freaked out by these Pagan/Druidic rituals and are convinced there is some kind of conspiracy theory behind all of this.

Have these people ever heard of Burning Man?  Probably not.

Burning Man is a social experiment based on self reliance (It's held in the Black Rock Desert for 7 days), radical self expression and participating any way you can.

Aerial view of Burning Man Festival

OK, so it might be a little different from the Bohemian Grounds.

There is one similarity these two gatherings share that have convinced me this is the sole reason for their existence.

It's people trying to escape the daily grind of life who want to be one with nature and go to a place where they are free to express themselves and do whatever they want.  And get pretty drunk in the process.

Proud to be an American.