Mountain Etiquette for Nemeton

Here on this Mountain there is a developed “code” or expected behavior for all that live on and visit The Mountain.  This is designed to support SafeSpace for all. Mountain folk, community, and visitors alike. To better serve that mission, and in full transparency, we ask you to be mindful of the following:

Sanctuary here is SafeSpace, a sacred space, a space to grow and expand our understanding and internal growth.  It’s a place to build and further collaborate to help The Mountain serve its mission. [That means it is not: a dating site, a party space, a bar, or a hookup space.]

When you come to The Mountain it is helpful to understand that everyone here is a student of behavior, their own and each others. This is about us learning about one another. Don't be surprised if you are asked about ‘How you are thinking of doing something’ or ‘Why you are doing something in a particular way’, or if you are offered another way.  

If offered another way, it's never about judgment because we choose to grow in every moment. Rather, it's about learning and is based in curiosity and growth. We seek to understand on a much deeper level and can only do so through deep transparency and honesty. We understand that this may make some uncomfortable and invite you to play the game anyway. It is through great questioning that we attain great enlightenment and connection.  Part of our mission is a Consistent Never Ending Progress [C.N.E.P.] or 'Transmutation' (which can only occur through Awareness). 

The Mountain’s 3 Questions Trajection:

In this process, we most commonly use these 3 questions to check in with ourselves and one another. We invite you to use these while you are with us, and know that while you are here they will be in use. 

1. Does this thing feel good to do? (Consider your Wellness, Willingness, and Motivation) 

2. Do you have the skills? (What applicable skills do you have in your toolbox?)

3. Are you capable of learning along the way?  (What are the things that can be blockages to your capacity - attitude, level of knowledge, traumas & triggers, etc.)

Logistical Etiquette

• Arrivals: Notify and confirm with a Land Steward prior to all arrivals, unless specific, previous arrangements have been made.  Use #themountain channel in the MWM & Nemeton Discord (Mtn Community Discord) or by direct message. We generally don’t really dig random drop-bys. Thank you for respecting this request. Join The Mountain Community Discord here: https://discord.gg/7B9kGf9WCb 

• Hours of Operation: Outside of scheduled events that may go longer than planned, Quiet Hours at Nemeton are generally 10pm-10am (no visitors or visiting during this time without prior arrangement).

• Things to Check-in around. Check in with Steward prior to bringing big emotions, relationship issues, tools of power, musical horns and animals to be processed, etc. (Anything that could potentially disrupt the flow wants to be discussed. Do know that ALL of these things are honored and respected, and, they have their own place and time of significance - which sometimes can fit into a flow of a moment and sometimes it can not - for a variety and variable reasons. 

Best practice: Please communicate and confirm in advance. 
This can also look like checkin-in with each other before delving into the sharing of a long involved story, or a deep emotional experience - as this honors the other person’s bandwidth and gives a chance for a negotiable-able Win/Win/WINS to happen. 

• Animals Visiting: No pets/animals on the land without prior discussion and making arrangements for a monitored and time appropriate first visit. We have an older German Shepard named Moose, and since this is his home, Moose is quite particular about critters around him. 

We let him greet a new animal friend at the edge of the land (off his turf) so everyone gets to meet on equal footing. 

• Children: Children are welcome at many events. (And there are some events that we honor needs in other ways)  Please check in first to ensure the event is open to those under the age of eighteen. (if it's unclear please inquire!) If while here, your children become disruptive, please connect with them, and help to redirect or engage them in healthy involvement. Children want to be a part of their larger community and we encourage and support this. Also, If you cannot mind your child, or your child will not mind you, this is not the place for them at this time. You are ultimately responsible to clean up after your child(ren). If they are less than 6 y/o, please keep them in your sight at all times. This is a working farm and comes with inherent dangers. You are accepting this risk when you bring your child(ren) here. We also strongly believe in and support ‘village supporting children and families”.  

• Talking: This is a place where deep discussion often happens. It’s also a space where silence is precious and we quietly go about our business, or we embrace the silence in a moment and breathe in the sounds of The Mountain. Please be sensitive to the energy flowing in the group.  

• No Stalking the Hermits: Folks here often need space away from the action. If you see someone walking away, or going about their own business, please respect their right to their own space. Community Space, the Garden Proper & the Tea Shoppe are open general spaces. 

• Footwear: It is advised that you wear footwear outside, as this is a functioning farm and is perpetually in various states of construction. You are responsible for the health of your own feet.  This Mountain has lots of glass and thorns. All indoor spaces have a general rule of ‘leave your outdoor foot gear at the door’. This greatly assists with cleanliness and also offers a pause when entering a space to allow collection of one’s Self and a moment to become aware of the energy of the space they are entering. 

• Food: On The Mountain, food is sometimes communally prepared, and often we also simply provide for ourselves.  Please come with a plan for your own food unless there is specifically stated potluck or shared food.  There is a garden you may eat from and a Community Kitchen you may use for cooking. Shared food means shared dishes, assisting with clean up, and bringing food contributions to balance inventory for items you use (spices, oil, etc.) or leave a donation to assist with restocking.

• Spaces/Buildings: Community Space, the Garden Proper & the Tea Shoppe are open general spaces.  The Tiny Houses are Off Limits unless invited in.  These tiny spaces (buildings and their immediate vicinity) support the HermitVille. Consider them private property and do not enter, unless expressly invited.  Other Offlimit Areas include: Tool sheds, chicken coop, greenhouses, and inside of the Forge, unless invited. The areas marked in red in the map are the areas we ask people to not enter without permission or by specific request and showing around 1st.  (See Nemeton Map)

• Paths: Please use the Garden Road, to generally access mountain spaces (Signage coming soon, can be seen on the map linked above).

• Leave No Trace Land. This is a “Pack in / Pack out” mountain. This means please take with you what you bring in with you, including your garbage and recycling. 

• Gifting: Please check in before bringing items you think we might appreciate (to see if we have space or need).  This helps ensure it is a Win/Win/WIN for all. 

• Drums and Musical Instruments: All are welcomed and encouraged to musically participate.  We LOVE ‘Music As Medicine’ on this mountain (Please play with awareness and respect; and ask if you have questions as to what that means). Many instruments are shareable, and please do ask before playing an instrument that’s not yours, as there are many that are personal tools and are not shareable. You are also encouraged to bring your own instruments. Generally speaking, no drums after 10 pm, out of respect for our neighbors (this excludes melodics).  For more on “Bringing your Fun to The Mountain”, please see this Doc. 

• Smoking: Pocket your butts or throw them into a fire pit (Except for the UnityFire - please don’t throw butts into that fire - field stripping and or offering of tobacco to the fire is fine). Be mindful that not all folks are ok around smoke. Please step to the edge of whatever space you are in, if you are in a group setting containing someone who is not comfortable around smoke. Both smokers and non-smokers, please be considerate and be communicative. This a 420 friendly space. 

• Drugs: We are predominantly a “drug free” space.  Non plant-based alteratives are not welcome here. Don’t bring it here. Don’t use it here. Don’t come here riding high on it. This is a firm line. 

• Alcohol: Be responsible. This means: Don’t arrive or leave buzzed; with open containers; or right after having a drink. Wait a minimum of one hour, per beverage, before driving. Plan accordingly. Camping space can be provided best with pre-notice (Please don’t make choices that make us take your keys or uninvite you. We will uninvite you if you act irresponsibly, and if you refuse, you may be asked to not return for a period of time). Note: Some events are dry events. Please respect them. 

• Co-creativity and spontaneous creativity are encouraged!  You may ask to add (not remove) to an already existing altar or discuss with stewards a good place to begin creating a new one.

Relational Etiquette

• Respect: Please respect boundaries. Look for them; ask about them; don’t assume them. Respect is defined differently by everyone. In order to have the respect that you want, you have to let others know what respect looks like for you. 

For an example that is also true, Respect for us, looks like asking before you pick up something that isn’t yours. (Asking how we tend/treat our fires; checking in before picking things from the garden (unless you’ve already been given guidance); asking before picking up and using a musical instrument.) Rule of thumb - Ask, Ask, ASK, until given a full open invitation (The asking shows a willingness to engage with how another’s world works for them). 

• Consideration: 

Consideration is kind thoughtfulness; discerning and feeling into the space you are entering or the people with whom you are connecting with. If you see people in a conversation, ask if you are interrupting; ask if you can join them. If you walk up to someone's camp space, do not go in uninvited, politely ask to enter if you have reason. All ritual dynamics are discussed and created beforehand. *Do not go into a ceremony with something that will be distracting or shift the energy without first checking in with a facilitator
(This helps us to hold a solid container for our energy and intention to flow inside of).

• Rights, Responsibility & Entitlement: 

Here we honor the most basic of human rights: Safety, Respect, personal opinions, sovereignty,  and agency. You are entitled to take responsibility for yourself and to be considerate of others. You are not entitled to a relationship, someone agreeing with you, someone’s time or energy, a hug, using The Mountain as you please or for demanding special attention. [Entitlement examples, “you owe me”, “you must agree with me” “I deserve special treatment” attitude”, “I dont have to respect you”.*.) 

•Helping: 

The Mtn, stewards & community always appreciates those willing to offer aligned support. And if you are here for a time, (more than a day, and not for an event) you will be asked how best it feels to be supportive to The Mtn and the community. We generally ask for 1-2 hours per day from our visitors staying more than a day. (We provide education on all the things that have a certain way about them).

Staying On Mtn for a time.

This is always a negotiated thing, not a thing we just allow to happen. (This is a welcoming & closed intentional container.) If you have interest on this front, please discuss with Raine, and she will send you appropriate info to look over.  

•All of Life is Alive & we Talk About It as Such:

Here we consider The Mtn (the land) to be its own sentient being, as well as the Nonprofit (the mission), which means we use language that includes considering things to be and need their own way. Ie: “This path wants more stones to be more safe from slipping in the lid.” And “The garden would appreciate rows 5 & 6 being weeded.  This keeps it out of our own opinion being the point, and instead the need of the thing, moment or interaction. The change is in the understanding and words.

• Romantic/Sexual Interest:

In general, we ask that you don’t speak about your sexual attraction, or desires of others here, unless/until you know the person well; and then can also do so in an integral and mature way. With deep consideration for the other. And, If/when/as you do find yourself interested in a person, and if they are not expressing a direct, open, clear, yummy, and transparent YES in response, do not continue to make advances. Anything other than an obvious YES is a NO.  This will be enforced.  Alternately, If someone is pushing you or making you feel uncomfortable, please let a Steward know - it is your responsibility to speak up when you feel uncomfortable.  

• Conflict Resolution: Is handled on a case-by-case basis by listening in Heart Space, utilizing The Language of Relating, while holding SafeSpace for the individual/s and the highest interest for the good of the community, as a balance.

•Things we have NopeWalls for in community settings:  

Predation, entitlement, dishonesty, non-consensual behavior, drunkenness, irresponsible use of alternatives, obnoxiousness, or belligerence (These ARE things where we offer support, and accountability for and within specific situations).

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To be fully transparent…

This is private land. You can be banned from returning to The Mountain for a period of time for directly and/or repeatedly violating these Codes of Conduct. 

These boundaries are what supports us in honoring each person's sovereignty, the community (common unity), and this Intentional Way of Living. We appreciate your support in making this a safer space. 

It can be Behaviors that are unacceptable,

Not the people themselves;

AND

Behavior that is cherished, Evolves. 

(Let’s Lift Each Other UP!)

MWM & JWOW

Connect with us in these places. 

Community Wellness Checkin:

To help reduce the spread of contagions, please keep the following in mind:

• Don’t come if you're sick, feeling unwell, or if you’ve been around others who are sick  (Covid, cold, or flu). 

• If you are actively sick, we will lovingly send you home. 

• Cough into your elbow (Just to be extra careful, please do so away from people) 

• It may not be wise to share drinks, smokes, pipes, or food.  

• Please let us know that you have attended a larger event and how long ago. 

*** If you do find yourself sick after attending this event, please notify us so we can double down on our own Wellness protocols. 🙏

You might want to know that: 

• You may expect to encounter both vaccinated and unvaccinated folks on The Mountain. 

• Masks are never mandated (though you may be asked to refrain from certain spaces if you do not wish to wear them, and masks may be requested or social distancing of up to 15-20 feet may happen). Each person is to take responsibility for their own personal health needs, including communication with others. #RiskAwareness

• We hold most of our community activities in outdoor spaces where space is possible.