Yes. It's a thing. An Elektrik Fantasy thing.
Allow us to dance you through it.
It's actually been a magickal thing for centuries, and an integral part of rituals throughout many indigenous cultures worldwide; we're just the first to coin the modern phrase and introduce it as an integral conduit within our festival.
undergrounding = underground, as in roots electronic dance culture (house music, techno, consistent 4 on the floor)
+ grounding (or earthing), as in connecting electrically with the Earth.
Via Groundology -
"There are two key reasons why this electrical connection is important:
The Earth is a massive reservoir of negatively charged free electrons. Without a connection to this reservoir, the cells in our body are unable to balance the positive charge which results from things like electron-deficient free radicals. The effect of excess positive charge in the blood can be seen very clearly by the way in which the cells are attracted to clump together (see Scientific Research).
Our modern environment is full of a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, from computers, mobile phones & masts, radio & TV broadcasts, WiFi, Bluetooth, power lines, domestic wiring, and other electrical appliances. This electromagnetic radiation induces voltages in our bodies, disrupting the trillions of subtle electrical communications which are a vital part of the function of our body's systems. By being grounded to the Earth we greatly reduce the levels of these induced voltages, as we are then effectively shielded by the Earth's large electrical mass.
On a less tangible level, it may also be that the connection we make with the Earth actually carries information, and helps align us with the greater network of intelligence of our planet.
The simplest way to be grounded is to go outside and place your bare feet or hands on some grass or earth, or to immerse yourself in a body of conductive water such as the sea or a mineral-rich lake.
The most immediately noticeable effect people report from being grounded is that they ‘feel better’. This has been described as a feeling of greater peace within themselves, feeling calmer with reduced stress levels. If there is pain present then often this is reduced or disappears completely."
So, back to this thing that ancient (and modern) tribes, a.k.a. our ancestors have been doing for pretty much ever. The Dance, or Sacred Dance, as we'll call it, has a rich history which stretches back to the earliest periods of human society, when ritual movement was part of our efforts to understand and connect to the natural world. This effort was a part of daily life, and, as such, evidence of sacred dance can be found in almost every ancient civilization. As societies developed politically and culturally, so did dance and its sacred uses, resulting in the traditional and contemporary forms of movement that are familiar today.
There are many types of sacred dance, such as cultural dance, liturgical dance and contemporary dance. But the dance we will be dancing at Elektrik Fantasy will be Conscious Dance, for the soul purpose of self-expression, meditation, and connection. When this type of dance is free-form or unstructured, some call it ecstatic dance or trance dance, and it can also include contact improv and some creative dance practices, such as authentic movement. Conscious dance can also include structured movements such as circle dance (yeah, cyphers!) or body prayers. The emphasis is on healing, connection and personal or spiritual growth in conscious dance.
" Tribal dance is a journey in the Shamanic traditions of the Native American people, and their knowledge and insights into the power and magick of the animal archetypes, the healing of others and the healing of Mother Earth. "
So, now that you know what #undergrounding is, get your Fantasy Costumes in order, leave your shoes at home and come re-connect with Mama Earth. Because in order to move IVward, we must go back; we must dance the dance our ancestors danced.
