Two types of music cultures today use community, music, and drugs to achieve a state of trance that aids them in spiritual exploration. These two groups are the newly formed electronic music rave scene of Europe and the United States and the 7000 year-old tradition of peyote ceremonies still practiced by members of the Native American Church. Each culture has very different music and settings for this exploration, but they have similar ideologies for a better life and planet.

Raves are all night parties where people dance to electronic music. The main ingredients are loud music, light shows, selected narcotics, and people (called Ravers). Ravers have an ideology about Peace, Love, Unity and Respect (PLUR), for the raver, that all night party is an escape from what her society wants her to be; material-oriented, financially su

The musical selections on the accompanying cassette represent two contrasting types of techno music. The first selection, Angelic Particles, is an example of the trance genre of electronica. The song sounds very smooth, connected and dreamlike. It is metric like most techno pieces and is played at about 120 beats per minute. It keeps the listener moving, but also deeply entranced at the same time. The bass and treble are equally represented, giving the song a mellow feel. There are no vocals, and the texture is mainly polyphonic. Harmony seems to be present, because nothing about it is discordant, however it is hard to pick out specific chord progressions. This song is intended to be emotionally gratifying, with the listener becoming very involved with the music and feeling its power encircling her.

The new raves in the US were far from legal. They were advertised on flyers often containing only a psychedelic image and a phone number. Directions to the rave site were not divulged until the day of the party. As little as 50 to tens of thousands of kids would show up for a night of PLUR. DJs would set up their equipment on private beaches or broken-into abandoned warehouses. When (or if) the rave was found by authorities, the dancers and DJs would quickly break down and flee with a speaker in tow to find somewhere else to continue the party. Ravers who were present remember relocating up to ten times in one night. Illicit drugs were also present, the raves in the US began primarily with LSD and marijuana, but ecstasy and amphetamines from the UK scene soon became staples in the ravers' drug diet. However, many ravers feel that drugs are unnecessary in order to have a good time; the positive vibe from the rave is more than enough (Estiens).

No distinctions at all but rather an almost organic

People accustomed to the ways of the Peyote ceremony are given specific roles to play throughout the night. These are not paid clergy, nor are they formally educated in the ways of the ceremony; all aspects of the ritual are learned from observing and imitating elders. The Roadman plays the central role in the ceremony, leading the participants in song, prayer, and consumption of their sacrament. He leads the participants in trance-like observance down the Peyote Road of correct living. The Roadman sits to the north of the opening of the lodge (which is on the east side). The Drum Chief sits on the right of the Roadman and accompanies singing with his drum, driving the prayers to the east. The Cedarman sits on the left of the Roadman and is responsible for placing cedar on the fire to create a pleasant aroma. The Fireman or Fire Chief sits opposite the Roadman and tends the fire throughout the night. The Water Woman brings water in the morning, representing Peyote Woman, who is traditionally thought of as the first person who discovered the religious sacrament. The other participants are expected to direct their energy towards prayers for the intent of the ceremony (Smith 77-101).

Undoubtedly, the concern about the negative effects of the federally illicit drug has remained controversial. However, few negative effects are found, occurring only when the drug is combined with an existing condition of poor health or used without supervision. Anthropologists have documented many positive effects in behavior and health after consumption of the drug (Smith, 109-113)

In both of these music cultures, there are three main elements, music, people, and drugs. It's fascinating how people in both cultures are involved with mind-altering substances and music in order to achieve a state of trance and spiritual guidance. The drugs consumed assist in making the listener more entranced with the music. In the peyote tradition the drug is administered in a controlled and supervised manner, which is now protected by the constitution under freedom of religion. Next to the traditional pow-wow, peyote ceremonies are the most popular Native American ritu

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Approximate Word count = 2888
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)