Totem stands for Temple Of The Eternal Mysteries. It's the name of our organization. It's merely a fantastic coincidence that it also refers to a prominent aspect of Native American art and mythology. We neither discourage nor require our members to worship gods in animal form.

Totem is a week-long party

Parties are a time-honored art form. In the Golden Age of Athens, our western civilization was created in a single generation, in a radical new institution called a Symposium. It was an elegant affair, with the best food, drink, and entertainment. Topics of conversation varied widely, and the spirit of open inquiry lit the fire of human genius. The rest is history.

Totem is a week-long party ...

Parties are a well-spring of spontaneous experience. Everyone has an opportunity to recreate themselves each moment, and nothing is mediated. Thus, partying is the purest of spiritual activities. It brings together all possible forms of radical self-expression. Partying embodies the best of the Eternal Mysteries: soulful communication, courtship, altered consciousness, ecstatic dancing, and great music.

Totem supports artistic endeavors

In addition to our massage theme, we also support our residents' efforts to create their own themes. Music, dance, and art are gateways to the mystery of creation, just as fire is the gateway to the mystery of destruction.

... artistic endeavors ...

What calls to you? Where do your passions lie? Totem is not here to guide you, but to be guided by you. Totem is not the Muse; it is the canvas for your self-expression.

Totem celebrates the Eternal Mysteries

The Eternal Mysteries are central to the evolving culture of Burning Man. To quote the Official Journal of the Burning Man Project (12/14/99):

"The instincts that prompt us arise out of darkness. The lust of the loins, the fires of the belly, and the reasons of the heart -- these blind urges drive our lives as if impelled by an immediate force of Nature. Burning Man ... explores this dark and secret world of our embodied being."

... a celebration of the Mysteries ...

Totem recognizes that these instincts underlie all mythology, all spiritual experience, all artistic endeavor. They are the unspeakable ultimate that makes us human and lends us magnificence. We celebrate the Mysteries because we celebrate the human imperative to destroy the past and consciously create the future.

Totem is a community

Massage is the common bond of our community. Those who decide to camp with us are a consciously self-selected group, and Totem is therefore an experiment in creating an intentional community. We are a community of activists, dedicated to creating a wonderful experience for our friends and visitors.

... a community of friends.

What does it mean to be a community? In a community, people do things for each other. Their gifts embody their love for each other.  Connecting with people is what massage is all about. We connect with our visitors, but most especially we have built lasting bonds with each other.