The Seven Part
Cabaret Bellydance Routine
In Conjunction With
The Wheel of the Year
Section/Gate 1: The Dance Begins
Traditionally, the dancer steps out into the limelight and begins with medium/fast tempos. Friendly music (usually a beledi or other related 4/4 rhythm) establishes the dancer’s presence and sends a greeting. The dancer is wrapped in her full sparkling regalia of beads or coins, and silks, satins and/or brocades.... ready to harvest with the fullness and ripeness of summer.
August 1: Lamas.
Section/Gate 2: The Unveiling
This section is usually a bolero or other flowing, melodic music. The dancer grows more inwardly directed, more firmly committed, internal yet encompassing. She slowly unfurls her veil revealing her inner light. A metamorphosis ensues. Groundlessly, the dance dissolves into many entrancing spins, suspensions and veil flourishes. This is the first step into the mysteries that lie ahead.
September 20: Fall Equinox.
Section/Gate 3: Within the Earth Realm
The music is more intense, more challenging, and rhythms may vary. The dancer is busy like a bee. She is is now more fully engaged, intentional and resolute in her craft. With this progress she lets go of further inhibitions. Her body temperature has risen from the duration of the dance and sweat begins to build; adrenalin is released into the blood. She is one step more committed on her journey, prepared as Winter approaches.
October 31: Hallomas.
Section/Gate 4: The Descent
Traditionally danced to a cheftitelli rhythm or a taxim (solo) of a single instrument, this is a slow, most intense, mesmerizing, even still section of the dance. The dancer may descend all the way to the floor, a metaphor for descent into the soul’s ground, the subterranean or subconscious realm of the roots of our psyche: the place of oracles. Hands weave stories; spine becomes supple; movements undulate, circle, and meander hypnotically; tunnel through the ground like earth worms. Catharsis may take place. It is a lonely, barren place of longing. The stillness in the ground of Winter is experienced as the longest darkness on this day, out of which the sun is reborn; the nights become shorter and the days become longer again.
December 21: Winter Solstice
Section/Gate 5: The Ascent
Ascending, climbing, fast-paced rhythms erupt deep within the seed. They lead the dancer from the subterranean womb realm. Out of a dark sleep the mysterious life force beckons, riding the heartbeat-call of the pounding drums. Passions grow to find purpose. Seeds are made ready for planting at this time.
February 2: Candlemas.
Section/Gate 6: Between a Drumer and a Dancer
This is a show of the dancer’s skill and responsiveness in relationship to the skill and finesse of the drummer; it should really be called a duet. This section is not solely about the dancer or the drummer; it is about their relationship to each other. The dance they can do together is what holds our focus. The attraction of opposites meet upon the fertile ground.
May 1: May Day!
Section/Gate 7: Finale
This fast section is sometimes a 9/8 or other lively rhythm and bright finale song. Many times it is a dynamic reprise of the music in the first section, or the fifth section, bringing us full circle. It ends with a final bow and the promise of a repeat performance in an hour or on another day. On this longest day the Sun King reins in all his final glory. The Goddess returns to take up her scepter as the Sun King begins to back down, exchanging places with the Queen of Heaven. The cycle is ready to be danced again. June 21: Summer Solstice.
Reference/Book List
These are a few of the books that have influenced me the longest and most clearly for this project, and that are relatively easy to find. Let this be a start and let us each add a few of our favorite books to this list at Isis Oasis.
Ancient Egyptian Numerology. . .
• Serpent in the Sky; Anthony West; Versa Press 1993
Salomé. . .
• To Love Delilah: Claiming the Women of the Bible; Mary Cartledge-Hayes; Luramedia 1990
Wheel of the year; Pagan traditions and ritual. . .
• Spiral Dance; Starhawk; Harper Collins 1987
Inanna myth as a psychological tool. . .
• Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation; Sylvia Briton-Perera; Inner City Books 1981
Inanna Myth and Poetry. . .
• Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth; Wolkstien and Kramer; Harper & Row 1983
Earth Awareness. . .
• Voices of the First Day; Robert Lawlor; Inner Traditions 1991
• Earth Honoring; The New Male Sexuality; Robert Lawlor; Park Street Press 1991
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