We are all about decommodification. Mysteria operates on a gift economy. There are no commercial sponsorships, advertising, or monetary transactions in Mysteria. There is nothing for sale here. This means there are no hot dog stands, souvenir t-shirts, coke machines or ATMs. If you need something, you should bring it yourself, or be damn sure a friend is bringing it for you (for this reason, many campers elect to plan together for group composites, common kitchens, etc.) A burn is about what creative and material gifts you bring to it, and the experience of giving to and receiving wonderful gifts from perfect strangers. We encourage all Mysteria citizens to give freely to the community. Gifting is unconditional, and does not mean an exchange of something for equal value. Bartering is discouraged. Look after your neighbors ... express yourself radically.
Transformus's way of drawing out the gifts of its participants is to enforce a strict economic blockade on the premises. That is, ABSOLUTELY NO EXCHANGE OF MONIES IS ALLOWED ON THE GROUNDS FOR THE DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL. Fine, call us Gift Nazis. We've been called worse. But now that the boom's been lowered on you, what are you gonna do about it? Well, try starting with a visit to the Giving Tree.

The Giving Tree
There is a clearing in your mind where stands a tree. And it glows and shimmers. It shines of the light of flame, yes; but also of love and generosity. It bears the wondrous fruits of giving. Of sacrifice. Of purpose. It calls to those whose heart is in need of a give-away. And it calls to those who thirst for the meaning of true gifting. Not just hands reaching out for things, but souls reaching across time to touch each other's desire for intangible fulfillment.
Come to this clearing.
Reach.
Give.
Be filled, in love.
Leave a gift.
Bring your heartfelt anonymous gifts to be left at the 2008 Transformus Giving Tree. If there is a story behind the gift, how it came into your life, what it meant to you, share it in a note that will carry that meaning and energy to the recipient.
Take a gift, if it calls, and be joyous in gratitude, for gratitude is the mother of blessing.

The Giveaway Ritual
The Transformus version is loosely based on the Native American ritual of the Giveaway (or the Potlatch, depending on tribe), it goes something like this:
We ask that Mysterians bring something special from their lives that they are ready to part with. Whatever it is, it should have a story attached to it, and it should be something personal. Large or small, handcrafted or manufactured, no matter - but you must be ready to part with it, no strings attached. Take the time to gift wrap this object. Inside the wrapping, write a few words about what this special artifact means to you - where it came from, what experiences you had with it, and perhaps - but not necessarily - why it is time to give it away. This note can be as short as a poem or as long as a novel... what matters is that you impart some of the magic of the gift's story unto the recipient, thus transforming it from mere discarded object into magical artifact. Now, that that's all said and done, make sure to bring it with you!
After you arrive at Transformus, at any time that feels right to you, take your GiveAway to the Giving Tree, and lay your gift in or below its branches (the site of this year’s tree yet to be determined). There will be many gifts there, all anonymous, all nicely wrapped, and all - like your own - with their own stories attached. If you feel drawn to something, take it. If not, come back later. Or not. But do bring a gift, and see for yourself: the magic of the giveaway is real!