In 2024, we invited reflections from the Medicine community through a survey, asking questions to help us understand how the festival is experienced, what people felt was working well, and what could be improved. This section brings together insights from that feedback, including participant satisfaction data across programming, venues, workshops, food and drink, site infrastructure, and arrival and departure processes. We have also included shared themes around what we did well, where we can improve, and quotes offered by our community.
These reflections are shared with honesty and gratitude, as part of our commitment to listening, learning, and evolving Medicine in relationship with the people who gather with us.
COMMUNITY SATISFACTION OVERVIEW
The below graph is based on 396 respondents and we asked for each respondent to select one option between very satisfied to very dissatisfied. This graph reflects participation satisfaction across key areas of the festival experience.
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS APPRECIATING
The reflections below come directly from questions in the 2024 feedback survey asking participants what moved and inspired them, and what they felt Medicine did well. They reflect what people within the survey are genuinely feeling, valuing and experiencing at the festival, and the qualities that make Medicine feel meaningful and different from other gatherings.
Common themes included:
• A deep sense of connection, belonging and togetherness.
• The sacred and spiritual quality of the gathering.
• The depth and diversity of music, ceremony, wisdom carriers, talks and workshops.
• The beauty of the site, including decor, art and the care taken with the land.
• A feeling of an intentional, non-commercial atmosphere.
• Inclusivity and cultural diversity across the community.
• The experience of Medicine as a human, meaningful gathering, not a transactional event.
WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR GROWTH
We also asked participants to share what could be improved, and what would help the experience feel more accessible, supportive and sustainable as Medicine continues to grow.
Common themes included:
• Site infrastructure – toilets, showers, water points, lighting and wayfinding.
• Food affordability and accessibility.
• Crowd flow, navigation and spatial clarity across the site.
• Arrival and departure logistics.
• Internal transport and accessibility support.
• On-site communication and information clarity.
• Capacity pressure in certain areas.
These reflections matter deeply to how Medicine evolves. They help us listen more clearly, reflect more honestly, and take responsibility for how our ceremony is shaped each time we come together on the land. We take feedback from our community seriously, using it to guide improvement, strengthen care, and shape how we gather.
VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY
This section shares direct and beautiful reflections from the survey attendees from the 2024 festival.
“Being in community – watching others and myself come alive through connection to people and planet.”
“The offerings, the decor and the care taken to make the site look beautiful.”
“The sense of connection and community.”
“Thank you for providing such a unique space to gather, heal and grow.”
“Bringing all cultures together and creating a feeling of inclusivity.”
“The depth, the beauty, the magic, and the care in every detail.”
“A truly sacred and meaningful gathering.”
“The diversity of wisdom, music and ceremony was incredible.”
“It felt like a living prayer.”
“Love all the people, cultures and the general atmosphere.”
“A space of connection, reverence and community.”
“It felt deeply human, not commercial.”
“Medicine holds something very special.”
“A gathering that feels intentional, not transactional.”
“Thank you for creating a space where people can experience depth and meaning.”