Ghost Dance

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s lead down the middle and up to 2nd place while 2s (ghosts) follow 1s to bottom and cast up on own sides to 1st place
9-16 1s dance DoSiDo and all turn partners RH (long turn)
17-24 1s+3s+4s dance reels of 3 on sides (1s in and down to start) while 2s follow 1s as ghosts
25-32 1s dance in passing partner RSh to BtoB position with hands joined, turn round to right and dance out own side and cast to 4th place

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Ghost Dance - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

The idea of ghosts is ancient and found in almost every culture. In general belief, a ghost is thought to be the non-physical essence of a person who has died but has not moved on to another state of existence. Appearances are often described as faint, shadowy, or transparent human forms, and they are commonly linked to particular locations, events, or individuals with whom they had strong connections in life.

In literature, folklore, and religion, ghosts have served many purposes. They may appear as messengers, guardians, or warnings of danger, while in other stories they are portrayed as unsettled spirits unable to find peace. Scientific studies have not confirmed the existence of ghosts, but accounts of sightings continue to appear across the world, often influenced by cultural expectations, emotional experiences, or environmental conditions. The word itself comes from Old English "gast", meaning "spirit" or "soul", which is also related to similar terms in Germanic languages.

A common understanding of the word "ghost" is that it represents the traditional concept of a human spirit that exists beyond death, widely known through myths, religion, and popular culture, and recognised as one of the most enduring symbols of the unknown in human history.

Vanishing Ghost, 1948

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