WHERE & WHEN
In conjunction with APEX, the Producers of Ritual Steel are bringing their AWAKEN event to Phoenix! APEX, the Arizona Power Exchange, is an organization with deep ties to the history of modern hook pull events.
AWAKEN is a transformative ritual weekend anchored on a workshop, social, suspensions, and hook pull intended to provide a unique educational experience as well as a deeper dive into the world of body rituals. This three-day event is designed to provide a unique energetic experience for any consenting adult who chooses to participate. If you’re unsure of what any of this means, we strongly encourage you to join us Friday for the workshop and social to learn more in a casual setting!
Tickets for APEX members are $100; we also have an event-specific ticket available to those who aren’t members yet for $115 which includes a full 30-day temporary membership. This is intended for those who are traveling into town or would otherwise like to explore the other offerings at APEX for the full month. Due to the limitations of the APEX charter, all attendees must be “members” of the organization to attend events at this venue.
Non-APEX members will need to attend an APEX orientation prior to the Friday workshop.
EVENT SCHEDULE
EDUCATE!
The Friday evening workshop is open to all APEX members ($25 charge for non-weekend-ticket holders), and is included in the AWAKEN weekend ticket price. Considered by some the pinnacle of play piercing and by others a threshold to altered consciousness, flesh hooks provide a unique experience, no matter which lens YOU choose to look through.
Join us for the opening event of our weekend with Ritual Steel for a brief discussion about the history and intent behind flesh hooks in play and spirituality, followed by a demonstration of the technical aspects of the piercing itself.
This workshop is designed to demystify some of the physical unknowns you might have, so that you can choose when and where to have your own experience, or alternately how you can best engage in the weekend events to experience the psychological unknowns for yourself.
CONNECT!
Immediately following this workshop we will transition into a Meet-and-Greet social, and those who are interested in suspending on Saturday will meet with the piercing team. The meet-and-greet social on Friday evening is for all participants, witnesses, and their friends to meet and mingle. Ritual Steel staff will be available to answer questions and make connections with other participants as well.
Depending on pre-sales, there may be limited tickets available for the weekend ritual after this workshop. If so, an APEX staff member will be available to handle the sales.
Important Note: For those interested in suspending during the event, an initial group discussion will happen during the social so the production team can meet each participant, be informed about any medical considerations, and learn about the intentions guiding their suspension. If you intend to suspend, please attend.
Doors Open
On Saturday at noon doors will open and after a brief discussion we will perform multiple suspensions. All Participants are welcome and encouraged to attend and provide energy to the space for those who choose to take flight.
ELEVATE!
ELEVATE your soul (and possibly your body) as you join us for a day of flesh hook suspensions facilitated by Ritual Steel at APEX! This day is open to ALL ticketed participants for AWAKEN weekend, and we encourage everyone to attend and bear witness to support those who choose to fly. Even just being present to witness can be a profound experience. For those who are interested in suspending, message info@ritualsteel.com with the subject line "APEX 2026 suspension" with a little basic info: Name, email, phone number, and a brief description of your desires for suspending. Note that all first-time suspensions will be conducted in a vertical position with piercings in the back. Other positions may be accommodated after discussion with the piercing team to determine feasibility.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you're interested in suspending during Saturday's ELEVATE, please attend the suspension meeting on Friday during the social! This individualized focus requires significantly more time and piercing resources per person, and will require a $150 surcharge on top of the normal ticket price.
Doors Open
SUNDAY at noon the doors will open to all participants, and we will begin with a ritual opening at 1pm.
ENGAGE!
Ritual Steel’s ENGAGE hook pull to culminate the AWAKEN weekend is a transformative ritual piercing event intended to provide a unique energetic experience, as well as a “first look” for many people into the world of body-based rituals.
Open to all consenting adults, this event is structured to provide a unique experience based on the needs of each participant. Through piercing with weights, hooks, cheek spears, flesh suspensions, and other similar rituals, the producers will work with the participants to provide coming-of-age transformation, catharsis, rebirth, and other energetic or spiritual revelations through extreme sensory experiences.
You can find information about each of this in our "What is A Hook Pull" article.
We will conclude with a Ritual Steel follow-up discussion/Q&A for all participants, and formally close the altar, bringing a close to our weekend. We ask that all RS participants attend this final closing if they are able.
STAY UPDATED
Get Latest News & Announcements
IMPORTANT NOTE: AWAKEN IN ATLANTA HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LOSS OF VENUE. PLEASE VISIT OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR OTHER EVENTS