On this model, he organized several nocturnal meetings in the woods, near an oak which had been struck by lightning . Members of the Acéphale society were required to adopt several rituals, such as refusing to shake hands with anti-semites  and celebrating the decapitation of Louis XVI, an event which prefigured the "chiefless crowd" targeted by "acéphalité" . Members of the society were also invited to meditation, on texts of Nietzsche, Freud, Sade and Mauss read during the assemblies. To psychologically prepare for the violence and losses that active duty in the French Resistance to Vichy—Nazi occupation of France would bring, members discussed carrying out a human sacrifice, but this may never have been carried out.