Free Spirit Gathering XXIV List of Presenters
Free Spirit Gathering XXIV List of Presenters
Travel, schedule, or budget constraints may cause this list to change
Alchemical Fire Team: this year's team includes Mike Miller and Whittney Matlock, Tigre Cruz, Shane Amerman, Amy Lawrence, and Hillary Blue Moon.
Shane has been involved with the FSG community for a number of years. As part of Circle of Dark Eros, he helped produce and perform the 2004 Ritual track at FSG to rave reviews. He has performed as a waxer in the Exploratorium at Beltanes past and as staff at a large number of different FSA events. He is also active in the Live Action Role Playing Community, and has produced a number of LARPs based on Spider Robinson's books. He's now also part of the local area Alchemical Fire Ritual team. In his spare time, Shane dabbles in silver smithing and electronics.
Amy is known to many of us by the apt sobriquet "firegoddess." She has been firetending and involved with fire circle rituals and sacred arts circles for several years and for several organizations. Her focus is on healing the collective via the individual expansion of awareness, one heart and mind at a time. Always present, she will be helping hold the Heart and Hearth of the Alchemical Fire.
Hillary is a bona fide tree-huggin' dirt-worshipper and a grateful member of the Family of Fire. She brings her joy and passion for Earth stewardship and re-connecting with Mother Earth to the circle. She has spent many years honoring the divine feminine by holding sacred "sister space" and facilitating Womyn's full moon circles, and she offers up the gift of chant/song and spontaneous creative expression to the all night experience. As part of her commitment to service, Hillary has presented several workshops at past FSGs on Deep Ecology and The Work that Reconnects.
Tigre and Mike and Whittney have their own bios.
Alchemical Fire Ritual
Alex Bettencourt is a non-denominational weirdo pagan. She is a member of the First Kingdom Church of Asphodel and enjoys being a part of a vibrant and eclectic spiritual community. Her interests include developing a daily spiritual practice and the place of spirituality in the process of recovery from addiction. Alex currently works as a case manager for women recovering from addiction and lives in central Massachusetts with her rock star boyfriend and a kitty named Cleveland.
Turning the Interior Wheel: Pagans and Prayer
Arakeane exploits the diversity of his religious, sexual, and spiritual background to bring a unique mix of talent to the pagan community. His Baptist, Methodist, Evangelical, Thalamic, and Mormon background from his early years intermingles with his vast experience in sadomasochism, liberal sexuality, and avant-garde spirituality tempered by his various Wiccan experiences and practices for the past 20 years. A Naval Officer, Engineer, Physicist, Computer Scientist, and Dungeon Master by trade, Arakeane interleaves his professional training into his quest for spiritual awareness and comprehension. The thrice sworn soul-mate of the High Priestess Selene, Arakeane has been in the public Pagan forum since the late 1980s. Most noted for his open work entwining diverse pagan practices with Wicca, Arakeane has been an embarrassment to fundamentalists from many Pagan traditions for well over a decade. A Distinguished Toastmaster, off-Broadway New York actor, trained in NLP, holistic healing, and a diverse set of other spiritual disciplines, Arakeane's spontaneous and entertaining presentation style typically delights his audience. Even if you've taken a previous year's workshop, you're sure to be delighted with the changes introduced and Arakeane's ability to spiritually immerse you in the subject matter.
Psychic Healing Series
Arcta Firebringer (aka Leanne Pemburn) is a 2nd degree initiate of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, Coven of Keepers of the Holly Chalice. She has walked a Wiccan path for 13 years, and has practiced the art of the lodge for 10 years. She is fortunate to have trained in the art with Ivo Domínguez, Jr. and Diane Shevierah Stonewater, and received their blessings to pour in 2003 and 2001.
Five Parts of Self (Assembly of the Sacred Wheel) (Sweat Circle)
Asphodel: The First Kingdom Church of Asphodel is an eclectic neo-pagan group focused on reclaiming and living sacred archetypes as part of a greater spiritual path. We have built an eclectic mythopoetic polytheistic tradition, studying the stories and rites of many cultures and creating from them something new. In learning the myths of our ancestors, we learn how we live those myths, and in living them we create new myths and new ways of being in the world. Our worship is inspired by our research of past traditions, shaped by our present circumstances, and guided by personal revelation. We have much in common with most folks in the Neo-Pagan movement, and a few things that seem rather unique to us. Visit us at www.churchofasphodel.org to learn more.
Closing Ritual
Main Ritual: Changing the Dream, and Dreaming the Change
Opening Ritual: Rhythms of the Heavens
Aurora Shimmering: An experienced teacher and organizer, Aurora Shimmering has produced rituals, fire circles, workshops, and other spiritual events since 2002. Whether priestess, assistant, guardian, or witness, her strength lies in sharing knowledge and encouraging others to live up to their fullest potential. Her interests include Tantra and energy work, shamanic fire circles, and spiritual growth through ordeal ritual. Aurora is co-President of Sacred Mark Sanctuary, and organization that promotes and explores the use of the body to access Spirit.
Power Up Your Panties!
Bill aka Fàidh: William Seligman means 'strong-willed blessed man' in German, yet he is of Russian ancestry. He has a PhD in high-energy particle physics from Columbia University, and he has been Wiccan since 1991. He works as a UNIX systems administrator at a physics research lab, and reads Tarot and Runes at the New York Renaissance Festival. Further apparent paradoxes are available upon request.
Hermes Council
Readings for Money
Blue Star Wicca is a centuries-old Pagan tradition founded in the mid-1970s. FSG has become our home away from home, to a certain extent, and the Litha ritual has become somewhat of a tradition. This year's ritual is a collaborative effort from members of different covens.
Zenith: A Midsummer Ritual in the Blue Star Tradition
Bobbi Sheaffer has been pagan since she was introduced to the Greek pantheon in sixth grade. While festivals are relaxing and regenerative, she feels that it's also vital for people in recovery to have a structured 12-step meeting time and place. Bobbi makes her home at an old farmhouse in the beautiful mountains of Central PA, and she's been in the fields of psychotherapy and addictions for 16 years. Kim Waite-Williams is usually Bobbi's partner for Recovery support at FSG, but can't make it this year, and we'll miss her.
Recovery Meeting
Caroline Kenner is a Washington Witchdoctor, and a shamanic healer trained by Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman, among other fine shamanic teachers. Caroline is a graduate of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies' Three Year Program, and Sandra Ingerman's Two Year Shamanic Teacher Training Program, as well as many shamanic training programs of shorter duration. She has been journeying since 1989, and working professionally since 1999. In addition to her shamanic training, Caroline has received initiations and ceremonies in diverse spiritual traditions. Caroline began studying Paganism in 1984 with Andras Corban Arthen of the EarthSpirit Community. She is a Craft daughter of Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, and has been initiated by the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel into their Order of Wandering Stars. Caroline has received several ceremonies in La Regla de Ocha de Lukumi, often known as Cuban Santería. She wears the Necklaces, and holds the cauldron of the Warriors, and the soperas of Oya and Obatala. For many years, Caroline has held series of leadership roles in regional Pagan organizations around DC. She currently helps produce the Sacred Space Conference, held every February. And for more than fifteen years, Caroline has served as a religious freedom activist and media spokesperson for the Pagan community. Caroline has an undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College in Anthropology and a Master's degree from Boston University in Communications. Learn more about Caroline's shamanic healing practice in Silver Spring, Maryland, at www.mythkenner.com.
Beginning Shamanic Healing: Extraction
Honoring the Nature Spirits of Camp Ramblewood
Shamanic Healing Ceremony
Catgut & Allie & Mattheas: Catgut is a violinist, fire performer, and the maker and vendor of CaloopsaHoops, collapsible travel hoops.
Allie has been playing with fire for four years. She began with poi and moved on to hoops the last summer. She found a natural niche in hoops and quickly accumulated quite a few hooping skills, and found a real love for the freedom of movement and dance. The hoop really helped Allie to come out of her shell, and to heal a lot of old fears that came along with performing. There is nothing more exhilarating and spiritual to her than being surrounded by a ring of fire. Her current goals this summer are to master other toys as well, such as isolation hoops, fans, double staves, and rope dart. She yearns to share what she has learned in her four years with anyone who wants to know, as well as to absorb as much knowledge as she possibly can.
Mattheas has his own bio. Catgut, Allie, and Mattheas all vend with Burning Passion.
Beginner Hooping
Make a Basic Hoop
Claire M. Sagewell is a Reiki Master Teacher, a Priestess, an Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Counselor, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. An eclectic Witch for over 20 years, both as a solitary and a coven member, she is deeply committed to the scholarly, healthy and balanced growth of the Pagan Community. To these ends, she is working on the publication of A Pagan Seder, which was recently mentioned on WitchVox and is the only one of its kind. She also continues to teach and write, and is deeply involved in building the skills and knowledge to found her own coven. She was recently honored to be accepted into the Masters of Divinity program at Cherry Hill Seminary for Pagan Studies and looks forward to being of service to the community, both Pagan and non-Pagan, with her favorite Druid by her side. Claire's class, Earthbound: Staying Grounded at Festivals, is becoming an annual fixture at FSG, and she'll be lending a wee bit of support to the Leadership Conclave.
Earthbound: Staying Grounded at Festival
Conrad Kubiak, owner of Spirit in the Wood Drum Company, is a master drum-maker whose designs are inspired by instruments from West Africa and Latin America as well as Native American shamanic traditions. Ashikos, Djembes, Congas, Batas, Bombas, Cajones, Kit Drums, and the Aboriginal Didgeridoo are among the instruments he builds and plays. Kubiak is an innovator in the manufacture of one piece solid wood drums. Spirit in the Wood sells both Kubiak's original instruments and traditional ones which he reinforces, refurbishes, and re-tunes. The process of making the instruments involves ritual precision while transforming the wood and finding its voice. In the Ivory Coast it is said: "A drummer gives voice to a tree."
In addition to drum-making activities and workshops, Kubiak also works as a corporate consultant leading team-building and motivational exercises during interactive seminars. As the facilitator of drum circles, ceremonies, and White Moment Rhythm Workshops,he develops outreach programs focusing on building communication, improving group dynamics, and appreciating other cultures. Through participatory experience, "white moments"—when left and right hemispheres of the brain are both synchronized and in-phase—are created and everything and everyone slows down as our minds move to a higher state of consciousness. Kubiak draws on his background in NLP as well as his work in the healing arts as a certified Shiatsu therapist, Reiki Master, CranioSacral therapist, and Feng Shui practitioner. In addition to a spiritual path that includes Sufism and Native American studies, he holds degrees in Irish literature, biology, and computer electronics. Kubiak also presented a paper on the "Psychology of Rhythm" at the Creative Arts Therapies Conference in Philadelphia and led a drumming circle in Atlantic City for members of the theatrical troupe performing in STOMP.
Beginner to Intermediate Drumming
Drumming Prep for Opening Ritual
Dan Snook, leader of the minion horde, is here to offer guidance to the future leaders of the world.
Dance the Night Away
David Wonderlin has been studying Native American ways for most of his life, as well as Wicca and Eastern spiritual practices in his adult years. After recieving his sweat lodge lineage from Stonewater, he began pouring sweats in 1996. He has been the head fire keeper for Vision Quest ceremonies for eight years. As a healer, David assists people through personal transformations using a variety of healing techniques and prayerful contemplation.
Native Based Sweat Lodge Ceremony (Sweat Circle)
Del: It has been said that Del is more of an experience than a person. As a full time spiritual counselor, spirit-worker, and host of the Suburban Shaman podcast, s/he leads people through life's more challenging twists and turns. Del is a trained piercer with the ritual body modification group Sacred Mark Sanctuary and has OSHA certification in Blood-borne Pathogens, a knowledge and talent s/he happily brings to the kink and pagan communities. A pagan priest since 2000, and kinky since birth, s/he especially enjoys exploring, teaching, and guiding people through experiences that combine their spirituality and sexuality. An avid gamer in all forms (video, board, and role-playing), Del lives in suburban Maryland with hir Sir, Ninja. S/he can be reached at awesome.del at gmail dot com.
Are You Chronically God-Bothered?
Kink Spirituality: Finding What Feeds You
Loki Blót
Your Orgasm Can Change Your Life: Sex Magick 101
Ellen Evert Hopman is a founding member of The Order of the White Oak (Ord Na Darach Gile), and its current Co-Chief; a Bard of the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri; and a Druidess of the Druid Clan of Dana. She was Vice President of The Henge of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years. She has also been at times a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF). Hopman has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990. She is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, and a member of the Grey Council of Mages and Sages; she has been a professor at the Grey School of Wizardry.
Her publications include: Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey (Llewellyn, February 2008); A Druid's Herbal for Sacred Tree Medicine (Inner Traditions - Bear and Company, June 2008); Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today (Destiny Books, 2001); People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out (Inner Traditions, 1995, currently out of print); Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal (Healing Arts Press, 2000); A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year (Destiny Books, 1994); and Tree Medicine-Tree Magic (Phoenix Publishing, 1992, currently out of print).
Visit her online at www.celticheritage.co.uk/EllenEvertHopman/.
Book Signing
Listening to the Trees of the Forest
Scottish Fairy Lore
Traditional Herbs of Scotland
Two Seasons, Three Worlds, Four Treasures, Five Directions: The Pillars of Druidism
Eric S comes to pagan/heathen practice after an early life in multiple forms of Christianity, then spending over 20 years as an atheist. When he first encountered Norse practice, he was surprised to find out that it fit most of what he already did and believed in life, minus the deities. Eric now follows a Norse path influenced by classical philosophy, pragmatism, and scholarship. He has always felt most strongly tied to Heimdall, even when he didn't really realize why or what that meant. Eric is drawn to forms of guardianship at many levels.
Heimdall Blót
Heimdall the Watchman
The Nature of Submission
Oaths, Oath Taking, and Other Subjects
Evergreen Coven is a coven in the Blue Star tradition. Collectively, we have been building lodges, tending fire, pouring sweats, drinking water, and sitting naked in the mud around the steaming stones for 13 years.
Elemental Sweat (Sweat Circle)
FC
Drum & Dance
Firelighting
Fire Tashlin is a magician, priestess, and teacher who has been teaching and running rituals since the late 1990s. In addition to her work with natural energies and natural-pattern based magic, Fire has spent the last several years specializing in and teaching a process for integrating personal energies and magic with the flow of the wyrd. In her professional life, Fire is co-owner of a company that designs and fabricates custom sacred and magical tools, and designs and creates custom sacred spaces for clients. She is the editor and owner of the blog God's Mouths, a forum where some of the leading names in the spirit work community write about their practices and experiences.
Intentional Movement
Firesong: Reverend Cathleen McGowan (aka Cat aka Firesong) is a professional artist and singer, and certified art teacher. She has a master's degree in education and has been working with the Spirits of the African Diaspora and leading creative rituals for 15 years. She is a Sanba (traditional song mistress) and a root worker. Cathleen is the founder of the Universal Temple of Spirits and pours for the Starry Night Sweat Circle. She has put out several teaching CDs of Orisha, Lwa, and Hindu chants. Her art can be viewed online at www.purringbanshee.com.
Trance Possession Rite for the Spirits of Summer
Ancestor/Ghede Sweat (Sweat Circle)
Firesong & LafingFrog: Cosette Blackmer, also known as LafingFrog, is a Reiki Master, Shamanic practitioner, and eclectic Goddess worshipper. She has helped develop and lead rituals for over 10 years. She speaks to stones and performs crystal healings. She is currently active in her local Unitarian Universalist church where she leads worship services, teaches classes, and holds monthly open circles.
Women's Summer Solstice Ritual
FSA Admin Board
Free Spirit Alliance Business Meeting
FSG Staff
Opening Meeting
Godhooks is the brainchild of Cat Castells and Sabrina Mari. Together, Sabrina Mari and Cat work in synergistic partnership, creating workshops and weekend-long programs, often with the assistance of others. These events draw on mythological and spiritual 'hooks' and create unique opportunities for reflection, ritual and interactive play that bring participants to a greater understanding of themselves and their worlds.
Cat owns a craft (note the small 'c') gallery in New Hope, PA. She lives in NJ with her daughter, one of her partners, and assorted other pagans in a big house which hosts regular rituals and other events related to her Wiccan practice. She is a High Priestess in the Blue Star Tradition of Wicca. Cat's personal practice involves her connection with the Gods and her work in helping others in her tradition through transformational experiences. In her copious (ha!) spare time, she helps to run several events a year, including this one.
Sabrina Mari has her own bio.
Mindful Kissing and Foreplay
Mindful Love Making
Mindful Sex Play: Adding Spice!
Hillary J. Gross is a spirit worker in the service of Coyote. She has been a member of the ADF Grove of the Other Gods for eight years.
Communicating With Deity Part I: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Communicating With Deity Part II: Exploring Your Outer God/dess
Hobbit and Charlie: Hobbit has been spinning poi since fire was first brought down from the mountain that is FSG lo these many years ago. Since then he has taught classes at FSG, spun like a maniac during festival, and helped out anyone who asked.
Charlie is a long-time festival goer and all-around nice guy who one day hopes to go to candy mountain. He has been spinning with Hobbit for a number of years now. They are bringing their questionable expertise to FSG once again, to help you (yes, you) learn the art of fire spinning.
Poi 101: Intro to the Intro to Fire Spinning
Poi 102: Introduction to Fire Spinning: Fun with Fire
Poi 201: Revenge of the Introduction to Fire Spinning
Poi 301: Son of the Revenge of the Introduction to Fire Spinning
Izolda: Born in Moldova in the former Soviet Union, Izolda grew up steeped in the rich heritage of Eastern Europe. She spent her first few years listening to her great-grandmother speak about subjects as diverse as plants, stones, the weather, people, and music. As Izolda progressed in her chosen fields of environmental education (she traveled the world for NASA teaching environmental education workshops), musical and tarot reading goals, she additionally began study of the energy workings of Reiki and Chi energy and yoga. She has been a Tai Chi practitioner and teacher for over 13 years, and she is a certified Reiki practitioner. She is also a yoga practitioner and facilitates yoga study groups at local Maryland community centers as well providing individual and class instruction. At the Healer's Arts Wellness Center she has also incorporated Holistic Life Coaching and Therapeutic Creativity. She is also author of Life Elements: Transform Your Life With Earth, Air, Fire, and Water and the founder of the Life Elements System: a process that helps people gain deep insights about their own lives and primary behaviors and then helps them take control of the their lives and live consciously and fully.
After teaching privately for over eleven years, in Autumn 2001, she began teaching a series of 'Learn to Sing' classes and 'Workin' Harmony' corporate workshops and has incorporated an inquiry-based teaching style with traditional vocal technique, aesthetics and mechanics all accomplished in a fun, relaxed, and confidence-inspiring atmosphere. These classes are intended to help participants discover and develop their voices and find joy in singing. After the classes are over, the students then put their knowledge into practice by performing a class recital at a local cafe. This allows the students to apply the vocal techniques and to get a taste of performing. Now in its seventh year, the 'Learn to Sing' classes have garnered rave reviews and increasing success. You've probably seen her before as she has performed at FSG with Kiva and Folk Nouveau.
Find Your Sacred Voice: Advanced
Find Your Sacred Voice: Beginning
Find Your Sacred Voice: Intermediate
Tai Chi in the Morning
Tai Chi Intensive: Cultivate and Express Life Force
Transform Your Life with Earth, Air, Fire, and Water
Jamie O'Gallcobhair & Aurora Shimmering: Jamie has been an EMT in Maryland for 14 years, and a pool guard at FSG for the past 3 years. She is also a Reiki II practitioner She has suffered knee pain stemming from an ambulance accident in 2001. With the help of a hydro-therapist, she got involved in aquatic exercise. Now, almost a decade later, she has been assisting others whether they are looking for hydrotherapy, exercise, or meditation using inspirational music and drumming. Aurora Shimmering has her own bio.
Water Circle Workout
Jaqui MacMillan found her passion for African drumming in the early 1980s. She has since studied with many Masters, including Babatunde Olatunji, Mamady Keita, Sam Turner and at the Tam Tam Mandingue School in Washington, DC. Having performed and recorded with some of the top names in the business, she began sharing her joy of drumming with others by teaching classes and facilitating community drum circles. Jaqui has taught privately and given workshops around the country for over 15 years through her Drum For Joy! program. She attended the 1999 Drum Circle Facilitators Playshop and the 2001 Drum Facilitators Mentor Training in Hawaii with Arthur Hull. Jaqui has facilitated drum circles for corporate team building events, conferences, elementary and high schools, hospitals, programs for at-risk children, juvenile detention centers and programs for homeless and battered women. She is a founding board member of the DCFG, a non-profit organization dedicated to professionalism in the field of drum circle facilitation throughout the world. The Washington Area Music Association awarded Jaqui the "World Music Instrumentalist Award" every year from 1995 through 2002 and she was featured in the November 2000 issue of DRUM! Magazine. You can visit her online at Drum for Joy.
Drum for Joy! I
Drum for Joy! II
Kayla is a Blue Star solitary, initiated into the craft by Kenny & Tzipora Klein in 1992. She is a volunteer scuba diver at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and a member of the Aquarium Conservation Team. She is also a member of the Advanced Assessment Team of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, called on to participate in reef monitoring projects and collect data to document changes in the ocean life. In her copious spare time she runs around the dog park with her best friend and makes pretty things out of rocks, metal and glass.
Conversations with Rocks: An Exploration of Gemstones
Craft Your Own Ritual Jewelry
Witch Stone? Get to Know Amber and Jet
Kayla, Beth, and Sabrina Mari: Beth is a 3rd degree Priestess in the Blue Star Tradition. Her interest in healing led her to obtain a B.S. in holistic health from the University of Minnesota, where she also works at the Center for Spirituality and Healing. Her formal training includes a unit of Clinical Pastoral Care at a local hospital, courses through Cherry Hill Seminary, and certification as a Renewing Life Facilitator.
Serving the Gods by Giving Back: Volunteering as an Act of Worship
Kellianna has performed nationally and internationally for over 20 years. In 2002, she combined her musical talents and her spirituality to create songs from mythology and magic, singing of ancient wisdoms and sacred places. Her live shows are a combination of acoustic guitar songs and chants to the God and Goddess. Kellianna facilitates chant circles at festivals and shops all over the US. She is a collector of chants and takes great joy in sharing these chants in her circles. She uses the song to move energy, to celebrate the ancient mysteries, and to strengthen intention.
Concert
Journey to Avalon: A Chant Circle
Kerri Hirsch is a long-standing member of the pagan community. She is an artist who enjoys sharing sacred space, sacred creativity, and spiritual growth with friends and the world at large. She has experience leading rituals and workshops for groups both large and small, and enjoys the group dynamic and exchange of energies they embody. She is a founding member of Spiral Rhythm, a pagan rhythm, voice, and percussion band from Georgia that has traveled extensively to perform their unique music for varied audiences. She offers several workshops geared towards embracing and expressing the divine within. Visit her online at www.unleashthegoddess.etsy.com.
Chant Sharing
Riding the OM
Silk Salt Dye
Kitsa is a fiber artist and writer who lives in Brooklyn with her partners, their basset hound, and 2 spoiled cats. She has recently returned to grad school. She loves all things fiber-related, but not so much writing bios.
Sit and Knit (or Crochet or...)
Kiva s a percussive, acoustic, worldbeat ensemble that celebrates the magic of nature and ancient bardic traditions with music that opens the heart and heals the spirit. The band blends strong vocal harmonies with rich and diverse acoustic and electric instrumentation, performing originals, traditionals, and covers. The musicians are inspired by many cultures, spiritual disciplines, and musical styles, including celtic-folk, folk-rock, blues, big band, traditional chants, and jazz. KIVA is based in the Washington DC metro area, and has been nominated fourteen times (so far) for the Washington Area Music (Wammie) Award. Visit them online at www.kivasong.com.
Concert
Lady Amber and the W&W Faculty have proudly presented the The Amber Rose School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since 2001. This year's faculty roster includes Lady Amber, Lady Andromeda, Officer Anne, Clarice, Lord Labyrinth, Lady Leondra, Lord Qaletage, Lady Sinopa, Lady StarDancer, Tim, and Lady Vesta.
[Editor's Note: The Free Apirit Alliance and your friendly FSG staff greatly appreciate the effort and dedication that the folks from Amber Rose and friends put in to the School every year.]
Amber Rose School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Commencement
Lauren: To say I'm eclectic is putting it almost embarrassingly mildly. My current life, in no particular order: henna, raising kids, temari, spinning thread, polyamory, knitting, SCA, being wife to my bestest friend, singing, treating my depression, baking, drawing, conspiracy theory (mostly laughing at), computer games, dealing with an autistic child, painting, laughing, BDSM, belly dance, reading—mostly fantasy and science fiction, really good sex, Indian, Persian, and general Arabic material culture and history, and whatever shiny thing wanders by next. I teach a lot of these things at various events devoted to them. Visit me online at www.hennadancer.com.
Guedra: North African Trance Dance/Ritual
Henna Basics
Traditional Belly Dance
Lord Fairy Bottom has been a practicing witchcraft for about 25 years with the majority of it since 1990. He is the Clanhead and Master of Sol to the Blue Ridge Mountain Clan, which he founded and registered with WitchVox in 2004; BRMC is a WitchVox Sponsor. His teachings and magical workings are generally held in the Harrisburg, PA area, where he lives. The BRMC is affiliated with the Emerald Grove in Lancaster, PA and the Clover Grove of the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, PA. He teaches at local Pagan Bookstores, Metaphysical Chapels, private homes and the Covenstead on a regular basis. His specialty of teaching tends to be most forms of Divination, Astrology and Ritual. He leads Drum Circles, Sweat Lodges, and Healing Circles throughout the Wheel of the Year from the PA Covenstead.
Astrology 101
Dancing with Deity: Rumba and Cha-Cha
Dancing with Deity: Swing and Hustle
FSG Conclave 2009
Moon Magic
Madrigelle: I have been teaching in the Baltimore area for over 20 years. My classes range in subject matter from developing one's intuition to Bodywork, Feng Shui, and the art of Tarot Reading. My extensive study of the metaphysical and mystical provides me with proven tools for change and self-empowerment. My husband Gregory and I founded Touch Alchemy, a business based on the combined definition of Touch—to come in contact or communication with awareness; and Alchemy—a power or process of transforming something common into something special.
Feng Shui and the Five Elements
Makee Takee Team: We have been into crafting (lowercase c) since we were in single digits. We have combined our Crafting with our crafting to develop programs for those who want to take shinies home with them. All of our crafting workshops contain a small materials fee.
ADF Summer Solstice Ritual
DIY Oracle Cards
Pagan Prayer Beads
Martin has been teaching beginner Middle Eastern drumming for 14 years. He has studied widely both in the Society for Creative Anachronism and among traditional musicians, and has developed an easy, accessible approach to the exotic rhythms of the Arab World, Turkey and The Balkans. Martin considers himself an eternal intermediate, which means he has the basics down solid.
Basics of Middle Eastern Percussion
Mattheas & Catgut: Mattheas is a passionate staff dancer of 8 years. He originally started at another pagan festival, learning from fellow fire freaks. A constant traveler, Mattheas spent this last winter exploring South America, spinning fire and making new friends. Catgut has her own bio.
Traditional Staff: Beginning
Traditional Staff: Intermediate
Meagan the Pagan is a Blue Star priestess who has been inconsistently practicing yoga for 16 years. She is not a yoga teacher by definition but enjoys the freedom of movement and increased strength and flexibility that comes with the physical aspects of yoga. Meagan's primary teacher fancies herself a sensualist, and Meagan hopes to integrate the sensual nature of yoga and breathing to a daily spiritual practice at her 15th FSG in 2009. Meagan works as a marine scientist for Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, part of Columbia University in NY, and she has led pilgrimages around the planet dabbling in many ancient cultures' spiritual practices.
Morning Yoga
Michelle Zee hosts the Sandbox Explorations group in the Washington DC area where people learn about honesty, tantra and personal growth in a safe sandbox. She has presented workshops at the Free Spirit's Beltane and Gathering, Dark Odyssey, Starwood, Loving More East and West, Poly Living, Building Bridges conferences, and at the Community for Spiritual Living. She has studied both Brad Blanton's Radical Honesty and Susan Campbell's Getting Real. Michelle is also known as Michael when she changes genders. She is out to friends, neighbors and coworkers. Telling people is not always easy (though the more people I have told my "secret" to, the easier it gets). Most people either don't care or are accepting. Let's face it: if they don't like it, it is their problem—and do I what to be with that kind of person anyway? No! Visit hir online at www.abundantmichael.com.
Happy for No Reason
Sandbox Exploration
Shamballa: Unconditional Love Healing
Mija Kelly: I have been a practicing pagan all my life; I just didn't know it! My formal training and study began quite accidentally almost 19 years ago, and I continue to study and learn every day. In my 'real life,' I am an eyecare professional with 12 years' experience. My job is a mixed bag of blessing and curse! In my leisure time, I enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, working with my circle, Emerald Grove, and snuggs with my SO Mendel Schmiedekamp.
Allegheny Highland Tradition 101: The Basics
Allegheny Highland Tradition 102: The Works
Allegheny Highland Tradition 103: The Ritual
Mike Miller & Whittney Matlock: Mike Miller is a co-founder of Kindlers of the Sacred Rhythm and the Circle of Dark Eros. Mike has designed, presented and facilitated rituals, circles and workshops at Free Spirit, Fires Rising, Pagan Pride, SoulFire Inside, and more. Mike's current spiritual focus is kindling transformative experiences through rhythm, voice, movement, service and community. Mike delights to see people from all backgrounds come into the Alchemical Fire Ritual-Space, trance in, connect up, open up, and take part in the spontaneous co-creation of... wonder.
When not playing drums, compiling chants, teaching poi, or hosting a slew of other events, Mike currently works as Web Operations Chief for the House of Representatives CAO.
Whittney Matlock is a professional massage therapist based in Falls Church, Virginia, who enjoys working with a variety of therapies to heal his clients not just in body, but in mind and spirit as well. A long-time presenter at Black Rose, Free Spirit and a host of other national events, he has a vibrant approach to ecstatic ritual, trance, magick, healing and, well, living. You should not expect to sleep through one of his workshops, though you may leave feeling more relaxed and/or energized.
Mike and Whittney host monthly, outdoor alchemical fire circle rituals in the Silver Spring, MD area. For more information, visit them online at www.sacredrhythms.org.
Alchemical Rhythmatism
Conspire-Ring
What is an Alchemical Fire Ritual?
Miki Tracey is president of Ice and Fire USA, the US branch of a foundation started in the UK by Graham Butcher to forward the teachings of Hafskjold Stav. She is a certified Stáv Instructor and holds the rank of Black Tab in the martial art. Her experiences range through several mind/body/spirit systems and she integrates them into her Energy Rhythms class.
Divination with the Younger Futhork
Energy Rhythms and Meditation
Stáv Bindrunes
Stáv Warrior Daily Training
Stáv Warrior Staff Training
Mordecai didn't send us a bio (yet).
Meet & Greet and Karaoke
Pathweaver is a longtime attendee of, and occasional random presenter at, FSG. She's been involved in the Chocolate Ritual here in years past, and thinks it's been long enough since the last one. This year, it's all about the chocolate...
The Chocolate Ritual
Paul and Mattheas
Double Staff: Beginning
Paul Dunkirk-Greenbaum has been a fire performer of 8 years. Skilled in more than 10 fire props, Paul is an accomplished fire dancer with an outgoing unique style. Paul has worked with the Minneapolis Fire Collective, Illumination Fire Troupe, and The Secret Circus. He owns Burning Passion, which provides quality pyrotechnic paraphernalia to the masses and vends at about 20 festivals and many other events every year. He started the Minneapolis Fire Collective and hosted a weekly spin event called Spun Out! Paul will be joining the amazing fire scene in the West Coast.
Swinging Fire Clubs
Raven Kaldera is a shaman, diviner, homesteader, transgender activist, prolific pagan author, and founder of the First Kingdom Church of Asphodel. His works include Dark Moon Rising: Pagan BDSM and the Ordeal Path; Hermaphrodeities: The Transgender Spirituality Workbook; MythAstrology; The Ethical Psychic Vampire; Pagan Polyamory; and the Northern-Tradition Shamanism Series, to name just a few. He lives and works on an organic pagan farm in Hubbardston, Mass., and can be found online at www.cauldronfarm.com and www.paganbdsm.com. "'Tis an ill wind that blows no minds."
Dealing With Deities: The Many Pagan Experiences of God(s)
Elemental Herbal Energetics
Honor, Service, and Devotion: Love in a Power Dynamic
Personal Gnosis: Judging the Spiritual Experience
Sex Magic in the Northern Tradition
reed
Tarot, Beginning: Selecting a Deck and Beginning Reading
reed & bunny: reed is an artist, performer, and educator based in the washington, dc metropolitan area. he has been a professional metaphysical practitioner for a number or years, working at private and corporate events. visit him online at brianzarts.com.
bunny is celebrating another year at FSG and his second year of co-presenting Gaytopia. he is an artist and event promoter, and his day job is in marketing, based in washington, dc.
Gaytopia
Rob Wandell made his first drum in 1986, in the very early days of the hand drum phenomenon in this country. His love for the spirit of percussion and people grew, and soon he was exploring the spiritual side of drum creation. The drum is his calling, and he gave up his job as an electrical engineer to focus on bringing percussion to the people. An eclectic pagan with roots in the Alexandrian Tradition, as well as a Sun Dancer and drummer, Rob mixes many elements in the energy he brings to creating and playing drums of many styles. Rob also works with other drum instructors to make the drum experience available to many, many people. He has provided drums for Baba Olatunji, The Hix, Nery Arevelo, Mz Imani, Abbi Spinner, Jim Donovan, and many other professionals. He also teaches, and has given workshops to adults and to children as young as 4 years old. "Open yourself to the pulse of the universe, and find what is truly possible."
Build Your Own Drum I
Build Your Own Drum II
Sabrina Mari and Kayla: Sabrina Mari is a teacher, writer, anthropologist and coach. She facilitates interactive workshops on Tarot, ritual, finance, fitness and aromatics and sees herself as an agent of transformation and change. She has used Tarot for lay counseling since 1980 and has worked with aromatic herbs and essential oils since 1992. She is a Third Degree Priestess in the Blue Star Tradition of Wicca as well as a founding member of both Braided Stream and Clover Covens. Sabrina Mari is also half of Godhooks, and you can visit her online at www.sabrinamari.net.
Making Friends with Element Money
Sascha Fink has been an active member of the Pagan Community for over 20 years. She is a Hellenic Pagan who honors all the gods but is specifically oathed to Aristaeus and Hera. She has written three books: one on Greek Mythology for Middle School age children; Pagan Parent Grieving; and a beginner Paganism course. Sascha served as Webmistress and Interim President for AREN (originally WADL) from 1998 to 2001 and 2001 respectively. At home she raises her two daughters, sews, collects books and reads voraciously, and is a student, a blossoming homesteader, and helps her husband with his beekeeping duties.
Incorporating Children Effectively in Ritual
Satayana: Born in London, England, Satayana is a warm and gifted teacher who brings over 25 years experience in energy work, Reiki, and intuitive holistic counseling to her classes. She has specialized in Reiki, a unique Japanese form of energy work, as a practitioner/teacher for over twenty of those years, is founder of Northeastern Pennsylvania's first and longest running professional Reiki school, and is certified through three lineages of Usui and Karuna Reiki. Satayana teaches regularly at Starwood and FSG, and throughout NE Pennsylvania at colleges, hospitals, medical conferences and wellness centers. She holds the distinction of being the only Reiki practitioner in northeastern PA to be provided free clinic space at local hospitals to provide Reiki sessions and training to patients and medical staff. A gifted clairvoyant/clairsentient, she uses her abilities and experience to demystify Reiki and energy work in general. While she maintains a part time Reiki practice in PA, she has retired from her work as psychic counselor and HPS, and is now enjoying more time on her farm garden with her consort and many bird and animal friends.
Reiki for Healing and Magick: Introduction and Attunement
Reiki for Healing and Magick: Practice
Scott Mohnkern has been a practicing Heathen since 1997, when he encountered Asatru for the first time. He has been a regular instructor at FSG for over 5 years, teaching on a variety of Norse topics. He is a founding member of 'The Blank Rune,' a working group in Montgomery County, Maryland, and is the founder of the Modern Heathen. His most recent work is the publication of the book A Year of Viking Rituals. He's always willing to do rune readings for those who wish them. In his spare time, he teaches pagan topics online, writes, and works to pay his bills.
Beyond the Cards and Runes: The Next Steps in Divination
Ecumenical Sumbel: Closing
Ecumenical Sumbel: Opening
Introduction to Bind Runes
Introduction to Heathenry
Introduction to Rune Reading
Morning Blóts
Scribble is a pagan of eclectic style and a devotee of the Church of Craft. Arts and crafts have been a huge focus of her life from her earliest childhood colorings through the present day. Paganism hasn't been with her as long, but it pairs well with her notions that crafting can help people for good purposes. If you haven't guessed, she is irreverent and slightly (okay, mostly) silly. She currently resides in Sterling, VA with her husband (also a very silly person) and her fur-child Lorraine (aka The Holy Terrier). Remember, you were told—silly.
FSG Community Quilt
Rhythm of Life Necklace
Secret Sharing Doll
Sheriff Scott, also known as Wolffire Myst-Shadow, is a 3rd degree Elder within the Spirits Cauling coven and tradition based in South Central Pennsylvania. He is an eclectic sort, drawing in Celtic, Native American, Meso- and South American religious and cultural ideas into who he is and what he does. The FSG Flag Decommissioning Ceremony draws on his many years as an EMT, Firefighter, his current work with Law Enforcement Agencies as a Forensic Anthropologist, and his deep reverence to all our heroes both here and abroad, in this life and the next. Accompanying him in this memorial through the fire will be a number of the regular FSG faces; people he considers friends and family.
American Flag Decommissioning and Memorial
Sylvia Brallier is the author of the award-winning book Dancing in the Eye of Transformation and the director of the Tantric Shamanism Institute. She has been teaching healing and tantric shamanism workshops nationally and internationally for nearly two decades. Her work is based on her own experiences with both ancient and new techniques for the evolution of consciousness. She has a deep commitment to creating safe space for the deepest of transformations.
Healing through the Time Line
Journey through the Chakras
Sacred Dance of Balance
Tantric Shamanism Breathwork Ceremony
Tannin Schwartzstein aka The Pink Sphinx: Contrary to popular legend, Tannin was not born in a log cabin in Springfield Illinois. She did, however, spend her entire childhood living on the Jersey Shore. Over the past 20 years she has dedicated a significant part of her life to the pursuit of various spiritual arts, both privately and professionally. Tannin is the proprietor of Bones and Flowers, an occult specialty shop in Worcester, MA. She has co-authored two books published through Llewellyn World Wide (Urban Primitive, October 2002 and Welcoming Hera's Blessing: Handfasting and Wedding Rituals, December 2003) with Raven Kaldera, as well as numerous articles for Llewellyn's various almanacs.
Adaptations: The Extraordinary Properties of Ordinary Things
Care and Feeding of Horses: Stewardship for the God-Possessed
Psychic Shielding and Sacred Sex
Sexual Magickal Mystery Tour
Sexual Ritual Construction: An Elemental Primer
Teazel is a recent dedicant to the Blue Star Tradition. In finding her way, she has begun to look more closely at her relationship with deity through everyday activities.
Eating with the Wheel of the Year
Telesma and the Indra Lazul Bellydancers: Blending ancient and modern instrumentation and spirit, the Baltimore-based group Telesma bridges the gap between primal and futuristic. Setting themselves apart with their intoxicating sound and extraordinary live performances, they take the audience on a soul inspiring journey that transcends this world, tantalizes the senses, and moves the body with waves of pulsating rhythm. Telesma's unique sound, oft labeled "electro-acoustic psychedelic world dance music," is driven by the ancient sound of the didgeridoo, the kubing (bamboo mouth harp), tribal drums and percussion, and the human voice. These elements are fused with modern instruments and technology to create a diverse sound ranging from intense polyrhythmic rock-n-roll, to ambient melodic meanderings, to trance-like pulses found in modern electronic dance/groove music. Visit Telesma online at www.telesmamusic.com, and the Indra Lazul Bellydancers at www.myspace.com/indralazul.
Concert
Thista Minai is an exegete of Artemis in the organization Neokoroi and priestess of Artemis at the Temple of Artemis at Cataleos. Thista is the author of Dancing in Moonlight: Understanding Artemis Through Celebration, and holds seasonal festivals for Artemis in the greater Boston area.
Greek Ritual for Artemis
Tigre Cruz is a rhythmancer (a drum mage), a drum instructor and a drum circle facilitator. In his thirty four years of drumming, studying, training, and/or instructing classical and modern percussion, he has acquired a wealth of experience in band, orchestra, marching band and competitive drum corps. He is immersed in traditional West African Djembe drumming and technique. He has studied drumming and drum circle facilitation with Jaqui MacMillan. He has performed and/or studied with many artists including Daveed Korup, Aesa Grayson, Sogjbeti Diamante, Jaqui MacMillan and Jim Donovan of Rusted Root. Tigre facilitates groups to shape intentions and drum circles for a variety of reasons: ritual, meditation, inspiration, trance, healing and enjoyment. Tigre has co-created formal and informal ceremonies, and taught classes for many regional and nationally recognized organizations and events such as Drum and Splash, The Mid-Atlantic Men's Gathering, The Sacred Space Conference, Fires Rising, Sacred Well, and Carolina Spirit Quest. He joined the band Kiva in 2005 and now resides in Baltimore, MD.
Rhythmic Fusion!
Tina Van Pelt: I have been teaching fused glass with the Free Spirit Alliance for 4 years at Ramblewood. I have been a fused glass artist for 8 years and have taken many classes. I have 3 kids who come to FSG and have been a Pagan since 2003 with my handfasted partner Paul Richards.
Make Your Own Fused Glass Jewelry or Altar Piece
Tom Swiss describes his spiritual path as 'Zen Pagan Taoist Atheist Discordian,' which usually baffles questioners enough to leave him alone. He has taught workshops to a wide variety of audiences on subjects spanning the gamut from acupressure to Zen and from self-defense to sexuality. Tom is an NCCAOM Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy, a karate teacher holding the rank of yondan (fourth degree black belt), a poet, a singer/songwriter, an amateur philosopher, and a professional computer geek. He is currently serving as FSA's Vice President. Information about his forthcoming book on Zen Paganism is on the web at http://infamous.net/WhyBuddhaTouchedTheEarth.
Bardic Circle
Prosperity: A Money Washing Ritual
What Do You Want FSA to Be?
West is an organic gardener, partway through certification in Permaculture Design. For several years, he's poured sweats and presented classes on beekeeping, gardening and composting, and mead and scotch tasting. He's a Bardic grade member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. He spent some time as wilderness guide in the Chiricahua mountains of southeast Arizona, where he participated in sweat ritual with Crow, Apache (White Mountain band), T'hono O'odham, and neoPagans.
West's Permaculture Track: Backyard Beekeeping
West's Permaculture Track: Composting
West's Permaculture Track: Introduction
West's Permaculture Track: Mead Brewing Discussion and Tasting
Welcome (Sweat Circle)
Wildlife Adventures
Critters on Display
Wintersong Tashlin is a shaman, magician, presenter and magical crafter who has been teaching and running rituals for well over a decade. He is a council member of Clan Tashlin, a teaching and magical order and community built around a systematic and almost scientific approach to natural magic and energy work, as well the relationship of people to the land and gods. In addition to having taken on both students and apprentices privately for many years, he is the past dean of the College of Brigantia, an adult-education program for pagan and magical studies run through the Pagan Kingdom of Ashpodel. He and his poly family have been filmed for television documentaries in both the US and the UK. His essays on life as a queer/kinky/pagan/poly shaman living with Tourette's Syndrome can be found at barkingshaman.blogspot.com, and on godsmouths.blogspot.com, an e-zine for spiritworkers and others who work intimately with deity.
Developing Your Metaphoric Language
An Exploration of Pattern Magic
Intro to Techniques for Land Healing
Walking Down Another's Road: Working Outside of Your Pantheon