Fires of Venus 2009 List of Presenters
Fires of Venus 2009 List of Presenters
Travel, schedule or budget constraints may cause this list to change
Aurora Shimmering & Abraham: An experienced teacher and organizer, Aurora has produced sacred sexuality and ordeal rituals, workshops, events, and scenes 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 lie in integrating Tantra and energy work with sexuality; M/s and D/s relationship dynamics; and spiritual growth through ordeal and BDSM, including bondage, fire play, piercing, and suspension.
For more than a decade, Abraham Street has been an educator and facilitator of subjects ranging from body modification to spirituality to kink—sometimes merging all three together! With interests including BDSM, Tantra, D/s and M/s relationships, rigging, and sacred sexuality, Abraham offers his unique and sacred/profane view on subjects ranging from blood play to energy play and beyond. Abraham is also a professional body mod artist; he works to help people connect their bodies and spirits through ritual and ordeal.
Morning Breath
Beth and Preston: Beth is a professional massage therapist and doula (childbirth assistant) and Intrinsic Coach. She has a long history of using touch to facilitate healing through massage, for assisting mothers through the birth process, for supporting infants in her water babies classes, and for working with animals. She has adapted her touch and coaching training, along with her personal experience, to the scene and to areas of spiritual, sexual and relationship growth and healing. Her focus is on touching lives in ways that enhance and enrich.
Preston brings balance and humor to Beth's presentations. A technical person by profession, he keeps Beth on focus. He made his 30-year marriage a study in what satisfies a woman. While it may not have succeeded with his first wife, he has developed an incredibly sensitive approach to touching others which he frequently uses to introduce newbies to BDSM through a Sensation Station at Exploratoriums in various settings. He has also paired massage training from Beth with his foot and touch fetishes to offer a truly wonderfully sensual foot or full body massage. After working with Beth through his own issues with erectile dysfunction, he supported Beth through breast cancer surgery, chemo, radiation and long term treatment with hormone suppressive drugs. Through all of this they have mastered the art of a very satisfying sexuality that goes way beyond hormones. They delight in sharing their learning with others. Visit them online at BethandPreston.com.
Keeping the Flame Alive in Long-Term Relationships
Playing with Our Own Strangers
Sensual Massage
Captain Gordon: A professional body modification artist and BDSM presenter since 2004, Captain Gordon shares his expertise in the areas of safe blood play, piercing art, and flesh hook pulls and suspensions. And, with a unique combination of years of wrestling and martial arts, he is inspired to spread good, wholesome fun in classes on edge play vs. extreme play, sensual take-down, and more. His interests also include knife and fire play, rope bondage, suspension, erotic photography and artwork, and sacred sexuality.
Guardians of Venus
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.
Soul Retrieval for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Cat Castells of Godhooks has been coordinating events (including this one) for years, and recently quit her day job to do it full time. She gets a lot of satisfaction out of seeing people enjoying themselves and broadening their horizons. In the scene, Cat is known for her work with the violet wand, promoting its safe use and understanding of its potential for helping people connect energetically. She also has a fascination with the transformative potential of restraint. In the spiritual world, Cat is a High Priestess in the Blue Star Tradition of Wicca. Her coven, Balefire, has practiced together in various forms since the early 90s. She's a practicing polyamorist with two wonderful partners who also have other partners and a hope that maybe she'll get it all right this time. With Sabrina Mari, she is half of the teaching team called Godhooks.
The Chrysalis: A Ritual of Transformation
Christina 'slavette' Parker, International slave 2002, was a collared slave from 1996-2009. With her first Master, slavette was honored to receive the Pantheon of Leather Awards for Couple of the Year (2001) and Small Event of the Year for Together in Leather 2004. As part of her commitment to community, slavette has served as Fundraising Director for the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF), served on the Board of Directors for CUFF, SSCN and Gnosis, and has been a founding member of four BDSM educational/support/social groups. slavette has given over 200 workshops across the U.S. and in Canada. While she speaks on a variety of topics, her primary educational focus is on M/s relationships, service, sacred sexuality, spirituality, and polyamorous relationships. slavette is the author of The Path of Service: Guideposts for Excellence, Where I Am Led: A Service Exploration Workbook, and Many Hearts, Many Possibilities: A Polyamory Relationship Workbook, and a columnist for Sexis Magazine. The latest twist in slavette's spiritual path has led to her exploring life's joys with her elfmate, Fletcher.
Serving the Fire, Fueling the Spirit
Christine Laplante has been studying human interaction for as long as she can remember. Patterns in relationships, especially sexual, are her passion. She was born pagan into a mix of European and Native American cultures, but has formally studied British Traditional Witchcraft and has run groups with her partner, Orien, for over a decade. She holds a B.S. in Music Therapy, and a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology. She has been teaching sex education for over 15 years and currently makes her living doing so. She is currently finishing her book about the experience of her Daughter's accident and the courage of community that made a miracle happen.
Feeding the Flame, Releasing the Blame
Sexual Infinity
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 Drum Workshop
Rhythms of the Root Chakra: The Art of Sacred Sexual Drumming
Denise Cumor is devoted to making vaginas happy and empowered; she has dedicated most of her adult life to this single purpose. Growing up in a patriarchal culture where women are objectified, sexually abused, and shamed for their acts of sexual exploration, she found herself being pushed under. This is when she began to reclaim her sexuality and to help other women do the same. Identifying as a Pagan and learning to embody the Goddess in all her forms has given her the confidence to build on this reclamation. Experiences that have profoundly strengthened her commitment: working as a stripper for 4 years on Baltimore's infamous 'Block;' teaching OB-GYN protocol to medical students with Johns Hopkins; selling adult novelties with Athena's Home Novelties; working as an Ad Rep for $pread Magazine; directing and acting in various productions of the Vagina Monologues; being a part of the Spiral Dance Womyn's Center collective, where she teaches sex workshops; making music with her band Dirty Mothers; and making ceramic Goddess and vagina rattles and vending at The Red Tent, where she sells adult novelties, sacred feminine art, books/media, and organic feminine hygiene products. Visit her online at www.dirtymotherproductions.com.
The Dark Goddess and Sexuality
Hieros Gamos: The High King and The Priestess Avatar
Sacred Blood Rites
FoV Ritual Team
Fire of Venus: Lighting the Flame
Fire of Venus: The Fire
Fire of Venus: Turning up the Heat
Stoking the Fires of Venus
Hubris are a fun-loving, piratical, licentious, geeky band of fire freaks who seek to entertain and amuse with wickedly creative antics. The founding members of Hubris are Hobbit, Sock Monkey, and Cookie Monster; they and their Fellow Members, Consorts, Attendants, and Other Assorted Hangers-On will be thrilled to introduce you to the magical wonders of the Arts of Fire. Just ask them.
Have you accepted poi into your life?
We Like Big Balls... On Fire!
We Still Like Big Balls... On Fire
Rebecca Proch is a writer and artist with a theater education and many years of experience as a performer, which she now brings to the practice of sacred dance and ecstatic ritual. An eclectic Pagan and 'kitchen mystic,' she is dedicated to the path of sacred romance, which celebrates the Divine in the context of lover and Beloved. She is developing the Temple of Amor as a spiritual home of sacred romance and the path of the Lover. Visit her online at thebloomingheart.wordpress.com.
Sensual Puja
Two Right Feet I: Sacred Dance For All
Two Right Feet II: Electric Boogaloo: Sacred Dance Techniques
Selene and Arakeane: 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 continuous changes introduced, and Arakeane's ability to spiritually immerse you in the subject matter.
Selene: Namasté. I'm Selene. I Became a High Priestess in 1980. I have been a Starwood Elder for the past several years. My husband Arakeane and I have taught at FSG since the mid 1990s. I am the mother of two rambunctious teenagers, and pagan mentor to several others. I hold a B.A. in Psychology, and an M.B.A. in Management Information Systems. I have been exploring weaving, macrame, knotwork, jewelry-making, gemlore and herbalism as long as I can remember. I have 20 years' plus experience enjoying the exploration of alternative lifestyles, and Arakeane and I have been involved in several successful long-term polyamorous relationships.
Intuitive Healing
Sexually Induced Transformations
Shiva and Kala have practiced ritual magick, sex magick and fire circle magick for many years. They currently live in NH and are creating films that feature sacred sex magick rituals. Visit them online at www.houseofecstasy.com.
Fire * Sex * Magick
The Pink Sphinx of Babylon is an “employee” of The Whore of Babylon. Her resume includes running the House of Babylon: Erotic Temple Work track for Mythical Journeys 2008 and presenting Sacred Sexuality workshops at a variety of FSA events. Her day job as proprietor of an occult shop has given her opportunity for insight into the daily lives of Pagans, witches, and other seekers outside of gatherings. Before going into service under Ms. B, she co-authored two books with Raven Kaldera: The Urban Primitive and Welcoming Hera's Blessing.
Sexual Magickal Mystery Tour
Sexual Ritual Construction: An Elemental Primer
Tigre 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 David 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 Lake Shore, Pasadena MD.
Drumming the Emotions and Elements: The Fundamentals of Ritual
Rhythmic Fusion!
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.
Acupressure and Shiatsu for Couples
Cultivating and Controlling Sexual Energy
Zen and the Art of Love
XtraSpecial Tom has been in the scene for 12 years, and currently is in his 5th term as Chairperson Trustee for Ohio SMART, Cleveland Ohio's oldest and largest BDSM Educational and Social Organization. Tom has been doing Fire Play for 8 years and teaching Fire Play for 4 years. He has taught Fire Play Classes at Ohio SMART, COPE, Toledo Power and Trust, Detroit Space, Pittsburgh TNG, WoodsStocks 2007/2008/2009, NLA Columbus, Purple Rose Society, the Burghermunch and more. He has also taught classes on Rope Bondage, Impact Play, Extreme Caning, Flogging for various groups. His complete Bio can be found under XtraSpecialTom on Fetlife.com You can drop him a note at Editor at OhioSMART dot org
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