Fires of Venus 2009 List of Classes
Fires of Venus 2009 List of Classes
All items on this list are subject to change
Acupressure and Shiatsu for Couples - Tom Swiss
Shiatsu is a form of acupressure originating in Japan. Because it uses a form of contact that is less sensual on the skin, it can allow for a different sort of intimacy than more common Western forms of bodywork and massage. Come with a partner and learn how to give simple relaxing bodywork based on the principles of Chinese medicine. Please bring a towel or mat to lie on.
Beginner to Intermediate Drum Workshop - Conrad Kubiak
Conrad Kubiak, master drum-maker, performer, Teacher and spiritual rythmatist will introduce the three basic tones of the Djembe, traditional concepts of hand techniques, care and maintenance of your drum, how to tune your drum, and a variety of drum rhythms that will sound great at the fire circle. Conrad's hand-crafted drums will be available for participants to use during this workshop.
The Chrysalis: A Ritual of Transformation - Cat Castells of Godhooks
Mummification of humans is a practice that goes back at least to the ancient Egyptians, but it's been a part of the life cycle of insects for millions of years. This ritual is an opportunity to tap into the energy of transformation as experienced by the monarch butterfly. We'll begin by mummifying our participants (limit of 9, so sign up early!) and then do a deep meditation aimed at facilitating change in their lives. The ritual culminates in being freed from the cocoon and welcomed back into the world. This is an intense experience, so please bring a support person with you. Also, please bring a towel for drying off after being released. Nudity will be required in this ritual, so please take that into consideration when electing to participate. All people who attend this class must take part in some way. If you don't come as a participant or a support person, you will not be able to stay. If you would like to help with the class, please find Cat by Friday evening and ask her if she needs more help. Again this ritual is limited to 9 participants plus support people. If you miss out on this ritual at Fires, it will almost certainly be presented again at Beltane. Max class size: 9.
Cultivating and Controlling Sexual Energy - Tom Swiss
The ancient tradition of Chinese Medicine recognizes sexual activity as a valuable way to cultivate qi, the energy of life. In this workshop we will discuss breathing, visualization, and acupressure techniques that can enhance both health and lovemaking. While some of the techniques discussed will be specific for men, many can be practiced by both men and women.
The Dark Goddess and Sexuality - Denise Cumor
Discover how to use the Dark Goddess's attributes to become sexually empowered. Many women overlook these aspects of the Dark Goddess—seeing her as the destroyer, crone, or hag—and prefer to associate sexuality with Aphrodite, Venus, and the like. When we explore these ladies of the night and their stories, shrouded in darkness, we find our natural balance as women and feel the depths of our sacred femininity. Lilith may have been sent away from the “Kingdom of God,” but she is not forgotten. She dwells in the darkness of the cave—and the cave is not just a metaphor, but a place that exists within each woman.
Drumming the Emotions and Elements: The Fundamentals of Ritual - Tigre
I have drummed the elements and intentions into many ceremonies. Of late, many people, some Elders included, have asked me just how I came about doing so. Dancers and musicians, especially drummers, talk about and refer to “the feel.” One must feel the rhythm, and the style of the music. It's hard to teach and translate the feel of music and rhythm because many believe you need to be born with it. That may be true to some extent, as some people were born into magic. However, it is something that can be learned if one is simply aware and awake to nature and spirituality. In this class, we will begin with a sacred rhythmic grounding using our breath or drum and our voice. Then, we will discuss the various correspondences aligned with the emotions and the elements. We will learn and then play the process that I have used to translate them into the language of the drum. In this way, I share some of the magic I have developed in my practice as a drum mage which I will share in my book in the future.
Feeding the Flame, Releasing the Blame - Christine Laplante
Making Connection more important than Information. Relationships are full of passion! Fire can be a representation of our passion. Sometimes that passion is warm, cozy and safe. Sometimes that fire burns and consumes. This workshop focuses on relationship building by teaching methods to steer away from the urge to blame (e.g., you hurt me, you did/didn't do ____, etc) and instead focuses on making connection more important than information. The presentation applies to all types of relationships, whether sexual, familial, a friendship, et cetera. Because Fire helps us to cleanse, activities using fire to aid in this process will be presented.
Fire * Sex * Magick - Shiva and Kala
Sex magick is powerful. Fire circle magick is powerful. Put the two together and you have one incredible cosmic explosion! Learn how to cultivate, harness and use sexual energy for your own magickal purposes and get the most out of the fire circle experience.
Fire of Venus: Lighting the Flame - FoV Ritual Team
Tonight, we awaken the Temple of Venus with pounding drums, joyful voices, dancing feet, and grateful hearts.
Continuing a spell we began at Beltane, we'll set the weekend's intentions with Gratitude, creating a safe, sacred space where we can experience play, healing, and ecstasy throughout the Fires of Venus. Be there as we light the Eternal Flame, a representation of undying Divine Love, which burns as a reminder of our own limitless capacity to Love. Come ready to sing, drum, dance, play, make love, bear witness, get freaky, go deep, embrace the moment, and, above all, express your Gratitude at this opening ritual: the first of three Fires of Venus.
Fire of Venus: The Fire - FoV Ritual Team
Do it all night long on this third and final evening at the Temple of Venus!
Last year, you were invited to spend Saturday night in the circle as the sacred Consort of Love. This year, we will embody Love itself, each of us feeling the Fire of Venus within and experiencing the full power of the Love we have to offer. With Connection, Passion, Emotion, and Fruition, we’ll open our hearts and find a path to keeping the Fire of Venus burning within us all. Bring instruments, toys, costumes, ritual items, and offerings to the Goddess that we can use on our night’s journey of play, healing, romance, sensuality, sexuality, BDSM, and ecstasy.
Fire of Venus: Turning up the Heat - FoV Ritual Team
Our spell has been simmering since Beltane; it’s time to turn up the heat!
Tonight, we add the ingredient of Sacrifice, a necessary step in preparing ourselves for tomorrow night’s work of embodying Venus. We’ll make our sacrifices to the fire, burn away that which keeps us from knowing Love, and feel the cleansing flame of Venus—all to create the space within ourselves wholeheartedly. Can you make yourself vulnerable, open yourself to deeper, more expansive Love? Bring your joy, your pain, your authentic self, and your willingness to sacrifice for Love to the second of three Fires of Venus.
Guardians of Venus - Captain Gordon
What does it mean to be a Guardian of Venus? The Goddess needs steadfast warriors and protectors to help create a safe place and space so She can open Herself for all to experience.
If guardianship is your calling, if you stand guard for the higher greater good, join us to discuss and explore ways to provide guardianship for fire circles and sacred sexuality events and rituals. As part of this workshop, we'll explore ways and create a ritual combat to select a Champion of Venus. If you think you have what it takes to be the Champion, come prepared to compete for the honor of serving the Goddess as the Captain of her Guardians.
Hieros Gamos: The High King and The Priestess Avatar - Denise Cumor
This workshop will explore the ancient Sumerian sacred, sex-positive, public ritual: the Hieros Gamos. We will also discuss ancient fertility rites from around the world and how we can take this knowledge to create empowering sex magic rituals in our own lives to make stronger bonds with our lovers and with the Goddess.
Intuitive Healing - Selene and Arakeane
This is a class for those who interested in intuitive or psychic healing and would like to get some hands-on experience. Participants will scan, analyze, and heal their partners. Participants should have greater insight into some of the healing and transformative work that will be occurring at the FoV ceremonies. This is a class for absolute beginners as well as those with healing experience using other methods.
Keeping the Flame Alive in Long-Term Relationships - Beth and Preston
Long-term relationships have so much to offer. The security and comfort are great. But far too often, these are accompanied by the loss of that initial burning passion. The flame cools and life gets just a bit boring. Magazines are quick to offer suggestions on how to fan the flame, but meeting him at the door in a negligee only works so many times; maybe because sex is only part of the issue. In this workshop, we'll look at a variety of ways to add new coals to the fire, including not only sexual turn-ons, but also more intimate endeavors to turn up the heat. We'll look at how the spiritual element builds the passion, and we'll explore how to bring it all together in ways that only you can create for yourself. Bring an open mind and your own ideas about what makes you hot on all the deepest levels of your relationships.
Mark Your Partner for Life (or at least a while...) - XtraSpecial Tom
What better way to connect with your partner than a tattoo or a brand? Well, it takes a lot of training and equipment to do that, and it leaves a permanent mark. What about some ways to make a long lasting, yet non-permanent mark on your partner? Cell Popping and Violet wand brands are things that you can do to make that loving connection with your partner, and not spend a lot of money or time on tools or learning. Anyone can learn to do cell popping in one short class. in the process. This class will cover not only the safety and how to aspects of Cell Popping and Violet Wand brands, but how to combine this with Spirituality and Sensuality. There will be time for hands on for those willing victims.
Morning Breath - Aurora Shimmering & Abraham
Each morning, join Abraham and Aurora of the Sacred Mark Sanctuary as we share some of the tricks and techniques that have helped us along their spiritual journey and enhanced the realization of Love in our lives. We'll teach you the daily meditation practice, based on tantric and yogic breath techniques, which serves as a building block of our relationship and a guide along our spiritual path.
We've seen how this practice can lead to powerful life changes for individuals; for intimate partners, the benefits to both individual and the relationship are incredible. Working with your energetic body in this way can help you “up your game” both sexually and spiritually. Experience a new way to touch the Goddess, connect with your partner(s), and discover profound self-growth and healing.
Please wear comfortable clothing and bring something to sit on in across-legged position.
Playing with Our Own Strangers - Beth and Preston
What are your deepest, wildest, darkest and hottest fantasies? What if you could experience that and bring it back into your daily life? What new things might you learn about yourself? What aspects of your personality might you be able to enhance? What other experiences would you have to draw on? Role play is frequently used to spice up a scene or add variety, but its potential can be so much greater. It can have a deeply spiritual purpose. Used with intent, it can be the key to a past life, the doorway to a darker side of ourselves, or the path to exploring our fears. Making use of our own witness, we can get in touch with aspects of ourselves that have been beyond our reach or construct a microcosm to explore our creative ability to shape our own life experience. Come explore new ways to use an old tool. The class will include discussion, demo, and practice. Bring any toys or props you think you might want to use.
Rhythmic Fusion! - Tigre
In the drum circle world of today, it is very common to see the smaller Middle Eastern Dumbeks playing along with the much larger, and more numerous West African Djembes and Ashikos. Wouldn't it be nice if there were a way for the two styles and types of drumming to work together deliberately to make fantastic rhythms together? In this class, we will take rhythm lines from traditional rhythms of both cultures and meld them together into new, fun and cool sounding rhythms that can be played in community drum circles and ceremonies (Intermediate and up).
Rhythms of the Root Chakra: The Art of Sacred Sexual Drumming - Conrad Kubiak
During this workshop, you will learn how to use the drum to amplify your sexuality by connecting to rhythms of your root chakra. You will begin to understand the connection between drum, fire, and dancers so that you may intensify the sacred sexual passion that lies within yourself and the group. Conrad will show you breathing techniques so that you may connect with Mother Earth and your drum. Lastly, you will be creating a safe container for others to express themselves.
Sacred Blood Rites - Denise Cumor
A workshop on the moon, menses and magic. For many young women, coming of age is a confusing and sometimes shameful experience. As adult women, we learn to suppress these feelings and view our moon time as taboo or as a negative aspect of femininity. The reality is that women bleed to renew life and this “period” of time should be recognized as sacred and profound. Women need to fully realize the powerful magic they posses during there menses to heal and renew. We need to celebrate and develop positive sacred blood rites rituals to carry us through our maiden, mother, and crone years. We will discuss taboos, share stories and learn to empower and make effective healing rituals during our moon time. This workshop is only for women.
Sensual Massage - Beth and Preston
Massage, whether therapeutic or sensual/sexual, is shaped as much by intent and energy exchange as by the touch itself. This hands-on class brings together intent, touch and energy to bring sensual massage to new levels of intimacy. Starting with fully-clothed contact, we will move from setting intent together through building energy, trust and intimacy into breathing and ultimately into using touch as the tool to bring it all together into an intimate exchange. Bring a partner or pair up with someone in class. . You may also want to bring pillows, towels, blankets or other items to help make yourself and your partner comfortable during practice.
Sensual Puja - Rebecca Proch
In Hindu tradition, the rite of puja is a full-sensory experience that draws the devotee deeply into connection with the divine. This ritual will use a puja structure adapted for the Pagan practice of sacred romance, creating an intimate, loving, sensual space where we'll welcome Divine Love and honor deity as the Beloved. Participants need have no prior knowledge of puja, and will find it easy to follow along. We will co-create the altar and sacred space before we begin. Come ready to relax, share sweet treats and sparkling drinks, be playful and flirtatious, enjoy music, beauty, and pleasure, and open your heart to Love. Bringing a cushion or something to sit on is a good idea; there will be time to share songs, chants, readings, etc so feel free to bring something if you wish to share. You may bring an offering of sweets, drink, flowers, altar adornments, or just your own sweet self! [21+]
Serving the Fire, Fueling the Spirit - Christina 'slavette' Parker
The bonfire provides a focal point and main energy source, but it is our interactions with the sacred fire and each other that allow that energy to spread and fill the fire circle. Some people drum, some people firespin, some people dance, but these are only the most noticeable of the many paths available for those who want to interact with the fire. In this workshop, we will discuss the 'hows and whys' of a wide variety options for sacred service to the fire circle. Whether you are an exhibitionist or an introvert, this workshop is designed for anyone with a desire to fuel their spirit with the sacred energy of the fire.
Sexual Infinity - Christine Laplante
At the seat of our genitals is a figure eight (infinity) of muscles that when stimulated provide the release we know as Orgasm. We are sexual at the core of our being, and our sexuality is fluid, constantly moving and changing. Within the infinite, there are infinite possibilities. This workshop will discuss the anatomical Infinity symbol and numerous possibilities and multiple/simultaneous stimulations that can lead to the most integrated orgasmic experience.
Sexual Magickal Mystery Tour - The Pink Sphinx
Tantra, charging a candle, seeking an audience with The Gods... it's all basically the same thing, right? The Pink Sphinx would beg to differ. From a magickian's point of view, the use of sexual energy to manifest change in the physical world can be quite separate from a spiritual or religious practice... and from the mystic's point of view, using sex as a tool for communing with the gods may not, in fact, be spell work. Come join the Pink Sphinx for an informative and clarifying tour of a few of the possible stops on a Sexual Magickal Mystery Tour!
Sexual Ritual Construction: An Elemental Primer - The Pink Sphinx
There can be many methods and motivations for designing and executing a ritual that pivots on sexual energy. In this class, The Pink Sphinx of Babylon will offer helpful advice on designing and executing successful sex magick rituals for the solo practitioner and small groups. Subjects will include establishing goals, harnessing energy and use of magickal tools in a sacred sexual context. [18+]
Sexually Induced Transformations - Selene and Arakeane
Have you ever wondered if you're missing depth in your spiritual experiences? Are you on a path of positive growth and spiritual enlightenment? Do you harness the power of your sexuality and use it to induce spiritual transformation? Would you like to know more?
Transformations can be stimulated and accelerated by using the eightfold path. We will discuss many aspects of the eightfold path, recognizing its roots in Yoga and Asian religious practices, as well as its many transformations to adapt to a wide-range of spiritual perspectives. We will then do exercises designed to induce sexual arousal and spiritual transformation. The importance of nurturing and caring for those who undergo such experiences will be emphasized.
Soul Retrieval for Sexual Abuse Survivors - Caroline Kenner
Six survivors of sexual abuse are invited to attend this healing ceremony, in which the compassionate spirits of the universe will work for the highest good of all participants. At the end of this ritual, survivors will receive their soul parts back, as well as receiving any other shamanic empowerments necessary. These healings will take a year and a day to fully manifest. Shamanic healing has been nurtured in tribal societies for millennia because it works. Caroline Kenner is a survivor of sexual abuse herself, and it is her own healing through soul retrieval that drew her onto the shamanic path. If you wish to attend this ceremony, please sign up at registration, speak to Caroline ahead of time, or arrive early, for best results. Max class size: 6.
Stoking the Fires of Venus - FoV Ritual Team
Want to know what's going on? This is the place to be!
Come to Stoking the Fires to meet the event facilitators, learn the basics of the Fire Circle, and find new ways to help us create the beauty and mystery of the Temple of Venus. You'll get the inside scoop about the evening's ritual and choose a group to work with to help make the magic happen. Each day, there will be different groups and new ways for us to work and play together—drumming, beautifying the Temple, creating magical items, readying the Fire, and more—that will enhance our ritual, enliven our Temple, build our community, and delight our Goddess. If you want to fully experience the connection and interaction of the Fire Circle, lend your spirit and creativity in Stoking the Fires of Venus.
Two Right Feet I: Sacred Dance For All - Rebecca Proch
In this playful, low-impact workshop, we will explore sacred dance as a form of ritual available to all, regardless of experience, skill, body type, or natural grace! In every era and culture, dance has been used by 'ordinary' people to reach out to the divine with their whole bodies, yet too many of us feel embarrassed or shy, or worry that we aren't good enough at it to try it. Together, we'll go through some basic safety and warm-ups, explore types of movement, talk about raising energy through dance, and play with ways to free our movements, shed our inhibitions, and 'talk' to our gods. Bring water, wear clothes you can move in, and be ready to laugh, play, groove, get charged up, and feel great!
Two Right Feet II: Electric Boogaloo: Sacred Dance Techniques - Rebecca Proch
So, you're comfortable dancing in front of others, and you love dancing in sacred spaces like fire circles. Now what? In this playful, welcoming workshop, we'll go beyond the basics of movement to explore dancing with prayerful or magical intent. After warming up, we'll talk about the roles of sacred dancer in ritual space. We'll play with techniques for raising and sharing energy with everyone, for connecting with and honoring the drummers and other ritual participants, and for literally embodying our intent. We'll explore mudra and begin finding our own vocabulary of physical ritual gestures for dance, and talk about using dance to enter a trance state—and how to be responsible about it. You do not need to have taken the first Two Right Feet workshop to take this one, but you should start there if you are very new to dancing or feel inhibited about it. This workshop is open to those with physical limitations; we will work with your level of mobility. Bring water and wear clothes you can move in, and get ready to be charged up to dance for Venus at Her fires tonight!
We Like Big Balls... On Fire! - Hubris
Come learn more about our favorite of the four elements... FIRE! This is an introductory poi-spinning workshop, and will cover the basic moves: weaves, butterflies, turns, etc. Please bring your own poi if you have them, but we will have some extra if you don't. If it's raining, we'll be in the Bat Barn.
We Still Like Big Balls... On Fire - Hubris
This class will pick up where the first one left off, but we'll cover a whole range of moves, so feel free to come even if you missed the intro. We will cover thread-the-needles, windmills, corks, weave turns, and other moves by request. As with Part 1, we will move to the Bat Barn if it's raining.
Zen and the Art of Love - Tom Swiss
The Buddha required chastity from his monks, holding that sexual desire was a sure path to suffering. Two millennia later, respected Zen Master Ikkyū—noted for wearing his monk's robes to brothels—wrote poems like “a woman is enlightenment when you're with her and the red thread / of both your passions flare inside you and you see.” How do we resolve these teachings? Focusing on the “Red Thread” tradition of Zen, we'll discuss if and how we can apply the Buddhist principles of mindfulness, compassion, and non-attachment to sex and love.