FoV 2010 Draft List of Classes

All items on this list are subject to change.

Current as of 16 Sep 2010

Send Questions/Comments to the P-Team, please

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. (Water)

Awakening the Serpent: The Art of Erotic Dance - Denise Cumor
This workshop will explore erotic dance through various exercises created to awaken shakti, the feminine energy dwelling in all. Dancers will learn how to invoke and embody the Goddess through sensual movements, ecstatic dance, and divine connection. We will also take some time in this workshop to dedicate and prepare our hearts, yonis, and lingams for the ritual fire. Please wear garments that make you feel sensual. Scarves, veils, and props are welcome and encouraged. (Water)

Be, Do, Have: The Spiritual Path to Get Where You’re Going - Mark & Alisa
Examining the power of manifestation, we will explore the embodiment of the root chakra in conjunction with the principles of Be, Do, Have. Re-directing our focus to Being from Having, we will examine the underlying beliefs that stop or limit us, breaking the unconscious patterning of not succeeding and self-victimization. Uncovering and empowering our Beingness, we will be guided to become present, powerful, and free. (Earth)

Beginner to Intermediate Drum Workshop - Conrad
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. (Rhythm)

Communicating: The Male and Female Brain - Beth & Preston
Have you ever noticed that the stranger (of the same gender) that you meet on the train or bus really gets what you’re talking about, and then you go home and try to have the same discussion with your opposite-sex soul-mate, and the connection just isn’t there? What is that all about? Clear communication can keep the home fires burning softly and the smolder in your relationship, but more often than not, attempts at communication ignite explosions that make no sense to either of you.

Like it or not, men and women are wired differently, and that shows up big time in our attempts to communicate. And it seems the more we try to go to those deep intimate and spiritual levels, the more likely the communication is to explode in our face. In this workshop we will explore how and why this difference exists. More importantly, we'll work with ways to explore and exploit this difference to bring that warm glow back into the relationship. Bring your partner or come alone, but do bring an open mind, a willingness to hear things from a different perspective, and your own communication questions and foibles to share as part of your exploration. (Air)

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, most can be practiced by both men and women. (Cauldron)

Family Feasting - Dianna
'One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well,' said Virginia Woolf, and she was right. We all know that food is a useful grounding tool. But did you ever consider how food can be used to bring together and center a community? In this class, participants will explore how the work of preparing a feast is actually a fantastic tool for both grounding and raising the energy of a group. Class discussion will address designing a feast theme, arranging potluck assignments, encouraging creativity in cooking choices, requiring roles for setting out food and cleaning up the space, creating a meaningful libation, and the power of the blessing. We will also consider various forms of ritualizing the eating of the food, which can range from relaxed social chatting to an intense silent meal to erotic exchanges where every bite is fed to another person. We will even discuss ways to make eating meals into a sacred event when we are traveling or in a terrible rush. Our learning came from experiences with our spiritual family, but these lessons can be applied to almost any gathering of people. Luciano Pavarotti said, 'One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.' Join us to learn how to consciously make these stops more valuable and make family mealtime into an event that truly brings us together. (Earth)

Fire as a Primal Element - XtraSpecial Tom
In this class we will cover Fire Play for fun and ritual work, the Spiritual and Historical aspects of Fire, what it takes to control this primal element, and how to use it in Ritual. We will review fire safety issues as well as hands-on techniques. Everyone should come prepared to be lit on fire, light someone on fire, or both!!! (Fire)

Fire Circles: Why and How - Sparky
People have been gathering around fire for countless generations. We are drawn to its primeval nature, not only for warmth and security, but for its richness and depth; a connection to the sacred and unknown. Recently, a modern movement has plugged into this rich heritage to co-create a sacred container for transformative, enriching, and magical work. This playshop will offer a lively discussion of both the history and mechanics of the fire circle model and how we all may come to a new awareness of working and playing in the sacred space of the Temple of Venus. (Rhythm)

Hot Hot Hot Air: Communicate Well for Maximum Effect - Anita
No, not that kind of hot air. We're talking about how to effectively communicate with others in a variety of loving situations such as:

• Non-cheesy things to say when you see someone you'd like to meet and get to know;
• How to turn up the heat using verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to entice someone for some sexy play;
• Key communications skills necessary to resolve conflict.

What you say to someone(s) you love, would like to love, or cherish as a friend (with benefits or not) and how you say it can and will make all the difference. If you learn these skills and use them with sincerity, the last thing someone will say about you is that you are full of hot … well, you know. (Air)

An Introduction to West African Percussion - Sparky
Rhythm is a gateway to magical transformation, both as a foundation for personal work and as a tool for creating sacred space between the worlds for group ritual. We'll share skills and develop techniques for creating strong rhythmic/musical containers for magical work. Our focus is both the strengthening of our personal relationship with rhythm, and the service of percussion to our greater community, providing a framework for deep work. (Rhythm)

Kallisti: For the Prettiest One - Tom Swiss
Yes, love flows unconditionally from Venus… but have you ever had the feeling that a somewhat more… dynamic? unpredictable? chaotic? goddess was running your love life? Have you ever tried so hard to prove how attractive and worthy of love you are that you ended up causing all kinds of trouble? Do you feel that by taking yourself too seriously, you might be getting in your own way? Or do you just want in on the joke when people yell “Hail Eris!”? Discordianism is a satirical (or perhaps in this context, satyr-ical) religion invented in the 1950s that has been very influential in the NeoPagan movement. We'll discuss its history, literature, and philosophy, and how a greater openness to divine chaos might (or might not!) enhance our romantic lives. (Other)

Kundalini Rising for the Second Chakra - Michelle Zee
Do you want to increase the energy in your second Chakra (the sexual Chakra)? Would you like to release blocks to enjoying your sexuality? We will do with with Kundalini exercises, breath-work, mantras and meditations to create vitality in the body, balance in the mind and openness to the spirit. Kundalini Yoga is more than just a great physical workout. Called the Yoga of Awareness, it is an incredible experience in awakening and raising your consciousness, keeping you young, and giving you fullness of heart while healing you on a cellular level.

During difficult times, our minds often attach to thoughts that don't support us in our sexual desires. Then our bodies hold tension from stress or fear. This workshop will help you release the tension and kick up your glandular, nervous, and lymphatic systems in order to move tight bodies and stuck energy, freeing you up to be more sexy and connected with others the rest of the weekend! (Fire)

Listening to Love - Arakeane & Selene
The basis of all positive spiritual work is love, but it is not uncommon in our search for spiritual enlightenment, Mystic power, and understanding of ancient lore to lose sight of this basic truth. I know for myself that I was only able to advance spiritually by fully embracing love. More than simply having love, it is important to learn to listen to love, to let love be your guide, and to take action based upon the guidance that love provides. On the surface, love is a simple concept, but in this class, we will attempt to study the some of the complexities of love and how love may be used as a key to unlocking the Mystic arts. Bring a blanket to lie on for some of the exercises. (Affection)

The Lust Card: Feminine Strength in Sexuality - Stephanie
In other Tarot decks, this card is called Strength. In the Crowley-Harris Thoth deck, it is called Lust. In both cases, it means so much more than first meets the eye. Take another look at the Lust card to discuss the symbolism, its place on the Tree of Life, its association with the Zodiac, and why this card can be seen as an elevation of Feminine Sexuality. (Fire)

Mark your Partner for Life (or Just a Little While) - XtraSpecial Tom
We will cover the Spiritual and Physical aspects of using Fire to make temporary or permanent brands. Everyone will learn how to do this in this class. Learn how to make a semi-permanent connection with your partner rather than paying a piercer or tattoo artist to do the job for you. Anyone can do it! Supplies will be available for purchase after the class. There will be hands on time for those that want to try their hand at either giving or receiving a semi-permanent brand. (Surrender)

The Pen is Mightier than the Vibrator - Dianna
“Love is a cunning weaver of fantasies and fables,” wrote Sappho. Did you ever have a wonderful, erotic, blissful fantasy that made you wander about with a smile on your face? Did you lose it after an hour back in the stressful mundane world? In this class, you will learn how writing your own erotica can enable you to keep those fantasies with you. More than that, you will have an opportunity to develop and explore your own dreams and fantasies. The most important sex organ is the brain, and reading your own stories aloud—whether to a partner or to yourself—can be a titillating experience. Learn to let your inhibitions go… on paper, the safest environment you can hope to find. Practice a few easy techniques for penning dreams, fantasies, invitations, and memories worth keeping-and maybe worth sharing. No writing experience is necessary. Just bring your willingness to let your desires take shape. Paper and pen would be helpful, but we'll provide if you need them. (Affection)

Playing with Copper - Tiff
Copper is an incredible metal ruled by Venus. It's used in lightning rods because of its super conductivity, and it works very much the same way with energy work. It helps focus an idea or a spell and tends to be very intense energetically to work with. In this class, you will be able to play with wire to make jewelry, tokens, altar items, and whatever else you might conjure up. Feel free to bring your own tools, stones, or token items that you would like to use in your creations (and chairs or blankets for sitting comfortably). Copper is very malleable, so if all you bring is your hands that is more than enough. Come trance out with us and build some positive loving energy through your work with copper. (Eternal Flame) Materials fee: $5.00.

Poi 100: Great Balls of 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 (or Tin Can, depending on schedule). (Fire)

Poi 200: Great(er) Balls of 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 (or Tin Can) if it's raining. (Fire)

Rage, Strength, and Spirituality: Archetypes for the Guardian Path - Eric S
An examination of the archetypes of Berserker, Knight, and Monk (along with their many corrollaries) and the positive and negative value to someone acting as a Guardian. There will be references to a number of cultures. (Guardians)

Reclaiming Women’s Rites and Mysteries - Denise Cumor
Come explore, discuss, and speculate on pre-patriarchal Goddess worship and sacred sexuality. Unveil lost empowering truths through ancient poetry and art, Goddess myths, and the etymology of words like prostitute and hysterectomy. Included topics of discussion; Inanna’s sacred temples and rituals, Lilith’s exile to the Dead Sea, ancient and tribal ways of honoring of menstruation, and sexual rites from around the continent that honored the divine feminine. This workshop will conclude with a small ritual honoring the sacred yoni, the collective community, and the land. (Secrets)

Reflecting Our Intuition - Beth & Preston
Each of us is intuitive: we all have the ability to send and receive psychic information. Some of us believe, some of us know, and many of us deny, but all of us have the ability to use our intuition. In this participatory workshop, we’ll help participants reconnect to the intuitive part of themselves so they can access it by choice in their day-to-day lives. As a group, we’ll move through exercises designed to help you identify and fine-tune your psychic skills and make intuition a more conscious part of who you are.

This is a fun, noncompetitive workshop where you can relax and be open. We will start from exactly where you are and move forward from there.

Please bring a small personal object to use in one of the exercises. Our work will be most effective if you refrain from sharing with anyone about the object you select. (Cauldron)

Rhythms of the Root Chakra: The Art of Sacred Sexual Drumming - Conrad
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. (Rhythm)

Romancing the Crone - Beth & Preston
Who is the crone? She has variously been defined as everything from the hag to the wise one.

The hag is the old woman who is disagreeable, miserable, and sinister. She uses her magic selfishly and for her own ends. She is to be feared and avoided. Thus she is isolated and lonely. The curses from her shriveled old lips are dreaded.

The crone as wise one has gathered her experiences to learn from them. The same experiences that created the disagreeable old hag created the wise old crone. She uses her magic for the good of the tribe. Her words, whether gentle or strong, are always intended only to move the listener closer to their own truth. While the hag is feared and isolated, the crone is sought out for her tender wisdom and guidance. The blessing from her wizened lips is cherished.

We have the power to create the crone of our choosing; to romance her and bring her into reality. This workshop brings together mythology, mystery, and scientific fact to help us understand the changes associated with movement from virgin to maiden to mother to crone. Where ever you are on the path from virgin to crone, understanding the journey can make it smoother and less intimidating. But this workshop is not only for women. This is a time for the consorts on our path to join us, to understand our journey, to romance us as we learn to romance ourselves, to help shape us into the wise and wonderful crone, the mother to all. Come share in our journey. (Eternal Flame)

Rope Intentions - Lochai Stine
Not just the how of rope bondage, but also the why and how to convey the feelings and emotions through intentional handling of the ropes, from the time you caress your partner with a bondage offering as the ropes are removed from their bag to the aroma of the jute as the coils are unwound. This class will help you connect with both the ropes themselves and your partner. Learn why gentle times are powerful during rough play and how to intensify the relationship while binding. (Surrender)

Sacred Sensual Dance - Chaya Leia Sylvia
All movement arises from the core. We have the ability to dance whatever is real inside of us. In this workshop, we are going to explore the concept of bringing our consciousness into the womb, accessing our deepest feminine creative potential and our sensuality. In the womb, where all life begins, we will find stillness in that center of ourselves, allowing movement to flow naturally from that quiet place of power, reflection and intuition. This is the heart of ourselves as sensual, sexual beings. From this place, we will explore belly dance posture and some basic belly dance movements, as we learn how to interact with one another, the fire, and the drummers within the context of the sacred fire circle. No prior dance experience is required. Men and women are welcome. (Dreams)

Sacred Sensual Dance II: Bringing it Home - Chaya Leia Sylvia
Saturday night’s fire is about integration. How will we integrate what we have learned about dance and sensuality into our lives at home? This playshop, will build upon the skills we developed in the first class (although the first class is not required to participate here today). We will integrate core concepts of connecting with our own sensual selves in dance and weave that into the ritual container of Saturday evening. We come together today to co-create a dance piece to offer at the Saturday evening fire puja. No prior dance experience is required. Men and women are welcome. (Dreams)

Sacrifice, Dedication, Adoration - Arakeane & Selene
Exploring the many aspects of Goddess worship, this workshop is for those people who wish to enhance their experiences at the FOV campfire/pageant by developing an increased affinity with Venus. Using the pillars of sacrifice, dedication, and adoration to erect a spiritual energy platform, the workshop will discuss conventional and extreme forms of raising energy and directing that energy towards love of the Goddess. This is a fusion class designed to better enable attendees to fully appreciate the spiritual aspects of the event. (Water)

The Union of Opposites: BodyDance™, a Tantric Temple Dance - Mark & Alisa
Acknowledging the body as our temple, we will explore tantric philosophy and the embodiment of the union of opposites towards wholeness. Through discussion, experiential sensatory awakenings, rhythmical whole-body breathing, activating the chakras, and balancing the heart-flow of giving and receiving, we will give power and expression to the unique BodyDance™ within each of us. (Secrets)

Venus Planetary Ritual - Stephanie
This participatory ritual will sensually and safely raise energy with the goal of manifesting a specific intent, using meditation, invocation, evocation, and forgiveness. Team up with a partner, and we’ll demonstrate how to vibrate the names of God on each other’s chakras. Participants should dress in comfortable clothes: in something pink, green, romantic, sexy, or whatever else will create the mood within them. This ritual, originally written by Soror Hypatia, has been modified for copyright purposes and is presented with her permission. (Secrets) [21+]

Walking the Circle: 5 Element Relationships - Zammis
Have a squawk with someone—anyone? Come learn how to “walk the circle” of a squawk and get a different perspective to help you with your relationships. This works for any relationship: parent-child, boss-employee, spouses, friends®—the possibilities are endless. Learn the Gifts of the Seasons and how to use them to smooth out the rough spots. Journaling, exercises, lecture, and respectful listening are a part of this class. (Eternal Flame)

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