2011 Workshop Descriptions

Adi Shakti

Dancing The Divine Feminine

Dance performance followed by mini-lesson/audience participation.

BIO: Adi Shakti is a group of women, ages late 20's-60, who are moved to express the divine feminine through dance. American Tribal Style (ATS) Bellydance traces its origins to the ritual dances of pre-Christian Judaic tribeswomen. Our interpretation of this form includes true ATS form together with a fusion of other dance styles, yoga, martial arts, and individual artistic expression.

Arethusa

Musical Performance

Father and Son Strolling Players, performing on a good many instruments of questionable origin.

Jody Brown

What's a Unitarian Universalist Pagan?

There are many Pagan paths and this workshop will explore the UU Pagan path. It will include a brief history of Unitarian Universalism and how the Pagan path intertwines with the UU denomination, including information about the national organization, CUUPs - the Covenant of UU Pagans.

BIO: Jody Brown has been a Unitarian Universalist for over twenty years and started exploring the Pagan path as a result of exposure to it from her children about ten years ago. She is one of the co-facilitators of the CNY CUUPS chapter.

Raven and Stephanie Grimassi

Magick and Ritual Tools

A talk on ritual tools; pentacle, wand , blade & chalice, their elemental natures and techniques for creating magical charges.

Greenwood Magick

The very idea of Greenwood Magic calls to something primal and vital within us.  It awakens a word of magical plants and mystical spirits. Join authors Raven and Stephanie Grimassi in this workshop that will introduce you to the Witch's Craft of working with traditional plants and spirits associated with Witchcraft. Learn about Old World Witchcraft and its primary tool – the mortar & pestle. Discover how to tap into the organic memory of the earth, which is known as Shadow. Find out how to be taught by plants spirits and how to create your own Dream-begotten Grimoire.

Esmerelda (Dawn Buchanan)

Get Trash Constest

A trash collecting contest encouraging children to be more conscience of what they throw away and how. There will be prizes for the top three collectors. And our heartfelt thanks for helping to clean up the park.

BIO: Half a Centuary old witch, Esmerelda has been around long enough to know that we need to pick up after ourselves and take responsibility for what we consume and it's aftermath. Initially trained as a Gardnerian Wiccan and High Priestess and after wondering the long and winding path of paganism has discovered her own path. That of the Emsereldian Way.

Albany Paranormal Research Society (APRS)

Voices of Salem

Think you know all the history and lore of Salem, Massachusetts? Is the "Witch City" and its neighboring towns such as Danvers (Old Salem Village) truly haunted? Members of the Albany Paranormal Research Society wanted to find out for themselves, so off they went in search of ghostly activity and the real history of the events of 1692. Come and learn where historical events of the Witchcraft Trials really happened and listen to several pieces of EVP audio evidence captured during their adventures. Are any of these the voices of 1692? You be the judge..... "

BIO: The Albany Paranormal Research Society (APRS) is a registered Not-for-profit corporation with the sate of New York and is a proud member of the TAPS Family.

APRS is a group of dedicated people from various backgrounds with a common interest in the paranormal who give of their time and energies to research, investigate and document paranormal events and phenomena. APRS is based in Albany, NY and serves the Capital Region of New York State and areas within a 150 mile radius.APRS does not go into an investigation case with the sole purpose of “looking for ghosts”, instead seeking ways to debunk or find natural causes for that which the client may be experiencing. Investigation services are performed free of charge as a community service to people who believe they are experiencing paranormal activity in their homes or businesses.

Starlette Holmes

Sea Salt Ritual Scrub and Pre Ritual bathing

This class will teach participants how to make an herbal Sea Salt Ritual Scrub and discuss Pre Ritual bathing. Students will participate in making a sea salt scrub to take home.

BIO: Starlet Holmes is an individual who faces challenges as if they are an every day occurrence and now shes here to help others face the challenges in there life and overcome them. She is a creative individual living with ADD and a full time mother of two children with ADD. She owns and operates a successful businesses, Healer's Crystal and is always on the hunt for new opportunities. She is a Certified Hypnosis and Reiki Practioner, as well as a spiritual healer, psychic intuitive, empath, a professional tarot reader and High Priestess.

Rhonda House

Breath of Magic, Breath of Life

Breath of Magic, Breath of Life... Introduction to breath work for wellness and manifestation. Learn breathing techniques useful for improving your overall wellness, strengthening healing work, deepening meditation and empowering magical workings.

BIO: Rev. Rhonda House, also known in circles as Ameya Spirit, is founder and senior pastor of Spirit Unity Ministry, and proprietor of Peace Dreamers: Illuminating Paths to Wellness, a Spiritual Arts and Wellness Spa located at 139 State Street Auburn New York.

Ameya has made a life study of Spirituality, having studied numerous paths, including several branches of Christianity, Druidism, Wicca, Shamanism, Witchcraft, Native American Cultures and Earthen Paganism, and The Bushido.

As a Spiritual Healer she has studied the Shamanism of Europe, Africa, Australia and the Americas, including receiving the Munay Ki Rites. She has studied and received Master/Teacher Attunements in Usui and Non Traditional Reiki, Kundalini Reiki, Full Spectrum Healing, Sacred Earth Healing and numerous other energy healing systems.

Ameya now teaches, facilitates workshops and offers healing alternatives at Peace Dreamers and all around New York. Her background rich with the insights of many varied occupations, personal experiences and challenges have led her to become a Jack of all Trades and Master of One Heart, hers. She strives to offer opportunities and experiences, which aid her students in the Mastery of their own.

Ginger Johnson

I think I may be Pagan, now what?

An informational talk for non Pagans and new Pagans outlining some of the differences (and similarities) between neopagan spirituality and the more widely recognized Abrahamic religions. Will focus on the purpose of the PPD event and the fostering of interfaith tolerance.

BIO: Ginger Johnson is an eclectic witch who has been on her path since 2002. She celebrates and practices with a small but cohesive group in the Syracuse area and also as a Solitary. Ginger has been drawn to various spiritual and religious practices throughout her life, and has been a member of the LDS (Mormon) Church prior to rediscovering her Earth-centered magickal path she had begun independently as a child. She has lately felt called to make her own unique contributions toward productive interfaith dialogues and religious tolerance. At the core of her beliefs is the respect for each individual's unique need to develop and express their own connection with the Divine in the manner that best resonates with them.

Ginger is always learning, transforming and reaching toward the fully actualized being she believes she can become. She also lends her vocal talents where they are needed, cooks, drums, and is devoted to furred, feathered and non-furred creatures of every persuasion.

Chrissy LaVine

Ritual Boxes and Portable Altars

Can't We All Just Get Along

Maya Tribe

Elemental Belly Dance: Explore the elements through Belly Dance.

This workshop will focus on basic Belly dance movements expressed in combinations symbolically representative of the elements: Earth, Air, Fire Water. No previous dance experience necessary.

BIO: Pamela McGrath owner/director of Maya Studio in Syracuse New york has been studying and teaching bellydance since 1996. Her mentors include: Elena Lentini and Zoe Artemis from N.Y.C and Jill Parker from Ultra Gypsy. Having studied Yoga, Modern dance, ballet and African dance, her bellydance style is more tribal fusion than classical egyptian. A dancer and a drummer Pam incorporates strong tribal beats in her classes to help students find the rhythm in their bodies. Easygoing and approachable as a teacher, Pam is great at simplifying the sensuous yet sometimes challenging movements of this ancient art so that everyone can enjoy its benefits.

Cheyenne Mayotte

Herbal Tea Preparation

Ever wonder what's in an herbal tea? Well this class will discuss different recipes and how to make your own blends. This is a basic introduction into making your own herbal teas. In this class students will have a chance to make an herbal tea blend to take home. The tea we will be making in class will be for Energy.

Michelina McCann

The Tree of Life & The Kabbalah

Learn the structure and function of this ancient gnostic symbol, how it relates to and enhances many esoteric pursuits (meditation, tarot, pathworking, etc.)

Shaman Myrddin

Intro to Cleansing and Charging Stones and Crystals

The use of crystals, gemstones, and metals in metaphysical practice goes back thousands of years. Many people continue to use a variety of these items today. However, when you acquire a stone or metal object, there's a chance it may have absorbed a variety of energies. Some of these will be vibrations from previous owners or handlers, so it's important to cleanse your crystal, gemstone or metal before you use it yourself. Once you've cleansed it, you can charge it for ritual use.

BIO: Myrddin has been a practicing Shaman for more than 15 years. Using stones and crystals in his every day workings, he has found some easy ways to cleanse and charge the stones and crystals that have called to you.

Timothy Nortz

Energy from the East

Workshop Description: Ki, Chi, Qi: all terms used in Eastern Martial and Medical Arts to discuss the same Energy we use as Pagan Practitioners daily. This workshop will explore the similarities of this Energy and to look at some basic Eastern techniques to improve our ability to feel and manipulate this energy. We will also look at some basic Chi Gong theory about how this Energy works within our own bodies.

BIO: Timothy has traveled his Path of Eastern exploration for more than 20 years, training with Traditional Martial Masters, Buddhist Clerics and Taoists seeking to better understand the Energy that makes up the Universe and everything within.

Bruce Phillips

The Magick of Music

Bruce believes that music and magick are very similar in that both can bring about a desired outcome. In this workshop he will be teaching you the basics of chanting, rhythm and meter, and weaving both intent (spellwork) and music together to form a powerful tool in your magickal practice.

BIO: Bruce has been involved with the pagan community since 1994, and for many years studied both formally and informally. He has attained his 3rd degree High Priesthood and is the founder of the Weaver Tradition, an eclectic self-searching tradition. Bruce also has a music degree in piano and voice, and has taught private lessons for several years.

Seeker

Native American Fun and Games (for kids of all ages)

Play Native games of skill and chance and learn to make your own by using simle items like peach pits, rope, balls and sticks.

BIO: Seeker embraces the belief that we are called by Great Spirit to walk the Good Red Road with Native People, to join them in the ways of the Elders - living gently on the land, teaching our children personal and social responsibility and planning our actions keeping future generations in mind.

KiaMarie Wolfe

Drum Circle

Let your spirit soar as your soul explores its most primal roots. Join in the celebration of community as we echo the heartbeat of the Earth Mother.

BIO: KiaMarie Wolfe is an experienced hand drummer who has facilitated drum circles and conducted lectures throughout the Northeast. Her presentations combine rhythm and technique with the spiritual, therapeutic, and healing aspects of drumming.

Children's Workshops and activities will be held at Fairy Hollow throughout the day

with the aid of Ms Tara Godek

Crowns - Decorate your own king's or Queen's crown.

Magic Dragons - making Magic Dragons out of egg cartons. Art on a shoe string budget with a theme of recycle and reuse

Childrens' Ritual - We will work with the kids to design and preform a Children's Ritual.

Annual Trash Collecting Contest

Art Time Open Play - Of course there will b play dough, crayons, watercolor, colored pencils, glitter, glue and construction paper throughout the day