Magical!
Fun! Inspiring! Sweet! are some of the words used to describe the first Fairy
& Human Relations Congress held in North America. We enjoyed
ourselves immensely and almost everyone said they wanted to
come back next year and bring friends. Some of the
highlights of the Congress include:
*
Friendships. The Congress was a great place to make new friendships
and strengthen existing friendships. It was empowering and
inspiring to be together with so many wonderful people...
Make
new friends
but keep the old.
One is silver
and the other gold.
* Circles. We experienced many joyful and uplifting circles with
songs, dances, invocations, prayers, and attunements to the
fairies. Our main circle area had a much decorated alter with
gazing ball.
*
The joint human and fairy meditations were powerful parts
of the Congress. The joint meditation was a half hour each
evening. Following which the humans had a quiet period to
write down messages. The 32 messages turned in to us thus
far are enclosed with this newsletter. These messages constitute
one way for the Congress to reach other humans with the fairies'
messages. The meditations were followed by small discussion
groups and a short plenary session in which people were able
to share some of the extraordinary experiences they had during
the meditation. We would like to give this a longer time period
this coming July.
*
The several dozen workshops offered were well attended,
high quality and interactive events. Workshop leaders included
RJ Stewart, Ellen Evert Hopman, Paul Beyerl, Mary J. Getten,
Diana Gay Pepper, Mary Gossard, Charlotte Johnson, Don Ollsin,
Michael Pilarski, Linda Quintana, Morgan Thomas, Cynthia DeFay,
Steffan Vanel, Mark & Mary McNutt, Charles Lightwalker,
Dr. Lisa Meserole, Neil Leonard and Erin Ramey. In 2002 we expect
that most of last year's workshop leaders will return to do
workshops. Plus we will undoubtedly have additional workshop
leaders. Let us know if you would like to give a workshop. Who
else would you like us to invite to present this year?
Send us names and contact information.
* RJ Stewart's discourses were enthralling and he led us on a journey to the
underworld to give gifts to the King and Queen of the Fairies.
Most participants came away with direct experience.
* The fairy art gallery was another successful component
of the Congress. Dozens of people displayed art, paintings,
illustrations and sculptures in Skalitude's central lodge. It
created a beautiful space that people enjoyed walking through
and viewing. Bring fairy art to make this year's art gallery
even more magnificent. Who could bring equipment to take digital
photos of all the art?
* Vending. This first year we did not encourage vending
beforehand, but as it turned out there was a bit of economic
exchange. Notable were the fairy wings brought by Cynthia DeFay;
Shannon's tipi fairy haberdashery; artwork, jewelry and herbal
medicinal products in the art gallery; and books authored by
workshop leaders. The availability of these items was well received
and no one complained to us, so we expect that we will cautiously
allow the expansion of vending fairy related items at the 2002
Congress. This year we are charging a $50 vending fee.
The fee does not apply to authors selling their own books.
* The food was delicious, participatory in preparation and filled with good
vibrations. Lines were never too long and our outdoor kitchen
functioned well. More cooked food was served in relation to
raw food then we had anticipated. Our food goal is to have enough
variety available so that everyone can be satisfied.
* The Fairy concert on saturday evening was ably organized
by Burke Mulvaney. Locals, Joyce and Bernie, set up a sound
system, and a stage setting with lights was manifested. The
concert performers were varied and talented. Especially
notable was RJ Stewart playing his 77-string psaltry and singing
fairy ballads in his Scottish brougue.
* The Fairy Parade. The concert went till late and the fairy-human parade
did not get underway until about 10:30 pm. The parade grew in
intensity, ended up in the Sky Lodge and then turned into a
wild dance party that went on for hours. The fairies just loved
the parade and wild dancing and want even more next year! Some
late night revelers partied in the Sky Lodge till dawn. In 2002
we wish to do an early fairy-human parade before the concert
so that the children are awake and can participate. We'd like
to see even more costuming this year. So come prepared.
* The facilities were rustic but adequate. Local acupuncturist Larry
Kulick and friends set up great showers complete with solar
hot water. The Sky Lodge was aesthetically beautiful and could
seat everybody so it became one of the busiest places of the
Congress.
