Deprecated – 2022 – Presenter Bios
Name | Bio | Classes |
Alice Black | Alice Black is a Norse Witch, who has throughout her magical journey, taken numerous stops in Wicca, Chaos Magick and Greaco-Romanic paganism, before finally stopping to set up camp with the Norse Pantheon. A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she brings a refreshing outlook in both practice and explanation of magical practice. | Deity Work: a Beginner’s Workshop Wednesday 10am Basketball court Pavilion Gender Inclusivity in Pagan Spaces Wednesday 3pm Basketball Court Pavilion |
Carol Boyer | Carol Boyer has been walking one Pagan path or another for over 30 years, including Egyptian, Norse, and Celtic traditions. In addition to her solitary practice, Carol is one of the principal members of Full Spectrum Magic Lab. A former member of Music for the Goddess, Carol is a singer, songwriter, vocal healer, and Tarot reader, and has, at various times, offered workshops on mindfulness, dream work, and polyamory. | |
Peggy Brennan | Peggy Brennan has poured many sweats, and got official training from Mary “Tyrtle” Rooker. She has also deeply studied the worldwide practice known as sweat therapy, though mostly from books, travelers who converse, and shamanic journeys. This sweat ceremony is in the Irish tradition, with three rounds and a focus of the body’s integration of “Head Hands and Spirit”. Peggy is a semi-pro musician & shamanic practitioner & artist/activist, planning a tour with her musical trio. She’s playing a solo FSG concert lunchtime Friday, on the dining hall porch, but it can be heard throughout our natural amphitheater (audible at most cabins). Find her music & concerts at Peggy Brennan Music on Facebook, or email to be put on the mailing list. | |
Claire/Luminous | Claire / Luminous – Still just me…. Witch, Geek, Freak, Reiki Master Teacher, Grief & Trauma Healing Expert, Priestess, Minister, Counselor, Coach, Healer, Author, MaMa Bear, Cook, Performer, Dreamer, Builder, Druid’s Wife, Cat Mommy, Detroit and Jersey, Music and Mayhem, Above and Below. Blessed Be. | Grief & Trauma Healing Circle Friday 1:30 pm |
Stacey Cooper Smith AKA Siren | Is an active eclectic witch with over 22 years of practical experience. She has studied tarot, palmistry, pendulum oracles and a number of other useful things. As acting high priestess of the Fort Hood open circle she has spent many years helping people both pagan and non, find their spirituality or “truth”. She has been a member of The Order of the Midnight Rose as well as The Keepers of the Holly Chalice. Currently not in a coven but a friend and student of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel for over 20 years. She is excited to share her collection of knowledge and experiences in a very relaxed, easy to follow way. | Intro to Palmistry Thursday 7pm Teen Space |
Sidhe Dances | Sidhe Dances is a third degree initiate of the Assembly of The Sacred Wheel and holds a B.A. in Psychology. Sidhe Dances initiated and leads Coven Share within the Assembly Tradition. She is an animal communicator who helps others communicate with their pets, as well as helping newly rescued animals and assists those working in shelters with rescue cases as needed. A lifelong student of Astrology Sidhe Dances is an avid crafter of BOS. | Animal Communication Thursday 3pm Basketball Court Pavilion |
Mark the Druid | Mark the Druid has been a practicing pagan since 1996, with a background in Celtic, Wicca and Norse traditions. He has also been a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates, & Druids since 2004. His professional background is in the Geosciences at New Jersey City University. He was also president of North Jersey Astronomical Group (2013-2019) and still conducts public astronomy outreach, and also contributes his work to David Levy’s Sharing the Sky Foundation. | Astronomy Observing with Mark the Druid Wednesday and Thursday 10:30 pm Soccer field (Friday Rain Date) |
Hugh Eckert | Hugh has been a Pagan for more than thirty-five years; he was at the very first Free Spirit Gathering and has attended almost every one since. He is an eclectic Polytheist and member of the Universal Temple of Spirits, a celebratory and devotional group working in the Global Spirits trance-possessory tradition. He attended Cherry Hill Seminary for several years and earned a Certificate of Continuing Education in Text, Tradition and Interpretation. He writes poetry, reviews books for Witches and Pagans magazine, and reads a lot. A book of his poetry- “The Words Swim, Waiting”- is available on Lulu.com. His blog can be found at thewordsswimwaiting.wordpress.com. | Paying the Rents – A Ritual for Manannán mac Lir Saturday 1:30 pm Lower Fire Circle (near bridge) |
Grandmother Elspeth | Grandmother Elspeth has been conducting workshops on spiritual growth and enrichment since 1991. Ordained by Pete Pathfinder, founder of Aquarian Tabernacle, and certified as a Shamanic Practitioner by the Church of Earth Healing. Elspeth is opinionated and outspoken. She is a great-grandmother, environmentalist, healer, teacher, pastoral counselor, and irrepressible storyteller. As an honored elder in the Neo-Pagan movement, she is a living example of the timeless truths that she teaches. She has published a book, “”Gylantra’s Journey,”” two spoken word CD’s, “”Out of the Forest,”” (a series of trance journeys) and “”Gylantra’s Legacy”” (an audio book). She is an experienced Tarot Consultant and Counselor. She has been a part of FSG since the very first one, missing only a few years. | A Journey into Healing Thursday 3L00 pm Healer’s Pavilion Grandmother Turtle’s Wisdom Tales Friday 3 pm Healer’s Pavilion Life in the Era of the Sixth Extinction Saturday 4pm Healer’s Pavilion |
Irene Glasse | Irene Glasse is a Mystic Witch based in Western Maryland. She is President of the Frederick Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, organizing and offering Pagan events, rituals, classes and workshops to a large, vibrant community. She is one of the founders of Blackfeather Mystery School, and co-author of ‘Blackfeather Mystery School:The Magpie Training.’ Irene also performs readings, healings, pastoral counseling services, magickal and ritual work, guided study and more both in person and remotely through her website, www.GlasseWitchCottage.com | The Empowered Witch Saturday 10am Dance Pavilion |
Joseph Hardy Aka Pooky, AKA Feathersword | Joe Hardy (AKA Pooky AKA Feathersword) first attended FSG during the great deluge of 1998. A glutton for punishment, he has been coming back ever since. On years he feels especially sane, he even hosts a workshop or two. Even though he has no kids (he’s a total faux pa) he loves dad jokes. | |
Foxx | Foxx has been brewing mead, cider and other various alcoholic elixirs for 14 years. I am also a practicing Chaos magician. | Playing with reality; A Chaos magician’s guide to Sigil Magick Thursday 10am Tin Can Intro to mead making Friday 10am Tin Can |
Klytus | Klytus has been an intuitive energy worker most of his life, but he got his start with deliberate energy work right here at FSG in 2009. He is a certified in Reiki, and has training in shamanic journey work and soul retrieval. But most of his expertise and expertise is with what he calls “free form energy manipulation.” | Energy Works I – Grounding and Shielding Wednesday 1:30 pm Healer’s Pavilion Energy Works II – The Basics and Ethics Thursday 3pm Healer’s Pavillion Energy Works III – Making Energy Work Friday 1:30 pm Healer’s Pavilion Energy Works IV – Energy Healing Saturday 1:30 pm Healer’s Pavilion |
Layla Kruse | Layla is a non-binary eclectic pagan with an emphasis on Hellenic deities and Shadow Work; a member of the pagan folk band Kindred Crow; as well as the owner and creator of Phoenix Engravings. | Persephone: History, Myth, and Magic Friday 10am Upper Fire Circle |
Firesong | Firesong (Eshu Akoni), M.Ed, is a versatile opera singer, as well as a professional vocal teacher, herbalist, artist, visual arts teacher, and experienced gardener. She is a priestess and Pathway initiate at the Universal Temple of Spirits. Firesong conducts Global Spirits services and is cast in several upcoming opera and recital productions. She produced several recordings of her recital performances and of teaching traditional chants. Her garden is one of the most ecologically diverse in the world. | Consensual Trance Possession: The Spirits and You Thursday 1:30 pm Upper Fire Circle |
Morgan McNulty | Morgan has been an attendee of FSG for over 20 years. She’s a nerd, witch, and all-around weirdo who draws from diverse sources for inspiration. Currently a member of the Primal Arts Tribe, she is currently exploring creative ordeal practice. | Cell Popping- Temporary Symbol Microbrands Wednesday 3:00 pm Tin Can |
Joel Meredith | I am a longtime chain mail hob b yist who learned the craft over 20 years ago. My experience in teaching is from Boy Scouts where I concentrated on Native American studies and handcrafts. I believe that chain mail, and many other crafts, can be used to make items both mundane and spiritual. In the community I have been known to make ritual items both large and small, both for group and pers on al use. | Intro to Chainmail 3:00 PM Teen Space |
Sundance Metelesky | Sundance Metelsky is an existential shamanic mystic who has been walking the shamanic path since 1992. She has studied shamanism/shamanic techniques with Rena Yount, Tom Cowan, Nan Moss, David Corbin, Dana Robinson, Adam Davis, Mary Tyrtle Rooker, and with many helping spirits, seen and unseen. She is the founder of the Weather Dancing Circle and the restorer of the Celtic Study Circle. She is a member of the Universal Temple of Spirits, the Sacred Women’s Circle, Sister Dreamers, and the Jung Society of Washington.Her interests include dream and art explorations, deep diving in the psyche, shamanic work with the Spirits of the Land and Weather, and Celtic shamanism. She has a BA in English Literature with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Maryland, and an MA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College Graduate Institute. | Paying the Rents – A Ritual for Manannán mac Lir Saturday 1:30 pm Lower Fire Circle (Near Bat Barn) 12 Step Support Meeting Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm Bat Barn Journey to the Celtic Otherworld Friday 1:30 pm Labyrinth |
Scott Mohnkern | Scott Mohnkern—founder of the Modern Heathen and founding member of Potomac Seidr Guild Ondvegisulur—was raised as a Methodist. Since that time he has migrated through various philosophies which ultimately brought him to heathenism, where he has been active for the last 20 years. He currently teaches courses about Heathenism online and in person, and helps run Oracular Seidr rituals. He’s written several books on Northern European topics including the runes, and rituals. He most recently served as coordinator for Free Spirit Gathering Online 2021. His current projects include a book on Northern European philosophy and composing music for an operatic singer to be performed in England in 2022. | Morning Blots Tue-sun 9am Upper fire circle Intro to Heathenism Thursday 1pm Teen Space Oracular Seidr Friday 3pm Tin can Honoring our Ancestors through Genealogical Research Friday 7pm Teen Space Advanced Divination I Saturday 10am Basketball Court Pavilion Developing Relationships with Northern European Deities Saturday 2pm Teen Space Advanced Divination II Saturday 4pm Basketball Court Pavilion |
Kat Stayduhar | have been a practicing Wiccan mostly solitary for over 35 years. I was a victim of bullying as a child and have been dealing with CPTSD for over 60 years. FSG was instrumental in a lot of my healing. Currently I am a practicing Shamanic Witch trying to help make the world a little bit better. | Bullying and its long term side effects Saturday 7pm Teen Space |
Ben Schenkman | Hobbit, leader and MC of the fire performance troupe HVBRIS, has been attending FSG for 20 years. HVBRIS has been performing along the east coast for the past 10 years, and he wants to share his questionable expertise with you! | Run Away with the Circus Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 1:30 PM Basketball Court Pavilion |
Skywise | Skywise has been attending FSG since 1996 when they became a part of the Haven Community. Since that time they have attended FSG almost every year and have been dedicated to working with this community. | |
Kat Stayduhar | Crone in Training. Kat has been a practicing Wiccan mostly solitary for over 35 years. Kat was a victim of bullying as a child and have been dealing with CPTSD for over 60 years. FSG was instrumental in a lot of their healing. Currently, Kat is a practicing Shamanic Witch trying to help make the world a little bit better. Kat has been a part of the Haven Community since 1988. | |
Tom Swiss | Tom Swiss describes his spiritual path as “”Zen Pagan Taoist Atheist Discordian””, which usually baffles questioners enough to leave him alone. He is the author of the books “”Why Buddha Touched the Earth”” and “”Punk Magick”” and blogs as “”The Zen Pagan”” on Patheos Pagan. He has previously served as President of the Free Spirit Alliance. Tom has built a reputation as a lecturer on subjects spanning the gamut from acupressure to Zen and from self-defense to sexuality, drawing on his training and experience as an massage and Asian Bodywork therapist, a karate instructor, a poet, a singer/songwriter, an amateur philosopher and spiritual explorer, and a professional computer geek. Find out more about his wacky adventures at www.infamous.net. | Punk Magic Thursday 3pm Upper Fire Circle Feeling Good with Acupressure and Shiatsu Friday 3pm Basketball Court Pavilion |
James Welch | James Welch is one of the artisan-owners of WizardsTower, supplier of ritual garments and custom wands for mid-level and advanced magickal practitioners. He is a writer, teacher and community elder. In his personal practice, Jim combines elements of both the Celtic and Norse traditions, following the Dragon Path. He began designing garments and bags 40 years ago and has used this skill to serve the ritual needs of the Pagan community for over 16 years. Currently, he offers workshops about the magickal properties of color and woods/trees.He is working on a workshop about the Muses. He can be reached through the WizardsTower website, www.wizardstower1.com. | The Magickal Properties of Color: Your Personal Colors Thursday 10am in front of the Dining Hall Reconnecting with the Muses: A Workshop for Creatives Saturday 10am in front of the Dining Hall |
Amara Wiley | Prosperity for Pagans Wednesday 1:30 pm Dance Pavilion Perfect Health – Healing Your Body at the Cellular Level Thursday 10am Dance Pavilion Sacred Parenting Saturday 4pm Upper Fire Circle | |
Patty Worlledge AKA Stormlily | I have been a part of the pagan community in my beliefs since I was in my teens. I studied solitary for many years before joining a coven. I learned many things while a member of the coven but in the end the situation no longer was beneficial for me and I needed to move on to further evolve in my path. I am ever learning and ever expanding my horizons. I started with the Teen Space in 2013 when the program began and was with them as the co leader until 2016. In 2017 I took a year and worked with the Children’s Academy. When the department head position became available I jumped on that grenade to take it back. I have many ideas to make this program the greatest it can be. | Let’s Get Vulgar Thursday 8pm Teen Space Sexuality Today and how it effects our youth 1pm Teen Space Faith Under Fire Saturday 1:30 pm Teen Space |