Workshop Musings

[trystinn]

Quite a few of my very dear friends here on the Island are involved heavily in the Celestine Prophecy's concept of money as a form of energy exchange. For many reasons, including the Jew gene, I'm not very fond of this idea. There are so many different ways to exchange energy. Not that I think money is evil, mind you. I just don't think its the highest vibration of energy exchange. Which essentially speaks volumes in the New Age community. You know the joke - what separates the pagan and New Age community? Two decimal points. They've asked me to present an incense making workshop to their group and knowing my reticence, suggested I ask for a $25 donation from each for the class. I can appreciate folks wanting to pay for the materials involved, especially the resins but I'm bothered by this idea. Mind you, I took plenty of workshops at that cost (and higher, on occasion). Some of which were fabulous and I was very happy to pay for the learning, others I was horrified afterward to think of what I'd paid.

Several years ago I took a fire walking workshop. It was something I'd wanted to try my whole life. The community and trust exercises were fabulous, the presenter charming. The firewalk was the issue. I'd somehow naively believed that we'd all get through with minimal burns. Naive me. I was prepared for minor burns, I've very thin sensitive skin on the bottom of my feet. However, finding myself afterwards with multiple blisters on the bottom, tops of my feet and between my toes was startling. The presenters (three of them) had absolutely NOTHING available first aid-wise. Nothing. When the biggest, baddest, scariest Asatru there could barely walk on his feet without tearing up, I lost my temper and broke into the festival kitchen to find a humongous pot and white vinegar. He and I spent about an hour soaking our feet with the hopes we wouldn't develop infections. Fun stuff. It was, however, a great opportunity to learn about Asatru. *WEG*

I won't even get into the mess of the "Winter Fairy workshop" last year. *shudder* I know I can teach a workshop *at least* better than those two. I'm hoping folks on my Flist will share their worst experiences with the thought of what to avoid as a workshop presenter.

Comments

Thank you :))

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I was planning on holding the workshop out on our back porch - plenty of ventilation. My pamphlet says "the most important ingredient in any incense recipe is FRESH AIR". :)

I've got over 200 ingredients, at least a 100 of which are exotics.

Hands on is great, I have about a dozen mortar & pestle sets, not to mention choppers, etc. In theory, I like to let folks make one classic formula incense and two unique ones. Often, though, we get gabbing and they only get through two.

I have a packet of substitutions, can add to it.

Sooper-sekrit, got it. :)

Re: Thank you :))

[onyxtwilight.livejournal.com]

Seriously, the raisin thing is pure gold. Gotta try that. :-)

Re: Thank you :))

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Works like a charm and makes the house smell yummy.

Granted if you have the time and space, drowning the raisins in wine and honey is fabulous, too.