There are similarities between the composting process and the royal art of Alchemy. The different phases of the composting process can be seen as the outer manifestation of the 4 main alchemical stages that the initiate goes through in its quest to achieve the Philosopher's Stone. In the compost world, we start with organic waste and transform it into humus, while in Alchemy the essential substance takes the form of gold. Vital to these processes is the presence of the Black Goddess, the regenerative matrix that enables the deep transformations to occur and that appears as a necessary guiding symbol for the planetary changes of nowadays. Guided by the Black Goddess, both gold and humus represent a state of being consciously held in sustainable unity that breaks the barrier between nature and psyche and plays a key role in our evolutionary journey of self-discovery.

The scientists in the global psychedelic community made a lurch forward in recent years by resuming clinical research with human participants in trials for psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD. Or, maybe it was a step backwards. What’s your perspective? The scientists make up only one faction of our larger, multidisciplinary community. Who else are contributing and which other voices matter? Alicia Danforth, a research associate for the first psilocybin trial with advanced-stage cancer patients since research was stopped in the 1970s, will lead an interactive visioning exercise to clarify our common aspirations, contributions, and strategies for avoiding the pitfalls that might hinder meaningful discovery and reform. Come prepared to share your views and learn from others. Alicia Danforth is a clinical psychedelic researcher. Since 2006, she has coordinated and co-facilitated treatment sessions for Dr. Charles Grob’s Harbor-UCLA cancer anxiety trial with psilocybin. She also oversees a nationwide Web-based recruitment effort for a similar trial currently underway at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Inspired by the results of this work, she began a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto. In 2008, she was a speaker on the “Rising Researchers” panel at the World Psychedelic Forum in Basel, Switzerland.

Andres Salcedo is an accomplished yoga teacher and leader of Kirtan. He started to submerge into the practice of yoga over 20 years ago exploring directly from the lineage of Krishnamacharya, the teacher of the teachers. Andres's teaching style promotes equanimity traveling through the principles of yoga as a therapy, embracing students to trust their own experience with sensitivity and intimacy as they find the perfect yoga, the one that is right for each one of them as unique human beings. Andres has been featured in numerous yoga magazines and has been seen on different TV networks around the world. His training includes over a decade of power yoga with Bryan Kest (Founder of Power Yoga), Bhakti (yoga of the heart), with Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Govindas, Hatha yoga with Mark Whitwell and Vipassana Meditation with S.A. Goenka. His ecstatic Kirtan and retreats have facilitated the opening of hundreds of hearts around the planet.

Join us for a fun and uplifting community dance ritual to activate our energy bodies and raise our vibrations though breath, movement, heart connections and prayer. Let the music be our guide as we explore body rhythms, tantric breath work, energy awareness exercises, soul gazing, manifestation affirmations, guided visualizations and free form ecstatic movement. *Dance is our Prayer* As we awaken our lightbodies we channel healing energy into the depths of our souls and send our bliss out into the world with the intention of planetary ascension. Together We Become Dance Floor Shamans Awakening the Planet One Beat at a Time!

Blair investigates the psychocultural origins of the planetary crisis and pursues direct practical solutions to it. Utilizing the ethic and practice of deep ecology and permaculture, we aim to envision, create, and live a sustainable way of being, and most importantly, explore a playful and joyous kinship with the wild and natural world. Influences include selections by E. O. Wilson on the ecological crisis, C. G. Jung, and a variety of readings on permaculture and deep ecology.

Carey describes his work as holomorphic transmission vision crystals. The imagery channels through, sourced from the universal matrix, and crystallizes into form onto templates based on sacred geometry and other patterns of nature. Beginning usually with only a seed of intention, the color and form evolve unconsciously to create the finished art. Combining his interests in various studies including biology, geometry, architecture, ancient history, astronomy, anthropology, and mysticism, he attempts to uncover underlying similarities between them all. Revealing the interconnectedness of all things is the primary intention of Carey's artwork. He believes the schism between our conscious selves and the greater universe underlies the entirety of our world's problems and that art has the transformative power to heal that divide and restore planetary harmony.

Dmitry Vulfovich has a uniquely diverse lineage of spiritual background with yoga and meditation since 2003 through intimate Gurus and teachers from around the world, and is experienced in teaching classes and workshops (Sudarshan Kryia, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Vippassana, Tai Chi). Dmtiry has taught at such places as the Sophia Healing Center in San Francisco, and art and musical festivals in the bay area. He received a BA in a Psychology with a minor in Comparative Religion and is currently in a masters program in Transpersonal and Holistic Therapy at JFK University. Dmitry also works with developmentally disabled individuals along with his own private business in life coaching and spiritual guidance called Hierophant Counsel.

Dustin is an entrepreneur, technologist and legal activist interested in the cross section of civil rights and technology. He will share a variety of techniques and strategies for effective interpersonal communication. The talk will cover a broad range of topics including how to remember names, when and how to make meaningful apologies and giving useful feedback.

Elizabeth Bast presents Red Tantra Yoga for Partners, a practice which artfully and consciously integrates the senses, passionate energy, relationship, and the presence of another. Kundalini, or creative-passionate energy, is activated and given direction through this yoga, as this pure passionate energy can be a great source of healing, fuel for practice, and a great force for awakening. Precious tantric teachings are provided to help navigate the yoga of love and enrich deep, loving relationships. Participants are guided through gentle partner yoga and partnered tantra yoga practice: meditation, pranayam (breathwork), internal yoga, mantra, mudra, and diety yoga. This workshop is completely non-explicit and suitable for friends or lovers. Same-sex partners are welcome. All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome.

This is a special workshop, satsang, and empowerment JUST FOR WOMEN, with the intention to assist and support women's full flowering: sensually, emotionally, and spiritually. We begin with elements of tantra yoga specific mantra, mudra, diety yoga, and red puja (devotional ceremony with light partner yoga practices). This event is completely non-explicit. All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome.

Within the vacuous context of the corporate media landscape it has become patently apparent that the vested interests of a select few are dictating the context within which any dialogue exists. Drawing upon his experiences producing the largest independent media co-operative in North America, Democracy Now; to first establish the context for a debate, then to expand the dialogue of dissent with the audience to bring about a heightened awareness of the steps individuals can take in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Jeff will illustrate the differences between hot and cold media and try to establish where blogs, new media and emergent technologies lie within the lexicon of current media hegemony.

Learn to identify and develop the essential components of a solid promotional network, with a focus on digital media and the internet. This workshop presents an instructional overview of the most current products, services and opportunities - including Twitter, YouTube, social networks, podcasts, blogs, and mailing lists. Find out which tools are right for your career and how to use them efficiently and professionally.

Provides a holistic ecological approach to identifying and understanding climate, weather, soil, landforms, watersheds, native plants and wildlife. Emphasis is on observation of natural characteristics and discussing interrelationships of natural systems. Join innovative environmental educator Peter Berg, Director of Planet Drum Foundation, for an original and exciting program.

In the workshop, you will:
* Participate in an easy-to-follow bioregional map-making of your own life-place whether in the city or the country.
* Explore native habitats.
* Acquire new environmental observation skills.
* Observe and discuss native habitat restoration activities in urban and rural areas.

The earth is sacred--and to live in sacred balance is both a spiritual and very practical challenge. The principles and techniques of regenerative design can give us tools for healing toxic soil, cleaning water, preventing erosion, and seeding true abundance. When we use those tools mindfully, infusing them with intention and vision, then reality becomes magical and magic gets real. In this workshop, we'll learn some of the principles of permaculture and put them into practice as ecospells, brewing earth-healing potions and planting our visions. Booksigning to follow.

"Once there was a perfect town, in a perfect world, where there were rules for everything and a right way and a wrong way to do everything, and nobody ever broke the rules except sometimes." So begins Starhawk's new eco-fable for children, The Last Wild Witch. When the wind is in the west, and the last wild Witch is brewing her magic brews and singing her magic songs, some of the wildness might get inside you! As adults, how do we let the wildness in-to our lives, to our vision of what community means? How do we recover our sense of being part of the natural world, and let nature's own patterns inform the way we meet our human needs, so that we can heal and regenerate the world around us? Starhawk's story is her jumping-off point to explore insights from both earth-based spirituality and permaculture that can help us weather times of rapid change and enormous challenges, and guide us toward a world that honors the wild. Booksigning to follow.

Tahir Qawwal had begun studying Indian Classical music at the young age of 14. He had begun learning the tabla. Four years later his undying devotion for this style of music took him to India for his first time. Seeking the yogi's of the Himalayas and teaching himself Sanskrit, he found that music was his path towards the one. Tahir's musical ability, gentle nature and fire of divine love is a performance not to miss. His dynamic vocal expertise creates reactions of laughter, tears of bliss, deep meditation and ecstatic dance. One of a kind transmission, which Tahir cultivates, awakens the place within, where all unity prevails.

Enter into the Sacred Portal of Yourself through your Voice. Ecstatic Medicine Vocal Circles are a beautiful opportunity to release energy, open up & clear your Throat Chakra, have fun, feel deliciously high, and practice spiritual self-cultivation - all through the most basic of our resources - Our Voices. We will be practicing basic tools of Vocal Qi Cultivation: mindfulness, breathwork, working the Microcosmic Orbit, Mulabandha, and QiGong movements - combined with vocal exercises. We move through building group resonance by toning - culminating in Primal Sounding Play and Tribal Polyrhythmic Song Circle. Towards culmination, we take turns giving and receiving loving healing touch & sound healing to each other.

Zoriaan from the 'Keys of Light Healing Centre' (www.zoriaan.com) will guide you through rejuvenating & relaxing morning sessions of breath-work & light body activation. Utilising guided meditations, rejuvenating breath-work and facilitating techniques of energy body awareness. Exploring the universal language of light and gently raising your energetic frequency.