THE Beltane • May 2-6, 2018 • Maryland
The Scarlet Den
We welcome you to the Scarlet Den, celebrating Divine Feminine and sacred sexuality. This year we also welcome Lemaris as an educator and facilitator, celebrating queer sexuality, gender fluid space and burlesque. In the Scarlet Den you will find a space devoted to transformation and sexual empowerment. During the day, explore the Dirty Mothers Red Tent, a space dedicated to the Divine Feminine, come and relax in the space or attend one of our daily workshops. Each evening we offer a different event or ritual to entice and manifest your inner desires. See our schedule for evening events and daily workshops.
2017 Scarlet Den Evening Events
Queer Erotic Art Slideshow & After Party w/ Lemaris
Queer love, beauty, identity, and sexuality have always existed, in spite of monumental efforts throughout history to suppress their understanding or expression. Come and kick off The Scarlet Den’s events, by enjoying a slide show of art featuring images ancient and modern, familiar and obscure. Part academic, part appreciation, this presentation celebrates LGBTQA++ art and artists, followed by refreshments and an after party.
Sexperiments
This year, Sexperiments will be a Friday night only exhibitionist’s extravaganza, hosted by Dirty Mother and Stargazer. We shall carry on the yearly tradition of our very own erotic dance club, featuring a top of the line rotating stripper pole. Everyone, of all genders, can experience what it is like to be a stripper and get your exhibitionist groove on. Or just come to enjoy the view, cheer on the dancers and explore the erotic movie lounge and public play space. It is hard to resist stopping by and taking in the positive and sexy vibes of Sexperiments. We encourage you to bring out your saucy garb and if you want to dance to your own erotic groove, bring your mp3’s to add to the playlist. We look forward to s-exposing you to our s-extreme s-expertise!
The Scarlet Temple
Saturday night we honor one of the highest forms of sacred sexual rites and raise a Temple of devotion to Inanna’s sacred Priestesses and Priests. Through a guided ritual, devotees will be paired with invoked Sacred Whores for an exploration in healing and transformation. At the core of every connection made is the exchange of sexual energy, purified, blessed and devoted to the Goddess. Devotion may be offered alone or with a partner. It is highly encouraged to bring offerings to the Goddess and her Sacred Avatars. Every person planning to participate in The Scarlet Temple is asked to attend one of the following workshops in preparation: Invocation of the Sacred Whore or The Devotees of the Scarlet Temple.
Red Tent
Every day at The Scarlet Den you will find The Red Tent, a sacred space for women. An open and comfortable environment that is lush in sensual colors and fabrics. In the Red Tent we honor our collective experiences as women, we support and respect each woman that finds her place in this collective. We ask that each person that visits the space or attends a workshop, respect and honor our yonis, our wombs, our moontimes and our collective & personal truths. If you embody the Divine Feminine, you are welcome.
Workshops:
Introduction to the Scarlet Temple w/Stargazer & Dirty Mother (Friday 10am)
This workshop is required for those that wish to attend The Scarlet Temple Saturday evening. Devotees are those that make offerings to the Goddess invoked, Sacred Whore at the Temple and would like to experience, on a deeper and personal level, this intimate and healing exchange. Throughout history, sex has been used as a catalyst for change and transformation. As sacred consorts and healers, the Sacred Whore or Priest/ess Avatar opens themselves to the Divine as a vessel of ecstasy to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Embodiment of the Goddess made flesh. This workshop will explore how we open ourselves, devote and honor the work of the Sacred Whore. We will spend time in preparation for the sacred rites with instruction, purification and transcending the desire for sexual favors to statements of intention and devotion.
The Invocation of the Sacred Whore w/Stargazer & Dirty Mother (Saturday Afternoon)
This workshop is required for those that wish to attend the Scarlet Temple Saturday evening, invoked in the service of the Goddess as Sacred Whore or to serve as an Attendant in the Temple and learn the practice. The workshop is dedicated to those that are intrigued by, and would like to experience on a deeper and personal level, this sacred exchange as an invoked Avatar. Throughout history, sex has been used as a catalyst for change and transformation. As sacred consorts and healers, The Sacred Whore or Priest/ess Avatar open themselves to the Divine as a vessel of ecstasy to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Embodiment of the Goddess made flesh. Those that attend the workshop will explore the ancient practices, learn how we purify, invoke and manifest the work in our Temple and collectively build the sacred space and altar together.
Me Too, What Next? w/ Stargazer & Dirty Mother (Friday afternoon)
This year has been one of reveal and Revelations, as masks shattered, veils were removed and we sought and found courage to bring truth and true form into the light through the #metoo movement. Are you included in this number, looking for a way to express, a way to heal, a way to contribute to change? We will gather and share our truths, shed our silence and transform our fear into an awakening, creating space to envision tangible action for change in our communities. This Red Tent will give women the opportunity to speak their own personal truths, hold space for one another and through a guided meditation empower ourselves to be strong voices in our communities. As the foundations of misogyny continue to crack and crumble we can heal and plant seeds for change. If you identify as female, you are welcome.
Burlesque & Pasties Making Workshop w/Lemaris (Friday Afternoon)
A fun and relaxed intro to the art of burlesque. Starting with a demonstration by Lemaris, then warm up your body, learn a few sultry moves, and explore the art of the striptease. Gloves, boas and other props provided to borrow. Wear a few items you feel sexy in, that are easy to slip out of. This class is open to all genders, sizes, and abilities, but you must participate at some level (no showing up just to watch). Nudity is not mandatory; remove clothing to your comfort level, or just dance around like the hot stuff you are.
And while pasties are not mandatory for clothing-optional Beltane, they are a fun accessory to add to anyone’s festival or fetish gear. While we cool down from our burlesquing, Lemaris will provide the tools and some tips to make and decorate your very own set of pasties.
Genderqueer Round Table w/Lemaris (Saturday early)
Intended as a free-flowing, safe space for folks whose identities do not comfortably fit into the established gender binary. A place to discuss divinity, spirituality, identity, sexuality, and anything else that comes up, as it applies to those of us who identify as any flavor of non-binary: androgynous, intergender, agender, neutrois, genderfluid, pangender, transgender… the exploration continues, and continues to expand. While this space is not intended as an educational tool for our friends who strongly identify with a binary gender, if you are drawn to this event, but worry you are not genderqueer enough (this is very common!), please do not hesitate to attend.
Lemaris is a multimedia artist, who enjoys the challenge of using whatever tools and raw materials are at hand, to teach, entertain, and tell compelling stories. With several decades experience in crafting ritual, theater, dance, characters, adornments, pictures, and prose, they are excited to share their energy and knowledge as part of The Scarlet Den.
Stargazer is an eclectic and ancient soul who has sought to explore and experience all the things! Obsessed with stars and the fire within them, as well as with circles. Hooping and spinning has become a spiritual practice, allowing her to be the center of her own universe, to create a boundary, to let go of all things outside of the circle of her hoop and be centered within it, to feel the fire surround her. Stargazer has been working alongside the Dirty Mother for over 4 years at THE Beltane, bringing with her a plethora of skill sets that are indispensable to the production and coordination of the Scarlet Den.
Dirty Mother is a Priestess, Educator & Facilitator of The Red Tent, who defies the patriarchal paradigm by following her own intuitive path, through creative expression and her commitment to womyn’s empowerment in the arts & history of sexuality and divine feminine worship. Experiences that have strengthened her commitment: Clerk at the feminist/ lesbian 31st St Book Store in Baltimore, working as a Dancer for 4 years on Baltimore’s infamous ‘Block;’ teaching OB-GYN protocol & techniques to medical students with Johns Hopkins; a decade of costume design in Baltimore, directing & acting in various productions of the Vagina Monologues; A 3 year purgatory as a corporate Event Planner, Event Coordinator & Sex Educator for the Spiral Dance Women’s Center, vending, facilitating & educating in the Red Tent for 7 years in the mid-Atlantic Pagan community, Coordinator for The Scarlet Den at THE Beltane & The Inner Sanctum at Blue Ridge Beltane. She has been making music and writing poetry for over 20 years, her current musical project is Red Wound. Creating art, music and sacred space for womyn has been her joy and salvation.
2017 Scarlet Den Evening Events
Queer Erotic Art Slideshow & After Party w/ Lemaris
Queer love, beauty, identity, and sexuality have always existed, in spite of monumental efforts throughout history to suppress their understanding or expression. Come and kick off The Scarlet Den’s events, by enjoying a slide show of art featuring images ancient and modern, familiar and obscure. Part academic, part appreciation, this presentation celebrates LGBTQA++ art and artists, followed by refreshments and an after party.
Sexperiments
This year, Sexperiments will be a Friday night only exhibitionist’s extravaganza, hosted by Dirty Mother and Stargazer. We shall carry on the yearly tradition of our very own erotic dance club, featuring a top of the line rotating stripper pole. Everyone, of all genders, can experience what it is like to be a stripper and get your exhibitionist groove on. Or just come to enjoy the view, cheer on the dancers and explore the erotic movie lounge and public play space. It is hard to resist stopping by and taking in the positive and sexy vibes of Sexperiments. We encourage you to bring out your saucy garb and if you want to dance to your own erotic groove, bring your mp3’s to add to the playlist. We look forward to s-exposing you to our s-extreme s-expertise!
The Scarlet Temple
Saturday night we honor one of the highest forms of sacred sexual rites and raise a Temple of devotion to Inanna’s sacred Priestesses and Priests. Through a guided ritual, devotees will be paired with invoked Sacred Whores for an exploration in healing and transformation. At the core of every connection made is the exchange of sexual energy, purified, blessed and devoted to the Goddess. Devotion may be offered alone or with a partner. It is highly encouraged to bring offerings to the Goddess and her Sacred Avatars. Every person planning to participate in The Scarlet Temple is asked to attend one of the following workshops in preparation: Invocation of the Sacred Whore or The Devotees of the Scarlet Temple.
Red Tent
Every day at The Scarlet Den you will find The Red Tent, a sacred space for women. An open and comfortable environment that is lush in sensual colors and fabrics. In the Red Tent we honor our collective experiences as women, we support and respect each woman that finds her place in this collective. We ask that each person that visits the space or attends a workshop, respect and honor our yonis, our wombs, our moontimes and our collective & personal truths. If you embody the Divine Feminine, you are welcome.
Workshops:
Introduction to the Scarlet Temple w/Stargazer & Dirty Mother (Friday 10am)
This workshop is required for those that wish to attend The Scarlet Temple Saturday evening. Devotees are those that make offerings to the Goddess invoked, Sacred Whore at the Temple and would like to experience, on a deeper and personal level, this intimate and healing exchange. Throughout history, sex has been used as a catalyst for change and transformation. As sacred consorts and healers, the Sacred Whore or Priest/ess Avatar opens themselves to the Divine as a vessel of ecstasy to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Embodiment of the Goddess made flesh. This workshop will explore how we open ourselves, devote and honor the work of the Sacred Whore. We will spend time in preparation for the sacred rites with instruction, purification and transcending the desire for sexual favors to statements of intention and devotion.
The Invocation of the Sacred Whore w/Stargazer & Dirty Mother (Saturday Afternoon)
This workshop is required for those that wish to attend the Scarlet Temple Saturday evening, invoked in the service of the Goddess as Sacred Whore or to serve as an Attendant in the Temple and learn the practice. The workshop is dedicated to those that are intrigued by, and would like to experience on a deeper and personal level, this sacred exchange as an invoked Avatar. Throughout history, sex has been used as a catalyst for change and transformation. As sacred consorts and healers, The Sacred Whore or Priest/ess Avatar open themselves to the Divine as a vessel of ecstasy to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Embodiment of the Goddess made flesh. Those that attend the workshop will explore the ancient practices, learn how we purify, invoke and manifest the work in our Temple and collectively build the sacred space and altar together.
Me Too, What Next? w/ Stargazer & Dirty Mother (Friday afternoon)
This year has been one of reveal and Revelations, as masks shattered, veils were removed and we sought and found courage to bring truth and true form into the light through the #metoo movement. Are you included in this number, looking for a way to express, a way to heal, a way to contribute to change? We will gather and share our truths, shed our silence and transform our fear into an awakening, creating space to envision tangible action for change in our communities. This Red Tent will give women the opportunity to speak their own personal truths, hold space for one another and through a guided meditation empower ourselves to be strong voices in our communities. As the foundations of misogyny continue to crack and crumble we can heal and plant seeds for change. If you identify as female, you are welcome.
Burlesque & Pasties Making Workshop w/Lemaris (Friday Afternoon)
A fun and relaxed intro to the art of burlesque. Starting with a demonstration by Lemaris, then warm up your body, learn a few sultry moves, and explore the art of the striptease. Gloves, boas and other props provided to borrow. Wear a few items you feel sexy in, that are easy to slip out of. This class is open to all genders, sizes, and abilities, but you must participate at some level (no showing up just to watch). Nudity is not mandatory; remove clothing to your comfort level, or just dance around like the hot stuff you are.
And while pasties are not mandatory for clothing-optional Beltane, they are a fun accessory to add to anyone’s festival or fetish gear. While we cool down from our burlesquing, Lemaris will provide the tools and some tips to make and decorate your very own set of pasties.
Genderqueer Round Table w/Lemaris (Saturday early)
Intended as a free-flowing, safe space for folks whose identities do not comfortably fit into the established gender binary. A place to discuss divinity, spirituality, identity, sexuality, and anything else that comes up, as it applies to those of us who identify as any flavor of non-binary: androgynous, intergender, agender, neutrois, genderfluid, pangender, transgender… the exploration continues, and continues to expand. While this space is not intended as an educational tool for our friends who strongly identify with a binary gender, if you are drawn to this event, but worry you are not genderqueer enough (this is very common!), please do not hesitate to attend.
Lemaris is a multimedia artist, who enjoys the challenge of using whatever tools and raw materials are at hand, to teach, entertain, and tell compelling stories. With several decades experience in crafting ritual, theater, dance, characters, adornments, pictures, and prose, they are excited to share their energy and knowledge as part of The Scarlet Den.
Stargazer is an eclectic and ancient soul who has sought to explore and experience all the things! Obsessed with stars and the fire within them, as well as with circles. Hooping and spinning has become a spiritual practice, allowing her to be the center of her own universe, to create a boundary, to let go of all things outside of the circle of her hoop and be centered within it, to feel the fire surround her. Stargazer has been working alongside the Dirty Mother for over 4 years at THE Beltane, bringing with her a plethora of skill sets that are indispensable to the production and coordination of the Scarlet Den.
Dirty Mother is a Priestess, Educator & Facilitator of The Red Tent, who defies the patriarchal paradigm by following her own intuitive path, through creative expression and her commitment to womyn’s empowerment in the arts & history of sexuality and divine feminine worship. Experiences that have strengthened her commitment: Clerk at the feminist/ lesbian 31st St Book Store in Baltimore, working as a Dancer for 4 years on Baltimore’s infamous ‘Block;’ teaching OB-GYN protocol & techniques to medical students with Johns Hopkins; a decade of costume design in Baltimore, directing & acting in various productions of the Vagina Monologues; A 3 year purgatory as a corporate Event Planner, Event Coordinator & Sex Educator for the Spiral Dance Women’s Center, vending, facilitating & educating in the Red Tent for 7 years in the mid-Atlantic Pagan community, Coordinator for The Scarlet Den at THE Beltane & The Inner Sanctum at Blue Ridge Beltane. She has been making music and writing poetry for over 20 years, her current musical project is Red Wound. Creating art, music and sacred space for womyn has been her joy and salvation.