Playing in the Otherworld

Join us for an afternoon of good old-fashioned playing in the woods. Let’s cross the threshold, disappear into another world, find treasures and meet magical beings, frolic in the forest, and come back covered in mud and leaves to share our adventure stories around the fire. 

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This event is for anyone who’s feeling disconnected from their inner child, who’s yearning for a chance to remember what it feels like to play, who feels a calling from their wild, untamed self, who wants to let go of inhibitions, who wants to feel free again, whose body cries out to roll around in pine needles or climb a tree or just lay a cheek on the moss. 

Let us create a container together with the land, a space where we can consciously step into parts of ourselves that are crying out for expression, for play, for connection, for release. We’ll start with some guided practices to open ourselves up to whatever needs to come out and play. Then we’ll take a journey together and explore the magic of the forest and all of its beings. There will be space at the end for storytelling, deep listening, reflection, and hot chocolate as we gather around the fire for sharing. 

This invitation to come out and play is an offering of the new School of Magical Humanities, based at Stone Mountain Farm. The School is for those who are called to recover our birthright: an enchanted way of being that was stolen from each of us as children. We believe that this enchantment holds not just the secrets for living our best lives, but also a chance for living at all in a world of crisis after existential crisis. Come with us to walk the many paths to enchantment and re-member our bodies, our deep inner selves, and the wild Earth. 

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Meet your guides and co-conspirators for the day:

• Henry Kramer is a Hudson Valley writer, teacher, philosopher, and thrice-bard. He has been leading workshops on embodied connection to the more-than-human earth since 2015, including a 2016 panel for the UN Staff Council and a 2022 workshop at Harvard Divinity School. Since 2020, Henry has been a professor on mysticism, indigenous religions, myth and ritual, and ecospirituality at CUNY Hunter College.
• Fru Molnar is the founder of Forest Baths, a lifelong student of the trees, and a Certified Forest Therapy Guide with the ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides). She guides immersive nature therapy experiences throughout forests and parks of the Hudson Valley in partnership with all the "more-than-human" beings on this land, in devotion to nature and in service of the wellbeing of all.

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All bodies of all ages and all abilities are welcome for this event. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs so that we can accommodate you!

NOTES FOR ATTENDEES:

Weather Policy: In case of truly inclement/unpleasant weather, we'll email you the day beforehand with options to rebook or refund. Tentative rain date is Sunday November 17 at the same time. 

Arriving and Parking: The walk will take place at Stone Mountain Farm (310 River Rd Ext, 310 River Rd Exd, New Paltz, NY 12561). Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early to ensure you find parking and to use the restroom if needed.

What to bring/wear:

• Please come dressed comfortably and for the elements (sturdy waterproof walking shoes suggested). Wear clothes that you can move in, and that you don’t mind getting dirty!
• A light bag or backpack for your possessions to keep your hands free (optional)
• Water bottle if you like (optional)