A sign leaning against a tree just as a path leads down into a Hobbit-style valley around a natural pond, past shrubs and trees and into the bushes and trees beyond informs observers to watch out for faeries. And while no one among the 25 people who participated in what has become a popular nature walk with gardener Dylan Muileboon startled one of the legendary creatures amongst the bushes, they were still entranced by what the Chippawa resident explained is a critical connection humans have with nature. “Gardens deepen our knowledge of our place in this world,” said Muileboon, as he talked about goldenrod, ragweed and plants that can be eaten.
“We are not separated from nature. We are nature.” Muileboon said nature should not be a “scary place” for people.
With only three per cent of the Niagara’s land available to diversified plant and animal life – the rest taken up by farms and development – gardening, he said, can “make the world a better place.” Muileboon was one of several “facilitators” who took part in The Magic of Human – Awareness Fair held Aug. 24 at The Promistery, an organic farm at 3428 Eleventh St.
in St. Catharines Carmyn Faye of Thorold and Welland resident Jeff Tessier are the co-creators of the second-year event, which featured wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, an ecstatic dance, a holistic and hand-made market, local food and live music. Faye and Tessier had recently returned from a sixth-month trek through Costa Rico and decided what to do next.
After the pandemic, said Tessier, both realized that people were “missing out on things that matter most in their lives.” There was no connection among individuals, and the divisions between people were only growing, said Faye. “What about the most basic fundamental things, emotions, beliefs, thoughts relationships and connecting with other people?” said Tessier.
Faye said she had “multiple images” about what this festival could be, with people reaching out to each other, with people and couples listening and talking and participating in various activities involving nature and their surroundings. Tessier said the event even prompted them to look inside themselves and overcome psychological obstacles that could have prevented it from happening. “It helps to bring your vision to life as you work through your mental blocks and your fears,” said Tessier.
“You get there one day at a time.” Tessier said an idea slowly formed to bring people they knew together to celebrate who they are and what they can communicate to the public. “It just came into fruition,” said Faye.
“It was a co-creation. Everyone in this community made it possible.” There were people they knew who were knowledgeable about mediation, yoga, multifactilitator sound healing, breathwork, outreach expression where couples “give and receive love,” along with the ecstatic dance and movement.
Why not collect them all together in a natural gathering location so they can spread what they know to other people? For instance, the first time Tessier, a life coach, mediation teacher and hypnotherapist, experienced ecstatic dance was in Thailand with about 150 people. “It’s done without any substances,” he said. “It really allows you to let go.
You come out of it in a euphoric state.” He said there are more people in Niagara “than we know” who are looking for something, a connection to other people. “They are still shy, including the facilitators,” said Tessier.
“This is one of the reasons to have this festival, for people with the knowledge, for them to show it off. “It would give them an opportunity to have a stage, to start showing what they can do,” said Tessier. They held two festivals last July and September on a farm in the Glendale of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
This is the first time they have held their event at The Promistery, he said. Muileboon has participated in all three festivals, said Tessier, and he has already made himself a reputation. “He’s been the main attraction,” said Tessier.
“When he has a garden walk, people make that their first event.” Faye said the vision for the festival’s future is even grander, with expanded wellness activities, additional vendors, and more music occurring over multiple days within a camping lifestyle environment. “We want to come collectively together to make it happen,” said Tessier.
“We just need to have the courage to make it happen.”.
