Lee Harrington August Newsletter - Summer, Ponies and Projects
Welcome to the heat of the summer my beautiful friends, allies and passionate souls!
Here in Alaska we are experiencing beautiful blue skies and my raspberries are going crazy. I'm making salads from my garden for the second summer in a row, which as someone who lived in apartments most of my life is a big deal. I've even been traveling a bit locally, heading down to Cooper Landing for a storytelling event. There is a soft smile on my face as locals talk about how hot it is, memories of Arizona still emblazoned on my heart. Carrying a gallon of water to ride on public transport for doctors appointments or to see friends, my shoes trying to melt onto the sidewalk.My bags are packed for this coming weekend. Where am I going? The EQUUS International Pony Play Conference! I'll be teaching about making your own pony tack out of rope, and pony handling.What is pony play? It is a form of erotic expression or personal creativity where a person takes on the persona of a horse or pony (or a unicorn, donkey, etc). Through costumes, scenarios and props, the individuals involved have a chance to explore everything from silly sex play to serious character immersion, sensual connection to de-humanization, fetish desires to power exchange dynamics. Whether dipping your hoof in for an evening, or choosing to “own” a pony all your own, pony play can give you a chance to be something more that human for a while. Pony play should not be confused with bestiality as it involves interactions between consenting adults.
At the pony play conference there will be show ponies, pony training, work horses, pony-riding (2-legged and 4-legged), grooming... and who knows, maybe pony "breeding" ;) Ponies often have their own persona names (my current one is "Cupcake the Unicorn"), and their "handlers" come in all types as well. People can enjoy owning a pony, training them, going to the "petting zoo," or just playing dress-up in western or English riding costumes. Either way, it can be a way to dress up, have fun, enjoy a persona (or a core part of your authentic self), and whinny your way to a good time.Once the conference is done, I'm going to head off to Disney Land with my sweetheart before boogieing back to work on a few writing projects that I am hip-deep in. There are projects on energy, power exchange and even one on gender right now under way which I am excited about, and my poetry book "On Starry Thighs: Sensual and Sacred Poetry" comes out next month!
For those who had not heard, my 11 state October tour is shaping up. From October 1st-17th I will be teaching and traveling in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. You heard right, 11 states in 16 days! I am so excited to get to be coming out to venues that often don't get traveling education, and you can keep an eye out on my upcoming appearances page as the tour evolves. I'm already confirmed for Iowa Leather Weekend, Sex Down South, and more.In the meantime, I have been interviewing some amazing folks over on the Passion and Soul Podcast. Last week I talked to Xochiquetzal about race, authenticity and being "seen" in erotic spaces and earlier in July talked with S.J. Tucker about music, community and coming from the heart. Every 2 weeks I come out with more conversations and personal reflections on a diversity of topics of sexuality, spirituality, personal power, sexiness and growth... so stay tuned for some of the awesome guests and projects coming up.I hope you all have a beautiful summer!Yours in Passion and Soul,Lee Harringtonhttp://www.PassionAndSoul.com