The Witch's Plant Familiar,
by Christopher Penczak
Many witches are familiar with the concept of the animal familiar, the totemic animal or fetch beast, but many
witches are also allied with spirits from the plant world. The spirits of herbs, flowers and trees can act as divine
guides, protectors and tutors in magick, healing and transforming the witch. Each one has its own spiritual medicine,
that is in harmony with the witch’s work and purpose in the world. Survey many of the traditional plant allies of the
witch, including the spirits of Nightshade, Monkshood, Thorn Apple, Mandrake, Oak, Apple, Hazel, Birch, Rose,
Mugwort, Wormwood, and Angelica. Learn how to find your own plant familiar from the green world, and develop
a strong connection. 2 hours
Spirit Trance Circle ,
by Judika Illes and Christopher Penczak
Commune with the spirits of nature and the otherworld in this very special ritual presentation. Through simple
circle ritual and sacred dance, open the gates of perception and push back the veil. Through a group communion
with the spirit world in a manner similar to a seance, make contact with the allies who are right for you, from many
different realms, and partner with them. Celebrate the union of humans with spirit, and learn how to not only receive
information, but be in the spirit of reciprocity, and become an able partner to the spirits on their own journey.
Spellcasting with Plant Spirits,
by Judika Illes
A pinch of rue
A clove of garlic
A dusting of powdered roses
Deer’s tongue; eye of newt
dragon’s blood
All of the above are names of plants or products of plants. Plants are among the most prevalent spell ingredients, sources of magic and spiritual power. It’s hard to develop any kind of repertoire of spells without them but meanwhile every year more people have less contact with plants than ever before. Every year, more plants, many with profound magical uses, become extinct.
In the 21st century, how does an urban or quasi-urban person access the power of plants? Broadening the repertoire of plants that you work with, accessing and maximizing plant power is not only personally beneficial but can potentially help heal the planet, too. (Or at least save some plant species.) In this workshop we’ll discuss how to maximize our access to plants and plant spirits:
Spirits of Wild Nature,
by Judika Illes
Fairies, Vila, Rusalka, nymphs, mermaids and other spirits of wild nature are more than just characters from fairy
tales. In many cases, they were and are the subject of ancient spiritual traditions. They are not trivial spirits but
powerful deities, goddesses of birth, sex, death, justice and rebirth. What happens to these spirits when the forests
are cut down? Is it possible to honestly work with these spirits without access to wild nature? And why do so
many of these spirits have such bad reputations?
In a world rapidly becoming covered by concrete, these erotic, chaotic, defiant, vital spirits are more needed than ever. Let’s rehabilitate some reputations and take a closer look at some of these wild spirits. This is a practical workshop, which includes a guided visualization. Move beyond stories and metaphor to actually access, communicate and work with these spirits.
Mystery of the Spheres (Juggling),
by Thoron Woodling
Learn to juggle, or practice with other jugglers. Balls, pins and rings will be
provided. 1 hour
Sex and Vodou,
by Kenaz Filan
You've heard those stories about drumbeat-driven orgies and writhing native women: now learn the truth about
sexuality and Vodou. This workshop features frank discussion about exoticism, the myth of the
hot-blooded savage, marriage and concubinage in Haitian society, sexual taboos in Vodou, and other
adult topics. Adults only. 1 hour
The Voice of the Goddess,
by Miriam Benson
The oracular ritual, "The Voice of the Goddess," will again be offered by Miriam Shulameet Benson,
Thoron Woodling, and Myth Woodling. We offer you a chance to
ask any question that comes from the heart. The main warding for
this ritual is from Michael Smith's Triangle of Stillness.
Oracular Seidh, by Laurel Mendes
In Ancient Greenland, the seeress prophesied the end of a famine. Today we answer questions about everything
from getting a job to choosing a mate. Join us on a journey to Hel to help the seeress find answers in this ritual
based on the shamanistic practices of the Viking Age. 1 to 2 hours
Kids Campfire (tentative)
An old-fashioned campfire where we sing songs and share folktales and ghost stories. There
will be marshmallow roasting too.
Short Shamanic Stone Bath Sweat,
by Tyrtle
Perfect for beginners or for those who want a short, mild sweat. The gentlest heat level will carry us as we step
into our power and remember who we really are.
(length = 1 hours, plus 30-minute outdoor preparation)
(heat level = moderate)
Tyrtle--Answering the call to healing and wholeness, manifesting non-dualistic realities, and transcending gender roles are central to Tyrtle's vision. Her spiritual beliefs inform her political activism, which dates from the 1970s and includes a range of freedom, justice, and ecology movements. She calls her eclectic sweats "Stone Baths" in honor of her Anglo-Saxon/Germanic heritage. She worked sweats full-time within the Pagan community from 1995-2006 and has poured since 1996. She is authorized to teach shamanic healing by Sandra Ingerman. She has also been heavily influenced by Teachers such as Betsy Bergstrom, Michael Harner, Angeles Arrien, Starhawk, Tom Cowan, and especially her spirit guides. She has engaged Harner-method shamanism since the early 1990s and has a shamanic healing and teaching practice in the D.C. area.
Thoron Woodling--a certified public accountant for more than 20 years, Thoron knows how to juggle more than just books, and would be delighted to teach you how to make balls, pins and rings fly gracefully through the air. As a mystic with more than 30 years of experience at the art of scrying, he can also explain the quick, easy techniques of crystal scrying.
Myth Woodling, a leader in the Pagan community since the 1980's, considers herself both a skeptic and believer of occult subjects. She maintains a library of information, folklore and stories about the Goddess Aradia and related subjects at: www.aradiagoddess.com Myth has discussed urban legends and folklore on panels at science fiction conventions, and interviewed ghost hunters and skeptics for the documentary video, The Occult World of Rock Savage .