Chesapeake Pagan Community
2008 Summer Gathering
Workshops

Shamanic Witchcraft: Walking Between the Worlds, by Christopher Penczak
Join author Christopher Penczak in a hands on exploration of the role of the witch and the shaman in tradition and modern culture. Both are walkers between the worlds, seers of spirits, medicine workers and community healers. Survey the history of European witchcraft, and how it's practices echo those of native shamans, including the use of flying ointments, familiars, crossing the hedge, faery roads and the misconceptions of the Witch's Sabbat as recorded by the witch trail inquisitors. Discuss modern core shamanic techniques and how they apply to contemporary witchcraft. Through drumming journey, unlock your power to explore the other worlds, to not only walk the crossroads of the witch, but eventually become the crossroads, an agent of magick and change in the world. 2 hours

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:

We will discuss the pros and cons of working with living plants versus dried plants, essential oils and flower essences (all plant products). No green thumb or gardening skills required whatsoever.

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)

Notes About Workshop Presenters

Miriam Benson has led sweat ceremonies locally, for nearly ten years and offers oracular ritual as the Voice of the Goddess. Dedicated spiritually to world peace, she uses the name Shulameet, derived from 'shalom', the Hebrew word for peace. She was initiated as a 3rd degree Gardnerian priestess in 1982 and continues in the lineage of the Protean tradition. She is also a self-styled Discordian adept who laughs at anything authoritarian. We all need a break, now and zen.

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 .

Schedule

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