The Sacred Space Conference is the premier annual esoteric conference on the East Coast for intermediate to advanced practitioners. Each year our featured teachers and a host of highly qualified regional teachers offer a wide variety of workshops and rituals developed for a more advanced audience.
The 2025 Sacred Space Conference is slated for Thursday, March 27th, through Sunday, March 30th, at the Sheraton Baltimore North hotel in Towson, MD. Workshop and Ritual Proposals will be accepted starting in summer of 2024. Please stay tuned to our website and social media for notifications.
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SACRED SPACE 2024 FEATURED TEACHERS
Laura Tempest Zakroff (she/they) is a professional artist, author, performer, and Modern Traditional Witch based in New England. She holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and her artwork has received awards and honors worldwide. Her work embodies myth and the esoteric through her drawings and paintings, jewelry, talismans, and other designs. Laura is the author of several bestselling Llewellyn books including Weave the Liminal, Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy, and Anatomy of a Witch, as well as the artist and author of the Anatomy of a Witch Oracle and The Liminal Spirits Oracle. Laura edited The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance and the Gorgon’s Guide to Magical Resistance from Revelore Press. Laura is the creative force behind several community events and teaches workshops online and worldwide. Visit her at www.LauraTempestZakroff.com.
Jason Mankey Jason Mankey is a third-degree Gardnerian High Priest, and prolific Witchcraft author (nine books and counting). A bit of a nomad in his younger years, Jason has lived in both the Midwest and the American South, and currently resides in California’s Silicon Valley, where he helps run two local covens with his wife Ari. A giant history nerd, Jason is especially intrigued by the history of the Horned God, Witch and magickal history, and occult influences in rock and roll. Jason regularly lectures and leads rituals at Pagan and Witchcraft in both North America and the United Kingdom.
HONORED GUESTS
Aeptha is a teacher, ceremonialist and cosmic mediator who has worked, taught and studied with an array of teachers and fellow students on the Path for decades. Aeptha’s name was bestowed on her by her late Master Teacher Shakmah Winddrum and in ancient Tibet meant, “She who loves the Sun”. Through seventeen years of training and initiations, Shakmah taught Aeptha the esoteric mysteries of Solomonic Magick, in addition to Western and African traditions. Aeptha resides in North Carolina where she teaches and initiates through Light Haven, a contacted mystery school. While she works with many inner level contacts her primary indwelling contact for her school is through the Solar Mystery tradition. Her current work includes being the Magus of Light Havens’ Magickal Lodge, teaching, consulting and spiritual counseling. She brings to her work a unique and powerful mixture of esoteric knowledge, ecstatic ceremony, hands-on practical teaching and access to Inner Level Contacts and guidance. Throughout the years Aeptha has taught at conferences that include Between the Worlds, Sacred Space, PantheaCon, Convocation and Paganicon. Aeptha has a B.A in Sociology and a Master’s in Human Development and Learning. She lives with her beloved husband and Priest Eushahn as well as her latest group of rescued dogs tucked away in the mountains.
H. Byron Ballard, BA, MFA (Asheville, NC) is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist, and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at several festivals and conferences, including the Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Starwood, Hexfest and many others. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on “Wyrd Mountain Gals.” Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Find her online at www.myvillagewitch.com.
Amy Blackthorn is the award-winning author of the best-selling Blackthorn’s Botanicals Series. She has been described as an “arcane horticulturalist” for her lifelong work with magical plants and teaching. She incorporates her experiences in British Traditional Witchcraft with her horticulture studies. She has a certification in aromatherapy and is ordained through the Order of the Golden Gryphon. Amy’s company, Blackthorns Botanicals, creates tea based on magical associations. She has appeared on HuffPoLive, Netflix’s Top Ten Secrets and Mysteries & the AP Newswire. Amy lives in Delaware. You can view Amy’s tea shop at BlackthornsBotancials.com.
Ivo Domínguez, Jr. has been active in Wicca and the Pagan community since 1978, has been teaching since 1982. Ivo was a founding member, and a past High Priest, of Keepers of the Holly Chalice, the first coven of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel a Wiccan Tradition. He currently serves as one of the Elders of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, a Wiccan syncretic tradition that draws inspiration from Astrology, Qabala, the Western Magickal Tradition and the folk religions of Europe. His techniques and insights are rooted in a synthesis of traditional metaphysical teachings, modern science, and memories from past lives.
Ivo has been published in numerous periodicals and is the author of Keys To Perception: A Practical Guide to Psychic Development, Practical Astrology for Witches and Pagans: Using the Planets and the Stars for Effective Spellwork, Rituals, and Magickal Work; Casting Sacred Space: The Core Of All Magickal Work; Spirit Speak: Knowing and Understanding Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Ghosts, Angels, and the Divine; Beneath the Skins. There are several other books in the pipeline as well. www.ivodominguezjr.com
Diana Paxson is a prolific author of fiction and of seminal magickal, Pagan, and Heathen works. She is an
elder in the Troth and founder of the Hrafnar kindred, which was born out of her work in recovering the ancient oracular practices of the Seidhr. Diana’s work on Runes, Asatru, trance, and oracular work have all broken new and important ground and are conveyed through her books, Taking up the Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic (Weiser Books), Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism (Citadel), Trance-Portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World (Weiser), and The Way of the Oracle: Recovering the Practices of the Past to Find Answers for Today (Weiser), Essential Guide to Possession, Depossession, and Divine Relationships (Weiser), and Odin: Ecstasy, Runes and Norse Magic (Weiser). www.diana-paxson.com
Jhenah Telyndru (MA, Celtic Studies) is a Celticist, author, and priestess who has devoted her life to exploring the spiritual and mythic traditions of Wales and the Iron Age Celtic tribes of Britain and Gaul. She founded the Sisterhood of Avalon in 1995, and serves as Academic Dean of the Avalonian Thealogical Seminary. Her published work includes: “Avalon Within” (Llewellyn, 2010), “The Avalonian Oracle” (Schiffer, 2016), “Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” (Moon Books, 2018), “The Mythic Moons of Avalon” (Llewellyn, 2019), “Blodeuwedd: Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty” (Moon Books, 2021), and “The Ninefold Way of Avalon: Walking the Path of the Priestess” (Llewellyn 2023). Jhenah hosts residential training retreats around North America and the UK, presents internationally at conferences and festivals, teaches online workshops and immersion programs, and facilitates pilgrimages to sacred sites in the British Isles. A priestess in the Avalonian Tradition for over 35 years, Jhenah has been following a Pagan path since 1986.
PRESENTERS
In 2004, Dr. Carla-Elaine Johnson joined the Pagan community as Clio Ajana. She began service as Hieria for the House of Our Lady of Celestial Fire (EOCTO) in 2012. Her devotion and service in both Baltic Heathenry and Hellenic Alexandrian Witchcraft & Spiritual Tradition service includes prison ministry (2014), writing as a columnist for The Wild Hunt (2017), Death Eldercare/Death Midwifery (2017),Romuva (Baltic Heathenry) (2018), and psychopomp workings (2022). Current interests include theurgy, an exploration of cronehood, caregiving and death work, spiritual memoir on POC journey, and divinatory exploration of numerology, astrology, and tarot. Clio Ajana considers everything in her life to be touched by and guided by the Gods.
Priestess, Oracle, Ritualist, and Muse, Lady Jesamyn Angelica has been practicing Witchcraft since she was dedicated to the Goddess at age 13. Now in her Queen Season, she is High Priestess of Sisterhood of the Moon, a matriarchal Goddess Tradition and community for *all* located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jesamyn brings her joie de vivre, humor, and wit to all she does, combining these qualities with foundational skills in leadership, communication, and magick cultivated over three decades. As Alchemical Guide of The Women’s Mystery School of Magick & Empowerment, Jesamyn is dedicated to empowering *all* women through truth-speaking, authenticity, and self-exploration. You can learn more at SisterhoodoftheMoon.org, study directly with her at WomensMysterySchool.com, and connect on Instagram @magickandempowerment.
Enfys J. Book (they/them) is ??the author of the Gold COVR award-winning “Queer Qabala: Nonbinary, Genderfluid, Omnisexual Mysticism & Magick”; co-author (with Ivo Dominguez, Jr.) of the forthcoming “Sagittarius Witch”; and author of a forthcoming book on queer rites of passage (Llewellyn, TBD). They are a nonbinary, bisexual clergy member within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, and the High Priest of the Fellowship of the Ancient White Stag coven in Frederick, MD. They are also the creator of majorarqueerna.com, a website devoted to queer magickal practice, and host a podcast called “4 Quick Q’s: Book Talk with Enfys,” where they interview pagan authors using questions determined by a roll of the dice.
Debbie Chapnick is a publisher, writer, teacher and tarot reader based in New York City & New Jersey She began studying the Faery Tradition with RJ Stewart in 1990 and later with Orion Foxwood. She also studied Hermetics and Kaballah with Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki since 1999. She is a 2nd degree initiate of the Servants of the Light School of Occult Science, and is currently working with Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki on the Anthologies of Occult Wisdom, a series of books that bring to light historical and previously unpublished occult works by Ms Nowicki, W.E. Butler, and Gareth Knight, to name a few. Debbie Chapnick is the owner of Datura Press, and the author of the Tarot Tip Sheet and the tarot cook book The Journey of the Food.
Chelidon
Chelidon is a passionate lifetime lover of the bardic arts, including the skills of word, rhythm, story, and song. He believes that we each carry unique tales—in sharing stories through voice, music, drum, ritual, or other Art, we listen and learn from our ancestors, and add our own delicious richness to the Great Tale of which we are all a part. He is a sometime heretical trickster and an acolyte of the power of paradox and the wisdom of cunning foolishness. His other loves include World Tree Lyceum, the online Mystery School he has co-founded, his Mythospheria magical shop, history and mythology, herbalism, brewing and alchemy, and art crafted with trees, metal, stone, words, chocolate, or pixels. Most of all, he believes that the universe is quite literally made of love.
Danielle Dionne is a psychic medium, witch, herbalist, homesteader, and author of Magickal Mediumship. She is a High Priestess in the Temple of Witchcraft Tradition, serving as Scorpio Deputy Minister for death and dying, sacred sexuality, and ancestral connections. Danielle runs Seed and Sickle, an online space where she offers psychic and mediumship sessions, herbalism consultations, mentorship, and consultation on death care support and living with chronic illness. She lives in southern NH at Crossroads Farm, a spirited homestead raising heritage breed livestock. She enjoys connecting with those, like herself, who are magickal practitioners living with chronic illness.
Helena Domenic is an artist, writer, educator, and witch with over 30 years of experience in the Neo-Pagan community. She is currently an Associate Professor of Art at Kutztown University where she teaches drawing. She also teaches Neo-Pagan classes and workshops and hosts rituals in the Chester County, PA area and has an art studio in Phoenixville, PA. Helena is the author of An Illuminated Guide to Wicca, and The Fellowship of the Fool tarot deck and book.
Athena is a Wiccan, Witch, Urglaawer, and Pagan; an Elder with Strangers’ Gate Coven and an apprentice in the Guild of Urglaawe Practitioners of Braucherei and Hexerei. She is a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator, host of Blogtalk, LIVING LABYRINTHS, and host online Labyrinth Walks. As creatrix of Walkers of the Labyrinth, Athena makes transformative temporary labyrinths for events and workshops within the tri-state area. When not facilitating, being a part-time artist, or making labyrinths, Athena’s muse crafts pagan and ritual jewelry for her Etsy online shop, E A R T H S ENERGIES. She is a certified Mindfulness and Soundbath practitioner. Athena has received the call and blessings from Hekate to work with her whenever in need of anything.
Raven is a queer British Witch, teacher, facilitator, artist and writer who dwells in the magical landscape of Somerset, UK. They have an ongoing, passionate love affair with the natural world. They see their work in the world as that of building connections, with self, with each other, within community, with deity and with all seen and unseen beings. Raven has spent many years learning from the land and listening to its voice; it’s beings, stories, gods and spirits. Though their work they hope to guide others to open to deeper connections of their own. They are a collector of unconsidered trifles, an Ogham geek, Peacock devotee, and a tree-loving polytheist and the artist behind Greenwomancrafts & Mythospheria.
Robin Fennelly is an Elder within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as HPs. of Coven of the Mystic Path. Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in Eastern philosophy, Egyptian High Alchemy and the Western Magickal systems that form a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice. As a teacher of magickal studies she incorporates Energetic Anatomy, Hermetic Qabalah, Astrology, Egyptian High Alchemy, Planetary/Star Magick and more as the foundations of the diverse selection of workshops she has taught throughout the Pagan community for more than 25 years. Robin is a prolific writer and has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing to enhance the concepts presented. www.robinfennelly.com
Laylla co-hosts the “Back on the Broomstick” podcast and teaches Earth spirituality, focusing on energy work, meditation, and ritual craft to nurture inner magic and personal transformation. An eclectic witch, she follows a path that blends Wiccan heritage, Celtic traditions, and a heathen spirit. With certifications in hypnotherapy and past life regression, coupled with over 30 years of experience as a Tarot reader, meditation coach, and cannabis activist, she weaves her skills to help others along their magical path. She is a founding member of Circle Amaurot and serves as an ordained priestess in her community leading rites of passage, organizing festivals, and as an active member of the Circle of the Green coven. Instagram and Facebook: BackontheBroomstick
As the Weathered Wiseman, Dave is descended from over five generations of folk whose lives were steeped in the magic and mystery of the Appalachian Mountains. Early in his career he studied theology and became an ordained minister, then his true calling brought him home to his roots and to embracing the magickal arts in Appalachian Folk and Nature Magic. With over thirty years devoted to his Craft, he is wise in the ways of animal magick, emotional and spiritual healing (with special focus on the masculine spirit), bone-throwing, intuitive readings, and ancestral workings.
Ash Glasse
Ash Glasse (they/them) is the Gothar (PriestX) of Elk Ridge Kindred, an inclusive Heathen Kindred based in western Maryland where they design and lead both public and private Heathen rituals. Ash’s main focus in Heathenry is to create Heathen spaces where anyone that feels the pull of the Norse gods can feel welcome regardless of race, sexuality, ability, or identity. They are active in the Frederick Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick CUUPS group where they lead rituals and teach classes, and can usually be found practicing “spirituality through moving chairs” when prepping for the large rituals that FCUUPS hosts. Ash is a member of pagan folk band Kindred Crow. They play guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, and drums. Ash can be found at many mid-Atlantic pagan gatherings teaching classes and performing.
Irene Glasse is a Heathen witch based in Western Maryland. She is a longtime teacher of witchcraft, meditation, and magic in the mid-Atlantic. She is the co-author of “Blackfeather Mystery School: The Magpie Training” (Dragon Alchemy, 2022), a contributing writer of “Gemini Witch: Unlock the Magic of Your Sun Sign” and “Llewellyn’s 2024 Sabbats Almanac” (Llewellyn Worldwide, 2023), and a blogger and columnist. Irene has performed, taught workshops, and led rituals at many festivals and conferences over the years. She is the main organizer of the Frederick Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (Frederick CUUPS), offering events, rituals, classes and workshops to a large, vibrant community.
Nathan M Hall
Nathan M Hall is an author, animist and practicing witch who resides in the historic lands of the Jeaga people in South Florida. His book Path of the Moonlit Hedge is available from Llewellyn Worldwide and explores how to create a better relationship with yourself, your environment and the spirits of your land. He is an initiate of the Henbane line of the Anderson Feri Tradition and member of the Temple of Witchcraft. You can find him online at moonlithedge.com.
Yasmin Henkesh is an internationally acclaimed belly dancer, music producer, master dance instructor and author specialized in ancient Egypt, the Jinn, Egyptian trance dancing and other forms of kinetic meditation and spirit communication based in movement.
Cameron “Siggi” Hollister
Cameron “Siggi” Hollister (they/them) is a proud autistic, intersex, and non-binary Heathen. They founded, and now co-lead, a Kindred in North Carolina and serve on the administrative team of the Triangle Area Pagan Alliance in North Carolina. Cameron wants nothing more than to live their life in such a way as to do the most good for the most people possible, and absolutely shatter stereotypes about what a devotee to Odin looks like while doing so. They are hopeful that they will soon begin a PhD program in Germanic Studies.
Diotima Mantineia began studying astrology with Zoltan Mason in 1969 and has been practicing professionally since 1990. She is the author of Touch the Earth, Kiss the Sky: Allowing the Rational Mind to Welcome Magic and Spirituality, and co-author of Aries Witch: Unlock the Magic of Your Sun Sign with Ivo Dominguez, Jr. Her passion for science led her to a degree in soil and crop science as well as graduate work in the field. She has broad, multicultural training in various styles of magic and shamanism. Her spiritual path is rooted in the Western Mystery Traditions, the principles of Yoga, and a profound connection with the natural world. Visit her at www.UraniasWell.com.
Sara Mastros, author of Orphic Hymns Grimoire, The Big Book of Magical Incense, and The Sorcery of Solomon: A Guide to the 44 Pentacles of the Magician King, is Pittsburgh’s leading Witch for Hire. She teaches tarot, witchcraft, Greek and Near Eastern mythology, Pan-Levantine folk magic, and practical sorcery online and at festivals all over the east coast. She’s also a co-owner of the Fool’s Dog family of tarot, lenormand, and oracle apps! You can check in on her courses and lessons at WitchLessons.com, sign up for her newsletter at MastrosZealot.com, or follow all her witchy shenanigans on facebook at Facebook.com/Sara.Mastros
J.R. Mascaro is an author, artist, and sorcerer who has been working with energy and communicating with the subtle realm since childhood. He has used his ritual practice to navigate through life, and it is his desire to share with others the techniques which have helped him to flourish. J.R. holds a B.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Anthropology of Religion and is a member of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.
Wendy Mata, the founder of Bruja Power Botanica, is a dedicated guide on the path to reclaiming one’s inner power. She firmly believes that awakened individuals possess the potential to drive transformative change in the world. Wendy’s journey as a Lunar Priestess includes receiving initiation in Mayan Shamanism in Yucatan, Mexico, and honing her skills in Curanderismo and Brujeria, passed down through generations within her family. Additionally, she holds the titles of Reiki Master Teacher and Advanced Pranic Healer. Her quest for knowledge has taken her across the globe, where she graduated from the Feng Shui Master class under the tutelage of Lilian Too in Malaysia and completed studies in Leadership and Coaching at Erickson College in Canada. Wendy has also delved into Energy Healing, the Human Mind, and Co-Creation through immersive experiences in China, India, Finland, Brazil, Indonesia, and The Netherlands. Before fully embracing her path as a witch, Wendy contributed her expertise to the world of technology development, specializing in cybersecurity and digital forensic products and services.
Katrina Messenger is a poet, priestess, warrior and witch. Katrina is a full time Wiccan mystic and an ordained minister.Katrina has studied mythology, esoteric sciences and human development for over thirty years. She is an elder in her community and a recognized leader and teacher worldwide.
Ron Padrón (he/him/his) is a gay Cuban-American folk witch from the swamps of Florida now living in the mid-Atlantic with his husband and their small cryptid dog. He has been a member of the pagan community for two decades with specific interests in divination, Queer Ancestor veneration and necromancy, hedge witchery, and spiritual activism. He is the creator of White Rose Witching through which he manages a blog sharing Queer Ancestor Spotlights and rituals, and hosts workshops across a variety of topics. He has presented at gatherings such as the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival, Hallowed Homecoming, Free Spirit Gathering, and as a guest speaker for local pagan groups, historic sites, and small museums discussing colonial witchcraft and queer history.
Solomon Pakal
Solomon Pakal is a devotee of indigenous Mayan magic by way of Kaqchikel Maya roots from Guatemala. Solomon is a practitioner of 21 years, former US Army Officer with a Bachelor’s in History, personal trainer, active MMA fighter, combat sports analyst, writer, and tarot reader.
Leanne Pemburn
Leanne Pemburn is a 3rd degree initiate of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, High Priestess of Keepers of the Holly Chalice, Water of Water, in the Circle of Pisces. She
has been on a Wiccan path since 1996, and pours water in sweat lodge in the Assembly Wiccan 5 parts of Self protocol, since 2000. She is an artist, Mother of Critters, risk manager, professional problem solver and manifester of visions. With her dear life partner Mark, she stewards the most beautiful forest in the land, and keeps the sanctuary at Faerewood in the hills of northern Maryland.
Angela Pote
Angela Pote is a priestess of the Temple of Witchcraft, dedicated to the practice of her craft since 2006. She is a seer, healer, and heathen, with a focus on the intersection of trauma and neurodivergence. Angela is also an academic currently working towards a Ph.D. in international psychology. She is a licensed therapist and owns her own practice in Pennsylvania, where she concentrates on helping her clients develop a life that is balanced, focusing on mental, physical, spiritual, social, and emotional aspects.
Angela Raincatcher is a spirit-led visual artist living and working in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. Consciously pagan since the late 1980s and a priestess and community organizer since the early 2000s, Angela is currently the Convener of the public ritual group Connect DC, the creator of the North American Animal Wisdom Oracle, and the host of the Polytheism Today podcast. Angela’s canvas and studio are the crossroads and sacred circle where the physical meets the spiritual to create manifest forms of beauty, healing, and transformation.
Gwendolyn Reece
Gwendolyn Reece is a Witch, Philhellene, friend of the Theoi, Theosophist, and seeker of wisdom who has been practicing since the mid-1980s. Gwendolyn is devoted to Apollon and Athena and serves Them within the nation’s capital as the high priestess of Theophania Temple, a coven of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel. She is a national teacher for the Theosophical Society in America and a graduate of the Gryphons Grove School of Shamanism. Gwendolyn is on the faculty of American University and, in addition to her work as a practitioner, conducts academic research on Contemporary Paganism. She is the author of The Waters of Mnemosyne: Ancient Greek Religion for Modern Pagans, forthcoming from Llewellyn.
Samphire Savage, MSW, (they/y’all/any) is a queer witch, swamp hag, somatic experiencing practitioner, and hopepunk pleasure activist on a journey of exploring all the messy, fascinating, and wild aspects of embodiment. A semi-nomadic artist, activist and community builder, Sam designs containers for transformation through play, curiosity and intensity. Sex nerd, researcher, game designer, author, and believer in doing impossible things before breakfast. Horse girl, cat uncle, and puppy pack-mate, Sam’s favorite role to their human and non-human companions is Friend. Sam has facilitated rituals and workshops for over a decade, and is a contributing author to Queer Magic: Power Beyond Boundaries among other works.
Holli is an Alexandrian Witch, Professional Animal Communicator and Pet Loss Grief Counselor. Within all of these practices comes the core values of compassion, understanding and dignity for everyone and all species.
Ann Sheffield (“Gróa”)
Ann Sheffield (“Gróa”) has been Heathen since the 1990’s and currently serves as the Director of Education and Publications for the Troth, an international organization promoting and supporting inclusive Heathenry. She is also a member of Whispering Lake Grove in Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF Druidry). Author of two books, Frey, God of the World and Long Branches: Runes of the Younger Futhark, Gróa has taught at multiple Heathen and Pagan venues including Between the Worlds/Sacred Space, ConVocation, and Sirius Rising. She is an active scholar in the field of Norse Studies and has taught Viking Age and early English history at the collegiate level. Gróa holds an MA in Medieval and Renaissance Literary Studies and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry.
Ariel Malachi Sirocco
Ariel Malachi Sirocco is an Integrative Hermeticist following the Corpus Hermetica and related writings with an academic
background in biology (Q.C.) and 15 years with the American Museum of Natural History. Ariel has been a practicing occultist since 1983; initiated as a Priest of the Minoan Temple, Inc. of New York in 1998 and The Temple of the Spiral Path-NYC in 2004. In 2006 he started Coven Quiddity (2006) which grew into the Akashic Temple (2009). In 2007, he joined the Masonic fraternity reaching Master Mason in 2008 and in 2012 became a 32-Degree. In 2017, Ariel became the Worshipful Master of Union Lodge No.5 in Stamford, Ct. In 2015, Ariel was granted charter from the Ordo Templi Astartes
Sarah Sirocco
Sarah is a Witch of 25 years whose relationship with the Gods began in the mountains of West Virginia. Finding hidden dwellings of Spirit while running barefoot through the creeks and worshiping the Moon. Her focus is devotional and worship of the Gods through facilitating group ritual and betterment of Self. Sarah has been a part of the NYC Pagan Community for the last 10 years, beginning her journey with the Novices of the Old Ways under Courtney Weber. Ordained as a Priestess of Hekate in NOW, she has run several circles in the NYC area, in addition to other collaborative community efforts. Her personal practice is a blend of Hellenismos, folk magick, and respect for those Here and There.
Renee (she/her) pulls on her history with opiate and alcohol addiction, domestic violence survival, chronic pain and trauma experiences to connect with those in her classes through relatable shared experiences and compassion. She holds multiple certifications in a variety of healing modalities to best serve her clients including a 500 hr CYT with focus and certifications in adaptive, trauma aware, inclusive yoga and somatic movement for all ages. Renee is an energy worker, level 1 reiki practitioner and shadow walker. She helps clients move through shadow work and into finding and accepting their whole selves.
Michael G Smith
Michael Smith has been practicing Wicca, Magick, and various esoteric disciplines since 1989 and became active in the Pagan community in 1993 when he joined the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, a Wiccan organization in the Mid-Atlantic region. He serves as an Elder of the ASW, responsible for the many covens of the Tradition and is heavily involved with the Tradition’s New Alexandrian Library. He is inspired by his studies of astrology, Qabalah, ritual, and the Fae. He lives in southern Delaware and is one of the stewards of Seelie Court, 100 acres of Pagan-owned land dedicated to the growth of the Pagan paths.
Strangers’ Gate Coven (SGC) is led by Athena, Nanci, and Ruthann. Established in 2001 in NYC, we are urban Pagans/Wiccans/Witches in a tradition that connects us with the ancient energies of our spiritual Ancestors and the Earth’s elemental essences via Sabbats, Esbats, and other magical Works, primarily with the Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman pantheons. We have taken to invoking the Power of Three in many of our rituals by calling upon the Divine Androgyne as well as a God and Goddess. We are Elders who continue to expand our knowledge through study and practice while teaching classes and co-facilitating open rituals. Arts including singing, songwriting, storytelling, crafting, and labyrinth walking are integral to our SGC Tradition.
BJ Swain
BJ Swain is the author of Living Spirits: A Guide to Magic in a World of Spirits, Luminarium: A Grimoire of Cunning Conjuration, Familiar Unto Me: Witches Sorcerers and Their Spirit Companions. He was a contributing editor for Heaven and Hell 2018: The Grimoire Issue, and has had essays published in the devotional anthology for Persephone, Queen of the Sacred Way, and the short story collection, Tales of the Darkening Year. He runs the website, The Unveiled Sky, and the blog Glory of the Stars, and hosted the podcast, In the Company of Stars. He has been practicing magic for approximately 30 years.
Ursa Sylvest
Ursa Sylvest (they/them) is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, UUCF Board Trustee at Large, Candidate for the UUA Commissioned Lay Minister program, and board member of the Frederick Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.
Ursa was first exposed to the idea of polytheism as a child in Iwakuni, Japan, where they would frequently participate in local Shinto and Buddhist rituals. Ursa has been a practicing Heathen since 2010, and is an Elder and Founding Member of Elk Ridge Kindred, an inclusive Heathen group based out of Frederick, MD. Ursa is also a member of the Potomac Seidr Guild, which teaches and practices a type of pre-Christian divinatory Scandinavian magic.
Thealandrah
Thealandrah is a pagan priestess drawn to the archetypal energies of the Ancient Egyptian pantheon who once participated in a private evening ritual in the Great Pyramid of Giza. She has been a member of Light Haven, a contacted mystery school in North Carolina, studying with Aeptha since its inception, 30 years ago. Initiated into the Solomonic tradition by Shakmah Winddrum and Aeptha, she is now an adept, Mahceptress and High Priestess of the lodge. In this role she teaches, mentors, does ritual work and provides sanctuary guardianship including magickal tool creation and care. She is the lodge historian and record keeper. Thealandrah is a panpsychist, mystic, ceremonialist, and artist privileged to live in the mountains among tree friends and that guy she’s been joyously traipsing through time with, Abbathoniah. She is happiest when creating and following her curiosity.
Sam (Bo) Thompson is the owner of Raven’s Keep Forge, a magical primitive smithy in the Foothills of NC. He has been a practicing pagan since the 90’s and is a past VP and President of Triad CUUPs (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans). During the years he has become a Reiki Master Teacher and a certified Great Life Coach. He learned Primitive Blacksmithing Around 2012 and took to it like a duck to water. He currently teaches both weekend workshops on Primitive Blacksmithing and the practice of Magical Blacksmithing. The focal point of his Work is teaching people how to incorporate metal magic into their daily practice. He is currently a full-time magical smith and ships commissioned Work all over the world. Being a Priest of the Morrigan heavily influences what he does, and the smithy is dedicated to Her. Sam is also a proud Army Veteran.
Velahtar
Velahtar grew up on a horse farm just outside Elk Neck State Park and spent most of his childhood wandering through the woods and exploring nature. The inherent balance of nature is what inspired him to seek out a spirituality that matched his observations of the wilderness. In 1996 he began exploring the Wiccan religion as a solitary practitioner. Velahtar is currently initiated and an active participant in Light Havens’ Magickal Lodge. He was a 2nd degree acting high-priest in the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel and coven member of Fellowship of the Ancient White Stag coven in the Silver Spring, MD area. Velahtar graduated from the inaugural class of Gryphons Grove School of Shamanism (located in Silver Spring, MD) in 2012. Velahtar has been a board member of the Sacred Space Foundation, a Mid-Atlantic esoteric conference, for over 15 years. Velahtar’s extensive education in the sciences of math, physics, and animal husbandry continually inform and expand his innate spirituality. His experience leads him to no longer see a line between spirit and science; they are intertwined. Velahtar’s specialization in energy work and creation of sacred space is from combining numerous geometric and physical theories with energy/chi work. This work is useful during his shamanic work as the Guardian/Ward for Gryphons Grove. Velahtar also uses these skills professionally when working on house clearings\warding.
Chelle has been practicing Witchcraft for over 30 years, Co-founder of a Circle Amaurot, featured in the book “Where to park your Broomstick – A Teens Guide to Witchcraft”. Chelle specializes in spell crafting, tarot, herb magic and scent magic and shares her expertise through workshops, seminars, and co-hosting the podcast: Back on the Broomstick. She is a trusted voice in the Pagan community, inspiring others with her deep understanding of magic and divination. Chelle is an Ordained Priestess, Certified Reiki Master, Master Scent Crafter and Tarot reader. Instagram and Facebook: BackontheBroomstick
James (Jim) Welch, is High Priest of Troupe of the Starry Door, a coven of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel. He is one of the founding members of the ASW and has been active in the Wiccan/Pagan community since 1981. He was the chair of the committee that wrote the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel’s code of ethics and the conductor for the ASW chants. He is a Waterpourer trained by Shevierah Stonewater and conducts Sweat ceremonies using Wiccan protocols. Jim practices a variety of forms of healing touch and healing ritual and is certified in Holistic Nursing. Jim is one of the stewards of Seelie Court, 102 acres of wooded land in Southern Delaware.
John Weller has been studying magic and the occult for 25 years. In that time he has been a member of and built connections with groups in the witchcraft, druidic, western ceremonial, shamanic and other traditions. He lives in Maryland and is a professional diviner.
Ann White is a long-time member of the local Pagan community, retired Federal employee, and jewelry designer. She is the former secretary of the Free Spirit Alliance. She was originally trained as a Gardnerian Wiccan, but uses an eclectic variety of modalities in her practice. She is a graduate of the Gryphon’s Grove School of Shamanic Studies, and is a member of Theophania Temple of Athena and Apollon, an Assembly of the Sacred Wheel coven in Washington, DC. She is also the part-owner of The Fool’s Dog tarot app, and Annie’s Blessed Bead, a jewelry store that sells both Pagan and mundane items. Ann, along with her husband John, is well-known within the local science fiction community as an excellent discussion panel leader. She has panels at Shore Leave, Far Point, AwesomeCon, and Station Unity.