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 are being accepted now through September 1st, 2024. Click here to learn more about submitting programming proposals.
Sacred Space 2025 Featured Teachers
Mat Auryn
T. Thorn Coyle
Mortellus
Sign up for the Sacred Space Conference newsletter here.
2025 Program Selections
MAT AURYN
Secrets of Baphomet
Join Mat Auryn for an in-depth exploration of Baphomet as illustrated by Eliphas Levi. Based partly on his book Psychic Witch, this workshop includes information that couldn’t fit into the book. We will delve into Baphomet’s historical roots and uncover the alchemical and occult secrets encoded within the image. Our journey includes a Jungian analysis, revealing the psychological and archetypal significance of Baphomet, and examines various perspectives throughout history, from its origins to modern interpretations. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to understand the enigmatic symbol of Baphomet and its impact on occultism, providing participants with a deeper appreciation of the intricate layers of meaning embedded in this iconic figure.
Experimental Magick
In this innovative workshop, you’ll discover the art of crafting highly personalized and proficient magickal techniques. We will delve into reverse engineering magickal practices from the past and present, uncovering their core principles and adapting them to suit our individual needs. Through a blend of historical analysis, an understanding of the mechanics, the observation of natural phenomena, and insights from science, participants will learn to create unique and effective magickal practices. The workshop includes guidance on conducting magickal experimentations and refining techniques through trial and error. This blend of theory and practical insights empowers participants to enhance their magickal skills and develop a deeper connection with the natural and magickal world.
Psychic Skills For Tarot
Enhance your tarot readings by integrating powerful psychic skills in this workshop based on Mat Auryn’s newest book, The Psychic Art of Tarot. Designed for all levels, this class focuses on using psychic abilities such as scrying, mediumship, remote viewing, and engaging your “clairs” during tarot readings. Participants will learn techniques for developing intuition, connecting with psychic symbols, and applying these skills during tarot sessions. Guided by Mat Auryn’s expertise, you’ll discover how to trust your psychic impressions, interpret cards with greater depth, and provide more insightful and accurate readings.
Shared Light: A Ritual for Community Healing
Join us for Shared Light, a powerful contact-directed ritual designed to bring our community together in healing and harmony. This sacred ceremony focuses on collective restoration and the sharing of positive energy. Participants will engage in guided meditations, energy work, and communal blessings to foster unity and well-being. This ritual aims to promote healing for individuals, our local community, smaller groups, and the larger pagan and magickal communities. Whether you seek personal healing or wish to contribute to the collective good, this ritual offers a profound experience of connection and transformation. Come together as we share our light and strengthen the bonds within and beyond our community.
T. THORN COYLE
Pentacle Activation: Living Our Core Truth
Each of us is imbued with the seeds of transformation, creativity, and power. We can use these inner kernels to combat the seeds of divisiveness, oppression, and greed. To help with this work, we will invoke the qualities of Sex, Love, and Commitment; Pride, Law, and Honor; Self, Knowledge, and Truth; Power, Liberty, and Strength; and Passion, Wisdom, and Compassion. With those key points swirling through our being, those who wish to may activate their personal pentacle which reverberates from earth to the cosmic realms, affecting our lives and the lives of all we touch. This magical working will open with discussion time. The doors will close fifteen minutes after the session starts.
Walking the Blade: The Power to Choose
Every moment of every day, we have a choice. How often do we recognize this ability and power? In this experiential workshop we will first discuss choice as a magical act, an act of willingness, and will. We will then confront a choice currently active in our lives. We will walk the blade between yes and no. We will balance on the tip of both/and. We will stand on the pommel and gaze down the shimmering tool, forged in fire and quenched in liquid. We will draw the blade into ourselves, to strengthen our ability to live upright and with honor in this world.
Moving with the Serpent from the Earth to the Stars: A Magical Working to Claim Our Place in the Cosmos (with Laura Tempest Zakroff)
When we know and claim our rightful place in the world, we comprehend both the gifts we offer and our duty to the world. We are all magical beings. Iron from the stars flows in our blood. We live on planet Earth, and gaze into the sky, guided by the stars. We traverse the astral planes and climb the trees of magic between the realms. By orienting ourselves here on earth, we make the first move to claim our place. Let our bodies move with Serpent energy in order to shed our skins, transform our spirits, and awaken our sovereignty. Let us move out further—together—and find our place in the cosmos, singing our own song to blend with the songs of our siblings as they take their place as well. Claim your place. Offer your gifts. This is an active magical working. The doors will be barred ten minutes into this session.
Finding Our Power: Personal and Collective Magic and the Thoughtforms We Create
In this class we will move through the Elements of Life, uncovering our strengths and weaknesses, skills and challenges, and finding the seat of our power. We will then expand this work out into our personal communities. What are the strengths and challenges our communities have around air, fire, water, and earth? What egregores are created as a result of these strengths and challenges? How do we address our place in the group body? How do we shift the spirit of the group toward one that feels healthier for all? What thoughtforms affect our personal lives? How does thought combine with energy and action to keep us stuck or manifest what we desire? Please bring paper or journal, a writing implement, and your curiosity.
MORTELLUS
The Dark Art of Raising The Dead
Join us for an intensive workshop led by esteemed author and practitioner, Mortellus, as we delve into the mysterious and misunderstood art of necromancy and explore ethical considerations and practical techniques of the ancient practice of raising the dead. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn advanced techniques from Mortellus while expanding your magical repertoire. What You’ll Learn: • History and Cultural Perspectives: Uncover the historical roots of necromancy across different cultures and traditions, from ancient rituals to modern interpretations. • Practical Techniques: Gain hands-on experience with foundational techniques for communing with spirits, invoking ancestors, and initiating contact with the deceased. • Ethical Considerations: Discuss the moral implications and responsibilities involved in working with necromantic practices, emphasizing respect, consent, and spiritual integrity. What Should You Bring? Bring along any items you prefer for note-taking. A Little Show and Tell: Mortellus will be bringing along some cooperative and consenting human remains for participants to get hands on with. Who Should Attend: This workshop is ideal for any practitioner curious about the intersection of spirituality and the afterlife. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced practitioner seeking to deepen your understanding, Mortellus provides a welcoming space for learning and growth, along with a unique blend of scholarly knowledge and practical wisdom that renders complex subjects accessible and empowering for all participants.
Building Spirit Houses For Fun and (Profit?)
Join us for an intensive workshop led by esteemed author and practitioner, Mortellus, as we delve into the mysterious and misunderstood art of necromancy and explore the ways that spirit houses can enhance your magical practice. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn advanced techniques from Mortellus while expanding your magical repertoire. What You’ll Learn: • Historical Context: An introductory discussion of foundational techniques, source texts, and how we might apply that to contemporary practice. • Practical Techniques: Whether they reside in a pocket, rest upon an altar, or take up residence in some forgotten corner of a mausoleum, we’ll dive into how spirit houses can guide, support, and gain hands-on experience with housing the dead. • But Why? Discuss the responsibilities inherent in working with spirit houses, the why, the where, and to what end. What Should You Bring? Bring along any items you prefer for note-taking. A Little Show and Tell: Mortellus will be bringing along a few cooperative and consenting spirit houses from their personal practice for participants to get hands on with. Who Should Attend: This workshop is ideal for any practitioner curious about the intersection of spirituality and the afterlife. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced practitioner seeking to deepen your understanding, Mortellus provides a welcoming space for learning and growth, along with a unique blend of scholarly knowledge and practical wisdom that renders complex subjects accessible and empowering for all participants.
Exorcism and Banishment: When Diplomacy Fails
Join us for an intensive workshop led by esteemed author and practitioner, Mortellus, as we delve into the mysterious and misunderstood art of necromancy, explore the intricacies of spiritual possession, the protocols of exorcism rituals, and practical techniques for dispelling malevolent entities. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn advanced techniques from Mortellus while expanding your magical repertoire. What You’ll Learn: • Understanding Spiritual Possession: Gain insights into the nature of spiritual possession, its manifestations across different cultures, and how to recognize signs of possession. • Exorcism Protocols: Learn the essential steps and rituals involved in conducting an exorcism, from preparation and protection to the actual rite of expulsion. • Techniques: Acquire hands-on experience with techniques such as banishing rituals, protective circles, and invoking divine or spiritual assistance to aid in exorcism. What Should You Bring? Bring along any items you prefer for note-taking, as well as any ritual instruments you may have on hand for directing energy if you’d like. A Little Show and Tell: Mortellus will be bringing along a few objects inhabited by malevolent spirits for participants to get hands on with. But don’t fret—they’re all carefully contained. Who Should Attend: This workshop is ideal for any practitioner who may find themselves engaging in spiritual warfare as well as those curious about the intersection of spirituality and the afterlife. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced practitioner seeking to deepen your understanding, Mortellus provides a welcoming space for learning and growth, along with a unique blend of scholarly knowledge and practical wisdom that renders complex subjects accessible and empowering for all participants.
Journey to the Center of The Earth: Meeting Death
Embrace the profound mysteries of life and death in this unique ritual experience with Mortellus. Explore the depths of your own existence and discover profound insights that may reshape your perspective on mortality and the journey beyond. Step into the realm of Death under the protection of esteemed author and practitioner Mortellus as they guide participants on a profound ritual journey to commune with the essence of mortality itself. What Should You Bring? Be certain to wear something loose and comfortable that is, if not ritual appropriate, at least funeral appropriate. We’ll spend some time prone, so be certain to bring a mat, blanket, or pillow along if you’d like to have one. If you have accessibility concerns, please reach out to Mortellus ahead of time for accommodations. What To Expect: During this ritual, participants will engage in a carefully crafted series of symbolic actions and guided meditation to the underworld during which you will explore transition, release, and the transformational power of confronting mortality—the very embodiment of Death. Participants are encouraged to approach the experience with openness and reverence, honoring the significance of the journey. • In-Ritual: We’ll begin with ritual preparation and the shedding of worldly attachments to ready you to face the mysteries of Death before Mortellus gently guides you into a state of near death. • Guided Meditation: Embark on a guided meditation led by Mortellus, designed to facilitate your journey into the underworld. • Communion with Death: Experience a profound encounter with Death, which can only be experienced—and never described. • A Return to Life: Be raised from the dead by Mortellus, as you return to the realms of the living. A Little Show and Tell: Mortellus will be bringing along some carbs, because this is a heavy one, and gods know we’ll all need them after this. Who Should Attend: This ritual is for anyone with an interest in spiritual exploration, seekers of wisdom in the face of mortality, and those drawn to rituals that facilitate personal growth and transformation. No prior necromantic ritual experience is necessary, all are welcome to participate with an open heart and mind.
AEPTHA
The History, Magick and Application of The Four Holy Creatures
The Four Holy Creatures in diverse expressions are rooted in traditions from Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Persia. They bear the Divine Chariot described by Ezekiel in the Tanakh. As a part of the Western Mysteries, they hold a strong presence in Hermetic Magick. These Four Beings are found in the Tree of Life. A working knowledge of them provides nuanced doorways into a greater mystery. We meet them in numerous arenas including the constellations, alchemy, tarot, the Sphinx, the cardinal directions, and the elements. These are Celestial Powers, a bridge between the unmanifest and manifest. This class will provide you with a greater understanding of who they are and how to utilize them in your work.
Ritual with the Four Holy Creatures
The four-winged hybrids described as living creatures in flight are Ezekiel’s Holy Creatures and the Egyptian and Mesopotamian Four Winds. Each can fly in all directions including to and from the heavens. They represent the totality of creative and life sustaining power. The Four Holy Creatures are the distinctive bridge between the manifest and unmanifest realms. They are the powers of the Eternal Elements and can be called upon to aid in alchemical transformation. They serve as transport and when accessed can provide a means of movement that opens the Planes of Consciousness. Come join us for this profound and uniquely Light Haven ritual.
DANIELLE DIONNE
Evidential Mediumship Development
Evidential mediumship is the ability to communicate with the spirit world to connect the dead with the living by bringing forth validating details. In this class, we will focus on development exercises and practice techniques you can use to enhance your evidential mediumship communication. Learn ways to obtain information from the spirit world and bring through compelling evidence, essence, and messages from the dead.
IVO DOMÍNGUEZ, JR.
Casting the Triangle of Stillness
This is a gentle and durable casting that is valuable in and of itself or as an adjunct to other castings or rituals. When invoked, this casting creates a triangular area of stillness wherein the effects of causality and temporal forces are greatly diminished. In relative terms, this means that the force of synchronicity is notably strengthened. It is also a supportive casting for trance states, divine embodiment, healing, and more. After explaining the underpinnings and casting protocol we will experience it.
Astral Temples, Strongholds, and Way-Stations
Many practitioners from a wide range of systems and traditions speak of using permanent or semi-permanent structures on the astral plane to do rituals or perform other tasks. Often these are called astral temples, though many are not strictly temples, but it is the most prevalent term. Some of these pieces of astral architecture have anchoring points in the physical world, but many are only moored in the astral itself. This workshop will explore the uses of these structures for individual and collective work. I will also give recommendations on how to design and construct astral temples, strongholds, and way-stations. There will also be suggestions on when, why, and how to use them. Lastly, I’ll cover how to take them down when their utility has passed.
STORM FAERYWOLF
The Rite of the Seven Jars
In a myth passed down in the Faery tradition, Melek Ta’us, the Blue God and Peacock Angel, is said to have collected his tears in seven jars and used them to extinguish the fires of Hell. Part trance journey and part ritual, we will open the Western Gate to the Dead, and then journey to the infernal dimension so that we might assist in the purification and release of those souls trapped there, as well as work to heal our own inner demons of guilt, shame, and fear. With magic and compassion, we will transform this darkness into the shining light of freedom for ourselves and the world.
The Witches’ Forge: The Warriors Will and the Iron Pentacle
Faery witches seek to refine their skills, increase their knowledge, and deepen their power. Toward this the Iron Pentacle is vital. Like a blacksmith working a forge, we use this tool to reshape, sharpen, and temper our will. As a psychic tool the Pentacle offers us a means to identify areas where we consume life force or may be leaking it away. As a ritual practice it offers a means to heal and strengthen those areas affected by imbalance or injury, thus strengthening our will and our magic.
The Thirteen Planes of Progression
The 13 Planes describe varying levels of human consciousness as they interact with the world. By aligning ourselves to each of these planes we can learn to perceive the spirits there and can enhance our psychic and spiritual abilities. We will use this traditional teaching of Faery witchcraft to traverse the planes, one by one, in order to better align ourselves to our highest nature, and also to plumb the depths of our own shadows.
ROBIN FENNELLY
The Seven Temples: The Liminal Space of Awakening Your Magick
Our magick is informed by experience, practice and the ability to integrate and use what is accumulated within our energetic and mundane bodies, and states of consciousness. There are many ways in which we are called to grow and evolve in our magick and spiritual nature, yet we often overlook the innate sacred temple of our being, the Temple of Self. Within this temple reside seven streams of magick and power that are the temples of our awakening and re-membering. These seven temples hold the power of our energetic anatomy, our connections to the cosmic realms, our psyche, and more. Actively awakening them requires that we cross the boundaries of what we believe to be true of ourselves and the relationship we have with the magick and power that is ours to claim. Topics will include: The Four Holy Creatures, our energetic anatomy, the alchemical elements, the fifth elementals, and more. This class will be highly experiential. If you have an amulet, crystal or other small object that you wish to empower, please bring it with you.
The Temple of Heka: Living Your Magick
In more modern use, the term “Heka” has come to be used as another word for “magick”, particularly if your work includes Kemetic overlays. However, to the Ancient Egyptians, Heka had multiple layers of meaning and understanding for those who actively engaged its essence. The principle of Heka flowed through every aspect of mundane/magickal experience and the deep connections of As Above, So Below informed the cosmology of their practice. Using this same intention, Spirit truly informs matter and the place within where the mundane and magickal are opened. That opening becomes the liminal space for communication and guidance from the Higher Self. This ritual uses the underpinnings of Heka as participants walk the path of the elements, claim their name of power, call forth the pranic life force, and awaken the subtle bodies that illuminate Heka within. What to bring: An amulet to empower; ritual robes (if available) and water to hydrate. Please eat lightly before the ritual.
IRENE GLASSE
Gràrvölur Seidr Ritual
Gràrvölur Seidr is a divinatory practice rooted in the lore and mythology of pre-Christian Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Scandinavia and Germanic Europe. In this divinatory ritual, participants can ask questions of our ancestors, deities, and other spirits. Seers will act as conduits to the beings sought and channel or relay answers. This new Seidr ritual is offered by a team of practitioners led by Irene and Ash Glasse.
Building Resilient Pagan Communities
Along with providing spiritual union, opportunities for magical development, and social connections, Pagan and metaphysical groups, covens, groves, and chapters face challenges from the outside. Our communities are targeted by extremist organizations seeking to recruit members and by antisocial individuals seeking power over others. Additionally, some Pagan groups use holdover practices that are inaccessible or unwelcoming to the very people we are most hoping to help. Explore tools and techniques for increasing accessibility, identifying red flags, building policies that make predation more challenging for those who seek to do harm, conflict resolution, and more.
All Levels Yoga
Connect breath, body, and spirit through movement. This class features an accessible pace of foundational yoga poses with focused guidance and alignment cues. Stretch, strengthen, and de-stress with this stabilizing, focused practice. All Levels Yoga is most accessible to people who have some basic familiarity with yoga and are able to comfortably take low lunges (lunge with one foot forward and the back knee touching the mat), tabletop, warrior two and other foundational yoga poses. Modifications to increase or decrease challenge will be offered – everyBody welcome! Some mats available for use.
KRISTOFFER HUGHES
The Biology of Belief
Join Druid and Coroner, Kristoffer Hughes on a journey to examine the intersectionality of the physical world with that of the spiritual. The 20th Century Occultist Dion Fortune once said “Before the ascent into spirit can commence, the descent into matter must be complete”, and yet often the body and physical form is neglected for the numinous experience of the spirit. In this class Hughes will guide you on a journey through the perplexing and magical world of the human body and its ability to express and manifest mystery. We will explore native teachings that speak of this intersectionality in surprising manners. Discover how your body is a vessel of expression that is something the universe is actively doing and how that wisdom can be incorporated into your spirituality.
Sacred Crossroads – Druidry and Witchcraft
It may appear on face value that Druidry and Witchcraft are two separate paths, and yet their evolution and development are inexorably and intimately connected. In this class Hughes takes you on a journey to discover where both these systems intersect, and how that intersectionality can transform the practitioner. What are the similarities between the two practises and how can elements from each one be incorporated into praxis? Who are the deities of magical practise and what inspiration can they bring to the table of Druidry and Witchcraft. Can a Druid be a Witch? Can a Witch be a Druid?
Meeting the Witch Goddess
Cerridwen: Mother of Awen, Keeper of the Cauldron, Steerer of Bards, Witch Goddess. Perhaps no other figure in Celtic mythology fits the stereotype of the modern Witch. Who is she and how do we develop a meaningful connection and relationship with Cerridwen? What is the nature of the Awen, the divine force of creativity that she directs and steers, and how do we incorporate that into our spiritual practise? What purpose does it serve? Join Druid and devotee of Cerridwen – Kristoffer Hughes, on a journey to discover her nature and virtues, followed by a devotional ritual to her which will include an invocation of the Awen itself.
J.R. MASCARO
The Invocation of the Formless Gate of Primordial Khaos
Join J.R. Mascaro in a ritual to reach through the formless gate into the undefined and infinite potentiality of unmanifest Khaos.In this ritual you will attempt to interface with will beyond thought, concept beyond language, and all pervading forces beyond ready definition. The intent of this ritual is for the celebrants to reach past preconceptions of life, magic, and reality to exist for a moment as tabula rasa upon which timelessness may project new revelations.
Binding Nothingness: Identity, Ego, and Temporality in Ritual Magic
All of our assumptions about magic are built upon the scaffolding of our assumptions about the nature of reality. In this discussion, led by J.R. Mascaro, participants will discuss ways to consciously deconstruct such assumptions that are often taken for granted in modern society. Magical goals and revelations can change when viewed through lenses of nonduality, temporal relativity, and diffuse identity. This discussion will explore those possibilities.
SARA MASTROS
The Book of Seals: Midwifing a Lost Grimoire
Sefer HaOtot (The Book of Seals) is a Hebrew language manuscript of Solomonic pentacles. The specific manuscript we’ll be talking about was written in 1729, copied from older manuscripts. To the best of our knowledge, it was never published, even in Hebrew, and certainly not in an English translation, until our project. In this workshop, we’ll teach you about the text, but we’ll also talk about our personal journey with the text, about the nature of magical translation, interpretation, and illustration, and about what it means to bring a new grimoire into the world. This class will be co-taught with Elisabeth Empyrean.
Goetia for Beginners – Conjuring the Demon Shax
Following a brief lecture on Goetia, including its history, theory, and modern practice, I will teach you how to conjure the demon Shax, about whom the Lesser Key of Solomon says “Shax is thought to be faithful and obedient, but is a great liar and will deceive the conjurer unless obliged to enter a magic triangle drawn on the floor. He will then speak marvellously and tell the truth. He knows when lies are told and uses these to teach lessons.” Together, we will oblige him to enter into a triangle, and then request him to teach us further magic. This ritual is safe, easy, and fun. There will be no explicit sexual or violent content, although demons sometimes get a little spicy, and I cannot entirely control what Shax will say. Please do not come to class intoxicated or otherwise out of your right mind.
WENDY MATA
Seven Points of Temporal Protection
Learn the powerful technique of placing circles of protection along your personal timeline, creating interlocking shields that safeguard your entire existence. Rooted in the belief that time is multidimensional, this method identifies critical junctures or ‘nodes’ in your life. Workshop Highlights: Understanding Temporal Nodes: Learn to recognize significant points in your timeline that influence your well-being. Creating Protective Circles: Master the art of reinforcing these nodes with protective energy, enhancing your resilience. Harmonizing Your Life Path: Positively influence your journey through time, ensuring a harmonious and empowered existence. Ideal for practitioners seeking advanced metaphysical techniques, this workshop equips you with tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and stability.
Energetic Cord Cutting through Curanderismo
Feeling emotionally depleted after interacting with certain people or experiencing lingering sadness and anxiety? These are signs that it’s time to cut energetic cords. These invisible bonds form between you and others, acting as channels for emotional and energetic exchange. While some cords are positive, others drain your energy and hinder well-being. In this workshop, you’ll learn the art of cutting energetic cords using Curanderismo, a Mexican spiritual healing tradition. Discover traditional techniques like limpias (spiritual cleansings) with eggs, herbs, and invocations. This workshop provides a sanctuary for those seeking to detach from unwanted emotional and spiritual attachments, fostering revitalized energetic flow, and emotional freedom.
SOLOMON PAKAL
Lords of Demonic Time: Mayan Cursed Chronology
March 25th – March 29th, 2025 is cursed! This presentation will cover the annual unholy times of the Mayan Calendar known as the Wayeb. Solomon Pakal draws from anthropological material, primary resources, and knowledge from his Maya heritage to inform audiences of the ungodly spirits that spread bad luck every year. In the coming decades the end of March will be plagued by time demons. What are they? Where do they come from? Can we defend the Sacred Space Conference from the fractured time? The Mysteries of the Mayan Calendar and Maya ceremony hold the key. Learn the wards and lore needed to fend off the Wayeb!
A Wrinkle in Time: Expelling the Curses of the Year
In order to exorcise and protect against the Wayeb— the non-Euclidean time period of the Mayan Calendar (March 25 – March 29, 2025), Solomon Pakal will lead a ritual of expulsion and replacement of temporal dimensional energies. The Mayan solar year will reach its conclusion with the arrival of these five demonic curses. With their departure, a New Year Bearer will be rung in and be petitioned for a healthy rest of the Gregorian calendar year of 2025. Using adapted practices found in modern day Guatemalan highlands and pre-Columbian primary resources, this ritual aims to keep our community safe during this shattered instant and usher in a brighter time for the road ahead. “A Wrinkle in Time” will expand practitioners’ understanding of temporal dimensionality in the craft.
GWENDOLYN REECE
Hellenic Hekate
Hekate, the Goddess of Witchcraft (Pharmaka) and the Crossroads, is one of the Great Ones most involved in the rebirth of Paganism as a magical tradition. In literature, She is first mentioned in Hesiod in the 8th century BCE and is the most important deity in the Chaldean Oracles, which were of critical importance to the Neoplatonic philosophers through the 6th century CE. This class explores Hekate from a Hellenic and Hellenistic standpoint with an emphasis on cultic practices. It includes a pathworking to encounter Hekate on the inner planes.
Hellenic Household Practice: Modern Adaptations
The central social unit of society is the household, but we are in a time in which the Oikos has taken on a different shape and form than it held in Ancient Greece. This workshop explores both ancient practice and modern adaptations to build a meaningful and relevant practice for today. Learn about the deities and spirits of the household, how to build a household shrine, and how to make a kadiskos to bless the household’s wealth. Gwendolyn will also share some reinterpreted rites to bless the household and its members, including rituals to bring spiritual meaning to life transitions. Household practice brings the sacred consciously into everyday life in ways that are both profound and transformative.
ANN SHEFFIELD (GRÓA)
Freyr: A God for Our Times
The Norse God Yngvi-Freyr has a long history. Different facets of his nature have come to the fore in different eras. Two of his aspects are especially relevant today: his emerging role as a champion of wild places and wild creatures, and his historical importance as lord of friðr, which means something like “peace that is actively cultivated and maintained.” We will discuss both of these aspects in relation to both ancient sources and modern experience. I will also share some prayers and practices for honoring and working with Freyr.
The Concept of the Self in the Pre-Christian North
Literary and archaeological evidence suggests that Heathens in the pre-Christian era understood themselves and their world in ways quite different from that of most modern Westerners. Specifically, the boundaries between many categories – male and female, human and nonhuman, body and mind, self and not-self – were perceived as far more fluid and porous than is the case in mainstream Western thought. Drawing on both historical evidence and modern anthropology, this class will explore this approach to understanding personal identity and its implications for ritual and magical practice.
BEVERLY SMITH (DOCTOR BEVERLY)
Hoodoo in the Graveyard
Working in the Graveyard with the Spirits of the Dead isn’t for the novice or the faint of heart. Rootworkers respect the Graveyard as its own kingdom. Graveyard Hoodoo is discussed – including the correct way to enter a Cemetery/Graveyard, acknowledging the Gatekeeper(s) and other Guardians of the Graveyard. Proper methods for collecting (and paying for) Graveyard dirt will be suggested, including specific times of day, admonishments and warnings, and instructions in common spiritual uses.
Sex, Romance and Glamor…Oh My! The Hoodoo Way to Attract Love, Make Friends, and Influence People!
Hoodoo for enhancing sexual attraction, finding romantic love, and placing a “glamour” on oneself to bring new love, new friends, and exciting romance into your life. Learn traditional African-American spells to attract Mr. Right (or Ms. Right Now). This presentation has something for everyone whether you want to meet new lovers, find your Soulmate, or merely wow the crowds and influence people. Whether you desire a fling, a marriage, or to be undeniably and magically attractive, this class is for YOU.
Hoodoo and the Crossroads: Conjure in the Graveyard and at the Crossroads
The Crossroads are the “Axis Mundi”, the Center of the World. This overview class will explore the human roots of the Crossroads. Doctor Beverley will discuss the spiritual and magical significance of the Crossroads and will suggest Rootwork, Ritual, and Conjure methods for working at the Crossroads. Graveyard Hoodoo is also covered – including methods for collecting graveyard dirt, times of day, warnings, and common spiritual uses.
MHARA STARLING
The Witch’s Awen: Breath, Song, and Spoken Word in Magic
Woven into Welsh tradition is the concept of ‘Awen’. It is an enchanted force which stirred the spirit of the bard, opened doorways for the Witch, and illuminated foresight for the oracles. Awen is inherently linked with breath, song, and spoken word, all of which are potent, powerful tools for the practitioner of magic. During this workshop we will explore the concept of Awen and examine methods of drawing on this force within our magical operations. Learn how to conjure Awen from the very depths and direct it with song.
Welsh Fairies and Familiar Spirits: The Intersection Between Fairy Lore and Folk Magic in Welsh Tradition
In magical communities today discussions surrounding “The Fae” can easily turn into heated discourse. During this workshop we will examine not only the traditional Fairy beliefs native to the Celtic nation that is Wales, but we will also explore the intersection between such beliefs and operative forms of magic. In Welsh tradition, the line between ‘fairy’ and ‘familiar spirit’ is sometimes blurred, and so what role should fairies play in our magical practices today?
Sarff Goch Ritual: The Power of the Red Serpent
Within Welsh folk tradition the term “Sarff/Sarffes Goch” is used to refer to the folkloric Devil. However, literally translated “Sarffes Goch” is the Red Serpent. Serpents are regarded as beings of cunning intelligence, magic, and mystery. Deeply linked with Witchcraft and forms of folk magic, the Sarff Goch acts as a representation of the serpentine currents of the Earth in contemporary forms of Witchcraft and magic. In this ritual we will draw the power of the serpent to us, and metaphorically shed our skin so as to step into an embodied sense of empowerment and security.
More Program Selections TBA