A Caterpillar’s Journey through the Labyrinth with Tracy Andryc
Caterpillars go through a big change when they become butterflies! Growing up is a lot like the caterpillar’s journey. We go through a lot of change before we find our wings and fly. Finding out what changes worry us is the best way to deal with and move beyond them. We will use a labyrinth walk to meditate on change and emerge as butterflies.
Children 5-12 with a parent or guardian
Animism: Religion Without God(s) with Andras Corban-Arthen
Animism may be the oldest and most fundamental form of spirituality, considered by many to be the source from which most other religions have evolved. It is deeply rooted in the complex interrelationships of the natural world, and is still widely practiced among many indigenous peoples. In this program, we will explore the essence and practice of animism as an alternative to the dominant theistic, analytical, and urbanized religious models of Western culture.
Drumming 101 with Ellis Laureysens & Tony Barrett
We will focus on beginner drummers by teaching them drum techniques and basic rhythms. We will also touch on ways to feel confident to join in what sounds like a complex rhythm by deconstructing the way that djembe rhythms are often compiled. The rhythms taught at the workshop can then be played at the drum circle where everyone can join in.
Though this workshop is primarily geared towards djembe, all kinds of percussion instruments are welcome.
Attendees will have to bring their own djembe/percussion instrument to join.
“Journey To the Shadow Goddesses: A Musical Ritual with Jenna Greene
Join Emmy-nominated musician Jenna Greene on a guided musical journey into the realms of the Shadow Goddesses. This mystical meditation weaves together original songs, powerful archetypes, and thought-provoking words to deepen your connection with the darker parts of yourself. This connection is often called “shadow work.” Jenna perceives shadow work as both introspection and action regarding fears, blockages, harmful patterns and habits, setting boundaries, and protecting your energy.
Known for her uplifting songs and workshops on positive affirmations, you may be surprised to see Jenna presenting on the subject of shadow work. She writes, “If you’ve met me, you know that I am wild about mantras and positive psychology. But there’s much more to healing on all levels. I spent so many years focused on lightwork and affirmations that, when I came to a dark time in my life, I threw false positivity at it. Traumatic events soon followed, and my own patterns kept me from breaking free. While at The Morrigan’s Call retreat several years ago, I encountered the stories, symbols, and strength of the goddess Badb, who is an aspect of the Morrigan. This event began my passion for shadow work. I went on to study the dark goddesses Kali, Hela, and Hekate. I began to experience “lighter” goddesses, like Frigga, on a deeper, darker level. Through this work, I created songs, meditations, and daily rituals. I learned deep lessons on facing fears. This event – part guided meditation, part musical, part ritual – is an introduction to that journey. I’ve created this musical in a way where each participant gets to be the star and make this their very own empowering story.”
Hearth & Fire Spirits: Guardians of Households, and Protectors of Bloodlines with David Shi
Many cultures and spiritual traditions recognize that there are spirits who dwell in the households that can both help and harm the people who live there, such as Brownies, Domovoy, and Tomte. They may also recognize gods and deities that are petitioned to bless the hearth and home, like Brigid, Hestia, and Frigga. Many Asian cultures employ a variation of the “kitchen god” that was originally meant to bless and protect the family. While household spirits may not necessarily have a fiery aspect, it is no surprise that the hearth-based gods and spirits are all connected to fire. Within North Asian shamanic traditions, every family has its own household fire spirit, which can bless and protect the household and blood relatives.
In this class, we will broadly explore the different types of household and hearth spirits and gods. But for those who are not tied to specific cultural deities & spirits, we will also explore the generic household fire spirit, which is general enough and practical for anyone to recognize and work with even if they are not North Asian, as well as how to employ a fire ceremony to strengthen your own household.
Land Spirits with David Shi
As long as we are physical beings living on Earth, we are surrounded by land spirits. Almost all indigenous cultures acknowledge the existence of land spirits and have different levels of working with them. When offended they can become the source of great wrath and tragedy, but when honored they can bring about great blessings and fortune. For those that work with gods and otherworldly spirits, cultivating a strong relationship with land spirits can greatly enhance those practices. This class will help you understand who the land spirits are, and how you can work with them in your own practice. David will be teaching about land spirits from the North Asian shamanic context, but hopes you will find these teachings to allow for a deeper understanding that will enhance your practice.
Sacred Circle Dance with Juniper Talbot
Join together in dancing the simple, joyful and spiritual dances of the circle. Founded by members of the Findhorn Community in Scotland, Sacred Circle Dances draw on the spiritual and community-based traditional dances of many cultures. In this workshop, we will learn and dance Circle Dances that open us to the ecstatic, the meditative, the numinous and the joy of connecting to each other through the magic of the circle. These dances are simple and easily learned by all abilities. No experience or partner necessary.
Sigil Magick with John M Boye
This class is designed for those who would like to explore the purpose and methodology behind several different types of sigil designs. We will discuss bind runes, planetary cameas, compression, mantric styling, etc. We will also discuss different methods of creating, charging and destroying a sigil, as well as the use of sigils in sex magick.
Singing with Intention with Deirde Pulgram Arthen
We use our voices many hours every day for communication, for pleasure and for emotional expression. Let’s sing together and use this session to explore what it feels like to use our voices to build a container and direct power at the same time, developing tools for using the union of breath and sound as a tool to carry intention. Songs will be fairly simple and many may be familiar. All will be taught, and you do not have to consider yourself “a singer” to attend.
Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Shamanism with David Shi
What is shamanism? Where is it from? What are the requirements to become one? Anthropologists tell us that the word “shaman” derives from the Tungus language and traditions, but few people understand the full scope of what that means. In this class, we will explore the history and practice of shamanism. We will walk through the landscapes of North Asia—the region known as the “Cradle of Shamanism”—and the largely hidden and unfamiliar traditions of Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic shamanism, exploring the subtle and unique aspects of each tradition.This is a comprehensive lass that will explore:
· Indigenous spiritual and shamanic traditions and beliefs of the Turkic, Mongol, and Tungus peoples
· Broad cosmology and mythology of these shamanic cultures
· Shamanic tools used by these cultures
· Practical concepts and methods that can enhance your own practice
This class will largely draw from topics and themes from David’s new book “Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Traditions”.
Tarot Magick: Using the Cards to Manifest Change with Rhonda Alin
When you pick up a tarot deck, you hold the outlines of spellwork captured in pictures in the 78 cards. The cards show not only the hero’s journey but can also represent something like recipe cards showing the pathways to take in order to manifesting desired outcomes.
In this workshop we’ll cover:
– Working with the Major Arcana as archetypal energies invited in to support your spellwork
– Working with the Minor Arcana as action steps / functioning parts of spellwork
Tarot and our Journey to the Magickal Alchemist with Rhonda Alin
Tarot is an incredibly powerful tool for self-discovery and, when pursued, can also lead us down the road to a personal metamorphosis.
The journey of mining self for our own gold can be arduous and knowing where to begin can be challenging. First, we need to know where we are along the journey and then, we need to map the course to meet our goals.
In this workshop we will look at our journey of spiritual alchemy, from accepting the responsibility of steering the course in our own story to becoming adept at utilizing the tools available to us for our own metamorphosis.
The “Indians” of Old Europe with Andras Corban-Arthen
European paganism never died out completely – to this day, ethnic survivals of traditional pagan practices can still be found in remote areas of Eastern & Western Europe. Andras has spent over 45 years seeking out such surviving traditions, and in this program he will discuss the nature and scope of some of those practices, how they managed to survive, and the striking similarities they share with indigenous spiritualities from other parts of the world. Slides and a short video will be included.
The Bow Spread & Wildwood Tarot with Mark Ryan
Learn the strategy of the Bow Spread with the Wildwood Tarot. The Significator represents both the person asking the question and the issue itself – the Target. What is your target ? Each step of this spread deepens your understanding to the ultimate outcome… The Arrowhead, which, represents the personal intent of the reader which, aimed at the problem, becomes a powerful means by which they can come to terms with the issue at hand. What is the outcome of your flight?
The Sherwood Oracle with Mark Ryan (deck by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert.)
Following on from the worldwide success of The Wildwood Tarot, the creators of this best-selling deck have come together to create a new divinatory system.
The Sherwood Oracle, set in and around the famous home of Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, and the Merry Men, as well as otherworld beings such as the Green Lady, Herne the Hunter, and others, will share the wisdom of the ancient world with today’s seekers.
The myths behind the figure Robin Hood are universal and amongst the oldest in the world. Although the stories and ballads are medieval, they contain material from a much earlier time, including the ancient myths of the vegetation gods and the Green Man, combined with ideas of the Wildman and the almost mythic status accorded to outlaws in the Middle Ages. The world of the greenwood is a stage upon which virtually every aspect of human experience is to be found. The adventures and heroic deeds of the outlaw band, bound together in eternal fellowship, along with the adversaries they encounter, both human and magical, make their paths one that speaks to everyone who encounters them.
The new deck, illustrated by premier artist Yvonne Gilbert, will capture the myth and mystery of the wildwood for all. The Sherwood Oracle will be published by Sterling in Spring 2023.
The Occult in WW2 with Mark Ryan
Winston Churchill, while staunchly proclaiming his disinterest and disbelief in the occult, nonetheless set up his own body of advisors, experts in the field, to help counteract the German occult attack. Churchill soon approved the setting up of The London Controlling Section. Initially this was one of the agencies engaged in deception, but it soon blossomed into something more as such esoteric luminaries as Aleister Crowley, Dennis Wheatly, Ian and Peter Fleming and Col. Charles ‘Kim’ Seymour joined. These men formed a secret enclave within the LCS, devoted to using ritual magic against the Nazis.
The quest to find a practical framework for functioning occult principals and skills did not end with the deceptive subtleties and labyrinthine stratagems that framed the struggles between Churchill’s occult warriors and Himmler’s SS. These heroic efforts appear amateur and benign compared to the machinations of the later part of the 20th Century and the early years of the present age.
Unstuck Your Muck: with LB
Teaching people how to heal from chronic pain and illnesses in a workshop called “Unstuck Your Muck: 4 Ways to Un-sickify & Tap into your Health Flow.” It covers the following:
What factors keep you stuck feeling chronically unwell and in pain
How to process and release the barriers to fully embodying health
4 practical strategies to embody being well
The intention of this workshop is to help people find their power to live the healthy lives they desire and are worthy of.
Western Sex Magick with John M Boye
Given the variety of “disciplines” pertaining to this topic, we will use an eclectic approach in discussing some of the more interesting parts of sex magick and ritual. Some of the topics we will attempt to discuss are sexual alchemy, solitary practice, rituals for couples, altered states of consciousness, cultural taboos, alternative lifestyles, and the preparation & use of elixirs, oils & powders. (YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER TO ATTEND)
What Dreams May Come – understanding and unlocking your dreams With Juniper Talbot
What we dream in the dark heart of night holds significant wisdom for us. But often it is hard to unlock the kernel of truth nestled deep within the symbolic, poetic, metaphorical language of the dream. We will share dreams and learn effective methods based on the work of dream pioneer Jeremy Taylor for unpacking the layers of meaning available within. Even if you rarely remember a dream this workshop can helpful. Bring a dream or a snippet of a dream to share.
Wildcrafting 101: with Diana Byron
Learn about harvesting herbs and how to forage for them in a way that is ecologically sustainable. We will also discuss ways to dry and store herbs, and how to use them to support good health all year long. (Note: this would ideally include an herb walk on a trail within camp Cedarcrest, if possible).
“Witch Way My Friends” with John Williams
Bring your authentic magical pagan-wiccan self to this wander through the woods. We as a group of friends will interact, be affected by natural discoveries and forces around us, share what we find and its supernatural meaning, and be guided together to an unknown conclusion that will make itself known to all of us at the end of the journey. Leaders will follow and Followers shall lead.