Friday:
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Through The Hidden Door To The Fae
Taught by Michael G. Smith of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel
Fairies, Faeries, the Fae, have been a source of fascination, legend, and confusion for humans throughout our time on this planet. In this class we will examine not only some of the popular (and not so popular) ideas about the nature of the Fae but also explore some new notions about their essence and their realm. We will seek a deeper understanding of the Fae in their own right and not just in relationship to humans, and walk some of the paths less taken in their realm. We will seek wyas to create and strengthen the bonds between us and them and learn how and why many of their purposes and goals are in sync with the growth of awareness and spiritual evolution of humans.
Bio:
Michael Smith has been practicing Wicca, Magick, and various esoteric disciplines since 1988. He has been active in the pagan community since 1993 when he became a member of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel (ASW), a Wiccan organization in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is an Elder of the ASW and is heavily involved with the Tradition's New Alexandrian Library.
He works extensively with the Egyptian deities in his personal practices where he uses a syncretic array of esoteric disciplines from Wicca and the Western magickal and shamanic traditions, and is inspired and sustained by his studies of Astrology, Qabalah, Ritual, and Natural Magick. He was trained as a Water Pourer by Shiverah Stonewater, and since 1995 has led sweat lodge ceremonies at Seelie Court and various pagan events. He has a B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Delaware and is also a member of the American Academy of Religions and its Contemporary Pagan Studies Group.
He lives in southern Delaware where he works, loves, and teaches, and is one of the stewards of Seelie Court, 102 acres of pagan-owned land dedicated to the growth and evolution of the pagan paths.
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Open House
Saturday:
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
The Forge God
Taught by Haeleron
Learn about The Forge God across pantheons focusing on the Greek Hephaestus. We'll focus on His history, relationships, symbols, correspondences, holy days, and working magic.
Bio:
Haeleron has been a practicing pagan since the mid 80's, and is proficient with Shamanic drumming and journey work. In 2010, he began studying witchcraft, is an initiate of The Minoan Brotherhood, and is devoted to the Forge God. He has been studying with Solar Cross' Morning Star Mystery school for the past 2+ years in Elements and Psychic Skills work.
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Heka
Taught by Aeptha of Light Haven
In Ancient Egypt, Heka was seen as a manifestation of creative energy and the magick found within living beings. Instead of understanding magick as a tool to change objective circumstance directly; we will explore how magick was aimed at altering the magician’s state of consciousness. This change in the state of consciousness makes it possible to influence the collective unconscious out of which manifestation can then occur.
Bio:
Aeptha is a High Priestess, teacher, mediator, mystic and healer. In 1993 Aeptha and her partner Eushahn opened Light Haven in Charlotte NC. Light Haven’s foundation is rooted in the Western Mystery and Ceremonial Magick Traditions. Their work includes Ritual training and the Art and Science of Magick; with additional studies that include Earth Based traditions and Shamanism.
In 1997 Light Haven moved to Tryon NC where they built a center on eighty six acres of beautiful rolling hills. Here they offer monthly open services, classes, workshops and individual consultations. Aeptha is available to teach workshops and at conferences.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Introduction to Elemental Psychology
Taught by Katrina Messenger of Reflections Mystery School
Earth, air, fire, and water - each of us interacts and functions in this world with elemental preferences that goes beyond our astrological sign or our "favorite" element. And how is our personal evolutionary journey defined by our elemental type. What is the inner conflict (Earth/Air or Fire/Water) that drives your creativity and passion? This class will review the elemental principals within both modern and ancient personality typology systems and provide an overview of Katrina Messenger's elemental psychological theories from her new book, Elemental Psychology.
Bio:
Katrina Messenger is certified as an Archetypal Pattern Analyst and Master Dream Pattern Analyst. As a Wiccan mystic, Katrina works extensively with mythology, dreams, ritual and trance as a means of self exploration, self healing and self evolution. She believes that any attempt to change the external world must be paired with the inner work of a personal spiritual practice. As a healer, teacher and priestess, she believes that everyone has a unique purpose and can walk the path of sacred vocation.
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Meet & Greet With The Four Organizations
Sunday:
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Loving a Fading Culture the Practice of Appalachian Folk Magic
Taught by Byron Ballard
The magical practice that is native to the southern Appalachian mountains is simple and effective. It has evolved over centuries from several primary influences—Scots-Irish, English, Cherokee to name a few—and is practiced by several generations of mountain natives throughout the region. Learn more about this authentic old magic with a woman who teaches it, writes about it—and does it.
Bio:
H. Byron Ballard is an Appalachian native, teacher, folklorist and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Unity Festival, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Southeast Wise Women’s Herbal Conference, Glastonbury Goddess Conference and other gatherings. Her essays feature in several anthologies, she blogs and writes a regular column for Witches and Pagans Magazine. Her book “Staubs and Ditchwater” debuted in 2012 and the companion volume “Asfidity and Mad-Stones” was published in Oct. 2015. Byron is currently at work on “Earth Works: Eight Ceremonies for a Changing Planet”. Contact her: info@myvillagewitch.com and www.myvillagewitch.com
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Pagan Consent Culture: Building Communities of Empathy and Autonomy Workshop and Book Launch
Taught by Christine Hoff Kraemer
How might a Druid understand consent? How about a Wiccan, a Thelemite, a Heathen, or a Polytheist? The PAGAN CONSENT CULTURE anthology grounds consent culture in contemporary Pagan values, stories, and practices. To build consent culture, good consent practices must be embraced by communities, not just by individuals—and consent is about much more than sexuality. Consent culture begins with the idea of autonomy, with recognizing our right to control our bodies and selves in all areas of life; and it is sustained by empathy, the ability to understand and share the emotional states of others.
In this workshop, Christine Hoff Kraemer will share some of the highlights of PAGAN CONSENT CULTURE, a new anthology from Asphodel Press. We will define consent, participate in exercises that could be used in consent culture training, and discuss how we might implement such training in our local communities. Participants will also have the opportunity to buy a copy of the book to take home (or, get the book or e-book on Lulu.com after Pantheacon!).
For more information: http://www.paganconsentculture.com/
Bio:
Christine Hoff Kraemer received a PhD in Religious and Theological Studies from Boston University. She is the parent of a high-energy toddler, an instructor in theology at Cherry Hill Seminary, a licensed massage therapist, and a practitioner of religious witchcraft. Her books include Seeking the Mystery: An Introduction to Pagan Theologies and Eros and Touch from a Pagan Perspective: Divided for Love’s Sake.
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Loving Our Monsters
Taught by Elena Rose of Solar Cross
Why do monsters matter? What do they represent in our lives? As cultural figures, religious icons, tales of terror, and staunch companions, monsters have been with us--and in us--for as long as stories have. This discussion will range from colonial history to contemporary crisis, mythology to modern bodies, looking at ways monster stories have been used to dehumanize and justify violence against various groups of people--just as they have been used as sources of identification, strength, and liberation. With a focus on the figure of Lilith as Mother of Monsters, we will explore the power and potential of monsters (and monstrous deities) in theology, devotional practice, and politics. Together, we can discover the monsters we are kin to, and the deep value in bringing them home.
Bio:
Elena Rose has distinguished herself as a writer and educator on issues of social justice, in particular the intersections of colonial history, gender diversity, and race. A board member at Solar Cross Temple, she works as an interfaith organizer in numerous communities and tours nationally as an acclaimed speaker. Her first full-length book, focused on liberatory theology of monsterhood and life at the edges, is forthcoming.
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
It's All in The Cards
Taught by Helena Domenic of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel
The term “Cartomancy” refers to the art of divination through reading cards. Most people are aware of the Tarot, but there have been other kinds of divination decks available for centuries – some more popular in the US, some more popular in Europe. In this class, we will explore some of these different kinds of decks, their uses, and how they may be used together in combination for both divination and magickal workings.
Bio:
Helena Domenic is an Elder in the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel and also currently serves as High Priestess of Chalice of the Living Stars, a coven in the Chester County, PA area. Helena was born in Italy, where she developed an eye for beauty, art and the magical early in life. An accomplished artist and seer, Helena's art has been exhibited around the United States and abroad. Her specialties are Tarot, Qabala, and Art and the Sacred, and African art. Helena is the creator of the Fellowship of the Fool Tarot and author of The Fellowship of the Fool Tarot Book, and her as yet un-named new Lenormand deck. In day to day life, Helena is an Assistant Professor of Art and Art History at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Helena has also taught at a variety of other venues, including Sacred Space and Pantheacon, among others. Her work has been published in both scholarly and Pagan journals. Helena currently lives in Chester County, Pa with her husband Sean and three ornery cats.
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
A Toast For Athena & Thoth
The New Alexandrian Library will be hosting.