EtheraCon 2000
Classes in Alphabetical Order
Explore aerobic
exercise as a ritual process. Breathe,
focus, and invoke your own unique movements in an experience of spontaneity and
freedom. Learn techniques to transform consciousness
as a preparation to life-extending dance.
No experience necessary. Be
prepared to move your body and enjoy.
Advanced
Ritual Body Art - Alteration of Consciousness – Charles
Arnold
The alteration of
consciousness is one of the primary goals of any mystical path. The workshop
presents an alternative to other types of consciousness in that is uses only
the application of temporary ritual body art to achieve this goal. Some of the
specific designs to be discussed will include invocation of Goddess and God,
work with specific Elemental forces, and Pathworking.
Advanced
Ritual Body Art - Healing – Charles Arnold
This is a workshop is aimed at those who wish to learn
to use temporary body art as a technique, alone or combined with other
techniques, for physical and psychological healing. As such, it is focused
primarily at a professional audience though it will offer techniques which can
be used by anyone
Amulets and Wards and
Charms, OH MY! - Jane Sibley
This is a hands-on workshop in various techniques and theories
used in amulet, ward, talisman, and charm making. We will use some messy
ingredients, so please 1) sign up ahead of time so that I have enough material
and enough seats allotted, 2) bring a towel, 3) bring $5 materials fee. You may also want to take notes, so a
notebook and pen might be handy too.
You will be making several items for your own use.
Astrology and the Medicine Wheel (a "12 step" program for enlightenment) - Adam Bernstien
It doesn't
matter what sign you are, or what your moon and rising signs are either!
After all, you came from the stars, all the stars and not just one
constellation In this class I will introduce Astrology as a path of knowledge
by combining it with basic Native American teachings (and we're talking really
basic here!). You will learn about the
twelve spiritual keys, as well as how to access and use them as a tool for
growth and self-understanding. I'll also say a
few words concerning the mysterious "grand cross" and why they tend
to appear more often during millennial changes, . All levels welcome.
Bardic
Circle:
Do
you sing, recite poetry, play an instrument. Come join us in a open Bardic
Circle, sharing music and joy with the others! Hosted by Black Lotus.
Brigit -- A
Devotional Approach – Alexei Kondratiev
We will look at the fundamental
lore involving Brigit the goddess/saint and her significance within Celtic
tradition, and explore ways of developing a devotional approach to her that is
authentically Celtic.
Castle Arianrhod
- A Ritual to Empower the Magickal Self - Michael Smith
We will
travel to the Spiral Castle of Arianrhod, Star Goddess, to seek her aid in
empowering ourself as the magickal person which is the birthright of each of
us.
Ninety percent
of the world's population will die before the year 2100. That is the optimistic
estimate. (Cheer up! You probably would
have died by then anyway!) An
examination of the coming "Day of Purification" in the light of
global warming, the mechanics of polar shift, genetic manipulation, solar
flares, and the return of the White Buffalo. Traditional ethics and inter-dependence as a survival strategy.
Stretch,
breathe, and go beyond perceptual limits as you learn basic techniques of body
alignment, bio-mechanics, and muscular balance. Release tension and maximize your physical potential for joy
while increasing health. Stretch your body, lengthen your muscles, extend your
life.
Creating a Movable Gate - Charles Butler
Using a spirit diagram
similar to the Voodon Veves, we will create a keyed gate for each person to be
able to
use in their own meditations
in their homes for ritual. A larger demonstration Gate will be made for
EtheraCon for its use in balancing energies. Team taught by Charles
Butler and Kodiak Sunwatcher. One or two sessions, one for demonstration,
the other for analysis.
Dancing the Elements for
Enlightenment – Lorelei
Discover the divine
relationship between the elements (air, fire, water, earth, spirit) and
enlightenment through movement, dance and physical embodiment. Come and invoke
the elements in a new and exciting way! Experience a deep exploration of
self-discovery and innate wisdom through your own authentic movement .This
workshop will focus on strengthening your connection to the elements on a mind,
body and soul level. This experiential workshop welcomes all dance levels and
no previous experience is required. Dress in light, loose comfortable
clothing. Age 12 and over recommended, age 12 and under welcome when
accompanied by an adult.
Dancing with the Mermaid – Lorelei
An expressive arts workshop for working with Feminine
Energies This workshop is a deeper exploration of the relationship between
the element of water, female energy and ideas of enlightenment. Through
movement, music and guided imagery we will access our innermost being and reach
to integrate physical, emotional and spiritual expression of light and
lightness. By focusing on body sensations and allowing movement language to
emerge, participants discover a pathway between their conscious and
unconscious. This safe space will allow for validation and vulnerability,
connection and creativity, emptying and empowerment. This experiential workshop
welcomes all dance levels and no previous experience is required. (Class may
also be taken as a Part 2 to Dancing the Elements for Enlightenment). Dress in
light, loose comfortable clothing. Age 12 and over recommended, age 12 and
under welcome when accompanied by an adult
Dikpalas - The Lords of Space - Black Lotus
There are ten directions in the Vedic system: quarters,
cross-quarters, above and below. Each has a guardian deity - we will tell some
of their stories, and explain how to invoke them. In the school of Vastu
Shastra (a Hindu system of placement, akin to Feng Shui), their directions are
also appropriate for certain household functions. We'll discuss some of their implications.
Elder Futhark Runes - Jane Sibley
Where did the earliest runes
come from, and how were they used? What
were the earliest kinds of magic expressed in runes, and how did runic magic
evolve? These and other topics will be
presented, as well as other quirks, oddities, and interesting factoids, backed
up by slides of actual inscriptions.
Anglo-Saxon and Frisian runes will also be discussed.
Ever interact with a group mind? Sure you have... We all do it,
every day. It's a matter of how you define and perceive your interactions and
interconnectedness with others. By perceiving the group mind of any organization, religion, magickal system, or
roomful of people, you can make your interactions count in new and powerful
ways. What makes one group focused and successful, while another group is
scattered and ineffective? What makes one group full of conflict and gossip,
while another is peaceful and unified? Understanding how a group mind works is
an essential leadership skill and an important means of preserving your own
individuality in many different situations.
Gayatri - Mother of Enlightenment - Black Lotus
The Gayatri Mantra (envisioned as a five-faced, lotus-borne
Goddess), is chanted by Hindus at dawn, noon, and dusk, and offers many
physical and psychological benefits. We
will examine the methods of chanting the Gayatri, including _pranayama_ (breath
control) techniques. There are also a wide selection of "lesser
Gayatris" devoted to the various deities; we will examine these, including
versions applicable to the Horned God and Triple Mother.
Grounding 101
– Tinker
This is a basic ground and visualization techniques class. We will cover
definition of terms, the basics of psychic self defense, grounding and movement
of energy. The class uses visualization techniques.
There is much talk in magickal and spiritual circles of group
minds and group souls, but little discussion of what is actually meant. This
will class will present definitions, descriptions, and some of the esoteric
mechanisms behind things such as group minds, group, souls, egregores,
oversouls, the ancestors, patrons, etc.
The perspectives of both the Ceremonial and the Pagan branches of the Western
Magickal Tradition will be taken into consideration. The impact of these
collective consciousnesses on both individuals and their groups will also be
touched upon.
The ability to heal oneself and others are important steps on the
path to enlightenment. By utilizing candles in your healing practices you are
automatically reaping the benefits of prayer/positive affirmation, Magick, color therapy, aromatherapy and creative
visualization (to name a few). This
class will explore the "4 levels of healing", the "7 healing
energies" and how they can be accessed through candle burning. Healing by Candlelight can be used as
a powerful curative system unto itself, or as a compliment to other forms of
natural healing. This class will
include practical exercises and rituals.
All levels welcome.
Healing Body, Mind, and Soul - Marcia L. Pickands
This class teaches the need
to distinguish between healing and curing. Healing always begins at the
level of your soul. Techniques for strengthening and healing yourself as
well as others will be taught. It is suggested that students be of at
least an intermediate level.
How to Develop Your
Psychic Potential - Marcia L. Pickands
This class is designed to help students recognize that their Psychic Abilities can be developed in the same way that they learn to use their other natural human abilities. Basic exercises will be taught during this class. Marcia's newest book, PSYCHIC ABILITIES: How to Train and Use Them, presents a clearly organized course in Psychic Development which includes work with the tarot, numerology, dreams, vision questing, and communicating with the dead. All are welcome to attend this class.
Hypnosis for Megalomaniacs
- Philip H. Farber
Ever want to
start your own religion or mass movement? Whether you're a full-tilt guru
wannabe or a former follower with the will to know how your mind was warped,
you'll agree that this workshop is the ONE TRUE WAY. Learn the hypnotic secrets
of the televangelists! Perform miracles that will amaze your friends and
entrance your followers! Learn to sling total absurdity in a way that will have
them reaching for their checkbooks
Illumination and the
Celtic World – Alexei Kondratiev
What did the Celts see as
"illumination" and "enlightenment"? Did the Druids have a
doctrine that covered such a concept? We will look at stories, poems and other
traditions that are relevant to this aspect of the Celtic heritage.
Juvenile Magic –
Erik
Burch
Not necessarily
magic by, or for children, but a system of magic based on the folklore of
modern American children. Useful as a familiar, but unexploited folkloric
resource, and as a model of what is necessary for a magickal system to
function. Discussion group- any skill
level welcome
Since 1998 a cultural exchange has been underway between Peruvians and Cherokees. The Peruvians maintain that a "Shaking of the Earth" will soon herald a major change in the consciousness of the planet - or rather, of the survivors. The mountains spirits of Peru are credited with carving an eerie wonderland of stone. Join us as we travel to some of the most breathtakingly beautiful and strangely desolate landscapes on earth, second in altitude only to the Himalayas.
Lugh -- A Devotional
Approach – Alexei Kondratiev
Lugh, the trickster-god who
crosses boundaries and reconciles opposites, is honored at the time of year
that is diametrically opposite Brigit's season, and his energy provides a
creative polarity to Brigit's. We will explore devotional approaches to him
that are authentically Celtic, and underline his relation to Brigit.
During the Mongolian invasion of Europe, huge apparitions of fire breathing dragons were commonly seen menacingly hovering over the attacking Mongol hordes. During the Spanish American war, the Moros of the southern Philippines, armed with only swords and spears were said to "run amok", killing scores of enemy soldiers, even after receiving dozens of deadly .38 caliber bullets! (the .45 caliber was implemented shortly there after). Martial Art is a magickal path unto itself, thus making it one of the best adjunctive training programs for the serious student of magick. For this class we will learn a few simple "power stretches", some dance like movements (dancing too is rooted in Martial Arts), and basic forms and applications. The theme will be: connecting with the elements thru movement. Open to all levels,. wear loose and comfortable clothing.
The Magick Squares And Sigil Magick - Ivo Domínguez
In the most
mundane terms, the Magick Squares are a grid of numbers in which the totals
of the rows, columns, and major
diagonals equal the same number. At
first glance this may seem an interesting mathematical curiosity, and nothing
more. In truth, the Magick Squares show the underlying unity of numbers and letters with the powers
of creation. In them we see
concentrated essences arranged in a
grid that symbolically shows the interplay between the forces and forms that
make up the manifest universe. The Squares are not only tools for practical
magick, they are sources for inspiration. The Squares themselves or the various
figures and sigils that can be derived
through them can be used like mandalas
for meditation. This workshop
introduces the Squares and suggest practical ways to use them.
The Mayan
Calendar, Embodiment of Fate (beginners) - Marty Pickands
The fundamentals
of the ancient Mayan calendar and its use in divination are explained in a
simple and understandable way, revealing the mechanism and inspiration behind
one of the most powerful divinatory systems in the history of mankind. Find out what will happen in the year 2012!
New Temple of Astarte Outer Court Ritual –
Charles Arnold
Relating Sacred Sexual
philosophy to an existing group, this seminar examines the various practices
under the heading of Sacred Sexuality as practiced by this group. The New
Temple of Astarte was founded to reestablish the worship of Astarte, the
Phoenician Goddess of love, beauty and pleasure. Though a mystical and
initiatory organization, the NTA provides a wide variety of information to the
Pagan public.
Norseworking
- Jane Sibley:
A
high-level, high-energy circle in the Norse tradition. Come fed, rested and ON
TIME!!! The circle will start promptly, and once we begin, the doors will be
sealed and guarded. This means no "potty" breaks; only in
the case of a true emergency will anyone be able to leave the circle once it is
cast. We will be doing healing, charging major items, experimental magic,
and whatever else needs doing. You MUST have either taken Tinker’s grounding
class this year, or in previous years to attend. This goes for everybody,
no matter how advanced you are.
Omen Hunting - Tom Cowan
Ways to find and
interpret omens for yourself and others based on traditional Celtic practices.
Our Childrens'
World - Marty Pickands
All of us are
here because we want to make the world a better place for ourselves, and most
of us because we want to make it a better and more meaningful place for those
who come after us to live in. How do we
go about that?
Pagans in Recovery.- Kodiak Sunwatcher
Reaching out to sober drunks
who walk the Pagan path. Offered as many times as there are drunks who
want to get sober
Painting with the
Mermaid – Lorelei
An expressive arts workshop for working with Feminine Engeries. In this workshop participants will be guided through breathwork, progressive muscle relaxation, guided meditation, music and water color painting. We will seek to visit the water world of the mermaid. This quieting, calming workshop will provide an opportunity to understand enlightenment simply by pairing the movements of your hand with the colors of water on paper. The safe space will allow for spontaneity and sensuality, rapture and reflection, dreams and delight. This experiential workshop welcomes all painting levels and absolutely no previous experience is required. This class is not recommended for age 12 and under.
A Ritual of New
Identity: A Rite of Leaving the Old and Claiming the New - Michael Smith
A presentation
of a Qabalistic ritual designed to aid in freeing oneself from the bonds of a
previous mode of thinking and believing and claiming the new that is now and to
be in the future. Many on the Wiccan or Neo-Pagan paths come to our new Way
from other, more main stream religions. This ritual allows an individual (or a
group working for an individual) to eliminate parts from their old philosophies
that no longer serve them, keep and honor those things from the past that
continue to serve them, and ask for new patterns to help them grow into the
future. Due to the intimate nature of the ritual, it will not be performed as
part of this workshop, only presented and discussed. Level: Intermediate
Sacred Sexuality and Breathing - Energy Creation – Charles Arnold
This workshop may be presented on a variety of levels, from novices, fully clothed and working alone, to advanced couples and groups working skyclad. The basic focus is on how various types can be used to raise, balance and lower energy levels used in the practice of Sacred Sexuality.
Sacred Sexuality - Couples Work in Postures and
Elements: (at all three levels) –
Charles Arnold
An advanced workshop for adults in a clothing free environment where couples will experience the power and attunements achievable through specific sexual postures. As with the previous workshop, we will journey through the elemental realms and bring back with us the amazing transformations such a journey entails.
Scrying - Tinker
A
Practical Class. A discussion and practicum of Scrying, Channeling and
"Semi" automatic writing. Props to bring in you have them – a dark
colored shiny flatish thing (like a scrying mirror), dar vessel to put water in
(like a scrying bowl), a clear rock with some internal flaws, WRITING TOOL AND
PAPER. Please no small children, we will be doing meditative type practices.
Shields, Auras, and
Shieldwalking - Charles Butler
Learning to perceive through basic visualizations where one's
shields are, how to strengthen or diminish them when necessary, and using this
knowledge to heal, strengthen, and shield others. Team taught by
Charles Butler and Kodiak Sunwatcher. Those with knowledge of chakras,
auras, or astrology will find this class most useful.
Spiritual Power - Marcia L. Pickands
This class emphasizes that it is possible to by psychically strong while being spiritually weak. The need for spiritual growth and development through a direct relationship with Divinity is explained. One method of Divination will be discussed during this class and several pitfalls along the way to a relationship with Deity are exposed. All are welcome.
Sweat Lodge for
Pagans - Michael Smith
More and more
pagans have the opportunity to participate in sweat lodges of all kinds and at
many different types of events. But very little is given on the background,
etiquette, and structure of sweat lodge. And very few are the opportunities to
learn why and how it works. This class will talk about the known and suspected
origins of lodge, how a person should behave at other people¹s lodges, how to
tell of a lodge will be safe or not, and how the lodge impacts on a person¹s
mind, body, spirit and energy. Level - Basic
Techniques for Focusing Group Divination And Visioning - Ivo Domínguez
Divinatory techniques are generally a combination of three broad
approaches: tools & systems;
psychic methods; magick & ritual.
The proportion of the combination varies with the method used. Through
the exposition of theory and experiential exercises, this workshop offers ways
to work as a group in doing divination, visioning, or psychic work. Rather than
simply comparing impressions after a group working‹ the techniques covered in
this workshop allow for the blending of talents to increase the quality, quantity,
and clarity of perceptions.
The Transformation Tarot
and Elemental Magic. - Charles Butler
Using a tool like the Tarot
for transformative magic and pathworking is sometimes challenging. The
paths of the Tree of Life have been used by Kaballistic magicians for many
years. In this alternative Tarot deck, the paths being walked are the
five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, with the trumps being the
paths between them, similar to the 22 paths of the Tree of Life. We will
explore several of these paths through pathworkings appropriate to selected
journeys, with pointers on creating your own visualizations. Team taught
by Charles Butler and Feather Jerome. One or two sessions, one for
discussion, the second for pathworking.
Visualization Calesthenics - Tinker
A wake-up your creative
centers, a series of short visualization exercises
What's My
Mantra? - Black Lotus
Mantras are
words of power, spoken in the ancient Sanskrit language. Most mantras require at least 108 repetitions,
and so are counted on a string of 108 beads called a "mala." We will discuss Hindu and Tibetan mantras
that require no special initiation, the effects of chanting them, and the use
of various malas to facilitate their meditational and magical effects.
Y1K: Apocalypse Then - Jane Sibley
A thousand years ago, some folks were sure that the sky would fall, the Last Trump sound, the world come to an end, and the Messiah come and judge Mankind. Others went on with business as usual. In this class, we shall have a detailed look at the world during the year 1000.
AND MANY MORE!!!!!