2009 Workshops

Workshop Schedule– (click here)

The Strega Tradition – Italian Craft (Stregheria)

We’ve heard the word, but most of us don’t know much about Italian Witchcraft, or Stregheria.   In this workshop will explore questions like: What is Stregheria, traditionally and today? What kinds of daily practices would a Strega learn and do? What does Strega magic involve? Who are the Gods, and how are they worshipped? How are the Ancestors honored? Are there any similarities between Stregheria and Wicca?

Rev. Vincent Russo
Arsenic & Old Lace
http://www.arsenic.com
custserv@arsenic.com

Vinnie is an experienced Stregone (male Strega) and Chthonioi-Alexandrian Elder who learned Sicilian-American Craft from some of the best-respected Strega teachers of our time.  He is also the proprietor of Arsenic & Old Lace (http://www.arsenic.com).

The Science behind Magick

How does science and our spiritual beliefs fit together?  They are not as far apart as it seems.  The more we discover the true nature of this wonderful reality around us, the more it becomes apparent that everything is not quite what it seems.  So how does science relate to pagan beliefs and the Laws of Magick?  Come to this presentation and discover how it all connects into a fine thread of unity.

Aurielle (Judi Nazro)

Aurielle is a High School Chemistry Teacher.  She has a BS in Chemistry and M.Ed. in Secondary Education.  She follows the path of the Mystic.

Kitchen Witch Workshop

This workshop is an introduction to Kitchen Witchery. During the Kitchen Witch Workshop we will be discussing what is means to be a kitchen witch, and how to use practical spell recipes to practice your craft in an everyday way. We will also cover creating a sacred space in the kitchen including rooting, meditation, and decorating the kitchen to best please your spiritual self. We will then discuss foods, spices, and other ingredients and how to implement their innate magical properties. We will end by discussing what foods are in abundance and in season and what are the magical properties of them and how to use them in seasonal recipes.

Dawn Hunt
Cucina Aurora Kitchen Witchery
http://www.cucinaaurora.com/
Auroralyon@aol.com

Authentic Tribal Belly Dance as Goddess Spirituality

Open to women of every shape, age and ability! Munira will introduce North African tribal dance in its purest known form today. She will discuss North African dance as an embodied expression of the Goddess Tanit and learn about the symbols used in costuming, tattoos and amulets. We will learn basic isolations specific to Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, using authentic music, and learn the symbolic connections to women’s mysteries such as sexuality, birth and the protection of the sacred womb. Please wear a full skirt and lots of sacred jewelry. Bring eyeliner for body decoration and two small scarves for hand tossing.

Munira (Michele) Arista
danceinternationalstudio@yahoo.com

Munira is a professional night club performer and teacher of 26 years. She teaches belly dance at Dance Intern. Studio in Manchester and is a PhD candidate in Women’s Spirituality

George the Chandler

Hand dipped tapers.  A Hands on workshop where each attendee will have an opportunity to hand dip their own pair of candles.  Full instructions will be provided.

Cost per person (to cover supplies) is $5

George Boddie
georgethechandler@yahoo.com

Ze Old Vays Are Ze Good Vays

Since the Enlightenment, when the Western astrological tradition was broken, astrologers have struggled to understand and use a system that was no longer understood, and didn’t seem to work very well. In astrology’s recent comeback, the focus has been mostly on psychological interpretation, but it was prediction that was the focus of traditional astrology for nearly two millennia. Today, there are a handful of astrologers who are recovering these ancient traditions as they were once practiced, and a renewed focus on predicting. This workshop will present a brief history of Western astrology with special attention paid to the differences between classical/medieval vs. modern traditions. I will also (re)connect the Western Astrological Tradition to the Eastern (Hindu) Astrological Tradition. I will also explain why this is a particularly appropriate type of astrology for the pagan community. No prior astrological knowledge is necessary.

Christopher LaFond
http://www.lafond.us
http://www.celticharper.net
chris@lafond.us
Follow @astroharp on Twitter for up to the minute astro weather. http://twitter.com/astroharp

Christopher LaFond is an astrologer who works, teaches, and lectures throughout Massachusetts. He has lectured on astrological topics at both local and international conventions including the United Astrology Congress, and NCGR conferences and weekend intensives (specifically on Classical astrology). He specializes in classical and medieval astrological methods, but also includes some modern methods in his work.

Chris has worked regularly as an astrologer and psychic reader at shops on Cape Cod, as well as in the Boston area. Chris is also a Professor of Spanish at Boston College, a Druid, beekeeper, and musician who performs mainly on the Celtic Harp. He has a new CD out with his group the Pilgrim Celtic Harp Trio called Garden Concert.

Encountering Deity

This workshop will begin with a discussion of the reason that many religions and deities exist and whether there is a way to prove the existence of deity. This will be followed by a guided meditation to commune with deity / our higher selves. There will be a discussion following.

Deirdre Hebert of Pagan FM!
http://www.paganfm.com
dee@paganfm.com

Dee Hebert is the weekly host of the Pagan FM!, a Pagan-themed radio broadcast on Portsmouth Community Radio. Pagan FM! is also available as mp3 download via iTunes and is also broadcast on the Pagan Radio Network.

Conscious Communication – Align Your Mind To Your Inner Wisdom
• What do you choose to utilize everyday that directly influences your quality of life?
• Do you know you have access to it right now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
• And you have been using it, but with such limitation that its potential in serving you remains unfulfilled…
What could this be? Your LANGUAGE
We will begin by revealing a vantage point of the English Language, one that explores the energy behind the spoken word, and how your LANGUAGE is a technology ready to be utilize in a way that Inspires, Enhances and creates the environment for healing.
Together we will revisit day to day words and through a simple process of Conscious Communication empowering you to Align Your Mind To Your Inner Wisdom.
The spoken word is a gift, discover your personal truth by becoming aware of the words you choose everyday and their direct influence in your manifestation process.
Experience the method of Conscious Communication and Align Your Mind To Your Inner Wisdom.

Jack Barakitis

Introduction to Northern European Paganism

Modern Pagans who follow the Northern path (often known as Heathens) are as diverse as other pagans. This workshop will attempt to give some basic descriptions of the Gods and Goddesses of the North: like Thor and Freya, cover some of the world view, symbolism (the Runes), as well as touch on some of the major branches of Heathens today: the Troth, the Asatru, Theodish, etc.

Tchipakkan

Tchipakkan is an artist, writer, healer and eclectic pagan/heathen/rustic, quietly but openly pagan for the last 40 years. She is the author of Divine Cookies, and the Rune article series in “The Blessed Bee Pagan Family Magazine”. She practices and teaches RuneValdr and Reiki, huna healing, herbalism, along with soothsaying with runes, palmistry, tarot and other systems.

What is Ar nDriaocht Fein?

Ar nDraiocht Fein is the largest druidic organization in the country. It tries to answer the question of what it means to be a druid, one who actively worships the ancient gods, in modern society, This presentation will cover its history, culture, and liturgical style.

The Workshop Outline will follow:
Origins. Importance of use of the best information possible.
Reconstructionist or Inspirationalist?
Why we are not just Celtic, but Indo-European. The cultures that make up the Indo-European family.
What this IE focus means for who would be interested in joining.
What this IE focus means for how we do things.
Liturgical structure – Core Order of Ritual
Study Programs
Website

Ceisiwr Serith

Crystal Singing Bowl Journey

Each of us have energy centers called chakras that, when healthy, gives us more energy, keeps us balanced and improves our spiritual connection to everything around us. However, when the chakra system is unhealthy, it blocks us, causing ill health, lethargy and more.

Feel the healing of the crystal singing bowls as Bindy weaves her magick through the theraputic sounds of these beautiful bowls. Feel yourself transported to other worlds and deep spiritual levels with the tones that will connect you to your chakras, your guides and to the Divine.

Bindy Johnson

http://www.bindy.org
bindy@bindy.org

Bindy has intuitive gifts that bring peace and healingto the mind, body and soul. She works with people to help them live the lives they truly desire. The space she holds is full of love, compassion, and empowerment. For the past 17 years she has been helping people live healthier lives through full body health and wellness. She is a Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Magnified Healer, and Wholistic Fitness Coach. She studies Shamanism monthly with Steve Wilson of Aquarius Sanctuary and is learning about the benefits and practice of Classical Homeopathy which she and her family use. Bindy offers healing session in Townsend, MA where you may choose or combine Reiki, Shamanic Energy Healing, and Sound Healing. Her workshops are held at Karendyth Holistic Center in Westford MA and Aquarius Sanctuary in Littleton, MA.