Butterfly Labyrinth
Facilitator: Etsi Doyi Astarte

In this workshop, we will explore the concept of labyrinths. We shall also look into the history and mythology, and discuss the different types available. Prior to entering the spiral labyrinth, we will perform a meditation focusing on the ideas of chrysalis. When you emerge from the Labyrinth, You can fully feel your own wings flex and butterfly soaring within You.

Down to Earth: The Power of Grounding
Facilitator: Heather

In this workshop we will explore the importance in staying grounded in our Magical and mundane experiences. We will work actively with energy to work with ways to achieve flow and balance in our day to day lives. All that is required is you and the willingness to show up. I hope you will join me!

Finding God in the Mirror
Facilitator: Miles Batty

Many people new to paganism are re-examining their relationship with the divine, and sometimes find themselves questioning their own validity as spiritual beings.

In this though-provoking and interactive exercise, Miles will show you how to find the divine spark, both within and without, by asking the questions, "What do the God needs from me"? and "What am I supposed to do now?" The answers are sometimes as close as your own reflection.

Numerology of the Qabalah
Facilitator: Aaron

In this workshop we will be exploring the numerology of the Qabalah and how it connects to numerology in the tarot. We will overview the meanings of the sephiroh and the paths on the Tree of Life in connection to the tarot. This workshop will include hands on exercises allowing participants to explore these relationships. This is an intermediate level workshop. Participants should have a basic understanding of tarot. Familiarity with the Tree of Life would be helpful, but not required. Please bring your tarot deck if you have one.

The Horned Gods
Facilitator: Dick Merritt

There are several gods, demi-gods and anti-gods who wear horns. They range from the Horned One of Neo-Paganism to the Christian Devil and his predecessors. We will look at characteristics and images of several. I am particularly fond of the Greek god Pan. Bring your favorite.

The Red Tent Temple
Facilitator: Etsi Doyi Astarte

Red Tent temple is a time for You to come in and celebrate your menses and understand The Power of the Blood for Maidens, Mothers, and Crones. There will be music, teas and healthy soups that are all good for menses and circulatory system and we will talk and sing about The Power of the Blood.

Astro-Yoga
Facilitator: Heidi

Astro-Yoga is a unique twist to both yoga and astrology. This class is a chance to learn about the zodiac while engaging in basic yogic moves associated with each of the twelve signs. It is light yoga with stretches, balance techniques, meditation and visualization to help guide you to a better, healthier lifestyle. It also incorporates, Qi Gong, Tai Chi and ritual movements. Bring a mat or blanket and comfortable clothing for this two hour class where you can experience through movement each of the twelve zodiacal signs and their basic meanings.

Dancing with Yourself: Intro to Trance Movement
Facilitator: Persephone

Do you ever have trouble trying to sit still and focus? Are you looking for ways to bring creativity and self-expression into your personal practice? Movement meditation is an age-old tradition with the power to unlock new insights, perspectives and states of being.

In this intro-level workshop, participants will begin to work through the fears and inhibitions that hold us back from moving freely, even when we're alone. We'll practice basic trance movement exercises to get comfortable with the concepts of ritual movement. And we'll learn a bit about the history of movement meditation and trance dancing in various cultures, and how we can apply those learnings to our own practice.

Aromatherapy in Magick
Facilitator: Violet Grimm

Ever smelled a certain flower or herb, and suddenly you are overcome with a memory or emotion? In this workshop, we will explore the use of scent in magick, and the effects of scent on our perceptions and feelings.

Developing a Healthy Disrespect for God
Facilitator: Miles Batty

Are we born to live in humble servitude to the Gods? Have you ever wanted to tell your boss to kiss off? Do we have the right to grow as spiritual beings? Can you show disrespect to the Gods and still love them?

In this irreverent, laughter-filled exercise, we will be examining our divine relationship, and asking some questions you normally don't hear when discussing religion.

Warning: During the workshop, occasional profanity WILL be used. If this offends you, kindly F*** off.

I-Ching
Facilitator: Trance

The I-Ching is known as the Book of Changes. The I-Ching is a tool for divination and transformation. When stuck in a difficult place the I-Ching can help you see your way out of it. Symbols are created from combinations of Yin and Yang forces. These are not opposites, but instead are complimentary parts of the whole. In this workshop we will explore Yin and Yang as energy forms and to create hexagrams for divination. No experience necessary. Beginners to advanced practitioners welcome..

 Deeper in the Labyrinth: Techniques and Applications for Trance Movement
Facilitator: Persephone

Interested in taking your movement practice to the next level? Took the "Dancing With Your Self" workshop and eager for more? Join us for "Deeper In The Labyrinth," a more intense session of trance dancing and movement meditation techniques.

In this session, we'll talk about techniques for adapting our trance movement work to a ritual setting, either individually or in a group. We'll work on turning the magic of movement towards a specific personal intention. And we'll use a variety of music and traditional and spontaneous movements to build on our shared energy and create a deep trance state, shaped by the intentions and inspirations of workshop participants.

This session is open to everyone who completed "Dancing With Your Self" OR has a background in dance or ritual movement. While everyone is welcome, please be advised that we're going to be working with intense movement in a deep trance state, and it may be difficult to find a "stopping point" if you are someone who sometimes needs to stop and take a breather for medical, mental or emotional reasons. Please use your judgment. Wear comfortable clothes that you can move freely in, and please bring a towel or mat if you have one.

 

Who We Are:

Etsi Doyi Astarte is a Priestess of Wicca. I have been the CEO of Sisterhood Is Powerful, Inc for 7 years. This is an organization that empowers women to be survivors. I ,also, host Rotating Open Circles. I run an Earth Scout Program and an Owl's Nest Alternate Spirituality Library complete with Story ladies and we hold monthly red Tent Temple's and monthly Pagan Meetups and Workshops. I am ,also, the Bishop of the Church of the Seven Planes , an Interfaith Church, where Pagans and Christians work together to enlighten the world spiritually. I have been holding Women's Retreats for 3 years and we have had some amazing results. It is my priviledge to serve within reason our women and children.

Heather is a Reclaiming Witch who is an intuitive reader, group facilitator, and Reiki healer whose years of experience include Tarot reading, designing rituals, Taoist meditation, and guided meditation. Her services as a Priestess, reader, healer, and teacher are heavily influenced by her experiences with the Reclaiming tradition to provide opportunities for growth and transformation by empowering individuals to embrace their Authentic Selves. She enjoys pointing out the magic in the mundane by bringing awareness to our Spiritual natures through our human experiences.

Violet Grimm has lived in North Carolina for most of her life, since the age of 4. She grew up in the back woods area, where she spent most of her time among trees and wildlife. Violet learned about paganism at age 13, and practiced mostly solitary, but she occasionally rides her broom out of the closet to join in community fun like Winter Quest and Spring Quest. She lives with 3 cats, 1 Betta named Captain Sassy Britches, her best friend, her husband and a whole lot of books. Violet is an arts and crafts witch, always wanting to dish up some hocus-pocus with her hands.

Dick Merritt grew into paganism through the influence of eco-feminist spirituality in the 80's. He has been a member of CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) since its inception and is currently an officer of the continental organization. He characterizes himself as a Joseph Campbell pagan because of his conviction that religion is metaphor. A techno-pagan, he enjoys frequent rituals and purification ceremonies. He has been going around the wheel of the year for a long time. He uses his agricultural background in his understanding of life.

Miles Batty  has been active in pagan communities, in Maryland, Colorado and North Carolina, since 1985. He is a retired Coven High Priest, coordinator for Charlotte's Pagan Pride Day from 2007 to 2010, and director of Carolina Grove, a pagan social community based in Concord. Miles has published two books on Witchcraft, with more on the way. He is British, speaks with a mild stutter, and is dangerously addicted to puns. .

Aaron has been practicing metaphysics for the past ten years. He has been studying the Qabalah. and reading tarot for several years now. He is member a local pagan circle and does readings for people in the pagan community.

Trance has spent three years studying the I-Ching and has now returned to it as her meditation focus. She works with ReiKi and QiGong. She has been active in the pagan community for fifteen years and is a member of a local pagan group. She is a third degree priestess and second degree ReiKi practitioner.

Heidi has been teaching basic astrology for three years. Heidi has completed the 2.5 year course of classes offered at Astrology Et Al in Seattle, WA which was taught by Laura Nalbandian, a board member at Kepler College of Astrological Arts & Sciences. As a result, she has developed a keen sense of knowledge and awareness about people and their needs. Heidi practices Karmic/Evolutionary Astrology; a branch dealing with the overall journey of the soul from lifetime to lifetime. She also attends Law of Attraction workshops and owns an incense business for which she invented the “Incense Shape”, a unique way to burn a herb coated ritual symbol as an offering or focus point of meditation.

Persephone is a belly dancer with several years of studio and performance experience, trained by world-class dancers and dance scholars in Washington, DC. Dance has always been a form of emotional catharsis and self-expression for her, but since she began her Eclectic Pagan practice it has taken on another level of personal significance. Her background is mostly in Egyptian-style dance, but she has also studied a variety of styles including modern and postmodern dance, Indonesian classical dance, Bharatanatyam, Uzbek folk dance, and the ritual dances of Persia and North Africa. She also has a background in yoga, which is an essential part of her everyday practice. Persephone now performs and teaches in Raleigh and the surrounding area. You can learn more at her website, www.raleighbellydance.com.