Mystic South

The Crooked Path has always been a bit twisted... a little unconventional, a little queer, right from the start. Join us for an exploration that delves into the fascinating topic of finding modern inspiration from ancient queer spirits. We will explore the connections between the Anglo-Saxon Aelfr and our modern gay Craft ancestors, shedding light on the intersection of city Elves and queer spirituality. This thought-provoking presentation will offer new perspectives on the paths available for the queer male witch to explore in today's world. Don't miss this opportunity to explore ancient customs and their relevance to modern queer spirituality.All are welcome.

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 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 Shamanismand the largely hidden and unfamiliar traditions of Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic shamanism, exploring the subtle and unique aspects of each tradition.

This comprehensive class 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 David's book "Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Shamanism."

It is said that when the Tuatha De Danann arrived on the shores of Ireland they went in the four directions to four magical cities where they learned the magic they would need. They returned to the center of the land with this magic, wisdom and a talisman for each. I have developed a magical practice with these four talismans and the magical energies they convey that is at once a devotion, an incantation and a magical working for our lives in the world. When we view the destructive forces at work in the world, we as magical practitioners can feel overwhelmed and as if our magic is useless against such forces. The Four Talismans can help us be forces for the powers of love, wisdom and truth in the world. Participants will receive background and context for this practice, and then will participate in a group experience using it.

Have you ever wondered why one ritual is so effective and another one can just leave you flat? Do you wonder what each part of the circle casting is for? Why do we do them in a specific order and what effect does each accomplish? This workshop is going to explore these questions. When we know what each part of the ritual needs to accomplish, it can make us more powerful ritual creators.

Pagan infrastructure is severely lacking, leaving us as isolated organizations connected by shared goals but divided by internal operations. While we often know about the activities of other Pagan groups, collaboration for common purposes remains rare. However, successful collective efforts, such as gaining recognition of Pagan traditions by the Department of Veterans Affairs, show what we can achieve when working together. The rise of Christian dominion theology poses a serious threat to the separation of church and state, jeopardizing the rights and freedoms of diverse religious and spiritual communities. This panel will bring representatives from various organizations and solitary practitioners and critically the audience to discuss how to unite to protect this fundamental principle. By fostering collaboration, we aim to ensure a future where the separation of church and state is preserved while supporting the growth and sustainability of both faith-based and secular Pagan communities.

Dive into one of the most important and useful building blocks of ceremonial magick: the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP). This ritual offers practitioners a powerful tool to cleanse and fortify themselves spiritually. Your magick and spiritual hygiene can be taken to the next level with proper use of this ritual. In this workshop you will learn all about this classic ritual and practical advice on how to do it. Different versions of this ritual will be explored so that you can personalize this practice to fit into your individual beliefs. The LBRP can be practiced alone or combined with other types of magick or ritual. It is a highly customizable and adaptable tool. Additionally, as part of this workshop, you will receive handouts with the basic ritual and diagrams of the pentagrams.