Delaware Valley Pagan Network

Summer Social Class Descriptions

Written by Morgan Lee Beard
Saturday, 01 July 2006
Following are the detailed class descriptions for the Summer Social Amichien Bonding By Carol Minnich Amichien Bonding is a very simple word that comes from the French "ami,” or friend, and "chien,” or dog. It is the process of learning another language ... the language of the dog. We automatically assume that since dogs live in our homes, they must be able to understand our language. Not so. Dogs are being asked to do jobs they are not suited for in a world they do not understand. In 1989. Jan Fennell (www.janfennellthedoglistener.com) was privileged to witness Monty Roberts, who is the original Horse whisperer, demonstrate his technique of "Join Up." Monty uses the horses’ own language -- Equus -- to make the horse want to be with him. Jan figured that if this could be done with horses, why not with dogs? She studied the pack behavior and language of wolves. She concluded that people and dogs live together in a pack environment. Problems occur when the dog takes over the role of Alpha, or pack leader. Amichien Bonding is a technique that will establish you as the leader of your pack. This takes the pressure off the dog and it is now able to relax and happily follow you, the Alpha. All of this is done quietly, with patience and kindness. There are no gadgets or doggie torture devices used. It is a method that encourages dogs to think for themselves and understand the consequences of their actions. Our mission as "Dog Listeners" is to bridge the communication gap between dog and owner. We want to make the world a better place for our canine friends. Carol Minnich is priestess of the Circle of the Red Horse, a Shaman and a Reiki healer. She is a graduate of Jan Fennell's Foundation Course in Basic Canine Communication and a certified dog obedience instructor. She has been invited by Jan to take the Advanced Course which will happen sometime before the end of the year. (Organizer note: You are welcome to bring your dogs to the Summer Social as long as they are kept on a leash -- park rules. If you do, please be courteous and clean up after him/her!) Building a Kick-Ass Ritual By Karen McFadden Karen McFadden covers all the elements you need to construct an effective ritual. Starting with the essential elements of any ritual, she will discuss levels of trance used in ritual; worship in ritual versus using energy for magickal workings; how to raise a cone of power; and how to add oomph to your existing rituals. Karen McFadden is the founder and high priestess of the Sacred Crossroads Coven. A third degree initiate in both the Alexandrian and Gardnerian traditions, she has seven years’ experience in designing and leading large, open ritual. Dancing the Spiral Dance By Franklin Evans Ever been in a spiral dance and didn't know what the heck to do? Does it seem awkward to you, or are you too worried about stepping on your neighbors' toes (or vice versa) to really enjoy the energy? Or, have you wanted to lead a spiral dance but weren't sure how to do it (and didn't want those crushed toes on your conscience)? Come to a dance workshop just for you! We will go over all the details, including when being on the other right foot is important (and when it doesn't matter), and experience some simple dances from the ancient traditions of the Balkan Slavs. The emphasis is on fun, but the reward is a closer and more enjoyable experience of the spiral energies. Franklin Evans is a professional folk dance instructor, with 30+ years experience teaching beginners of all ages and physical abilities. Protection and Defense (Part 1) Reversals and Counter Magick (Part 2) By Jason Miller Drawing from his book, "Protection and Reversal Magick: A Witches Defense Manual," Jason Miller (Inominandum) will present an introduction to the subject of magickal attack and defense. He will cover the possible sources of attack; the mental, physical, and evironmental symptoms of attack; daily practices that fend off attack before it begins; and basic methods of defending the person and the home. In Part 2, Miller will build on the knowledge in Part 1 and present rituals and spells aimed at reversing harm back upon a sender and discuss the ethical and technical issues associated with this work. After reversals, he will discuss the many methods of counter-magick, such as confusion, binding, and expelling rituals aimed at removing threatening parties from your life entirely. Self-Transformational Magick by Judy Self-Transformation occurs to us whether we desire it or not. We can choose to embrace it or fight it. This will be a casual discussion concerning embracing self-transformational magick. How we can use this to become who we truly are inside. This path can be frightening and can even be dangerous. It is vital that those who engage in intentional self-transformation do so in a way that is safe. Our discussion will focus on how to achieve intentional self-transformation through magick, side-effects, things to be aware of, what you need to do to be safe. I encourage everyone to attend and share their own experiences, knowledge and questions. The lecturer, Judy, has been a magickal practitioner for 15 years. She has been involved with several different traditions including Wicca and Witchcraft, Druidry, Sheya, Shamanism and the O.T.O. (Ceremonial Magick.) While these paths vary in their methods, her primary focus has always been self-transformation. She always seeks knowledge of self, and harmony within. What is Thelema: One magical practitioner’s take on this concept. by Soror ML The Greek word Thelema was originally taken up by François Rabelais in the 16th century when he wrote of the Abbey of Theleme: “In all their rule and strictest tie of their order there was but this one clause to be observed, Do What Thou Wilt.” The word, the concept, and the law was then adopted by Aleister Crowley and found voice in The Book of the Law: “Do what thou wilt….” thus embedding Thelema firmly in the Western Magical Occult tradition. The OTO is the first (and maybe the only now existing) magical organization to fully espouse the Law of Thelema. This talk is Soror ML’s personal experience of consciously living this philosophy. The philosophy of Thelema can be as freeing or as limiting as the individual can perceive it. The lecturer, Soror ML, is an initiate of the OTO and an eclectic magical practitioner with 20 years of ritual experience. Her background includes Shamanism, Hindu Tantrism, Yoga, Buddhism, Western Ceremonial Magick, Wicca, and Reiki. She is presently an active member of Thelesis Oasis, Philadelphia’s local official OTO body, and an ordained priestess of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. What is the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O)? by Howard This lecture will outline the history of the Ordo Templi Orientis from its inception to the present day. This is a magickal Order that was founded in the late 19th century by high level Freemasons that'd also been involved in Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, the Gnostic church and Eastern mystical traditions. In the early 20th century many of the Order's rituals were revamped by Aleister Crowley, who later became the Order's Outer Head. We will discuss the current practices and philosophies pursued by the Order as a whole as well some of the diverse paths individual members follow, with the primary unifying doctrine being that of "Thelema," pithily -- if enigmatically -- summed up by the phrases, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" and "Love is the law, love under will." The lecturer, Brother Howard, is the head of Thelesis Oasis, the chartered Body of the OTO in Philadelphia, a IV/Perfect Initiate initiate, and ordained Priest in the Eccelesia Gnostica Catholica, the liturgical wing of the OTO.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 July 2006 )

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