Workshops

 

 

Pyromancy: A Brief History and Hands On Workshop

Presented by: Christopher Koch

Pyromancy is one of the world’s oldest forms of divination, spanning multiple cultures across time. In this class we will cover the history of Pyromancy, and some of its more prominent examples of use in various cultures. We will finish up the class by learning how to perform Pyromancy with three different common methods you can do in a safe place at home!

 

 

Holy Fire Neurographic Collaborative Art Experience!

Presented by: Barbara Thorngren

Our workshop will begin with a brief introduction to the world of Neurographic Art and its simple line drawing and coloring techniques. It is considered an evidence-based practice that is widely used in art therapy today to help transform stress. This fun, Free-form technique will focus on the element of Fire, Holy Fire. We will settle into our space by starting with a meditation and then begin drawing. There will be a collaborative aspect to our drawing which I will not explain here – I ask that you sit with the element of surprise! Absolutely no experience necessary! Come, explore and enjoy this formal, doodling experience and see how our group lights up!    ~ limit 20 attendees 

 

 

Fireseed: Jump-starting your Spiritual Working

Presented by: Douglas Cowell

When Awen and Imbas flow, our creativity blossoms and we can take on projects head on. When we are faced with the mundane tasks of life, we find the will to take them on. But what about when the Imbas isn’t flowing? When the mundane tasks can’t be surmounted? Many practitioners (and non) struggle with creative block or inability to start, continue or complete a project. A simple but powerful craft to aid the modern Druid with this is a Fire Seed. A created talisman that is forged in intent, invocation and fire. With this aid we hope to unblock the cauldrons and allow the Imbas to flow.      ~ limit 20 attendees

 

 

“Fire in the Head” – Writing and Praying with Awen

Presented by: Dean Easton

“I am the god who fashions fire in the head”, writes the ancient Irish poet Amairgin. “Pray with a good fire”, urges the Hindu Rig Veda. And Mary Oliver writes, “I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done?” We’ll look at rhythm, form, and echo, and practice awenizing sounds and senses. We’ll take Oliver’s advice and write with fire in our heads, our hearts, and our skins, in order to pay attention and be blessed. Participants will leave the workshop with drafts of several prayers/ poems/ songs, and a list of writing seeds and prompts. Bring your own favorite writing tools and surfaces. Simple writing supplies will be available.

Practical Fire Building 101

Presented by: Derek Batz

This will be a practical and hands-on workshop explaining the basics of fire building in a semi-survival scenario. The focus will be on the participants foraging for flammable material from their surroundings and starting a fire with the tools given.

While most of us enjoy watching a fire and the community that forms around it, there is sometimes a disconnect with people actually learning how to do the thing and being confident enough to do it on their own. Starting a fire in itself is not difficult but what adds elements of complication will be foraging material and the limited use of matches and a confined space to begin. It is the plan for this workshop to teach the basic skills of starting a fire.

Sacred Fire Keeping

Presented by: Kara Brom Hanks

Principles of Sacred Fire Keeping

We will be exploring the different aspects of sacred fire keeping as an eclectic spiritual practitioner. We will touch base on the personal energetic responsibility of keeping fire for groups and individually, as well as working with groups as a team. We will explore personal connections to fire and the elements that give it life in respect to keeping sacred flame. We will explore creating sacred space that encourages community building and a safe welcoming container for patrons to drop armor and connect on a deep level. All while imbuing an item that will be used in adding not only flavor, but also sacred energy for the main hearth-fire ritual.

Accessing the Deep Fire

Presented by: Sophia Kelly Shultz

Often when we think of fire, our minds go to open flames: drum circle fires, cooking fires, candle flames. When we talk about our inner fire, we often envision the “fire in the belly” which still evokes the image of the open fire. But fire goes far deeper than that, into the Earth; it lies beneath our feet, and it comes to the surface as an upwelling of creation, bringing forth new, fertile land. This workshop is a meditation, an exercise intended to assist attendees in accessing and channeling the deep-rooted creative energies of the Earth’s Deep Fire.

Children’s Workshops

Children’s program run by: Willow Hanks

Sticks and Stones: Creating and Imbuing Items with Sacred Energy for Ritual

The children will be taught how to connect with and put their energy into an item to be used in the Main ritual, while also creating an item with intention for the Saturday night rite.

 

Ritual Fire safety with Marshmallows

This activity is one in which the children will learn basic safety around a ritual fire using marshmallows, while also learning about transformation and how it connects spiritually with fire.

 

Doodling With “Fire”

Guiding the children to create a line art piece utilizing charcoal from past sacred fires. Focusing on the emotion invoked in themselves from the element to inspire their drawings.

 

Sun Salutation (Basic)

A group instruction in the basic moves of the Sun Salutation to show the Children how to connect with the energy of the sun using the ancient tradition of yoga.