Paganicon 2016

What is Local Magic? How would it work in a city, a backyard, a forest, a farm? Inspired by living in the Southern Hemisphere, Jane Meredith’s book ‘Circle of Eight’ explores a dynamic Paganism grounded entirely in place. What if the East wasn't just a direction, but a place you could visit? What happens when we rediscover Paganism, earth-centred religion, from the ground up? This talk and discussion will cover the underlying theory of Local Magic, learnings from the Southern Hemisphere and Australian Paganism, the Circle of Eight structure and how to begin working the Circle of Eight anywhere.

In this workshop, participants will get to know who Santa Muere is; Her origin, her purpose, the significance of the colored robes. Participants will learn how to create an altar for her. Participants will also walk away with a make and take. They will create una vela prepareda (a loaded candle) to being their journey in honoring Santisima Muerte.

The Iron Pentacle is a magical tool for balancing and reclaiming the essential human attributes of Sex, Pride, Self, Power and Passion. It can be worked with energetically, within the body and as individual or group process. The Iron Pentacle's origins are in Feri and it is deeply loved by the Reclaiming Tradition. Trance into your origins with Sex; meet with others in shared Pride; delve into the depths of Self; practice right-sized Power and ask yourself about your Passion… This is an experiential, highly participative workshop. It is an introduction to the Iron Pentacle and no previous experience is required.

Witchcraft, in some form, has existed beyond recorded history, even if not called by that name. While men have practiced or been accused of Witchcraft, women have been the primary recipients of its cultural construction through time and across cultures. Therefore, the history of Witchcraft is the history of Women or more specifically the history of women's agency within society. In this workshop, I will talk about Witchcraft, mainly in its many modern forms, and how it has managed to embody two diametrically opposed ideas - oppression and empowerment.

In this workshop participants will be introduced to the pantheon of the Orishas; the African deities of Ifa and Santeria. Who are the Orishas? How did they survive the middle passage during slavery? How do we venerate them in the new millennium? Myths will be dispelled and knowledge on how to connect with them will be shared.

If night is as long as day, for half the year darkness greater than light, the two faces of the Goddess are Dark and Bright – what does that mean for our magical process and our lives? How do we honour the dark? In darkness lies mystery, healing and transformation. What is it like to journey into the Underworld, a place where we can take nothing with us? How do we hold space for others when they take this journey? Entering into sacred space we will travel these dark paths with each other. This is an experiential ritual. Basic ritual skills, including grounding, self-care and an awareness of trance states are pre-requisite. It is not suitable for children.

Witches have been featured in movies since the invention of the moving camera. But their appearance and roles have changed over time from clown-like comedians to horrific monsters; from wild women to counter-culture teens. In this talk, Heather Greene, managing editor of The Wild Hunt, will share an overview of witch representations from 1908 to modern day. Heather has a masters degree in film history and criticism with an emphasis on 20th Century Hollywood cinema. Her previous work includes, "Producing the Princess Collection: An historical look at the animation of a Disney heroine," "Politics of Race in Disney's Jungle Book and Dumbo," "Hollywood Adaptations of the French Film," "Hitchcock's Rebecca" and more.