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    ~ The Earth Our Mother ~

  Anyone wishing to present a Workshop should contact the organisers.

A provisional schedule for the conference is now available.

Workshops

Presenters and Panelists

Workshops, Panels and Discussions

Social and Spiritual Ecology; a discussion
In this presentation Peter will introduce us to the concepts of social and sacred ecology, looking at the interactions between a spiritual and an ecologically aware approach to life. Social ecology is a philosophy committed to a local community of relations between humans and other species constrained by the ecological limits of local places. Ecospirituality is more about access to experience rather than concern with beliefs. This is a spirituality that is accessible through openness to reach for partnership with that which is more than I, through the apparent otherness of nature. The fusion between social ecology and sacred ecology helps to bridge the gap between the human-centredness of the social, the transcendence of the spiritual, and the disconnection from nature that is experienced in the post-industrial world. For more information see http://socialsacredecology.org/.

Does Being Pagan = Being Green? - Debate
Rather self explanatory. :) This is a discussion panel/debate looking at the relationship between green awareness and pagan spirituality.

Feasting the cycle - the slow food movement and the Wiccan Wheel of the Year
In this workshop we will be looking at the connection between what we eat and the seasonal cycle, and looking to tie in our sabbat feasts with both tradition and the land around us. We will be exploring the concepts behind the slow food revolution and eating seasonally, organically and locally as much as possible. We will share some recipes with the group, and prepare some of them to share with the group, and also for the feast that evening.

A history of Mt Franklin (making a sacred site)
Linda was a founding 'co-conspiritor' of the Mt Franklin Pagan Gathering, and shw will tell the story of its inception and growth as she remembers it, with side anecdotes, pictures, rumors and allegations.

Earth Healing Dance Workshop/Ritual
"Speech removes us from the natural language of the earth."
This workshop examines how we can use silence, gestures and movement in our rituals. It focuses on the practical use of the group mind and advanced preparation so that the rituals themselves become like a dance of power and trance. We will look at various techniques of layering energies over a central focus point with a physical change occurring that can cue energy release and trance without words. We will also look at rituals that use only movement, having no words, tools or props.

As an example of this, participants will learn a simple ritual of movement, gesture and power raising that culminates in an Earth healing. The idea behind the ritual is to open oneself to the web of the world, to its energies, to cleanse those energies through each person and then to give energy back to the land.

Wiccan Theology - A discussion
In this workshop we aim to introduce some of the more pivotal elements of Wiccan theology as expressed through published writings. We will trace the development of some key ideas,and involve the participants in a discussion of their ramifications for those who follow a Wiccan path. One area we will focus on will be to look at how this supports an environmentally friendly approach to life.

Old land to new land - moving our religion to Australia
This is a Workshop/Discussion looking at some of the issues around the practice of Wicca in Australia and how various people approach and adapt their practice of an essentially European wictcraft tradition in this very different land.

Beyond the fluffy bunny: What Teenage Witches really do
This workshop will present some of the findings from Helen Berger and Doug Ezzy's recent book "Teenage Witches" that involved 90 interviews with teenage Witches, 30 in Oz, 30 in the US, and 30 in the UK. Issues include what sort of rituals they are doing, how they get into Witchcraft, their relationship to the established Pagan community, and what I think might happen next.
Doug and Helen's book, Teenage Witches

Ancient Graeco-Roman Magic
Have you even been in love so much it hurts? For the ancient Greeks, “falling in love” was not considered to be a blessing. The experience of “eros” was perceived as a powerful involuntary attraction, felt as an invasion and described as a pathological physical and mental disturbance. No drugs could alleviate eros; the only cure for it was the possession of the beloved in person. If eros is a disease, then erotic magic - which aims at causing its target to feel reciprocal eros - is a curse. In this workshop Caroline analyses two examples of ancient Greek erotic magic: one performed by a female, the other by a male, and highlights the conceptual and physical differences between current practice and that of the ancient Greeks.

Nuit: The Emergence of the Divine
Part 1 - Nut: Whence the Star Goddess
Almost two thousand years after the closure of the Egyptian temples by the Roman Empire, an English magician receives a communiqué from an ancient Egyptian goddess, Nut (Nuit). The goddess asks him to help her unveil herself, to become in effect, her prophet. The magician – Aleister Crowley – does this by publishing “The Book of the Law”, the first chapter of which contains the voice of Nuit. Who exactly is this goddess? In part 1 of this collaborative workshop Caroline Tully will present her research on the Ancient Egyptian goddess Nut, describing her mythology, iconography and worship. She will also explain the circumstances leading to Nuit’s reappearance in the 20th century.

Part 2 - Nuit's Veil: An archetype of a witches’ coven
In part 2 of this collaborative presentation on the significance of Nuit, Tim explores the Goddess as an archetype of a contemporary witches' coven. In 2000, Tim founded a coven named ‘Nuit's Veil’. By identifying the persona of the coven with the Goddess Nuit he began exploring a new way of experiencing coven life. Tim will reveal the significance the Goddess Nuit has had upon himself and ultimately on the experience of coven work. In this informal sharing, Tim will discuss the nature of inner work as an evolution toward a new type of coven.

An Australian Wheel of the Year? A Discussion Panel
This discussion aims to investigate the different issues and approaches taken by various groups in handling the Wheel of the Year in the Southern Hemisphere, and what it means, and takes, to use the Wheel of the Year in Australia.

Mask Making and masks in Ritual
The Spring Equinox ritual on the Saturday night will be a masked ritual, and all participants will be given the opportunity to make their own masks in several mask-making workshops to be held on Saturday morning and early afternoon. Participants will be given their choice of native animals, non-native animals and elemental masks. In the case of the animal masks, each one has already been hand-crafted from recycled materials, so that the participant only has to paint and decorate their mask according to their inclinations. All participants will then be able to take home their own, individually decorated masks at the end of the conference to use in their own rituals. Some information on mask-making and use in rituals will also be given during the workshops, along with some sample rituals. Participants will be given the opportunity to sign up to their chosen animal or element on the Friday night. First in, best dressed.

Gypsy Rune Divination
In this workshop Michael will look at some of the basic principles of divinitory practices, and introduce you to the Gypsy Runes in particular. A practical and hands-on workshop for those who would like to explore divination in general, and the Gypsy Runes in particular.

Ritual Etiquette and what to expect in ritual
This workshop is aimed at beginners and provides an overview of common etiquette for public rituals, and what is expected of participants. It will provide an overview of the Spring Ritual, and is aimed at familiarising attendees with ritual in general, and our Spring Rite in particular to enable them to better enjoy the experience.

Presenters and Panelists

Linda
Linda Marold,born in Melbourne has been an Alexandrian Initiate since 1980. Linda is a keen cook and kitchen witch, grows her own food including vegies, poultry, meat and fruit, and milks a couple of dairy goats for fresh milk and cheese. Linda deeply resents any time not spent in the garden or kitchen or sewing room, but she can occasionally be lured out for bushwalks or parties. Linda loves finding and cooking ancient recipes, particularly from mediaeval times when food was extremely yummy.

Dr Doug Ezzy
Douglas Ezzy is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Tasmania. His most recent book is Teenage Witches, with Prof. Helen Berger (West Chester University). It examines the interconnections of teenage spirituality, the mass media, and Witchcraft. He shares with Pagans a respect for the earth as sacred and often wonders what matters to wombats. His other books include: Researching Paganisms (with Graham Harvey and Jenny Blain) and the edited collection Practising the Witch's Craft.

Dr Peter Cock
Peter Cock (PhD) is a Sociologist and Environmentalist with more than 30 years' experience in community development, teaching environmental studies and being involved in social and environmental action. Peter's page on the Social and Sacred ecology site is worth a look.

Caroline Tully
Caroline Tully is interested in the pre-Christian religions of the ancient Mediterranean, the demonisation of the Pagan gods after the rise of Christianity, and their re-appearance in modern mystery religions such as Witchcraft, Neo-Paganism and Ceremonial Magick. Caroline is currently undertaking postgraduate study in Classics and Archaeology in order to enhance her understanding of ancient Pagan religions and magic. One of her major areas of investigation is the realm of Aphrodite, goddess of sexuality.

Tim Hartridge
Tim Hartridge has been actively involved in coven-based witchcraft for over thirty years. He is a published writer with essays included in several books. He is also a regular workshop facilitator of witchcraft practices, and has helped develop the WitchesWorkshop eGroup, one of the largest Australian Pagan online communities.

Gabby
Gabby has been a practicing Witch for 15 years and is a Wiccan High Priestess and teacher. She has been involved in running Pagan gatherings and other public Pagan events since 1995. She has presented workshops at the Pagan Summer Gathering, Gateway, Gathering of all Tribes, Pagans in the Pub, Magick Happens, AWC and many other gatherings that have been presented by Applegrove. Gabby is a former producer and presenter of 'The Cauldron' Pagan radio show and is a contributing author to Douglas Ezzy's book 'Practicing the Witch's Craft' writing on training in the craft. She is one of the founders of Applegrove and its teaching arm Circle of the Hearth.

Michael (Foxglove)
Michael (Foxglove) has been a part of the Sydney pagan community since the age of 16 (now 29) where he was introduced to various aspects of Paganism and Wicca. His personal areas of interest include Divination and Psychic studies, Magical Herbalism, Crystal magic and Dream interpretation/Symbolism. Michael is an Initiate in Traditional Wicca but has also studied Celtic Spirituality and Hellenic Religion. He preferrs the practice of Folk/ nature based magic over High Ceremonial magic. He is a senior member of Applegrove Coven in Sydney, he lives with his Partner and small menagerie in Penrith in Sydney' Outer Western Suburbs.

Tania
For 11 years, Tania has been involved in paganism and witchcraft and has helped out at (and often run) many events over the past 8 years. She was involved in Pagans in the Pub meetings for 6 years, has written some articles for pagan publications, has formed a medieval singing group, and a craft guild, in which she has made many masks, costumes, banners, ritual tools and a traditional hobby horse. She was on some witchy and pagan panels at a Terry Pratchett Convention in Melbourne, and has had the pleasure of attending some fantastic pagan gatherings in the United Kingdom, which has given her inspiration for future events and craft work. She also enjoys writing, history, medieval re-enactment, medieval singing, and hopes to join a Morris Team. She is involved with an Ásatrú Hearth and she is currently finishing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and History at Ballarat.

Peter
Celtic folklorist and noted Irish musician and singer.
Known as the voice of Mt Franklin.

Winter Hare
Winter is a Traditional Wiccan initiate based in Victoria. Her family were spiritualists, rarely attended church, but talked to ghosts a lot and read tea leaves and tarot cards. She works full time, studies part time, and has an active family and a coven life. Winter has written a number of articles under various guises in a number of magazines over the years and presented a number of workshops at AWCs in the past. She has also helped to run the AWC in the past.

Wolf MacDonald
Wolf is a Traditional Wiccan initiate based in Victoria, with many and varied interests, ranging from Wiccan history, folklore, music, languages, history, anthropology, computers and martial arts. For those interested in Myers-Briggs personality types he is an INFx. :) Of Scots and Irish ancestry (mostly anyway) and he grew up with a love of myth, folklore, Tolkien, faerie, and these interests slowly drew him more and more into esoteric subjects. It was some 13 years ago or so that I was first initiated into Wicca, along with my partner (and one of the other organisers) Winter Hare. Wolf has been involved in organisations such as the Pagan Alliance, and has helped run a number of past AWCs, and presented workshops at a number of other conferences and events; generally in areas like guided visualisation, modern Craft history, traditional Wiccan tools, and the Elements.

Lugha
Lughna is a Traditional Wiccan initiate based in Melbourne, Vic. His main interests are in energy manipulation, healing and Wiccan history. He has been trained as a Shinpi-den Reiki Master and has a keen interest in Japanese Martial Arts also; having attained a Shodan in Goju Ryu Karate.

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