Toronto Pagan Pride: Events n Workshops

Time	General	Workshop A	Workshop B	Ritual
10:30 am	Set up
12:00 pm	Meet and Greet
12:30 pm	Opening Ritual Preformed by Jim Findlay and Crystal Allard
1:00 pm	Swap Meet and Family Activities	Pagan Symbology with Deinaira	The Witch's Herbal with Natascha Kacso	Introduction to Gesena (workshop) with Ysabeault d'Valar-Alba
2:00 pm		Latcho Drom / Narkri Chakano - Road Wisdom with John Huculiak	Tarot Layouts with Dana Shaw	Harvest Ritual with Katie Gajdacs
3:00 pm		Introduction to Asatru with Bonnie Lyons-Cohen	Dream Analysis with Anat	Women's Ritual with Natascha Kacso
4:00 pm	Feast (A paid BBQ and encouraged potluck! Please bring a dish to share and list ingredients)	Sacred Spaces with Dana Shaw	Poi "201" with Gabrielle Darque	Men's Ritual with John Huculiak
5:00 pm		Introduction to Runes with Bonnie Lyons-Cohen	Energy Healing with Nyxks
6:00pm	Hermetic Harvest Ritual with Rikki LaCoste and Jennifer Robert
7:15 pm	Entertainment with Wychwood Children and Special Guests
8:00 pm	Bardic Competition Sign up by e-mailing Samantha Wu
Drumming and Revelry to Follow

Click on a workshop for a summary and brief biography of its presenter.

Introduction to Gesena
Among all the varieties of Paganism, the Gesena are virtually unknown. Far better recognized are their male counterparts, “The Druids”, of which there are classical descriptions and modern revivals. For almost all who are cognizant of Paganism or conversant with it, Wicca and Witchcraft are the known parallel paths that admit women, allowing not only female parity but female leadership. Yet both historically and presently, there exists a “college” of women practitioners whose lineage traces back into the mists of time: they are the Gesena, there fighting back Suetonius and attempting to insure Boudicca’s victory, there chastising kings and councillors for their greed and injustice; there trying to preserve the sacred bonds between human community and its wild environs; there casting Geis upon the irreverent. This workshop will introduce this ancient but still extant tradition.

Ysabeault d’Valar-Alba is a “third degree” Gesena, having taken novitiate vows in 1996, postulant vows in 2000 (when she began “wearing the Green”) and commitment vows in 2006 (when she legally changed her to reflect her vocation). She is currently Gesena Modron Mor. She is also a religious historian, holds a Specialist Degree in Religious Studies, a Master’s and doctoral candidacy in Anthropology. Writer, teacher, dancer, poet, ceremonialist and counsellor, she has recently embarked on two new missions: the first, to become an “interfaith minister” and the second to open a Gesena Mission in Toronto.

Latcho Drom / Narkri Chakano - Road Wisdom
Come for an introductory discussion which touches on the histories, cultures, and the present struggles of the Wandering Nation. Debunking some of the myths and fallacies (while revealing a few more) surrounding this mysterious and misunderstood ethnic group, John Corvus will show how understand the Rom, bring deeper meaning to many Neo-Pagan practices.

John "Corvus" Huculiak is a Rromani Wayfarer, who is part of the Earth-based Spiritualities movement in the Greater Toronto area. An adept in several fields of Divinatory Arts and Indigenous Spiritualities and wearing many hats – Legal Wedding & Ritual Officiant, Spiritual Care Visitor; John is currently delving into the mysteries of Fatherhood.

John hopes to continue assisting others from all walks of Life in their own spiritual endeavours and is privileged to be a part of TPPD 2011.

For more information on his services, lecture topics, or for his C.V. or a list of his references, please feel free to contact him at john@heretic.ca or at 416-364-4806.

Dream Work (Analysis and Therapy)
Dream Work: Analysis and Therapy
Dreams are universal and timeless. The dream scenarios defy logic and yet can hold hidden wisdoms. They can take us on great voyages without or corporeal selves ever leaving the couch. Learn how to tap into your inner wisdom by unlocking the secret meanings of dreams. The Dr. C. Hill methodology of dream work and therapy will be discussed. A dream will be analyzed by the group in open discussion. Dream Bundles will be available for donation.

Anat goes by a few titles including Het Set, Het Eset, Scribe in the service of MAAT, mother, wife, dancer, student, chantress, drummer, priestess and servant in the House of Eset and Set. She is a devotee to Isis and Seth and on her own Kemetic path for the last 10 years.

Poi "201"
Gabrielle has been spinning Poi off and on for the past 8 years, and getting better everyday. It's all about how much time and effort you put into it, and it's GREAT workout too! Gabrielle will talk about the basics of Poi, and for those brave enough we'll go on to more advanced tricks! Please be warned, when spinning Poi you WILL hit yourself, but it's ok cuz most of her Poi are balloons with rice, so they don't hurt that much! She will also be offering the Poi she brings for a suggested donation of $10 each, so if you want one let her know right away!

Gabrielle Darque has been in the Toronto Pagan community for 3 years now, and practicing since she was 11. Her quirky personality will get anyone bustin' a groove or singin' a song with her. Currently, she is writing a Supernatural Dramatic Television series about 4 young female pagans with a Lewis Carroll/Steampunk twist to it, called "Magick". She is using all of her experiences to make the show more relatable to her fellow Pagan friends and hopefully everyone else as well!

A calling to ALL men to come and be counted; regardless of faith or fitness level (No caber tossing required:). All the ritual requires is yourself. If you have one, a mask of your choosing (No Facepaint please). The mask is strictly OPTIONAL and some with be provided.

The Witch’s Herbal
A guide to the magical properties of herbs and spices, including few of my own personal favourites, and an overview of some of the most popular and interesting herbs, flowers, and spices for use in your cookery. Find ways to incorporate them in your everyday recipes, or for the use of spell casting, and natural remedies. It adds the dimension in every single day of your life.

Natascha Kacso, aka Constance Crowley, has been a solitary practioner of the old religion for more than a decade. A green witch by heart most of her upbringing was protestant but always attuned to the Mother of nature. With concepts of candle spells , herbal magic, spiritism, and calling upon the elementals, she was ready to proceed into a coven setting with the craft just a few years ago. She is focused on the green level of kitchen witchery and is teaching her next generation in the family. She is an active feminist, married, has four beautiful boys, and works as a professional doula.

Pagan Symbology
Dee breaks down the symbols used in the Pagan Pride banner (plus a few others) including their significance, origin, and how they can be used today in talisman form.

Deinaira has been part of the Toronto Pagan Communtiy since 1999 when she first attended an open rit at York U. Attending open rits, for many years and active in the pagan community in other ways when possible. After taking some time off to be a new Mom Deinaira is back since last year working with others to make our Pagan Commuintity stronger. Working as a solitary of no specfic path, following instinct and what feels right within herself. This will be her frist workshop and is designed for those that maybe new to the community, or just curious of symbols and why they are worn today.
Deinaira

Tarot Layouts
Many people study tarot, but limit themselves to the standard layouts such as the Celtic Cross. In this workshop we'll discuss numerous alternatives to the Celtic Cross, their use and applicability to different tarot decks. Feel free to share layouts you're aware of. You'll even learn how to develop your own personal layouts!

Sacred Spaces
Whether Pagan, Wiccan or Eclectic, we all use sacred spaces in different ways. We'll discuss the importance and purpose of sacred spaces, their uses, related tools and how to create or banish various kinds of sacred space.

Dana Shaw is a Wiccan High Priestess with over 20 years of experience with tarot and teaching. She was the Wiccan Chaplain for University of Toronto from 2002 until 2006. Dana then took a break from activity in the Pagan community until now, where she hopes to revive it by teaching and participating in Pagan Pride this year. Bright blessings to all, with the hope to come across old friends and new.

Harvest Ritual
You reap what you sow. Come and join Katie to celebrate the harvest season with dancing and singing while you enjoy the blessings from the Gods. This ritual will be performed in the Odyssean style with Tibi and Katie.

Katie Gajdacs was introduced to psychic phenomena in her childhood by her Godmother. She has been learning and developing in this field since 1986. She learned to read Tarot cards in Australia. Since 1992 she has studied in a Spiritualist environment in Toronto and Lilydale. Through her interest in mystical knowledge she has also studied Kabalistic Mysticism for 4 years, under one of the greatest Kabalists Rabbi Chezi Nagar in Toronto. Since 1992-1999, she has been an active member and lecturer of Psychic Society of Toronto. Currently Katie is a Neophyte in the Odyssean Tradition and a member of Wiccan Church of Canada.

Introduction to Asatru
Asatru is a living religion associated with the Vikings of old, but it’s not just for sword swinging, mead swilling berserkers. Often misunderstood, Asatru is a path for honourable and independent thinking people who find spiritual fulfillment in the worship of the Norse Gods and Goddesses. Whether you are new to Asatru, an Asatruar or just curious, all are welcome to this workshop. Topics covered: What is Asatru? The Havamal, The Norse pantheon, The Hammer Rite, The Nine Noble Virtues.

Bonnie Lyons-Cohen has been an Asatruar for 20 years. Born in Brooklyn, NY to an Eastern-European family that encouraged the pursuit of knowledge in all areas, she found she was ‘magical’ in her childhood and teens and pursued Wicca in her 20’s, but always enjoyed the stories of the Norse Gods and Goddesses and was attracted to the Runes. She spent most of her adult life as a high school teacher in El Paso, Texas, where she was an ‘out’ Pagan in a very conservative environment. In El Paso, she connected to a Kindred, learned about Asatru and was called by Tyr and the Norse pantheon to be a Heathen. She believes that one’s sense of honour should come before all else and when she learned about the Nine Noble Virtues, she felt like she had finally found her spiritual home. Since 2007, she am proud to call Toronto home. Teaching is her calling and it is her pleasure to present these workshops on Asatru and the Runes at Toronto Pagan Pride.

Introduction to the Runes
In this workshop, we will briefly explore the Runes of the Elder Futhark as an alphabet and also as magical symbols for divination and for protection. The word Rune means secret, whisper or mystery. See how the Runes can help you to understand a situation with more clarity and remind you of your own inner spiritual knowledge and strength. Topics covered: The history of the Runes, the Runes as letters and as symbols, casting/reading the Runes, sigils and bind Runes, and making your own Runes.

Working with Energy
This workshop is an overview of what it is to work with personal energy as well as the energy around you when it comes to self healing, helping to heal others or to assist the energy within your local environment. The plan for the workshop is to give a personal side to energy work with the possible integration of hands on practice. The aim is to give those in attendance some insight into how energy can be used and how to work with what you have around you.

Nyxks has been walking her path for over 25 years, and has been doing energy work to help other's as well as teaching and lecturing within the Pagan community (mostly to do with auras, but energy work has also been touched upon), including hosting last year's Toronto Pagan Pride Aura Workshop and being a guest speaker on Spirituality at Furnal Equinox 2011. Nyxks owns her own home business dealing in Graphic and Web Design and works as a professional photographer, in her spare time she can be found helping others within her community or spending time with her husband Kantu.

Women's Ritual
Women's Ritual with Natascha Kacso - As women we can mark life's passages and celebrate milestones with rituals and ceremonies that call upon the goddess and the elementals that flow within each of us.

In this basic ritual we will commemorate the four elements related to women's issues and let us empower us for new transformations yet to come.

The Hermetic Harvest Circle
This year, the organisers of Toronto Pagan Pride have been brave enough to invite Rikki LaCoste (practicing Ceremonial Magician since the 90s) and Jennifer Robert (manifester and healer) to conduct a Pago-Hermetic ritual. Based on certain Ceremonial and Pagan rites, including a brilliant Bacchanalia, this symbolically saturated ritual was delicately and artfully crafted, mindful to bring together the Witch and the Magician in love and sincerity. The reconcilliation of Morgan and Merlin, so to speak. This is a Harvest Ritual, and endeavours to communicate the Universal Mystery of the Great Harvest within ourselves, and the cycle of ressurrection and life that emerge from it. Join us in this elegant ceremonial exploration of the ineffable mystery, that you will find both strange, and warmly familiar. There will also be a new Harvest Time Chant presented for the first time ever, writen by Wychwood Children.

Rikki LaCoste is a Ceremonial Magician. Among a small group of mystery schools, he is a III° initiate of a certain mystery school. He has been active in what he considers the Great Work through various projects, including articles, esoteric study guides, and rituals under various pseudonyms, and is involved in occult themed workshops at certain Southern Ontario pagan festivals. Rikki is also the co-host of the quirky and widely beloved Kakophonos Internet Radio. As a musician, he has been involved in such ensembles and groups as Haze, the Subtonic Monks, Panthea, Moresca, and currently: Wychwood Children. Rikki LaCoste currently lives in Toronto, with fellow musician and soul mate Jennifer Robert.

Entertainment

Wychwood Children is an alchemical elixir of Musick and Magick conjured together by several enchanting singer/songwriters, together as one. At the heart of this ensemble are Jenny Robert (manifester and healer) and Rikki LaCoste (Hermetic philosopher and magician), two beloved musicians in their own right. This year, 2011, introduces the birth of Wychwood Children.