Workshops and presenters for Mabon Festival

Pagan Roots of America. Explore ways that Pagan traditions, philosophy, and imagery have been part of the birth and development of the USA. Learn about Lady Liberty's origins as a Roman Pagan Goddess, about Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale of the Merry Mount Community and its Maypole dancing attacked by neighboring pilgrims in Massachusetts, and about Thomas Jefferson's sublime vision questing practices at Natural Bridge in Virginia. Discover some of the Pagan symbols that continue to be in civic art and artchitecture. Find out ways to work with America's Pagan heritage to further the quest for equal rights for Pagans and for Liberty and Justice for All.

Pagan Death Passages. Learn ways of working with ancestors, herbs, chants, charms, and meditations in providing support to the dying and dead. Explore ways of using old and contemporary Pagan spiritual practices for death rites, including Crossing Over, Spirit Release at time of Death, Body Annointing, Wakes, Funerals, Memorials, Cremains Dispersing, Full Body Natural Burial, and Samhain Honoring of Beloved Dead.

Shamanic Witchcraft. In this experiential workshop, connect with the powers of Ancestors, Spirits of Place, Elements of Nature, Animal Guides, Plant Helpers, and other Sacred Forces. Learn ways of incorporating rituals, meditations, and worldviews of shamanism into personal spiritual practice.

Celebrating Fall Equinox and Harvest Home. Learn ancient and contemporary ways of welcoming in the Autumn in personal, household, and community practice. Workshops includes meditations, short rituals, chanting, and other experiences.

Rev. Selena Fox is a psychotherapist, teacher, writer, photographer, ritual performance artist, and Priestess. She is founder and co-executive director of Circle Sanctuary, an international Nature Spirituality resource center headquartered on a 200-acre Nature preserve in southwestern Wisconsin, USA.

Selena received her M.S. in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in psychology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1971. She received additional training in psychology at Rutgers University, Parkway Hospital, and various conferences and training programs. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, Association for Transpersonal Psychology, and American Academy of Religion. She is a spiritual counselor in private practice.

Selena has been a Wiccan priestess and Pagan artist since 1973. Selena's approach to spirituality emphasizes Nature communion and blends together ancient and contemporary European and American folkways, Wiccan traditions, multicultural shamanism, and transpersonal psychology. She is one of America's best known Pagan elders, networkers, and civil liberties activists. She is founder of Circle Network, Lady Liberty League, and the Pagan Academic Network. Over the years, Selena and her work have been covered by regional, national, and global media, including Time Magazine, Wall Street Journal, CNN's Larry King Live, NBC's Today Show, and various radio networks (NPR, BBC, ABC, CBC). She has spoken at a variety of international and multicultural conferences.

Selena's writings and photographs have been published in a variety of periodicals, anthologies, and other publications. She is author of Goddess Communion Rituals and Meditations and When Goddess is God. She also has created several music and guided meditation tapes. She is founder of the quarterly journal, CIRCLE Magazine, and sourcebook, Circle Guide to Pagan Resources. She was a consultant for Time-Life Books' "Mysteries of the Unknown" series.

Selena has traveled widely in connection with her work. She has presented workshops and facilitated community ritual experiences in many settings, including colleges and universities, festivals, churches, conferences, and healing centers. She lives with her husband, Dr. Dennis Carpenter, at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve. Her avocational pursuits include archaeology, genealogy, herbology, and ornithology.

Reiki II ~ Deb Striker, RMT
Are you ready to take your Reiki practice to the next level? Learn to send Reiki long distance and address specific concerns utilizing 3 Reiki symbols. The class will be held in the festival "healer's tent" so we'll have the advantage of massage tables to practice on.

Reiki III - Deb Striker, RMT
Only 3 more standard Reiki symbols to memorize and you're ready to move on to teaching (if you want to)! You'll learn how to pass attunements and some other nifty things you can do with Reiki.

Deb has been teaching Reiki at Pagan gatherings at Heavenly Acres and other locations since 2001. She enjoys highly interactive classes and encourages everyone to ask lots of questions.

Moon Magick ~ Night Moore
A wide variety of information will be discussed in this in-depth lunar workshop, including the influence of the moon in magickal workings, phases of the moon and their magickal correspondences & energies, moon god/desses, lunar folklore, herbs and gems of the moon, rites of the moon, astrological moons, seasonal moons and much more.

Warrior Blessing Ritual ~ David Ewing
Recognizing the large number of guests to Moutnain Mysteries who have military or first responder connections, we will be hosting a ritual to bless those serving and remember those who have served our country. We will acknowledge our warriors serving around the world and ask for their safe & speedy return. We will also acknowledge and honor those serving in Homeland Defense (Police, Fire, EMT's, etc.) and ask for their safety. Finally, we will honor those who have died while walking the warrior path. A significant purpose of the Warrior Blessing Ritual is to provide comfort and a venue for family and friends of those warrios to express concerns and pride.
Please join Circle Sancutary Military Ministry members, David & Jeanet Ewing among others as we honor those who have and are currently putting themselves in harms way to protect and serve.

David & Jeanet Ewing are members of the Circle Sanctuary Military Ministries team. They are the Stewards of Circle's Order of the Pentacle, a support and networking organization sponsored by Circle Sanctuary. The are also Co-Coordinators of Circle's Operation Circle Care which gathers donated items and sends care packages to Pagans serving around the world in the Armed Forces.

A New Face for the Goddess: The Queen & The Queen's Coronation ~ Paula Jean West / Lady Branwenn WhiteRaven
ALL women aren't ready to become Crones as soon as their menses cease. It is a new time for "women of a certain age" in this world of ours. We all live a lot longer than we used to in the "Olde Days" and we don't go straight from Mother to Crone anymore. In fact, a lot of us spend a really long time in this "no-woman's land" between the two. A Crone is a really OLD woman, full of wisdom and a joy to be around for sure, but really OLD.. My Mom lives with me now and she is 82 and she is a Crone. Even she still has a lot of life left in her. I don't know about you, but I am just not ready to sit by the fire in my rocking chair YET and I know that many of you aren't either. I've still got a lot to offer to this world and YOU ladies do too--no matter what the age--or childless by chance or choice; those who have started the "Strange of Life" early or late; and those who are still full of fire--for what is the Element of Queen-dom if not fire--we have hot flashes hourly--some of us? LOL

I recommend a great book by the original QUEEN, Donna Henes, called Queen of My Self.. Here is a great quote from her book: "From one of the leading spiritual practitioners writing and working today, a landmark work that celebrates a new mythic model for the middle years of a woman's life - the Queen!

Millions of women are now entering or in the midst of midlife. With unprecedented freedom, education, longevity, and wealth, they hold positions of unheard of responsibility and stature. No longer Maidens, nor Mothers, and not yet old Crones, the question arises: Where do these dynamic, accomplished middle-aged women fit into the traditional description of the three stages of womanhood?

In The Queen of My Self, Donna Henes proposes a completely original paradigm- that of the midlife Queen, a woman in her prime who has achieved wisdom, mastery, and self-esteem- that reflects more accurately the realities and needs of women today. Henes draws on history, mythology, and literature, her own life experience, as well as stories from women in many different societies, situations and stations to provide upbeat, practical, and ceremonial inspiration for all women who want to enjoy the fruits of an influential, passionate, and powerful maturity."

This class was presented at Beltane and was very well-received. A Facebook group was formed by the original members of the class called, "The Queen: A New Face of the Goddess Evolves." These lovely ladies will be receiving their coronation as Queens at the Mabon Festival and a new group will be joining us to start the adventure of their lifetime toward celebrating their new role as Queen. PLEASE join us for the class and the coronation!!

Branwenn WhiteRaven aka Paula Jean West is a Third Degree Wiccan Priestess, a travel writer, a photographer, a back to nature enthusiast and an enigma. She is 56, a Virgo, and resides in Lynchburg, VA with her husband, Jamey; Keri, the black Labra-beagle dog; and Branwenn's newest black cat, Bijoux.

Henna ~ Kat
What exactly is henna, and how is it made? Most importantly, why should you never let anyone come near you with "black henna"?

End of Life Preparation ~ Dave Ewing
Many of us have been involved in the various live passages for ourselves and others (Wiccanings, Womanhood, Manhood, Handfastings) but most of us have had little exposure or are little prepared for our final life passage when we leave this world.
As the seasons move toward the dark time of the year, it is an appropriate time to discuss how we prepare for the final life passage.
Our discussion will be in a few phases. First, we will discuss those necessary documents we should all have on file to ensure our wishes are carried through by our loved ones. Information will also be provided on where to obtain the necessary documents and where they should be kept. Next, we’ll cover options for the disposition of your remains – do you want to be buried, cremated, composted or something else? We will also discuss the options opening up in the “Green Burial” movement.
This discussion covers the practical information regarding preparation for end of life. Recommend also attending the discussion on Pagan Death Passages by Rev. Selena Fox that will cover how Pagans of various traditions celebrate the end of life.
Additional note: If anybody has any documents that requiring notarization, David Ewing is also a Notary Public for the State of Virginia.

David Ewing has been leading rituals, workshops and event planning in the Northern Virginia area for nearly 10 years. As the Steward of Circle Sanctuary’s Order of the Pentacle providing support to active duty and veteran Pagans, he is a member of the Circle Sanctuary Military Ministries Team and a Circle Sanctuary Minister in Training working toward ordination. David is a founding director of the Northern Virginia Pagan Network, a networking group whose purpose is to bring together and strengthen the Pagan community in Northern Virginia.

Guardians of the Circle ~ Justin A.
What does it mean to walk the path of the warrior and how is this different that other Pagan paths and how is it similar. I will also cover what it is I do at the festivals and what it means to me to be a Guardian of the circle.

I have been following the Warriors path for over 20 years as well as providing Safety/Security at Pagan Festivals.

Disaster planning 101 ~ Justin A.
This workshop is an introduction to emergency planning and disaster readiness. This workshop will include a short period of instruction on the basics of planning for an emergency/disaster followed by an open discussion. This workshop is not the end all be all for keeping you safe should disaster strike.
Bio: I have been involved with emergency preparedness for many years. I am a current amateur radio operator with a focus on emergency communications, I have also instructed self defense classes ranging from basic martial arts to advanced firearms. I have been present at several natural disasters as well as a few man made ones and would like to share my experiences as well as some of my lessons learned.