Presented by: Kurt Hohmann of Church of the Greenwood

Runes are more than a system of divination—they provide a set of keys for unlocking the power of natural forces, communicating with deities, and illuminating shadowed mysteries. Far from being relegated to museums of prehistoric artifacts, the runes form a living language that anyone can learn to speak and use.

This workshop provides an introduction to the runes, including their use in divination, healing, protection, and other forms of magic. The time will include a mixture of discussion, lore, sound, and energy work, with something of interest for both beginner and adept.

Kurt's spiritual background runs pretty wide. He was raised Lutheran, initiated into Wicca, and trained in a Jewish storytelling tradition. He's a former coordinator for CNY Pagan Pride who's also drummed at Voodoo temples and spent many hours talking with trees. He's been studying and working with runes for almost thirty years, and they continue to surprise him.

Presented by: Zay Eleanor Watersong of the Reclaiming Tradition

How do you create excellent large group rituals that are powerful, experiential, and inclusive for all involved? How can you contribute your energy as a participant? Reclaiming rituals are known for being Ecstatic, Improvisational, Ensemble, Inspired, and Organic (EIEIO) and frequently hitting that magical sweet spot of “mirth and reverence”. We will discuss and practice skills that facilitate such rituals, including planning and timing, priestexx voice, group elemental invocations, the Spiral Dance, and energy raising.

Zay Eleanor Watersong (she/they) is a Reclaiming witch, drummer, community organizer, lifelong CNY resident, and neighbor to the Onondaga Nation. She is deeply rooted in the wilds and waters of the Northeast and the Syracuse area in particular. They love the magic of green and growing things, and of people lending their energies together to create change in the world. They have been facilitating Reclaiming Tradition rituals and teaching the core courses for two decades, including on the teaching and ritual facilitation teams at Vermont Witchcamp, and authored a section of the book Elements of Magic: Reclaiming Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.

The Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft is inclusive and non-hierarchical, with adherents and witchcamps in multiple languages around the world. Our practice arises from a deep, spiritual commitment to the earth, to healing, and to the linking of magic with political action.

Presented by: Chelle of Back on the Broomstick

Learn to read the tarot through the lens of herbs and their spiritual properties. Additionally, you’ll learn the method of herb throwing on the cards as a powerful divination tool. This workshop will guide you in selecting and interpreting herbs as you “throw them” with the cards, enhancing your readings with natural wisdom. We will explore the energetic qualities of various herbs, create personalized herbal tarot spreads, as well as delve into the synergistic use of herbs and their magical properties alongside tarot cards to provide a comprehensive divination experience.

Chelle is an accomplished witch who has been practicing magic for over 30 years with Celtic, Shamanic, and Wiccan roots, and has dedicated her life to helping others on their magical journeys. She specializes in spell crafting, tarot, herb, and scent magic, and shares her expertise through workshops, classes, and seminars at Unitarian Universalist Churches, colleges, organizations, groups, and at festivals, and through co-hosting the podcast: Back on the Broomstick. Chelle has hosted and organized local Pagan events, open Coven rituals, and taught Witchcraft 101 classes. 
Chell is an Ordained Priestess, Certified Reiki Master, Master Scent Crafter and has been a Tarot reader for three decades, and is currently involved with the Coven of Ravens Rose, a Welsh Traditional Coven. Chelle's approach to magic is both practical and spiritual and aims to help individuals find their own path.

Presented by: Amy of Northern Tier Pagans

Learn the basics of protection magic. We will be covering the most common types of protection magic, herbs and crystals that can be used in protection spell work, and ways to incorporate spiritual protection into your everyday life. This class is for all paths and ages.

Amy is a council member for Northern Tier Pagans. She has been a council member for five years and has hosted many classes, sabbats, group rituals and organized community service events. She has been a Pagan since 2013 and follows a Green Witch/Hellenistic path.

Presented by: Rev. Debbie Philp

Climate and extinction crises threaten our beloved Earth community and, ultimately, us, but there is hope to be found in care for nature inspired by Paganism. With inspiration from new animism, deep ecology, and shamanism; ideas from authors such as Stephan Harding, Deborah Bird Rose, David Abram, and Starhawk; and anecdotes from Debbie’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator, this workshop addresses why saving the Earth’s biodiversity should be an imperative for all Pagans. Debbie invites support and protection of wild beings with practical how-tos for tending life-affirming ecosystems large and small, and shares some ecospiritual practices and rituals that invoke the magic and mysticism of nature and ground us in an expanded sense of belonging in the wild world. The workshop will include a meditation practice and a community-created eco-grief ritual.

Rev. Debbie Philp is an ecospiritual minister, a shamanic healer and teacher, a druid, and a wildlife rehabilitator and educator in service to all beings, especially turtles. Her ministry weaves a revolutionary new story of interrelatedness and wonder and invites spirit-led action to preserve the magic of biodiversity on Earth. Debbie is pursuing a master’s degree in the integral study of ecology and spirituality with a focus on human-wildlife relationships, is the executive director of a nonprofit freshwater turtle rescue and rehabilitation center, and blogs at debbiephilp.com.