Florida Pagan Gathering
Welcome to Beltaine 2011 May 5 - 8
Passing on the Magick: A sharing of magickal lore from an early American Tradition with Rev. Patrick McCollum
Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Valhalla
Discussion - All Ages
" In this workshop the facilitator will share a series of three mystical stories passed down through oral tradition during the 1950's and the early 60's. The first of these stories explains the origin of the Magick Circle as a mystical temple and also reveals why the four elements and the four directions are acknowledged in Magick and ritual. The second of these stories explains the origin of the Magick wand, and details its construction and its connection with the Gods in the practice of Magick. The third and final story details the origin of the Magickal blade, sometimes called Athame', tracing its development and construction over time and its relationship to the creation of the Magick circle.
Many of today's magickal practices and traditions originate from earlier oral traditions which passed on their knowledge through stories and metaphor's rather than through the written word. Over the last 20 or 30 years, the origins of many of these practices have been lost in the shuffle as older traditions split up and divide, and new more eclectic traditions have risen to take their place. These newer traditions often build on observations gleaned from their predecessors, but do not necessarily have all of the information to begin with. Consequently, many of the earlier magickal practices are continued, but only a shadow of their original meaning remains. This process is exacerbated even more when these Magickal practices from the past are transformed from oral presentations into books, spurring even newer traditions which rise from the knowledge gained there. Once the rituals are committed to writing, the whole process of oral presentation (the presenting of ideas and traditions, and the asking and answering of questions related to them), are eliminated. The purpose of this workshop is to help fill in some of the "Blanks" lost in the shuffle and to answer questions arising from that discussion, in an effort to restore the age old oral process that makes us unique from the "religions of the book"; and to help restore the continuity and full understanding of our Magick and ritual, as we continue to grow as a community."
Creating the Sacred Oil: Connecting with the Magick of our Ancestors with Rev. Patrick McCollum
Friday 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Summerland Pavilion
All Ages
"In this hands-on workshop participants will replicate both the formula and the process for creating the ancient sacred oil (Sabbat Oil) used by Pagans to anoint their magickal tools in the past. We will learn the history, each of the mystical plants used and their identification, and the appropriate rituals involved. Each participant will receive a small portion of the finished oil. Participant should bring a small vial to take home their oil. "
"Pagan Survival techniques for a turbulent world: A primer to overcome disaster, nuclear holocaust, and just plain getting lost" with Rev. Patrick McCollum
Saturday 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Valhalla
Lecture - All Ages
This workshop will cover basic survival techniques like finding food, water, shelter & creating fire, while at the same time addressing techniques for surviving nuclear and natural disasters. We'll cover time tested techniques and practices and also include a number of new ones, like secret uses of your cell phone that the government doesn't want you to know. If you've ever wanted to be totally self sufficient and know you're going to make it through anything, this workshop is for you!
