Join our huge and varied Pagan, Heathen, Wiccan, Reconstructionist, Indigenous, spiritual and magical groups in education and celebration February 2016 in San Jose, CA. More information can be found about the conference at www.pantheacon.com
The schedule is complete as of October 23, 2016 - changes/cancellations will be entered as often as possible. If you sync a personal schedule with your phone it will auto update the next time you open the application.
Presenters: If you have a major change to your bio that you want reflected here please email programming@pantheacon.com after you have entered it in the database. Changes do not automatically from from there to here. Your changes, of course, will be reflected in the program book.
Healing from domestic and intimate violence isn't easy, and it can be even more difficult finding support in incorporating our spiritual and magical beliefs into that healing. We'll be discussing the nature of trauma, its effects, inviting our gods and magic into our healing, and how we might build a community of empathy and empowerment. All faiths, genders, and sexual orientations are welcome. Please be aware of potential triggers and adult material that may not be appropriate for younger ages.
Serenity First is a 12 Step program of recovery for all addictions, specifically geared to those on the Pagan path. All faiths and all programs of recovery are welcome, including seekers, and friends and family of alcoholics/addicts. Come share your experience, strength and hope amidst the swirling energies of PantheaCon.
As in previous years, the caucus is a space for self-identified people of color only. In this time together, we will meet for discussion, sharing, and mutual support. What strength can we draw from our diverse legacies? What can we ask of each other, in these difficult times? How can we best look after and advocate for each other? Pull up a chair--let's work it out.
A storyteller from rural Oregon, Elena Rose has distinguished herself as a writer and educator on intersectional justice issues. Her approach balances deep scholarship with an equal dedication to accessible, approachable learning wherever people may come from. Elena lives and works... Read More →
After the altars have been built and the prayers have been said, what comes next? After many years of devotional practice, people sometimes feel lost or confused. This session addresses the challenges and obstacles that can arise over the course of a long-term devotional practice. Together we will examine topics such as spiritual trauma, emotional drought, and surprise detours. Join us to look at the unexpected ways that an advancing practice can unfold over time.
Silence Maestas is an author, educator, and artist based in Salt Lake City and has presented at PantheaCon, Many Gods West, and regional gender and sex positivity conferences. Drawing on a background in witchcraft, bhakti devotionalism, Heathenry, and spirit work, Silence aims to... Read More →
Saturday February 18, 2017 9:00am - 10:30am PST
Boardroom
It is not enough to believe in the Gods. We must know Them in order to work with them. But to truly know the Gods requires Their grace, or the labor of spiritual practice that brings us into Their presence and ultimately unites us to Them. In the West, the path worked out in the Mediterranean tradition is called theurgy and it has a distinct and effective method for preparing oneself, then approaching, then uniting with Divine Beings. We will discuss this ancient method and how to apply it in today’s Paganism.
Sam Webster, m.div, phd, mage, has taught magick publicly since 1984. He is an Adept of the Golden Dawn, cofounder of the Chthonic-Ouranian Templar order, and an initiate of Wiccan, Druidic, Buddhist, Hindu and Masonic traditions. He is the publisher at Concrescent Press (concrescent.net... Read More →
Saturday February 18, 2017 9:00am - 10:30am PST
Oak
We have autism. We have ADD and PTSD. We have sensory sensitivities, bipolar disorder, and depression. The stigma against "neurodiversity" makes it difficult to be part of a community that invalidates what is a fact of life for many of us, and there are too few resources that accommodate our practices. We'll discuss different ways of approaching magic and polytheistic paths as well as how we might create a stronger, more inclusive community for neurodiversity.
Climate Change. Extinction events. The rise of nationalist and authoritarian movements. Revolts and resistance. Capitalism is crumbling and empire is in crisis: what's our magic for, if not to help build a better world? Building off the work of Peter Grey (Apocalyptic Witchcraft) and the many writers at Gods&Radicals, Rhyd Wildermuth will lead a discussion about the state of the world and outline a strategy for revolutionary witches in a crumbling Empire.
Rhyd Wildermuth is the managing editor and co-founder of Gods&Radicals, a site of Pagan anti-capitalism and A Beautiful Resistance. He's a bard, a witch, a polytheist and a heretic, as well as a theorist and writer.
Saturday February 18, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
Oak
Discover ancient and modern ways to map cycles, pray, work magic, and commune with the Cosmos. See both familiar and new configurations of prayer bead developed with other individuals and groups.
Saturday February 18, 2017 1:30pm - 3:00pm PST
Boardroom
The very charming, very savvy, and very experienced acquisitions editors of Llewellyn and Weiser team up for an eye-opening look at Pagan and esoteric publishing! Join Elysia Gallo and Judika Illes as they explain how decisions are made, what their meetings are like, how book covers come to life, what publishers expect of authors in marketing themselves, why Hungarian-Americans make such great witchcraft editors, and more. They'll save time for a publishing Q&A as well. Afterwards they will be taking pitches in their respective hospitality suites upstairs. Don't miss this groundbreaking event!
Elysia Gallo is Senior Acquisitions Editor at Llewellyn Worldwide, where she has worked for more than 11 years. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband and two cats. Judika Illes is a consultant and Editor at Large for Weiser Books. She is the author of eight books devoted to the... Read More →
Science and Paganism - Spirituality is often assumed to be the opposite of the material, physical world. We Pagans like to speak in terms of the Otherworld, magic, spirits and other ethereal concepts. Yet for many of us, nature is at the heart of our paths, and we can deepen our understanding and belief through knowing more about the everyday nuts and bolts of natural sciences. Join Lupa as she discusses how evolution, physics, astronomy and other scientific concepts can be woven in with nature spirituality.
Lupa is an author, artist, and amateur naturalist in Portland, OR. She is the author of several books on totemism and other nature-pagan topics, to include "Nature Spirituality From the Ground Up" (Llewellyn, 2016) and the creator of the Tarot of Bones. She creates ritual costumes... Read More →
Serenity First is a 12 Step program of recovery for all addictions, specifically geared to those on the Pagan path. All faiths and all programs of recovery are welcome, including seekers, and friends and family of alcoholics/addicts. Come share your experience, strength and hope amidst the swirling energies of PantheaCon.
This presentation and discussion will inform people about the basics of BDSM and how it can be a worthwhile addition to the practice of various forms of Paganism. Questions and discussion are encouraged for the sake of clarity and understanding. 18+ only
Linda has been practicing various forms of Paganism since 1992. She has taught introductory Pagan classes in her community and held a position in the KCPPD event for several years. She studied New Religious Movements and obtained a Master's degree from the University of Missouri... Read More →
Saturday February 18, 2017 11:00pm - Sunday February 19, 2017 12:30am PST
Carmel/ Monterey
Devotional practice engages our emotions, creativity, and desire for relationship and directs them towards the sacred. Beginning this special form of engagement can be confusing, even intimidating. What does a devotional practice actually look like? How do you get started? How do you know you’re doing it right? These are just some of the topics that will be covered in this special presentation. Together we will demystify devotional practice and talk about the ways that people can bring focused emotional engagement to their spiritual lives.
Silence Maestas is an author, educator, and artist based in Salt Lake City and has presented at PantheaCon, Many Gods West, and regional gender and sex positivity conferences. Drawing on a background in witchcraft, bhakti devotionalism, Heathenry, and spirit work, Silence aims to... Read More →
Sunday February 19, 2017 9:00am - 10:30am PST
San Jose
As we approach the fourth generation and beyond of Paganism in America, many Pagans are raising their children Pagan, just as they were. They are incorporating regular rituals, prayer, feasts, and sacred home-based activities like meditation and daily devotionals. Ceremonies such as these day-to-day family rituals can all enrich the experience of the Pagan household. Come, learn how you can incorporate family-friendly traditions of your own into your household practices. Families of all shapes, sizes, and lovestyles are welcome. We will experience some interactive exercises in this workshop.
Jessie has been a Pagan for over 25 years and a Gulf War Era Army Veteran. She has organized Pagan Pride Days, volunteered as a hospice and prison minister, worked as a Designated Faith Group Leader on military installations, managed Pagan networking associations, and taught both... Read More →
Don’t just be outdoors; be outdoors and see, feel, hear, experience, and connect with the Goddess who is incarnate in our Mother Earth. Discover new ways to connect with nature and deepen your relationship with the world around you. We will explore thought experiments, exercises, and activities: Ways to Be in Nature, Starhawk’s Nine Ways of Observing, 13 Core Routines from Coyote’s Guide, and more. We will do a few exercises on site, and you will leave with more you can take home and do with your family or group. Amber K and Azrael Arynn K have over 60 years experience as Wiccan priestesses.
Amber K and Azrael Arynn K are Wiccan priestesses, authors of True Magick, Ritualcraft, Covencraft, How to Become a Witch, and other books. They are active with Ardantane in New Mexico. Ardantane, PO Box 307, Jemez Springs NM 87025. www.ardantane.org.
Sunday February 19, 2017 9:00am - 10:30am PST
Cedar
Why do monsters matter? As cultural figures, religious icons, tales of terror, and staunch companions, monsters have been with us--and in us--for as long as stories have. This discussion will range from colonial history to contemporary crisis, mythology to modern bodies, looking at ways monster stories have been used to dehumanize and justify violence against various groups of people--just as they have been used as sources of identification, strength, and liberation. Together, we will explore the power and potential of the monsters we are kin to, and the deep value in bringing them home.
A storyteller from rural Oregon, Elena Rose has distinguished herself as a writer and educator on intersectional justice issues. Her approach balances deep scholarship with an equal dedication to accessible, approachable learning wherever people may come from. Elena lives and works... Read More →
Sunday February 19, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
Cedar
Queer Fat Burlesque Dancer, Chanteuse, Model and Art Activist Irene McCalphin (Magnoliah Black) can be found all over the Bay Area creating and maintaining spaces for radical self-love and empowerment. Co-founder and resident Massage Therapist of A Sovereign Embodiment (ASE) Healing... Read More →
Working with the Gods is not all hearts and rainbows. Every deity, no matter how bright, has a dark side. Some of us choose (or are chosen) to work with Gods who are Themselves difficult and demanding, and additionally are perceived as "bad" choices by others in our community. The Gods are not fluffy bunny friends; They are strong and fierce, and we must be strong and fierce in our devotion to Them. We'll talk about balancing devotion with practical considerations, and how to handle people who think it's their duty to inform you of the error of your ways.
Anastasia Haysler is a San Francisco writer and Northern Traditions pagan who runs Tarot Media Company and Black Swan Press. Her most recent book is Painting the Soul: The Tarot Art of David Palladini, an in-depth exploration of Palladini's art and symbolism of his two classic Tarot... Read More →
Sunday February 19, 2017 3:30pm - 5:00pm PST
Silicon Valley
Serenity First is a 12 Step program of recovery for all addictions, specifically geared to those on the Pagan path. All faiths and all programs of recovery are welcome, including seekers, and friends and family of alcoholics/addicts. Come share your experience, strength and hope amidst the swirling energies of PantheaCon.
Using numerous examples drawn from books, film, and tv as well as recent scholarship on "invented religions," we will engage in a lively discussion on the role of fiction in spiritual belief and practice. Special attention will be given to African-American Science Fiction author Octavia Butler's "Earthseed" religion. Issues for discussion will include the nature of religion (and cultural assumptions about "real religions"), authenticity, identity, and the role of the imaginal world. Attendees will be encouraged to give examples from their own experiences.
Patrick Reeves, PhD, is a spiritually eclectic scholar and professor of the history of religions. An avid reader in all forms of speculative literature, he's particularly interested in how myth (which comes to the modern west as literature) and imaginative literature shape spiritual... Read More →
Monday February 20, 2017 9:00am - 10:30am PST
San Carlos
If all you knew about contemporary Paganism came from social media memes, you'd think it means being out in the wilderness, running with wolves, loving spiders and snakes, hoarding crystals, casting spells, howling at the moon and being profoundly affected by every astronomical event, large or small. All this while hating dogma, doctrine and hierarchy. And maybe being an empath. How well do these do these stereotypes match up to the Pagan life you know? Do they help or hurt us? Let's compare to the reality of being Pagan or Witchy (or whatever) in the 21st century. (Black cats optional.)
Phaedra Bonewits is a Neopagan teacher, writer, and initiate of several traditions of Wicca, Witchcraft and Hermetic Magic. She was a pioneer in public Pagan worship in Chicago, an active public Pagan in North Carolina, and served as national vice president of the CUUPS. She been... Read More →
Monday February 20, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
San Simeon
I give science-based ideas on herbs, oils, and supplements to prepare for light trance work and recovery from deep (full body) trance work. Under FIRE I discuss the biochemistry of stress and adrenal recovery. For WATER I discuss relaxation and serotonin and GABA pathways to access to alpha states. EARTH: I give simplified biochemical overview and recipes for purification and grounding. Medicating and grounding with sugar and its consequences are summarized. AIR: The talk is left brained with high data content "how to" component. Notepad advised.
I am a long time student of the mysteries and visionary states using the maps and technologies of ancient Egypt, QBL, raja yoga, Jung, Thelema, and shamanism' a slut to the gods. Exoterically I work as a scientist (PhD) with specialization in nonlinear dynamics and stochastic pro... Read More →
Monday February 20, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
San Martin
Juicy double cheeseburger or tasty veggie stir-fry? What do you eat? What enters into your food choices: taste, cost, healthfulness, animal rights, sustainability, Pagan ethics? join us for an open, non-judgmental discussion of Paganism and food. When is a meal a sacrament, a social event, a means to survive, or an assault on the planet? What foods are Earth-friendly and sustainable for humanity? Different choices will be respected, and we will not prescribe any “perfect diet." Azrael Arynn K has co-authored How to Become a Witch and other books, and has eaten food for many years.
Azrael is a 3rd degree priestess of the Ladywood Tradition of Wicca, and Dean of the School of Sacred Living at Ardantane. She has co-authored Ritualcraft, Heart of Tarot, Candlemas, and How to Become a Witch.
Monday February 20, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
Cedar
The old ways are returning. Slumbering gods reawaken, gaining strength and gathering followers. But many of the traditions themselves are incomplete. In addition to religious regard for deities, historically most polytheistic cultures also included ancestor veneration, life cycle rituals, personal ethics, group mores, ways of living on and with the land and its spirits, ritual and spiritual artistic expression, and spirit and ritual technologies to best do these things. Let's discuss how we can build, unearth, rediscover, shape and create whole, integrated Polytheist paths.
River Devora is a multi-trad spirit worker, medium, and clergyperson. She initiated as a community priestess with Waxing Muse Coven in 1996, initiated to Ochun in 2011, and is oathed to Odin, Freyr, Loki, Juksakka, the Morrigan and the Matronae. She teaches an ongoing monthly class... Read More →
Monday February 20, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
Carmel
This presentation is an exploration and comparison of Southern Folk Magic, including Appalachian Granny Magic, Southern Conjure/HooDoo Magic, and Brujeria. These vibrant southern magical paths evolved from local societal cultures, often overlapping and complementing one another. Drawing from the organic roots of magic, they speak to "needful workings," using easily available tools and ingredients to address basic, visceral human needs while building powerful and effective magical practices. History, development, techniques, lore, and modern practical application of each path are discussed.
Katrina Rasbold, best-selling author of over thirty books, holds a Ph.D. in Religion and has presented at California festivals for more than two decades. She and her husband, Eric Rasbold, founded the CUSP spiritual path, now practiced worldwide. Her first book, "Energy Magic," reached... Read More →
Monday February 20, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm PST
Santa Clara
