Paths – Avalon Spring dreamt of …

There’s Magic in the Air
facilitated by Deborah Oak & Dawn Isidora

Since ancient times, mystics have studied the power of the Word. Witch’s words, innately, hold the power of spell working and which words we use describe shape, colour and tone as surely as a painter’s pigments. Breathe in. Breathe out. Magic begins with intent. Focusing on our breath, we allow our selves to center and align. As we ask: “what is our intent?” we clarify our thoughts, sharpening our discernment. In engaging our discernment, weighing the values of Truth, Kindness and Necessity, we are better able to make thoughtful choices. Word. Breath. Intent. Discernment. Spell. As critical to our magic as is the Air that we breathe.

In this path we aim to examine how we can use our words to change our worlds. Working with the Iron and Pearl Pentacle points of Self and Knowledge we endeavor to be more self aware and present with our communications. With special emphasis on the everyday magical acts of: responsible feedback, mediation and conflict resolution, as well as differentiating between, processing, gossiping and venting (all of which have their place!) we will explore how we can experience our lives more magically and use our spellcrafting more effectively.

If this path speaks to you, you may want to bring your Blade plus a journal and pen. Let us respire, conspire and inspire together!

Fire Path
facilitated by Donald Engstrom-Reese and Georgia Midnight Crow

With one eye turned towards the flames and the other turned towards the ashes we will dare: dare to take responsibility, dare to move slowly, dare to deepen our awareness, dare to hold paradox, dare to open our hearts, dare to sacrifice our fantasies of perfection, dare to live in mystery. We will honour our shadowy and shinning selves as guests bearing gifts of great worth. We may discover that indeed, all work is soul work.

This class is open to Witches who have had some experience in the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft and to those who wish to deepen their relationships with the Elements of Fire. We will explore fiery tools and techniques of magic. We will look at the correspondences of Fire, visit the tools of the Pentacle of Fire and use our voices as tools of fire to focus our will with the Seven Sacred Voices. We will practice trance poses as we journey to the Fiery Realms to gather energy in order to empower and charge community building. We will practice listening, learning to more fully trust our intuitive selves as we deepen our relationships with the Allies, Ancestors and Mysterious Ones of Fire.

If you choose this path, we ask that you bring writing materials, a burnable offering for the Gidden Bridget(1) , wear comfortable warm clothes and be willing to be willing to open yourself to Mystery. May we all dare to dwell in Beauty, Balance and Delight.

(1) gidden – goddess, if the Old English term for divine female had survived, it would today be something very close to the word gidden: from The Paganistan New Saxon Word-hoard, created by Valire’brand and Steven Posch.

Call of the Sensuous
facilitated by Bríghde Éire and Susan Moonroot

Water asks us, can we be fearless? Can we gaze into our own reflections and experience the depths of our hearts? Can we put all we think we know aside and open to the teachings of rain, river currents and waves, and deep water?

In this path we will ‘dare’ to open all our senses to water in order to experience the lessons of being both formless and shape changers – not only of our own lives, but also with our relationships with the human and non-human worlds. We will come to understand that as the drop of water is to the sea, so we as individuals are our spiritual community.

Starting with our own relationship with self, we will work outwards to our relationship with mystery and the larger community. Using the three hearts concept (black heart, green heart and pink heart) to guide us, we will journey through the active practice of cleansing, shifting and nourishing ourselves so we might be better mediators of all our relationships within the human world and the natural world. We will use trance, divination and dreamwork to strengthen and deepen our communion with all water has to tell us. We will work with the energetic life force of movement and stillness and look at the destructive and healing and rebuilding characteristics of water and ourselves. Creating a disciplined and devotional practice within our daily lives and being willing to stand in integrity and truth as informed by love and compassion for all beings will be an important aspect of this path.

All levels of magical experience are welcome. You need only be willing to open and listen. If you are drawn to this path we suggest you bring a chalice or cup that you would like to work with and journal for writing and drawing in with your favourite artists materials.

Earth / Hearth Path
Facilitated by Alessandra, Fran, Gaia and Sayre.

Recipe for Hearth Path

desire
magic
joy
work
ritual
mindful awareness
conscious choice
personal responsibility
fruity indulgences
compassion
connection
love
self
humour

Mix equal parts desire, magic, joy, and work.
Add a sprinkling of ritual.
Stir until blended.

Whisk in a mindful awareness, a cup of conscious choice, and a pint of personal responsibility.
Educate thoroughly.

Add fruity indulgences to taste.

Gradually fold in compassion and connection, alternating with love.

Stir in self.
Season with humour.

Knead on a well-compassioned surface, allow community to rise.
Shape into one world and bake on low heat in a solar oven until crust forms around a gooey center. Serve immediately.