ConVocation 2017 - The Seeker of Wisdom Must Release the Illusion of Knowledge: Full Schedule

8:30pm EST

DIY Talismans

Astrological talismans from the Scholastic Image Magic tradition often seem as challenging to make as they are powerful. After electing the window of time in which a talisman can be created, one must confect incenses, select appropriate sigils, and obtain tools and materials for the talismans. We will discuss how to create a talismanic laboratory, the process of practical considerations including choosing the best combinations, knowing which substitutions do and don't work, and time and money saving strategies. Take the theory of talismans into real life creations and applications.

Speakers

Clifford Hartleigh Low

Clifford Hartleigh Low has been described as a living encyclopedia of the arcane. He lectures across America on the philosophy, history, and effective application of all manner of magical techniques; with a reputation for being entertaining, scholarly, and thought-provoking. Clifford... Read More →

Thursday February 23, 2017 8:30pm - 10:00pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

9:30am EST

Messing with your Reality Part 2

In continuation of Last Years class of strange phenomenon, cymatics, experiments with the fringe areas of physics, and new perspectives on what you may THINK is real, we will continue to explore these strange and wondrous areas of our amazing world.

Speakers

AVATAR

Joel “Avatar” Bukowski is frequent panelist at various conventions around Michigan, speaking on such topics as Self-Defense, Strange Reality, the difference between Faith and Belief, various other Philosophical Topics, and various esoteric topics. He firmly believes that there... Read More →

Friday February 24, 2017 9:30am - 11:00am EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

11:30am EST

The Tools Of Traditional Witchcraft and influences on Wicca

Wicca can be quite different from the actual traditional craft practiced in the UK. But how? Gerald Gardner both knew and was taught by Aleister Crowley, but he also was the "house witch" at Cecil Williamson's first Museum Of Witchcraft. How did both Crowley and Williamson influence Gardner? What did these three fathers of the modern occult contribute and what did they think of each other? At this lecture we will look at some of the key differences between the traditional British Craft and modern Wicca.

Speakers

Paul Barbary

Paul Barbary is a Ceremonial Magician since he developed a fascination with Crowley at the age of 11. He is also a practitioner of British Traditional Witchcraft. Paul also being a bit schizophrenic, is HP of his wife’s MoonFire lineaged Alexandrian Wiccan coven. He is also a pagan... Read More →

Friday February 24, 2017 11:30am - 1:00pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

2:00pm EST

The Fire of Willpower

We are Druids, Witches, Mages, and Magicians. We work in the realms of manifestation and mystery. We work our will upon the world. But sometimes the world doesn’t seem to cooperate with our carefully laid sigils and hand crafted incense. Sometimes it’s hard just to get out of bed. In this workshop Rev. Hill will share some history on the idea of willpower, from the Greco-Roman Stoics to the ideas of Aleister Crowley. Then we will discuss modern research on the psychology and some of the counter intuitive ways we can build our willpower muscles.

Speakers

Rev. Melissa Hill

The Rev. Melissa Hill is a priest in the ADF Druidic tradition and a member of Cedarsong Grove, ADF in Lansing MI. Long ago she oathed herself to the gods under a full moon in the woods and shared a revealed star. She is a spiritworker, ritual artist, painter, blogger, homeschooling... Read More →

Friday February 24, 2017 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

4:00pm EST

Stage and Screen Magic

Do you perform? Are you a dancer or a musician? Do you work on camera or onstage? Would you like to? Is there magic involved? You bet your bippy there is! Let's discuss the glamour, the magic and the energy work in entertaining, from storytelling to concerts, with two folk who have spent quite some years as performers. Of course, while discussing how to make the spotlight shimmer and gleam we shall also talk about the other side of the coin: the power of the wallflower.

Speakers

Lauren "Nami" Ouellette-Bruchez

Lauren has been a practicing Pagan for 20 years. Five years ago she began work with the Assembly of Capital District Pagans, serving as marketing and media representative and chair for 2013 - 2014. This year she was honored to preside as ritualist for their annual Harvest Moot Festival... Read More →

Th'Elf

Cliff (aka Th'Elf, That Guy in a Suit, One of Those Canadians) is an adventure-addicted, story-loving infophile who listens as much as he talks (and wow, he can talk!). Th'Elf has wandered the heathen world for a little while now sharing as he can. He is oft be found under a fedora... Read More →

Friday February 24, 2017 4:00pm - 5:30pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

7:30pm EST

Slaying Your Trolls

Each of us has baggage or "trolls" that keep us from finding our true selves. Let's all come together and slay these trolls so we can start living and stop being held back!

Speakers

Mercy Trudel

Staff Family

Jerry is a Chaos Ritualist who has found a calling for healing. He believes every day actions can be a ritual and not just a "big show". Taking a shower? Cleansing ritual; a cup of 'cawfee'? A ritual for bringing in the new day. These are two of many examples. With this class he seeks... Read More →

Dustin Trudel-Williams

Dustin is a Pagan focused in the healing arts. He has been an astute observer of human nature through various venues and works with the Triple Goddess Bridgette. No longer wanting to observe; he wishes to give back to the community by using his talents. Dustin enjoys reading, writing... Read More →

Friday February 24, 2017 7:30pm - 9:00pm EST
Allen Park

Ritual

9:30am EST

Kabbalah Crash Course

In this workshop, we will discuss core introductory Kabbalistic principles, such as the Tree of Life, the interconnecting Paths of the Tree, and Kabbalistic synchronicity with other traditions and correspondences. We will also explore the connection between the Tarot and the Kabbalah. It's a Kabbalah adventure fit for spiritualists of all experience levels!

Speakers

Michael Callaghan

Michael grew up in rural Indiana and developed a passion for the ancient world at a young age. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in archaeology, and continues to serve as an alumni moderator for the university's Pagan Academic Network, one of the oldest pagan student... Read More →

Saturday February 25, 2017 9:30am - 11:00am EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

11:30am EST

Answering the Morrígan’s Call: Being a warrior in a time when stabbing people in the face is inappropriate

This workshop will talk about the nature of the call of the Morrígan and how we can answer that call today in a way appropriate for our time. We will look at the classical attributes of a warrior within the context of the Celtic culture, why the Morrígan calls upon us to fight, what that means and the ways we can do that in the modern world.

Speakers

Amabran

Amabran is a Priest of the Morrígan and the current High Priest and teacher of Renewal coven, a coven of The Path of Light; a lineaged, initiatory pre-Gardnerian tradition of Witchcraft, from southeast Michigan. Amabran’s experience stretches back to 1993 when he first began to... Read More →

Saturday February 25, 2017 11:30am - 1:00pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

2:00pm EST

Witchcraft and Tantra

The work of Gerald Gardner has remarkable parallels with some of the ideas and practices of Hindu Tantra. This talk looks at the basics of Tantric Paganism, including duotheism, secret books, the origins of ‘sky clad’, and looks at what Gardner may have left out of his version of witchcraft.

Speakers

Ian Corrigan

Ian Corrigan has been working, playing and teaching in the Neopagan movement since 1975. He is a founding member of the Chameleon Club and Starwood Festival, a Senior Priest and former Archdruid of A.D.F., and an initiate of a branch of traditional Witchcraft. Well-known as a teacher... Read More →

Saturday February 25, 2017 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

4:00pm EST

Fearless Magical Protection

It's a jungle out there. In most magical systems one of the first things you are taught is basic protection against spiritual attacks, and for good reason. A magical life is a perilous one at times. As you become more proficient, the need for protection grows and takes new forms. This class will survey practical methods of protection from a variety of spiritual systems and methodologies. Some of these techniques are unpublished anywhere and likely to be unfamiliar, but have proven very effective. Magical protection will help secure your success.

Speakers

Clifford Hartleigh Low

Saturday February 25, 2017 4:00pm - 5:30pm EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

9:30am EST

Who is the Oldest Person in the Room

I will share how allowing ourselves to practice free form, free flowing ways, we can navigate our challenges and changes with greater ease. Also how we can enrich and empower our spiritual and magical practices. I will also share how these meditative styles can help us love and accept ourselves as we are getting to know ourselves.

Speakers

AVATAR

Sunday February 26, 2017 9:30am - 11:00am EST
Allen Park

Lecture/Discussion

12:00pm EST

Getting to know the Gatekeepers

In this fun and interactive workshop kids will learn about Gatekeeper Gods. These are gods and goddesses who guard the crossroads, help travelers, are tricksters, money makers, and even help the dead find their homes in the afterlife. Gatekeepers in the ADF Druidic tradition are very important and help as guardians and guides in every ritual we do. Using songs, stories, and theater we will explore these archetypes, give offerings and learn a simple prayer to the Gatekeepers.

Speakers

Rev. Melissa Hill

Sunday February 26, 2017 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST
Allen Park

Kids