Witch Camp Australia + WitchesWorkshop : Transforming Theory into Practice
• WELCOME • VINUM SABBATI • PROGRAM • ABOUT US • PHOTOS • BOOKING INFO • LIBER MATERIA
“I think it (witchcraft) speaks of an
appreciation of the environment which
we don't have anymore.”
Rev. Peter Owen-Jones speaking after attending our Coven's Esbat.
"Around the World in 80 Faiths" BBC 2009
Vinum Sabbati Witch Camp Retreat Program
Thursday, 9 April – Sunday, 12 April 2009
optional self catering day Monday 13 April
The Witch Camp retreats can take only a limited of number people, so we encourage you to register as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. These events are run only as time permits and so we can't guarantee future dates at this stage.
Registration
The entire weekend is $300 and covers all your meals, accommodation and workshop materials. Please read through the full details below and complete the 'Registration' process in two steps.
Step 1
You can register by making a direct debit deposit of the whole fee $300 or a part deposit of $100. The balance must be paid three days prior to the event, Friday 3 April. Please note all deposits are non-refundable.
BSB 032024 A/C 603929
Account name: Victoria Collins/Tim Hartridge
Description: Witch Camp
*IMPORTANT: Please email us once you make a payment. Thank you. Please also note deposits are non-refundable.
Step 2
Your next step is to register your contact details with us. It is also a chance to tell us something about you and your interests. This information will be kept confidential. Witch Camp registration – please click on this link.
Program Timing
Arriving on the Thursday night, 9 April and returning on Sunday afternoon 12 April. For those wishing stay over an extra night, there is the option to return on 13 April, Monday afternoon instead. The daytime sessions will be used to learn and prepare for the practices of evening rituals.
The Easter long weekend was especially chosen so that we could synchronise our retreat with the full moon, allowing it to cast it's hypnotic influence over us.
Schedule of Rites
Commencing Thursday evening and using simple circle songs, chants and dances, we will introduce you to one another, as well as seek our first contact with the ancestral spirits. Our activities commence in ernest after breakfast on Friday with the creation of our ritual gateway in preparation for the Coven Esbat or full moon rite for Friday night. This is a night dedicated to Luna in our rite of Drawing Down the Moon. For many this ritual will be their first full immersion into working in a coven.
The rite of Luna is an initiatory experience holding for some a deep reconnection to half forgotten memories and rites of a previous time. For others it will be their first serious step in a celebratory rite to awaken the wild witch through ecstatic dance and ceremony.
All this provides a prelude to the magickal workings on Saturday night, the Vinum Sabbati rite. The Vinum Sabbati is the mysterious Witches' Wine, a substance not made of any ordinary fruits of the vine. Its roots draw from the rich, dark recesses of the Psyche. It's ethereal fruit may be harvested under the light of the midnight moon, and fermented in a cauldron of dreams or generated through nocturnal trances. The Vinum Sabbati rite is a sabbatic witches' circle that involves journeying into the woods, undertaking admittance through rites of Initiation, holding witness to the call of the god of the wild, the Horned One, engaging in charging of the fetish-talismans, and joining the Sabbat's train of dance, feast and secret sharings.
From our experience in group ritual work, this retreat may help to trigger the inner experience necessary for psychic development. Those new to the use of Tarot in magickal work will have the opportunity to use path-working methods unique to our Coven practicum and use our symbol immersion techniques. We will assist participants in reaching new levels of ritual practice and confidence in group work. The Vinum Sabbati Witch Camp retreat will aid your journey to restore the forgotten powers and awaken the Witch-within.
ARRIVAL
The Vinum Sabbati Witch Camp retreat will be run as a ritual-workshop-style event commencing on Thursday evening 9 April and running through until mid-afternoon Sunday 12 April. You must be able to attend the whole event, although arrival times are likely to be staggered. We have arranged with the Rainbows Reach for an optional extra self-catering day for those wishing to stay longer for $40.
You are welcome to arrive from 5pm on the Thursday evening, but we would like everyone to be at the retreat by 9pm. If transport is likely to be a problem we may be able to assist if needed. An evening meal will be available from 6pm through to 9pm. For details on directions - see this MAP link to Rainbows Reach Retreat
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Accommodation& Food
ACCOMODATION
Rainbows Reach Retreat is situated about 1.5hrs north of Sydney on a beautiful private bush land property of the southern Central Coast of NSW. Accommodation is a fully self-contained 30 bed lodge with 9 bedrooms containing single bunks and double/queen beds (blankets & pillows provided, BYO linen). There is a large lounge and dining area with a fully equipped kitchen, plus two double bathrooms.
Our hosts are Barry and Gillian Vaughan who specialise in alternate spirituality, healing, workshops and a natural lifestyle. They are pagan friendly and the Rainbows Reach Retreat is an entirely eco friendly, solar powered property giving you a total experience of being away from it all in a sustainable living retreat.
MEALS & DRINKS
Your food will be a lovingly prepared vegetarian menu with lots of variety and plenty to eat the whole weekend. While we do use both alcoholic and non-alcoholic witches' brews for the rituals we ask that everyone refrain from drinking before the evening ritual. This is so that you'll be entirely present in the experience and allow the effects the magickal work to do its job. There will be a variety of teas, coffee and juices throughout the weekend.
Our retreats are generally small groups, where we all take part in the smooth running of meal preparations and clean-ups, as well as ritual set-ups and packing-up. We encourage a supportive bonding over the weekend and consider it important that we close off the retreat and all leave the camp site together.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BRING
Most of your practical needs are taken care of so that all you need to bring are items of a more personal nature. Here's a short check list:
Toothbrush & toiletries, bed linen (your pillow and blankets are provided), ritual attire and any drums, any special dietary needs.
WHAT NOT TO BRING!
Because Rainbows Reach Retreat is run on Solar power you can't use energy draining appliances such hair-driers. It will simply overload the system and cause a black-out.
NEXT go to Liber materia.
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Transport
GETTING THERE
Here's some helpful links and suggestions to getting you to the Witch Camp:
1. If you are driving to Rainbows Reach Retreat we have a Google Map which can create instructions for you on how to ge there from anywhere. Simply click on this LINK.
2. Want to offer others a lift? Please let us know on the Registration form.
3. If you require assistance getting to Rainbows Reach Retreat simply contact us via the Witch Camp Registration form immediately and we'll try and organise transport for you. It is expected that you will help to cover your share of the petrol costs to the driver.
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NEXT go to Liber materia.
"It spake to me and charm'd me,
And led me through the Fire's breach,
And named me and true-swore me:
The Sabbat's Arte, to learn, to teach."
WITCHES WORKSHOP HANDBOOK
This Handbook contains an introduction to Witchcraft as well as a number of rituals. By familiarising yourself with the material in the Handbook you are taking your first steps toward the work we will undertake at the Witch Camp. Witches Workshop handbook here.
300kb
A copy of the Vinum Sabbati Witch Camp two page flyer.
Liber materia - preparations for the Vinum Sabbati.
- Tim Hartridge © 2009 Witch Camp Australia