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WELCOME to the Witch Camp project. This is a general information page where you can obtain links to finding out what is happening with the Witch Camp Australia project, as well as how to get updates. We encourage you get in touch by contacting any key members.
SUMMARY:
The Witch Camp project comes from a desire to see the Australian Pagan Community develop through active involvement in ritual events such as retreats and workshops. This has principally been in the Sydney region because our key members are located there, but we are open to lending support to others interested in developing the skills necessary to hosting Witch Camp projects throughout Australia.
Since 21 October 2007 we have held a series of planning meetings to discuss what a Witch Camp could be. Tim Hartridge initiated these meetings, promoting them through the WitchesWorkshop eGroup and its sister group on Facebook. We worked toward a 'practice' event and held our first camp over the Australia Day long weekend, in January 25-27, 2008 - see our Witches on Facebook group for feedback and minutes.
WHAT IS WITCH CAMP?
At the time the Witch Camp project was initiated we had many different interreptations of what a 'Witch Camp' could be. Tim's vison was a simple one – "Hosting retreats that provide an educational or workshop basis for Witches." Over the months we worked through numerous ideas, attended many planning meetings and held our first 'rehearse a Witch Camp' event. Following this retreat what emerged were two quite different visions for the future.
One group of people were keen to see the development of a community-based group with ties to the Reclaiming movement (USA). The other was the Witch Camp group interested in hosting retreats with an educational and event priority and without affliation to any other tradition. Although these are two different streams hopefully they can be complementary to one another rather than being mutually exclusive.
The Witch Camp Australia group is dedicated to hosting events and offers the Witch Moon retreat as our first project. Our organising members draw on many years experience in the Australian Pagan community hosting a variety of projects. These include: WitchesWorkshop.com, Eostre Gathering, Nuit's Veil and Dark Circle, Pagans in the Pub, Witches' Meet-ups, L'esbat, and public Full Moons.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
The Australian Witch Camp project is now moving into a new stage of running public events. Our first project is the Witch Moon Retreat 9-11 May 2008 - see links on the left. Anyone interested in participating is very welcome.
You are also encouraged to join our WitchesWorkshop on Facebook group and read about upcoming projects found on the Discussion Board.
COSTS & WHO CAN ATTEND?
Cost to attend is expected to be kept at a reasonable price, but must cover accommodation, facility hire and teaching fees. Each Camp is likely to be different, using a variety of locations and different facilitators. Generally the Camps are designed to be inclusive and are for people who have a sincere desire to learn and deepen their experience in pagan and magickal practices.
TEACHERS TEACHING TEACHERS
The Witch Camp group provides the opportunity through our events for people to become Student Teachers and Teacher/Facilitors of workshops. The Witch Camp group holds the expectation that a standard of practice be established for anyone wanting to teach at the Camps. This is both a competency standard and an ethical standard. It will be the business of the Witch Camps to present teachers properly accredited by the organising group.
NEXT EVENT:
WITCH MOON RETREAT
9-11 May 2008
The Witch Moon Retreat is designed to teach the techniques of shape-shifting, ecstatic trance-dance and circle casting used in our coven rituals. Wearing catskins, fox pelts, horned antlers and totemic masks, Witches of old have long employed the outer symbols of the inner ways of knowing - the animal powers or Familiar Spirits. We invite you to join us in the traditional rites of Witchcraft and initiate your journey in a 'participation mystique' of the forgotten powers. More Info...
NEXT PLANNING MEETING:
Check WitchesWorkshop Facebook Events list for updates
Dates to be announced.
PAST EVENTS:
REHEARSE A WITCH CAMP: 25-27 January 2008
First Witch Camp Retreat see - pics and reports
See - Witch Camp Planning Meeting on discussion board
CONTACT: Witch Moon Witch Camp Team
WITCH MOON RETREAT : 9-11 MAY 2008
A unique experiential workshop introducing you to a variety of contemporary and traditional Witchcraft practices. It will be held over the course of a weekend in the beautiful hills of Rainbows Reach Retreat on the Central Coast of NSW.
DATE: Friday evening to Sunday afternoon 9-11 May, 2008.
More Info...
The WITCHES WORKSHOP HANDBOOKThis 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.
Witch Moon Newsletter
Some
updates for participants and reminders for your preparation.
WITCH CAMP AUSTRALIA
WITCHESWORKSHOP
Workshops and networking.
Witches on Facebook
Keep up to date with information about workshops and events.
WitchesWorkshop egroup:
This community was especially setup to keep Australian members informed about workshops, meetings and events which occur around the country. We currently have more than 1600 members. This May 2008 we celebrate 9years of serving the Australian Pagan community.
Nuit's Veil Coven– Sydney
A training coven embracing a contemporary interpretation of traditional witchcraft using a fusion of wicca, thelema, shamanism and alchemy.
Babalon's Rising Coven – Blue Mountains
A private Coven in the Blue Mountains region providing conatct and training for Pagans, Witches and Ceremonial magicians.
Tim Hartridge © 2008 Witch Camp Australia