FULL MOON ESBAT WORKSHOP & RITUAL :
Sunday, 4 October 2009, long weekend

Drawing Down the Moon

A Full Moon Esbat workshop & ritual

Drawing Down the Moon is amongst the most traditional and sacred practices used by Witches. It is at once a celebration, an act of worship or communion with the Moon Goddess, an experience in raising power, and finally, a ritual to release us from the confines of the rational world.

In this one day hands-on workshop you'll learn about the core practices of a working Coven. The experiences gained at our workshops are vastly different from the more public pagan events you may have seen or read about. Sharing with others in this work will prepare you for an evening of ceremony, dance and immersion into the mystery rite known as Drawing Down the Moon.

Your workshop facilitator is Tim Hartridge. Tim has over 30 years of practical Coven involvement and teaching witchcraft and magick. According to Tim, “WITCHCRAFT is a practical system of mysticism whose method is known as magick. At the core of my experience of Witchcraft is a direct and personal encounter of the psychic reality. I have come to understand Witchcraft as a type of gnosis or mysticism through which communion with the Divine is the principle initiation.”

Drink from the cup of Witches' wine & remember ancient rites forgotten by time.

This one day event is divided into two parts, starting with an afternoon workshop and practicum. This will guide you in the use of the elemental and psychic structure of the Witches' Circle and lead you into the ceremonial practices to be used in the evening. Following a dinner break we will return for part two, the night ritual.

The evening follows the similar stages of a Coven Initiation rite: admission into the Circle; the revealing of sacred symbols; and entry into the meditative-trance of the Witches' Mystery rite called “Drawing Down the Moon”. Finally, this takes us into the ecstatic dances and deeper trances as we seek to raise the primal energy of the Circle, known as the cone of power. During this part of the ritual, a fire is lit within the Cauldron and a circle is formed as the dancing continues. The dances are very often free flowing and may lead to a spontaneous ecstacy and trance. The energy raised from the dances frequently responds in a psychic reflex, where a tangible cone of fire appears spiralling out of the cauldron. During this stage spells may be directed toward magickal goals that will have been prepared before hand.

...Burn to me perfumes! Wear to me jewels!
Drink to me, for I love you! I love you!
I am the blue-lidded daughter of Sunset;
I am the naked brilliance of the voluptuous night-sky...

 

During the daytime workshop you will be introduced to a contemporary approach to Witchcraft, including: using the elemental working tools of a Witch; developing your psychic energy using the metaphysical elements of earth, water, air and fire; learning how to cast the Circle; practicing the dances and chants to raise the cone of power; exploring the techniques of trance; activating the egregore or group-mind of the Coven as a psychic current; and experiencing the flow of chi (energy) through the chakra-centres in the middle pillar (Tree of Life) ritual.

This particular form of the Drawing Down the Moon rite has two distinct parts, like the dual nature of the Moon. The first part is the dreamy moon energy that leads us into a serene mystical trance (our light side). While the second part uses drum, dance, fire and power raising chant in a chaotic, wild and sensuous experience of moon-powers (our dark side). Both parts of the ritual have their own quality of power and unique expression – one employing the meditative power of mantra, spells and song, while the other engages a more primal energy, in the raw enthusiasm of the nocturnal luna mystery.

Your facilitator is Tim Hartridge, well known in the pagan community as a teacher of magickal practices, will share a wealth of magickal experiences with you. Tim also is a contributing author to several books and magazines on the subject of Witchcraft and established the WitchesWorkshop eGroup over 10 years ago, one of the largest Australian online Pagan communities.

Come away with us for a day and night of ritual and psychic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. We promise this event will change the way you see your magickal practices and provide you with the tools to continue your personal development in Witchcraft.

MAKING A BOOKING:
Please fill in the Booking form for Drawing Down the Moon
Booking enquiries email: Tori Collins or Tim Hartridge
or call: m 0416 339 706

WHERE: Ultimo, Sydney
Currently we are using a workshop space located in Ultimo. See map details.

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ?
These following link to books are highly recommend and will help you greatly improve your comprehension of the workshop and subject material.
Click HERE for Recommend Reading

ALEXANDRIAN WICCA – see this link
A collection of some rare and insightful interviews with Alex Sanders. Plus an interview with Rosaleen Norton, the Witch of Kings Cross.