(All classes in Esoteric Room across from the elevators behind Conference Registration unless otherwise noted.)
The Esoteric Track was founded for those wishing to explore the traditions hinted at in the works of Marion Zimmer Bradley (Darkover), Katherine Kurtz (Deryni), and many other SF writers. This year's classes are on Magic in Mundania, including classes on the Fairies, Dance in Ritual, and our usual Tea & Tarot, Sime-Gen Faith Day, Memorial Service, and Christian Mass.
2:00 PM - Opening the Wards (All) - 2:30 All present add to the energy of cleaning the space from mundane energy and opening it for healing and safety throughout the weekend.
3:00 PM - Mosaic (an ongoing spiritual exercise similar to both Tibetan Buddhists and Muslims, made with multicolored beans, peas, and seeds, you are invited to add to the pattern throughout the weekend with glue. When finished we will cover this with a polyethylene shield as a permanent artwork for coming years. Think of it as our own constellation.). This will be set up at 3:00 pm in a corner and left up all weekend.
4:00 PM - Tea and Tarot - High Tea with anyone who wishes to come (this event will be repeated). A chance to meet members of the Chesapeake Pagan Community, Ecumenicon Fellowship, and other esoteric and magickal organizations in a light-hearted opportunity for divination using Tarot Cards, Palmistry, and other methods. (2 hours). Chesapeake Pagan Community
6:00 PM - Magic and the Mundane - Panel (one hour) The purpose of the esoteric track is to explore what "magick" means in a mundane world. We are all muggles in one way or another, come to this discussion of what, for many of us, is our daily world which is, for us, tangible, visible, audible, in ways that others may not perceive. - Charles Butler and others.
7:00 PM Home Rituals with Baba Niko Home rituals from the Eastern Orthodox perspective. A review of the cycle of life, honoring the ancestors, and daily walk.
8:00 PM - CLERGY CLATCH - Do you have "clergy" marked on your forehead in invisible ink. Whether Pagan, Christian, Muslim, Eckankar, Druid, Norse, Voudoun, Cherokee, whatever your path, an opportunity to meet others who find themselves as spiritual counselors, ritual guides, and oracles for others. A continuation of last year's clatch. There is far too little time for this, but we have to start somewhere.
10:00 PM - The Oracle Ritual is a modern recreation of the classical Greek and Roman oracles. In this ceremony, Mirriam Benson, serving as the oracle, will answer questions from "seekers" attending the ritual. Darkover members are welcome, as seekers, to ask questions about the Mysteries or other esoteric and personal questions. (Miriam Benson) (2 hours)
12:00 MIDNIGHT - LATE NIGHT DRUMMING CIRCLE. Join Rik Fire. Join us in this magical rhythmic space in the late nite hours. Bring your bodies, voices, and instruments to connect in a circle of sound & silence. Share in community with others & the Divine. No musical experience necessary. There will be instruments available to share.
10:00 AM Tea & Tarot - a chance to socialize with a high brunch. Bring your cards, your divining rods, your intuition, sponsored by the Chesapeake Pagan Community and friends (2 hours) This is for larks and those up with the sun.
12:00 NOON OPEN
1:00 PM - Guest of Honor Speech - No Programming
2:00 PM- Fairy Faith in Modern Times PANEL (Myth Woodling, Maugorn, and others)
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Middle Eastern Sacred Dance (Bambi)
5:00 PM - Falling Stars Service - for those dying of AIDS, victims of natural disaster, war, and all those loved ones passed this year. (Ecumenicon Fellowship and all interested parties)
6:00 PM - SimeGen Shiltpron (begins) - 8:30 PM
9:00 PM Clam Chowder (Don't even think there is programming)
12:00 MIDNIGHT - Hallelujah by the pool
1:00 AM - Late night Healing Arts (bring your healing hands, all welcome.) This is for night owls.
9:00 AM - Michaeline Mass - Open Christian Mass for the community sponsored and run by the Order of St. Michael - In ALTERNATE PROGRAMMING
11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON - Mosaic Continues, come add your final touches.
12:00 NOON - Journeying with Rik Fire. In this circle, information will be imparted so that participants will learn to ground/center/ shield in preparation for journeying to other realms. The primary purposes of shamanic journeying will be discussed & attendees will be led to access those realms. There will be time to experience 1 or 2 journeys. Wear comfortable clothing. Suggested to bring a blanket, eye covering & paper/pen. No experience necessary & experienced journeyers welcome, as well.
2:00 PM - Closing the Wards
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