Ostara Spring Clearing
9:58 AM PDT, March 20, 2009
Ostara ushers in the start of the spring, and many of us associate the coming of the spring with spring cleaning. I think its not only the cleaning of your house physically, but “Spring Clearing” getting clearer in our own consciousness about who we are, where we are and what we are doing. So I started my Ostara ritual this morning with the ritual burning of all the altar decorations gathered over the dark of the year – threads, papers, grains, oak leaves, gourd husks, pine branches and mistletoe. Perhaps it should have been done at a Fire Festival, such as Imbolc, but the spirit moved me to save it for the Equinox, so fire on the Equinox it is. The ashes were then spread to the garden to renew the land and magick. Some of the spring flowers are already coming up and my Hellbore looks ready to shoot up with some new flowers, probably in time for Christian Easter. In the ritual, I also focused on what I was letting go, cleaning and clearing away, to make room for new growth and new blessings. In vision, the Lady of the Flowers rose up from the Underworld, with flowers in her wake and helped me “bloom and grow” with the spring showers, sunlight, wind and soil. Only when we have the exchange with all four will we truly bloom and grow. It’s been a very magickal morning. If you don’t have Ostara plans already, I urge you to try a little spring clearing to make room to bloom!
In business news, I’m anxiously awaiting the new and improved www.christopherpenczak.com. The revamp has been a long time coming and I’m excited about the new design and simple layout. Sadly we are putting an end to the forums, as with email, Myspace and all my ritual, traveling, teachings, online classes and writing, I can’t keep up with everything. In fact rather than let things linger, I’ve accepted help from some lovely people in keeping up with some correspondence. So if you get a response through any of the social networking sites that is not directly from me, please know that I’m am still alive and well, and either on the road or under a deadline. I’ll make an announcement when the new site is up. In the meantime, I’m still taking names for the Fall 2009 Witchcraft I: Building the Inner Temple Course, so if you are interested in being on the First Call list, email me at Torcboy@aol.com and let me know. Due to the popularity of a new workshop called The Witch’s Plant Familiar, I’ve decided to release a direct sales version of the Meditation CD previously unveiled at Pantheacon last February. I always try to bring something special to the folks who travel so far to Pantheacon, and now want to share some of my earlier home recording experiments with you all. This CD will have a guided meditation leading you into communion with your Balm Plant Spirit, for healing, your Bane Plant Spirits, for exploring the mysteries and your Tree Teacher, for deeper guidance. The second track will be the original music recorded for the meditation without my voice, so you can use it for your own unique journeys as well. The Witch’s Plant Familiar CD is available for $10 including shipping and handling and I’m accepting payment via Paypal (Torcboy@aol.com) or by check (Christopher Penczak, PO BOX 2252, Salem, NH 03079). Make sure to include the words “Witch’s Plant Familiar CD” along with your name address for shipment. It will only be available for March and April and then perhaps in May, with the release of The Living Temple of Witchcraft Vol II, I’ll have a different CD. As usual, I’ll be traveling a lot in the Spring, and have listed my workshops and events below. Please always call to confirm, and many shops appreciate preregistration. Hope to see you in my journeys. Blessed be, Christopher Penczak Temporary Schedule Page: http://s58191.gridserver.com/site2009/Christopherp enczak2009schedule.html Crows and Rainbows – Pantheacon 2009
1:44 PM PST, February 22, 2009
I had a lot of fun at Pantheacon this year, though it was a bit strange. We had seen a rainbow every day, and every morning I was woken by the cawing of crows! Always a good sign. Pantheacon is always a bit strange compared to my other events because its so large, and because its in a hotel. Many friends who have been Pcon staples for me in terms of hanging out and visiting were not there this year, and even a few others who were there were strangely invisible. I think the food selection at the hotel keeps getting worse with the prices going up, so sadly we ate at Denny’s a lot, as one of the few places in walking distance to the hotel. The lack of GLBT suite was tough as that’s been a home base for me, Steve and Adam after hours with the Between the Worlds boys. Other suites did well providing GLBT event, and our friend Phillip hosted a fun room party, but for the most part, I hung out in the lobby bar. We got to spend more time with Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor Grimassi than we usually do, and I’m looking forward to their springtime move to New England. Raven and I had a good talk about engaging our readers outside of the books, and the struggles and joys of maintaining contact. His advice and perspective was quite helpful. I really enjoyed both of Raven’s presentations on the Witch’s Sabbat and the Cauldron of Ancestors. I also got to attend workshops with Orion Foxwood, Lon DuQuette and my friend and a new Llewellyn author Alaric Albertson, author of Travels Through Middle Earth. He taught us about ancestor work, and although he was coming from an Anglo Saxon perspective, his class was very open to all traditions and background. Lon read from his new book, and played songs from his “white album.” It was pretty amazing to say the least. We all learned that he likes to get drunk in his car, a title of one of the songs. Sadly I missed R.J. Stewarts presentation, though we got a few minutes of hang out time here and there but for the most part were like ships passing in the night. He and Raven were teaching at the same time. We also got some time with Amber and Azrael K, though I didn’t get to their workshops. Orion and I got some short quality time too, and he gave me some good advice about my next book on trance. I had fun with my presentations, though I was surprised at the large attendance of the Plant Spirit Familiar class. I assumed that was too esoteric of a topic and that my Gates of the Goddess Underworld Journey would be more popular, but it was the opposite. I was also on two panels, both about the author’s view on deity. Though they were both fun, I think the smaller panel on Sunday had a better discussion and questions, though Sunday was lacking the humor of Z. Budapest. The Friday panel was organized by Elysia Gallo of Llewellyn, with Llewellyn authors, while Sunday was organized by T. Thorn Coyle, and had me, Diana Paxson, Lon Milo DuQuette, Ivo Dominguez Jr. and Stephanie Taylor moderating. It was recorded for Thorn’s Elemental Castings podcast so if you’re interested in it, be on the look out at her website. There were lots of other folks I saw briefly, but quality hang out time was hard. I also finally crossed paths with Peter Paddon, who runs Pendraig Publishing and The Crooked Path podcast. He caught me when I had hit empty at the end of the Con, so we didn’t get to have a good conversation, but I hope to visit with him the next time I’m in California.
I got to visit, albeit briefly with most, many of the students from my online Witchcraft apprenticeship. It was fun, though next year we really have to set a place and time when we can all meet. There were a few that I knew from previous Pcons, and didn’t realize they were in the class until we spoke. It’s so hard to match face/name/email with people these days. I had an amazing reunion with a wonderful woman named Rowan who once hosted me on tour. I call her the Lady of the Ten of Cups, for both the altar she has in her home, and her embodiment of the card itself in life. I had given her a potion as a heartfelt thank you, and she told me the story of the potion and her journey of healing with it, since I saw her last. I was totally floored by what was set in motion and so glad to hear how well she is doing now. I also learned that the term “slappy” is probably just Northeastern slang. I told Thorn, before our panel that I was feeling slappy, which to me is a bit silly and over tired, so I was afraid I would be sarcastic when she was looking for me to be serious. She told me to breathe deeply and it will be ok. I said the same thing to Stephanie and she told me to sit down till I felt better. Raven, Ivo and I discussed it, and Raven had never heard of it, but thought it meant “puchy” which is pretty on, and Ivo totally knew what I meant by it, so I think it’s a Northeast thing. Polling people about the word slappy became my past time for the rest of the Con, and most people didn’t know what it meant. Throughout the Con, I was experimenting with the EFT system. What’s EFT, you say? The Emotional Freedom Techniques! I’ve been using it on a series of related issues, both emotional and health oriented. It looks really silly and involves tapping meridian points on the body and some funny eye movements and signing. Yes, singing. It looks silly, but I think it’s quite effective in reprogramming your energy system around particular issues or traumatic events. I had a very loved and respected teacher introduce me to it. She thinks all this New Age stuff is “crap” as she’s seen it all in her time, and relies on old world occultism, but someone talked her into trying it, and had great results, so I thought I would check it out. I’m using it in combination with Flower Essences and Homeopathy, but it’s really been helpful. I committed to three sessions a day (it takes less than five minutes) for nine days to see if it had any effect, and so far, I think it’s worked. I’m going to relax for a bit before moving onto the next issue. You can find out more about them at http://www.emofree.com. Don’t let the heavy marketing self-help slant scare you off too much. Continuing our Pcon Tradition, Adam, Steve and I took a few days in San Francisco. We changed hotels from the Double Tree to place a bit more affordable and that hotel had flooding due to the rain, so we changed hotels again, and then back. You would think it was Mercury Retrograde. But otherwise, things were great. We had a lot of fun in the city. Did great shopping. Had the best food, including a visit to the all garlic restaurant the Stinking Rose. Because it was raining for much of the day, we took a bus tour to see the city, but stay dry. Got some amazing pictures on Twin Peaks. Shopped in the Castro. And we had our annual visit to Fields Bookstore, where I bought way too many books. Can’t wait to do it all again next year. Blessed Be the Light Has Come!
12:41 PM PST, January 27, 2009
Merry Imbolc Everyone,
Even though we’re still in the dead of winter for New England, we’ve had a lot of sunlight and I’m feeling quite cheerful. My family received wonderful news that my Mom is not required more chemotherapy at this time. While she still has lesions in her liver, they do not appear to be cancerous anymore. Thank you all for the magickal healing, reiki, good wishes and prayers, along with her pretty amazing herbal remedies. She is still open to any healing you wish to send for the highest good to bring her to full recovery. I’m in the midst of editing Volume II of The Living Temple of Witchcraft. Featuring the Journey of the God through the twelve solar stations of the Zodiac, I’m really pleased with the end result of our series and think this book breaks some new group for those seeking to deepen their craft and their public service. The website should be revamped soon, fingers crossed, and a full schedule presented. Some upcoming featured classes and events are below. I’ll be back to California for Pantheacon, Florida and Colorado again for the spring, and a new venue in Alabama. The Online Apprenticeship for the Inner Temple is going very well, and I do plan on offering it again in the fall. If you’d like to be on the First Call waiting list, please send me an email with your name and the best email address to send you information, and when details are set, I’ll let you know. I’d like to leave you with a little house cleansing ritual for Imbolc, in honor of Bridget, to remove stagnant energy from your home and your energy body. A more powerful variation, to stoke the inner psychic fires, is done in the apprenticeship, in a ritual called “To Gain the Power.” It contains some more unusual herbs. This one is purely cleansing and can be healing for yourself, your home and your family. Take a small cauldron and fill it 3/4 with Epsom Salts. Fill the cauldron with Rubbing Alcohol. If you have them available, add a few drops of “cleansing” oils whose scents please you. You might go for a bright citrus blend of orange, lemon or lemongrass oils, or a more sanctifying blend of frankincense and myrrh oil. Lavender is a favorite, and can be added to either the citrus or resin blends mentioned, or used alone. Just a few drops will do. For those needing a little prosperity in these challenging times, and essential oils are out of the price range, add a four pinches of herbs, one of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice, all things you should hopefully have in your spice rack. Say the following words over the mixture: Triple Goddess Bridget Healer, Poet, Smith Bless us please with your gifts Blessings be upon our home, banishing all that does not serve. May all those in our household have the blessings of health May all those in our home have the blessings of creativity. May all those in our heart have those blessings of strength. We ask this for the highest good, harming none. Carefully light the alcohol with a match or lighter and let the mixture burn. The flame can go quite high, so if you have a lid for your cauldron, it will be helpful. If you really want to cleanse your own aura, sit before the fire, stare into the flames of your hearth and imagine letting the flame consume all unwanted forces, unhealthy thought and emotions and all lingering or potential illness. The flame devours and transforms. Blessed be and Happy Imbolc, Christopher Penczak www.christopherpenczak.com Imbolc: The Festival of Lights January 31, 7- 9 PM Cambridge Masonic Building 1950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. Lap of the Goddess Productions. Write lapofthegoddess@hotmail.com to register. In the heart of darkness, we call out to the Goddess to awaken. The young Sun god warms us, and through his light, we ignite our candles and rouse the Goddess from her underworld slumber, urging her to rise and bring the spring. Imbolc, also known as Candlemass, is the traditional celebration of the Goddess Bridget, also known as Bride, the triple goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. Today we celebrate the Goddess of light and fire through community ritual between the worlds in the magick circle. If you desire, bring a candle in a dripless container. All faiths and traditions welcome. Reiki I Practitioner Certification Saturday February 7th, 10 AM – 6 PM, Salem NH Learn the ancient art of Reiki healing and become attuned to the Universal Life Force. Reiki is used for healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It is simple, easy and profoundly moving. Understand the history and modern use of this system. Learn the basic hand positions for treating the self and others, study the chakra system and the spiritual roots to disease. Participate in and receive hands on healing in this powerful yet gentle modality. Recommended Reading: The Magick of Reiki by Christopher Penczak. Manuals and certificate included. $200. Email torcboy@aol.com to register. Pantheacon Feb 14-17, San Jose, CA www.ancientways.com The Seven Gates of the Goddess Ritual Pathworking The Witch's Plant Familiar The Descent of the Goddess: Seven Gates of Initiation Friday, Feb 27 Meet and Greet Book Signing at 6 PM Class at 7-9:30 PM, $15 Books, Beans, and Candles MS 1620 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd S. Birmingham AL 35205 205-453-463 www.bookbeancandle.com Explore the mystery of initiation through the Descent of the Goddess. Reenacted in many witchcraft traditions during initiatory or seasonal rites, discover the seven fold meaning of the Goddess' descent to explore the magick of death, rebirth and love. Understand the pattern of initiation, of reaching a new level of consciousness and through the rebirth of the Goddess, become “free from fate.” Compare the seven gates through which she passes with the seven gated castles of Anwnn in Welsh myth, the alchemical operations, the ancient planets, the chakras and the Miracle of Bread in traditional craft. Experience an intense journey through the seven gates to experience your own rebirth and return. Learn what you must surrender to be reborn. Based on Christopher's newest book The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I: The Descent of the Goddess. High Witchcraft and Ceremonial Magick Day Long Intensive Saturday, Feb 28, 10 AM - 6 PM, $50 Books, Beans, and Candles MS 1620 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd S. Birmingham AL 35205 205-453-463 www.bookbeancandle.com The traditions of modern witchcraft and ceremonial magick share similar roots and influences, and many practitioners of magick work in both traditions. Explore the art and science of modern hermetic magick through the lens of witchcraft and paganism. The course will cover the shared practice of the four sacred tools of the pentacle, chalice, blade and wand. Climb the ten spheres of the Tree of Life, exploring the magickal correspondences of each through color, scent, angel, god, planet and pathworking. Understand the foundational rituals of ceremonial magick such as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Class concludes with a group ritual in the tradition of High Witchcraft. The Witch’s Shield: Protection Magick and Psychic Self Defense Saturday, March 7, 7-9:30 PM The Cat, The Crow and the Crown 63R Pickering Wharf, Salem, Massachusetts (978) 744-6274 www.lauriecabot.com Explore the techniques of psychic self defense and the rituals of protection magick. Learn how to protect and balance yourself and home. Discuss potential psychic dangers, drains and trauma from other people, your environment, and yourself. Understand how to counteract these dangers and create new healthy habits that will protect your energy. Create energetic protection shields through meditation and ritual. Explore your relationship with your guardian spirits, angels, deities and totem animals. Work with protective crystals, herbs and symbols to make protection amulets. Explore the concepts of curse breaking, the evil eye, bindings and bottle spells. Learn energy cleansing techniques to create a balanced, sacred environment to promote health and well being. Grounded in a philosophy of spirituality and self empowerment, based on the book, The Witch’s Shield, by Christopher Penczak Pointy Hat Lady Presents: Christopher Penczak at The Herb Corner 277 N. Babcock St., Melbourne FL 32935 Phone: 321-757-7522 http://www.herbcorner.net/ March 11, 2009 Book Signing and Meet and Greet 6 - 7 PM, Free Event. Join Christopher as he presents his latest book, The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I and accompanying Meditation CD Companion. A selection of books will be available for purchase at the event. Then join us for a very special workshop on our spiritual relationship with plants. The Witch's Plant Familiar March 11, 2009 Workshop 7:30- 10 PM, $20 The Herb Corner 277 N. Babcock St., Melbourne FL 32935 Phone: 321-757-7522 http://www.herbcorner.net/ Many witches are familiar with the concept of the animal familiar, the totemic animal or fetch beast, but many witches are also allied with spirits from the plant world. The spirits of herbs, flowers and trees can act as divine guides, protectors and tutors in magick, healing and transforming the witch.† Each one has its own spiritual medicine, that is in harmony with the witch’s work and purpose in the world. Survey many of the traditional plant allies of the witch, including the spirits of Nightshade, Monkshood, Thorn Apple, Mandrake, Oak, Apple, Hazel, Birch, Rose, Mugwort, Wormwood, and Angelica. Learn how to find your own plant familiar from the green world, and develop a strong connection. Shamanic Witchcraft: Walking Between the Worlds with Christopher Penczak March 12, 2009 Starchild 3762 Tamiami Trail STE-E Port Charlotte, FL 33952 www.starchildbooks.com/ (941) 743- 0800 Book Signing, 6 PM – Join Christopher Penczak for an informal meet and greet and book signing where a selection of his books will be available for purchase from the store. Workshop, 7- 9:30 PM, $35 or $25 with Starchild Membership Attend a hands on exploration of the role of the witch and the shaman in tradition and modern culture. Both are walkers between the worlds, seers of spirits, medicine workers and community healers. Survey the history of European witchcraft, and how it's practices echo those of native shamans, including the use of flying ointments, familiars, crossing the hedge, faery roads and the misconceptions of the Witch's Sabbat as recorded by the witch trail inquisitors. Discuss modern core shamanic techniques and how they apply to contemporary witchcraft. Through drumming journey, unlock your power to explore the otherworlds, to not only walk the crossroads of the witch, but eventually become the crossroads, an agent of magick and change in the world. An introduction to the book The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft: Shadows, Spirits and the Healing Journey, by Christopher Penczak. The Descent of the Goddess: Seven Gates of Initiation Lecture and Book Signing March 13, 2009, 7 PM, Free Angel Heart New Age Gifts LLC 3401 Henderson Blvd, Suite H, Tampa, Florida 33609 http://www.angelheartgifts.com/ (813) 877-8117 See description above. Witchcraft IV: The Temple of High Witchcraft March 14-15, 2009, 10 AM - 6 PM Angel Heart New Age Gifts LLC 3401 Henderson Blvd, Suite H, Tampa, Florida 33609 http://www.angelheartgifts.com/ (813) 877-8117 Many witchcraft practices are influences by the traditions of high magick. Join a serious exploration in the art and science of witchcraft through the lens of modern ritual magick. Drawing from the influences of Hermetic philosophy and Qabalistic lore, work deeply to balance the four elements within, finding the inner sacred tools of the stone, cup, sword and spear. Climb the ten spheres of the Tree of Life, exploring the magickal correspondences of each through color, scent, angel, god, planet and pathworking. Learn to adapt Ceremonial Magick rituals such as the pentagram protection rites to a witchís perspective. Expand your understanding of magick, the craft and your own unique perspective. The Temple of High Witchcraft is required reading prior to the weekend intensive. Advanced workshop where Witchcraft III is recommended but not required. Graduates are eligible for a continuing apprenticeship certification program. $175 per person. Witchcraft IV: The Temple of High Witchcraft April 4-5, 10 AM – 6 PM Lap of the Goddess Productions. Somerville, MA Write lapofthegoddess@hotmail.com See description above. $175 per person. Snowy Yule Blessings
3:47 PM PST, December 19, 2008
Merry Yule Everyone,
We’re experiencing a New England winter storm as I write this, as as much as hate to have plans disrupted at times, I do think having some snow before solstice is wonderful. For me it makes it feel like it’s the appropriate season, though there are times when I envy my friends in California. I”m back from my tour for The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I  The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume One: The Descent of the Goddess (Living Temple of Witchcraft: Mystery, Ministry, and the Magickal Life) and had a wonderful time traveling the midwest. Folks were truly kind and I had a lot of fun while on the road, even though traveling gets tougher as the years go by. I”m a homebody by nature. It appears I’ll be spending part of my winter break on editing Volume II before it prints. Volume II focuses on the Journey of the God, through the twelve zodiac signs and completes the material for the fifth degree in the Temple of Witchcraft training. I have a few other projects in various stages of completion, including a Book of Shadows for the Temple series I’m very excited about, but nothing with a scheduled release date yet. I hope to have some photos out soon from my travels, but we’re in the process of designing and uploading a new website format for www.christopherpenczak.com, so until that’s set, I’ve made minimal changes to the current site, including the schedule. Below is my upcoming schedule for the next few months, including my Cambridge, MA Yule ritual. You might want to check in to confirm we’ll be having it, or if it will postponed due to weather, though I do plan on having it at this point. Those who are registered to attend with Lap of the Goddess will get an email prior to the ritual if the event is postponed, so make sure you pre-register. I have several trip planned including speaking at Pantheacon in San Jose CA . I won’t be doing a West Coast tour this year, but only speaking at Pcon. I’ll be offering some new classes in 2009, including some challenging classes at The Cat, The Crow and the Crown in Salem, MA, so be on the look out. Since being back, I’ve spent a lot of time making my herbal medicines and tinctures to prep for the winter. In particular I enjoyed making a batch of Four Thieves’ Vinegar with Adam. It’s a spicy mix of powerful herbs that both breaks curses and breaks colds and flu. Reputably it was the mixture that four thieves in Europe used to steal during the Black Plague. Folk wisdom said it made them invisible, as no one saw them steal anything, but more likely it protected them from illness, and those who did happen to see them were dying of plague and never spoke about it. There are many version of the recipe, as we don’t know what the thieves, if they were real, actually used. Generally four herbs are chosen, one for each thief. Here is my own particular formula. 2 Bulbs of Garlic, peeled and chopped 2 Tablespoons of Cracked Black Pepper 2 Tablespoons of Garden Sage 2 Tablespoon of Thyme Place the ingredients in a mason jar and fill it will Apple Cider Vinegar. Let it sit for at least four weeks, shaking daily. Then strain and bottle. This spicy, garlic vinegar can be taken when feeling the start of a cold coming on, or when you feel you have to break a harmful energy that has be cast, intentionally or otherwise, upon you. A find a tablespoon in warm water with a dash of honey which refreshing, a twist on the folk remedy Honegar. Other common ingredients in the formula are mustard, rosemary, cayenne, onion, hyssop, lavender, ginger, juniper, rue, wormwood and even camphor. I think my version is a bit more appetizing and safe. The Witchcraft I: The Inner Temple Apprenticeship has thus far been a great success. Getting through some technical difficulties was a challenge, but it has been a truly enjoyable dedicated group of people studying, for both the online course and in person group. The class is closed and I’m not accepting application to join, but i am taking names for a waiting list for the next group. I’m not sure when I’ll repeat this course, but I do plan to, and will be letting people on the waiting list know before I announce it publicly. If you would like to be on the waiting list, email me with your name and your preferred email address. Everything else is going well here. Thank you all for the well wishes for my mother. She is doing great since being released from the hospital and rehab. They still have some serious concerns about the lesions on her liver, but are postponing any treatment until the new year to build her strength. She’s been to both a great herbalist and a naturopathic doctors and I’m hoping by the time treatment comes, they will find her vastly improved. Any continued prayers, reiki or magick for her highest healing good is welcomed by her - for those who need it her info is Rosalie Penczak, May 5, 1945, Salem, NH. Blessed by and Merry Yule as the Year Begins to Wax Again. Christopher Penczak www.christopherpenczak.com www.myspace.com/christopherpenczak Yule: The Celebration of the Winter Solstice Saturday, December 20, 7-9 PM Cambridge Masonic Building 1950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. Write lapofthegoddess@hotmail.com to register. Please pre-register. $15-25 sliding scale. The light flows through our souls and through our blood, renewed as the sun begins its waxing cycle at the Winter Solstice. Here we celebrate the Child of Light, both in the heavens and in our hearts, as we seek to hold the promise of renewal and hope in our hearts and minds. Aid us in birthing the Child of Light into the worlds as we start the journey into the next year. Witness the passing of power between the two halves of the God. The Oak King takes his mantle again as the Child of Light as the Horned Hunter and Holly King withdraws his dark power from the world. During this ritual, work with the powers of heavenly light within the world, through ceremony, journey, song and dance. All faiths and traditions welcome. 2009 Imbolc: The Festival of Lights January 31, 7- 9 PM Cambridge Masonic Building 1950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. Lap of the Goddess Productions. Write lapofthegoddess@hotmail.com to register. In the heart of darkness, we call out to the Goddess to awaken. The young Sun god warms us, and through his light, we ignite our candles and rouse the Goddess from her underworld slumber, urging her to rise and bring the spring. Imbolc, also known as Candlemass, is the traditional celebration of the Goddess Bridget, also known as Bride, the triple goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. Today we celebrate the Goddess of light and fire through community ritual between the worlds in the magick circle. If you desire, bring a candle in a dripless container. All faiths and traditions welcome. Reiki I Practitioner Certification Saturday February 7th, 10 AM – 6 PM, Salem NH Learn the ancient art of Reiki healing and become attuned to the Universal Life Force. Reiki is used for healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It is simple, easy and profoundly moving. Understand the history and modern use of this system. Learn the basic hand positions for treating the self and others, study the chakra system and the spiritual roots to disease. Participate in and receive hands on healing in this powerful yet gentle modality. Recommended Reading: The Magick of Reiki by Christopher Penczak. Manuals and certificate included. $200. Pantheacon Feb 13-16, Doubletree Hotel, San Jose, CA www.ancientways.com Two Workshops plus two panel discussions. The Seven Gates of the Goddess Ritual Pathworking Saturday, 11:00 AM Explore the mystery of initiation through the Descent of the Goddess. Reenacted in many traditional initiator or seasonal rites, together we will explore the mystery of descent through a guided visionary pathworking. Using imagery from Sumerian myth, Wicca, alchemy, Welsh myth and the chakras, we will journey. You will be confronted by the guardians of the seven gates, forced to surrender that which no longer serves and arrive in the underworld before the dark gods of shadow. Here you will experience the mysteries of death, rebirth and love, and through this rebirth become free from fate. The Witch's Plant Familiar Sunday, 11:00 AM Many witches are familiar with the concept of the animal familiar, the totemic animal or fetch beast, but many witches are also allied with spirits from the plant world. The spirits of herbs, flowers and trees can act as divine guides, protectors and tutors in magick. Each one has its own spiritual medicine that is in harmony with the witch’s purpose in the world. Survey traditional plant allies of the witch, including the spirits of Nightshade, Monkshood, Thorn Apple, Mandrake, Oak, Apple, Hazel, Birch, Rose, Mugwort, Wormwood, and Angelica. Learn how to find your own plant familiar. Books, Beans and Candles Feb 27-29 Birmingham, AL Details to be announced. The Witch’s Shield: Protection Magick and Psychic Self Defense Saturday, March 7, 7-9:30 PM The Cat, The Crow and the Crown 63R Pickering Wharf, Salem, Massachusetts (978) 744-6274 www.lauriecabot.com Explore the techniques of psychic self defense and the rituals of protection magick. Learn how to protect and balance yourself and home. Discuss potential psychic dangers, drains and trauma from other people, your environment, and yourself. Understand how to counteract these dangers and create new healthy habits that will protect your energy. Create energetic protection shields through meditation and ritual. Explore your relationship with your guardian spirits, angels, deities and totem animals. Work with protective crystals, herbs and symbols to make protection amulets. Explore the concepts of curse breaking, the evil eye, bindings and bottle spells. Learn energy cleansing techniques to create a balanced, sacred environment to promote health and well being. Grounded in a philosophy of spirituality and self empowerment, based on the book, The Witch’s Shield, by Christopher Penczak The Witch's Plant Familiar March 11, 2009 Book Signing and Meet and Greet 6 - 7 PM, Free Event. Workshop 7:30- 10 PM, $20 Pointy Hat Lady Presents: The Herb Corner 277 N. Babcock St., Melbourne FL 32935 Phone: 321-757-7522 http://www.herbcorner.net/ Many witches are familiar with the concept of the animal familiar, the totemic animal or fetch beast, but many witches are also allied with spirits from the plant world. The spirits of herbs, flowers and trees can act as divine guides, protectors and tutors in magick, healing and transforming the witch.† Each one has its own spiritual medicine, that is in harmony with the witch’s work and purpose in the world. Survey many of the traditional plant allies of the witch, including the spirits of Nightshade, Monkshood, Thorn Apple, Mandrake, Oak, Apple, Hazel, Birch, Rose, Mugwort, Wormwood, and Angelica. Learn how to find your own plant familiar from the green world, and develop a strong connection. Shamanic Witchcraft: Walking Between the Worlds with Christopher Penczak March 12, 2009 Starchild 3762 Tamiami Trail STE-E Port Charlotte, FL 33952 www.starchildbooks.com/ (941) 743- 0800 Book Signing, 6 PM – Join Christopher Penczakfor an informal meet and greet and book signing where a selection of his books will be available for purchase from the store. Workshop, 7- 9:30 PM, $20 Attend a hands on exploration of the role of the witch and the shaman in tradition and modern culture. Both are walkers between the worlds, seers of spirits, medicine workers and community healers. Survey the history of European witchcraft, and how it's practices echo those of native shamans, including the use of flying ointments, familiars, crossing the hedge, faery roads and the misconceptions of the Witch's Sabbat as recorded by the witch trail inquisitors. Discuss modern core shamanic techniques and how they apply to contemporary witchcraft. Through drumming journey, unlock your power to explore the otherworlds, to not only walk the crossroads of the witch, but eventually become the crossroads, an agent of magick and change in the world. An introduction to the book The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft: Shadows, Spirits and the Healing Journey, by Christopher Penczak. The Descent of the Goddess: Seven Gates of Initiation Lecture and Book Signing March 13, 2009, 7 PM, Free Angel Heart New Age Gifts LLC 3401 Henderson Blvd, Suite H, Tampa, Florida 33609 http://www.angelheartgifts.com/ (813) 877-8117 Explore the mystery of initiation through the Descent of the Goddess. Reenacted in many witchcraft traditions during initiatory or seasonal rites, discover the seven fold meaning of the Goddess' descent to explore the magick of death, rebirth and love. Compare the seven gates through which she passes with the seven gated castles of Annwnn in Welsh myth, the alchemical operations, the ancient planets, the chakras and the Miracle of Bread. Experience an intense journey through the seven gates to experience your own rebirth and return. Learn what you must surrender to be reborn. Based on Christopher's newest book The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I: The Descent of the Goddess. Witchcraft IV: The Temple of High Witchcraft March 14-15, 2009, 10 AM - 6 PM Angel Heart New Age Gifts LLC 3401 Henderson Blvd, Suite H, Tampa, Florida 33609 http://www.angelheartgifts.com/(813) 877-8117 Many witchcraft practices are influences by the traditions of high magick. Join a serious exploration in the art and science of witchcraft through the lens of modern ritual magick. Drawing from the influences of Hermetic philosophy and Qabalistic lore, work deeply to balance the four elements within, finding the inner sacred tools of the stone, cup, sword and spear. Climb the ten spheres of the Tree of Life, exploring the magickal correspondences of each through color, scent, angel, god, planet and pathworking. Learn to adapt Ceremonial Magick rituals such as the pentagram protection rites to a witch's perspective. Expand your understanding of magick, the craft and your own unique perspective. The Temple of High Witchcraft is required reading prior to the weekend intensive. Advanced workshop where Witchcraft III is recommended but not required. Graduates are eligible for a continuing apprenticeship certification program. $175 per person. Witchcraft IV: The Temple of High Witchcraft April 4-5, 10 AM – 6 PM Lap of the Goddess Productions. Somerville, MA. Write lapofthegoddess@hotmail.com Many witchcraft practices are influences by the traditions of high magick. Join a serious exploration in the art and science of witchcraft through the lens of modern ritual magick. Drawing from the influences of Hermetic philosophy and Qabalistic lore, work deeply to balance the four elements within, finding the inner sacred tools of the stone, cup, sword and spear. Climb the ten spheres of the Tree of Life, exploring the magickal correspondences of each through color, scent, angel, god, planet and pathworking. Learn to adapt Ceremonial Magick rituals such as the pentagram protection rites to a witch’s perspective. Expand your understanding of magick, the craft and your own unique perspective. The Temple of High Witchcraft is required reading prior to the weekend intensive. Advanced workshop where Witchcraft III is recommended but not required. Graduates are eligible for a continuing apprenticeship certification program. $175 per person. Protection Magick and Psychic Self Defense with Christopher Penczak April 10, 2009 6 PM Book Signing and Meet and Greet 7 – 9:30 PM, Workshop, $25 Some Enchanted Evening 234 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562-1729 (508) 885-2050 Explore the techniques of psychic self defense and the rituals of protection magick. Learn how to protect and balance yourself and home. Discuss potential psychic dangers, drains and trauma from other people, your environment, and yourself. Understand how to counteract these dangers and create new healthy habits that will protect your energy. Create energetic protection shields through meditation and ritual. Explore your relationship with your guardian spirits, angels, deities and totem animals. Work with protective crystals, herbs and symbols to make protection amulets. Explore the concepts of curse breaking, the evil eye, bindings and bottle spells. Learn energy cleansing techniques to create a balanced, sacred environment to promote health and well being. Grounded in a philosophy of spirituality and self empowerment, based on the book, the Witch’s Shield, by Christopher Penczak High Witchcraft: Wicca and the Tree of Life Workshop Thursday, April 23, 2008 – 7 PM, $25 Celebration Conscious Living Store 2209 W. Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80904 www.celebrationstore.com (719) 634-1855 Many witchcraft practices are drawn from the traditions of “high” magick, also known as Ceremonial Magick, though not all witches are aware of the influence of Ceremonial Magick upon our Craft. Often called the “yoga of the west” by modern mystics, the Qabalah is a rich systems of spiritual development drawn out of Jewish esoteric tradition and fused with pagan Hermetic philosophy, alchemy, ceremonial magick and even modern witchcraft. It plays an immense role in our modern New Age thought, though few take the time to study its complex and fascinating lore. The Qabalistic Tree of Life, depicting ten levels of consciousness and twenty-two paths of transformation are used as a map of consciousness and initiation, to help you better understand the divine and your relationship with it. Join us for an exploration of the Tree of Life and the correspondences, meditations and rituals of Ceremonial Magick. The Descent of the Goddess: Seven Gates of Initiation Friday, April 24 7 PM Free Lecture and Book Signing with Christopher Penczak ISIS BOOKS & GIFTS 2775 South Broadway, Englewood, Colorado 80113 (303) 321-0867 or 800-808-0867 http://www.isisbooks.com Explore the mystery of initiation through the Descent of the Goddess. Reenacted in many witchcraft traditions during initiatory or seasonal rites, discover the seven fold meaning of the Goddess' descent to explore the magick of death, rebirth and love. Understand the pattern of initiation, of reaching a new level of consciousness and through the rebirth of the Goddess, become “free from fate.” Compare the seven gates through which she passes with the seven gated castles of Anwnn in Welsh myth, the alchemical operations, the ancient planets, the chakras and the Miracle of Bread in traditional craft. Experience an intense journey through the seven gates to experience your own rebirth and return. Learn what you must surrender to be reborn. Based on Christopher's newest book The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I: The Descent of the Goddess. Witchcraft IV: High Witchcraft and the Qabalah Two Day Weekend Intensive with Christopher Penczak Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, $175. ISIS BOOKS & GIFTS 2775 South Broadway, Englewood, Colorado 80113 (303)321-0867 or 800-808-0867 http://www.isisbooks.com Many witchcraft practices are influences by the traditions of high magick. Join a serious exploration in the art and science of witchcraft through the lens of modern ritual magick. Drawing from the influences of Hermetic philosophy and Qabalistic lore, work deeply to balance the four elements within, finding the inner sacred tools of the stone, cup, sword and spear. Climb the ten spheres of the Tree of Life, exploring the magickal correspondences of each through color, scent, angel, god, planet and pathworking. Learn to adapt Ceremonial Magick rituals such as the pentagram protection rites to a witch’s perspective. Expand your understanding of magick, the craft and your own unique perspective. The Temple of High Witchcraft is required reading prior to the weekend intensive. Advanced workshop where previous experience is recommended but not required. Graduates are eligible for a continuing apprenticeship certification program in ceremonial witchcraft. The Magick of the Archangels Friday, April 17, 7-9:30 PM, $25 Leapin’ Lizards, 449 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 207-221-2363 http://www.leapinlizards.biz/ From the ancient lands and the first civilizations, mages, healers and seers have worked with the power of the angelic realm to bring transformation and healing. They act as divine messengers, architects and guides. Explore the history of angelic magick, from the more familiar Judeo-Christian forms of angels to their ancient pagan roots and similar beings found around the East and tribal cultures. Specifically focus on the archangels of the Tree of Life, and those of the four directions - Uriel, Gabriel, Michael and Raphael, and learn how to work with each through ritual and meditation to manifest change in your life and understand your own angelic nature and true purpose. Christopher will be available for personal readings (half hour), healings (one hour) and past life regressions (one hour) the afternoon of April 17th from 1-6 pm at $50-1/2 hour; $85-hour. Shamballa Reiki Healing Certification April 18-19 Leapin’ Lizards, 449 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 207-221-2363 http://www.leapinlizards.biz/ Shamballa is an expansion on the traditional system of Reiki, consciously and intuitively using 352 symbols connecting you to the Source. Shamballa encompasses the symbols from other healing systems, including Maha Karuna, Seichim and Terra-Mai . The diamond light energy of Shamballa focuses on personal initiation and spiritual growth. Increased healing energies are a natural part of this initiation. Shamballa helps you connect with the Ladies and Lords of Shamballa, the ascended masters, and specifically Saint Germain, to guide your healing work and aid in your ascension process. This Shamballa "update" designed specifically for Reiki practitioners will not focus on the traditional healing method of Reiki, but on your own spiritual development, including meditations on full DNA activation, mahatma activation, working with the masters and archangels, working with the rays of lights, higher self contact and light body activation. Shamballa will be explained in a down to earth manner, including both intuitive and historic information on Theosophy, Lightwork and Ascension and tips on how to integrate these spiritual practices into your daily life. Day One - Shamballa Practitioner Levels I and II - Traditional Reiki II prerequisite. $150 Day Two - Morning Level III - Shamballa Master Healer - Traditional Reiki Master (IIIa) and Shamballa I & II prerequisite. $75 Afternoon Level IV - Shamballa Master Teacher - Traditional Reiki Master/Teacher (IIIb) and Shamballa I-III prerequisite. $75 Samhain Mailing Message
10:54 AM PDT, October 15, 2008
For those not on my mailing list....if you'd like to join my mailing list, send an email to penczakmailing-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Samhain Blessings and Welcome to the Darkening of the Year, My favorite time of year falls upon us, the Season of the Witch. I’ve been blessed to be able to spend more time outdoors, amongst the falling leaves and whispering winds, and experiencing the magick of the season. I hope you too are all able to enjoy the changing Earthtides and welcome the darkness of the winter. To share some of that magick with you, I want to send out my fall schedule, posted below. I’ll be teaching in New England as well as doing a tour to the Midwest through the St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago areas. When I return, we begin the year long Inner Temple apprenticeship program. There are still spaces both online and in person available. If you are interested, please email me directly for an application or any questions on the program. I also have two new announcements. First, I’ll be one of several witches featured on A&E Biography: Witches, airing October 30, 9 PM EST on the Biography Channel. I’m very excited to be appearing on the show. Though I haven’t seen the final product, the director was very respectful and well informed, and asked some really great questions. We shot the interview in The Cat, Crow and Crown, Laurie Cabot’s shop in Salem, MA. If you can check it out, please do. Second, I’ll be releasing the first of two volumes for The Living Temple of Witchcraft in November, both book and CD Companion Set. These two volumes are the training manuals for my own students on the path of High Priest/esshood, and the culmination of many years of work. It should be available at all local pagan and metaphysical bookstores as well as other retail outlets and online. My Midwestern tour will support its release, so if you are able to support your local shops, please come out and get your copies there. And my family and I especially thank you all for the well wishes for my mother. She is doing very well, out of both the hospital and rehab, resting at home and gathering her strength before the next course of treatments. All healing thoughts, wishes, prayers and magick for the highest good are most welcomed by her. Her full information is Rosalie Penczak, Salem, NH, May 5, 1945, for those whose techniques need it. May the Gods of Light and Dark both bless and teach you on the path. Be well, Christopher Penczak For the full schedule, visit: www.christopherpenczak.com Lammas Incense
12:14 PM PDT, July 29, 2008
For the incense makers amongst my readers, here is my Lammas Incense recipe.
Lammas Incense 2 Parts Frankincense 1 Part Hops 1 Part Mullien Leaf 1 Part Milky Oats 1 Part Sassafras 1 Part Chamomile 1 Part Sandalwood, Red 1 Part Oak Bark, White 1/2 Part Dragon’s Blood 1/2 Part Amber Resin 1/2 Part Catnip 1/2 Part Patchouli 1/2 Part Hyssop 1/2 Part Goldenrod Flower 12 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil 6 Drops Chamomile Essential Oil 3 Drops Patchouli Essential Oil 4 Drops Vetiver Essential Oil 1/2 Part Honey to Bind I wanted something that was like the meadow or field, yet dark like the soil for the incense of the slain Sun god. Though it’s still drying and not yet burned, I think 4 drops of Vetiver is 3 drops too much. Next time I might omit it. It looks beautiful though – gold, red and brown with the hops and oats, making it look like hay, dirt and blood. Blessed Lammas
12:13 PM PDT, July 29, 2008
We approach the festival of Lammas, also known as Lughnassah or First Harvest. In the mythos of the Wheel of the Year, the God of Oak and Growing Things was defeated by his dark half, the Horned Hunter, and on the first sacrifice, as the first grains are cut, he is sacrificed and his body baked into bread to sustain us through the winter months. This is a time for us to both be harvesting the bounty of our life in appreciation of the blessings we have received, as well as collecting seeds and planning for the next growing cycle.
Though I’m always grateful for my blessings, sweet and bitter, I have to admit I’ve been far more reflective now than I usually am in the summer months. I'm looking at the Datura growing in the garden, started as seeds and grown with love in the winter, now flourishing with their thorny apples and noxious flowers. I'm thinking a lot about life, death, health and service. I was shocked to open my email box this morning to find Denessa Smith has passed away due to complications from surgery. Though I didn't know her well, she truly touched me on my last visit to Michigan. For those unfamiliar with Denessa's work, she founded the Tempest Smith Foundation (http://tempestsmithfoundation.org/). She was truly a remarkable woman, and a lot of fun at a party to boot. She worked tirelessly to educate schools, teachers and students on tolerance, particularly for those following a pagan path. My mother continues to recover from her experience with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. All tests have come back clear. though she is still suffering from a severe case of edema, or fluid retention in her limbs and torso. Though not life threatening, it has been quite a struggle as she is in a lot of pain and frustration. Both traditional and alternative care providers can't seem to find the reason why. My entire family thanks the many, many people who sent magick, prayers and reiki for my mother's recovery. She is always open to any good magick people want to send her way for a recovery for her highest good, harming none. Her info is Rosalie Penczak, Born 1945, Residing in Salem, NH. I've had quite a few experiences lately making me think about service - how I serve, and how I can help others in service to the gods and True Will. I've had some really wonderful and challenging experiences connecting with old friends and past students. I got the metaphysical kick in the ass to start the next phase of my work. Though I've been talking about it a long time, now is the time to initiate action. (Special thanks to Michael Pendragon of Salem, MA Oracle Chamber (http://www.theoraclechamber.com/) for such a great reading.) Though it’s been talked about in various interviews and broadcasts, so many of you already know, but for those who don’t, I am planning on starting an organization for teaching and ministry, based upon the Temple of Witchcraft tradition format. With the last of the books in production, I feel I have the time to pursue this dream. I’ve recently met with some legal and business advisors and continue to do so, and our goal is to have the preliminary paperwork done by the end of this calendar year. Be on the look out for more news and opportunities to be involved as we can share it, and all good wishes for the success of the Temple are greatly appreciated and welcomed. I am quite thankful for all the help I have been getting in planting this particular seed. With thoughts towards new projects and teaching missions, I plan on offering Witchcraft 1 again in November, under two new formats. There will be an in person year long apprenticeship class meeting once a month at my office in Salem, as well as an online version of the year long Witchcraft I. Details on the format for the online class are not yet decided, as my website is currently going through a revamp and will be re-launched in the fall, but it will involve using the book and CD companion, as well as supplemental written material and audio files from the lecture of the in person class. I’m made space in my schedule for it, so I wanted to let people who have been inquiring know that it will be available and particulars are coming soon. I"m very excited about both prospects. I'll still be available for my other classes and touring, and plan on attending several festivals and events this fall, as well as a Midwest tour to support the release of The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I. Upcoming classes are listed on my website, www.christopherpenczak.com. Blessed be, Christopher Penczak www.christopherpenczak.com Happy Litha
7:27 AM PDT, June 22, 2008
Blessed Solstice,
I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather. I’ve been busily gardening this year, for the first time in years starting plants by seed. I was gifted with an amazing group of traditional witch toxic plants, in seed form this year and have been weathering them in cold water, and planting the seedlings, along with some regular cooking herbs. This year I’m trying my hand at not only basil, parsley, lemon balm, chives and mint in tiny window boxes (so they don’t mingle too much with my toxic magickal herbs in the ground) but also attempting seedlings of datura, belladonna, black nightshade, true mandrake, monkshood, henbane and hellbore. We’ll see how it goes. So far, it’s about 50/50 in terms of what I got to start growing. Sadly my little townhouse doesn’t get much direct light, with the garden being North-East facing and blocked by a nice oak tree. Though my rue, angelica and comfrey are all doing well this year. I had a lovely student give me some feverfew and vervain, and they are doing well. Summer is fairly slow for me. I’m wrapping up a few projects, including editing and recording for The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume I. I’m also working on a new book about witchcraft and trance techniques. I do get a bit of travel in, though no major tours until November. My schedule for the next few months is posted on www.christopherpenczak.com, along with some new touring photos and a more complete update. I plan on revamping the website soon, so be on the lookout. I’ve also posted my Litha Incense recipe on my Myspace page, www.myspace.com/christopherpenczak. I also have a podcast interview with Joseph Moore, on Occult Sentinel. You can find it at www.occultsentinel.com. Sol Invictus, Christopher Blessed Beltaine!
9:42 AM PDT, April 30, 2008
I can’t believe I missed Ostara in my little updates and mailings. I had a lovely welcoming of the Spring, but here in New Hampshire, it doesn’t really feel like spring until almost Beltaine, where the first flowers are truly blooming. I’m excited to report that for the first time ever, my Black Hellbore bloomed, revealing beautiful five petalled rose like flowers. It tends to bloom under the snow, giving it the name Christmas Rose to some, though its really a very witchy plant. It practically called out to me to make an essence of it and my initial impressions upon communicating with the plant spirit is that it is used for people who feel their beauty and accomplishments are not recognized by others, to heal those who feel they are invisible to others. Magickally the root is said to confer invisibility. Can’t wait to try it out.
Lots of exciting things have happened since the last update. New covers( Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume One: The Descent of the Goddess ), touring, rituals, birthday parties and of course, new classes schedule. I plan on being at the Florida Pagan Gathering and the Pagan Unity Festival in TN this May, and lot of other travel over the summer. For my upcoming schedule, more information and photos, visit, www.christopherpenczak.com.
Is There Something Wrong With Me? -Question from a Student
8:32 PM PST, February 11, 2008
Here is a letter from a long time student and friend who gave me permission to share her question with everyone....
Good Morning Christopher! I hope you're recovering from yesterday's class, which was profoundly powerful!! Just wonderful! You can take your time getting back to me on this question, as I know you're very busy. But I need to address this: Not just from yesterday's class, but other classes, I have noticed other people in the class (after a mediation) seem to have these sharp visual interactions with guides/ascended beings/goddesses etc...and other members of the class having real conversations. I don't seem to have those experiences, except rarely and even then not as other's have described. I most often sense presence, and yes, I receive messages, but it's not a human-like voice - it's not even my voice - it is just a verbal message, and sometimes it's one voice, sometimes multiple (chorus) stressing the message. But the communication is clear, sharp and precise. When I have experienced meeting my guides in my inner-temple, the faces are not clear, altho; they do appear fully robed, and I have felt them physicallly touch me. Yesterday, when you asked me to go first to share my experience, I simply wasn't ready yet to verbalize the experience because of how profound it was, and how indescribable the love felt. When I was in the dimension of the Ascended masters, I felt them all and saw multiple forms/beings, but again not in the same clarity as the others described. When I asked who should I work with, there was only one word: "us." So, my questions is this: Is there something wrong with me? Am I doing something wrong? and here is my response ... Not at all .... you are doing everything perfectly and the most important thing is profound contact that benefits you --- everybody processes nonlinear, non-physical experiences in their own way. Some process it like life - three dimension, sharp, linearly - some get impressions, intuitions, voices, knowing, or even other senses, like smell, taste or texture. Often, in the retelling of the experience, the description makes the actual experience seem more clear, more vivid and more linear than it was when it occurred. Our mind tries to rationalize, and fill in the bits to create a narrative. Emotions, thoughts, and more non-sensory contact (or at least non-visual) is harder to put into words or a narrative, and thereby seems vague to others who hear the experience, and then the experiencer feels like they are vague in comparrison to others. Everybody is unique, and just because someone has a more visual experience, it does not mean its more of a healing, guiding or loving experinece. It was simply more visual as that's the way he connected in that moment. I hope that helps. This is a great question.... Thank you so much.
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Bio
Christopher Penczak (New Hampshire) is an award-winning author, teacher, healing practitioner, and eclectic Witch. His practice draws upon the foundation of modern Witchcraft blended with the wisdom of mystical traditions from across the globe.
He has studied extensively with renowned Witch Laurie Cabot and other Witches, shamans, yogis, and healers in the New England area which have influenced his eclectic path of personal Witchcraft. Penczak is an ordained minister of the Universal Brotherhood Movement, is a certified flower essence consultant, and is a certified Reiki Master (Teacher) in the Usui-Tibetan and Shamballa traditions. A popular public speaker, he tours extensively throughout the year at bookstores and major gatherings and has participated in the Pagan Heartland Festival, Pantheacon, The New England Reiki Conference, Between the Worlds, and the Intatlional Pagan Federation. Penczak is the author of Sons of the Goddess: A Young Man’s Guide to Wicca, a unique guidebook written for a growing yet often overlooked segment of the pagan community, and Magick of Reiki, a groundbreaking examination of Reiki from a magickal perspective. His other books include the The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation, and Psychic Development, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft CD Companion set, City Magick (Red Wheel/Weiser), Spirit Allies (Red Wheel/Weiser), Gay Witchcraft (Red Wheel/Weiser—nominated for a Lambda Award), The Outer Temple of Witchcraft:Circles, Spells, and Rituals, and The Outer Temple of Witchcraft CD Companion Set, The Witch’s Shield, The Temple of ShamanicWitchcraft, the new Instant Magick (Feb 2006) and the forthcoming Mystic Foundation (Sept 2006). A columnist for newWitch magazine, his work has also been featured in publications such as Genre, InnerSelf Magazine and Kaleidoscope, and his writing appears in the recent book I Do, I Don’t: Queers onMarriage (Suspect Thoughts Press, 2004). From 1997-2002 he was the publisher of The Second Road, a journal of alternative spirituality. Penczak is a faculty member at the North Eastern Institute of Whole Health and a founding member of the Gifts of Grace Foundation, a non-profit organization in New Hampshire made up of individuals from diverse spiritual backgrounds dedicated to service to the local communities. Penczak currently lives in New Hampshire, where he resides with his partner.
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