Workshops by W. Lyon Martin

Workshops Descriptions:

Bringing Ritual into Your Everyday

There are 365 days in a year. Even if you celebrate all eight Sabbats and all 13 esbats, you’re still left with 344 days that aren’t holy days. Let’s say you add in all the New Moons and the quarter moons as well. That would take care of a few more days. What about all the normal days which remain? Do you stop being Pagan just because it isn’t a holiday? Being a Pagan isn’t something you take on and off with your ritual robes. Once you start to follow a Pagan path, it becomes part of you. It becomes part of your viewpoint into the world around you. I know for me, when I started to seriously follow my Pagan lifestyle, I started seeing things Pagan all around me. It was funny. Sometimes I would see a rune or a Pagan symbol in the most obscure places, like the corner Quickie Mart!

This workshop focuses on how to move from being a part-time Pagan to connect with your spiritual Path on a more daily level.

Spells, Magic, Harm None, Oh My!

If you’ve been on any of the Pagan paths a while, you probably know about the Wiccan Rede. Briefly, it can be summed up as "Do what ye will, that ye harm none." At first that seems pretty simple. Since Neo-Paganism is a mere 60 to 70 years old, as a religious group we have yet to adopt a code of what are ethical behaviors and what are "taboo." Right now we have to figure out for ourselves what Harm None really means. Many non-Wiccan paths have adopted some form of "Harm None" into their belief systems. Many have not. Whether or not you are Wiccan, having some form of a moral guideline is part of any spiritual path. Morals are often customs that have become so deep-rooted in a society as to become unquestionable. Our very lack of a set of written rules causes confusion for many Neo-Pagans. Just what is ‘harm’ anyway?

This workshop is an open forum discussing just what The Rede means to the modern day Pagan. Discussion includes whether the Rede is for Wiccans only, if the Rede is outdated and if the Harm None ideal can be achieved in a realistic manner.

Blessing the Boundaries

I have been blessing my homes since I bought my first almost a decade ago. The annual ceremony has become somewhat of a habit for my family and me. I rarely think about the why of what I am doing any more. I clean and bless my home to protect life and property from danger and mishap. I bless my dwelling to erect a semi permanent circle so I can plop down wherever and whenever and do impromptu rituals as needed.

One May, I was abruptly reminded of the reason once more, Missouri and the surrounding states experienced the worst weather in a very long time. Tornadoes and flash flooding made local news. My town was hit by a micro burst. (A mini tornado) My neighbors didn’t’t fare well. Across the flooded street, 47 inches of rain filled basements. Other neighbors had hail damage to their roofs. Several more had trees across yards and outbuildings blown over by the fierce wind.  My home had no damage, no flooding, not even one branch from the big old maple trees on our property had fallen down. I feel very lucky. It may be a coincidence that I am the only person on my block to bless my boundaries on a yearly basis. Maybe. I don’t believe in coincidence. Do you?

This workshop explores the how to and why of putting a year round circle on your home and property. Ideas pertaining to magical helpers and permanent altars are also discussed.

Crafting the Children’s Circle

I have attended Circle with my daughter many times. 9 times out of 10, she’s asleep before we bless the cakes and ale. Sometimes I’ve felt like joining her. I’m sure we can all remember a particularly LONG ritual we endured because you don’t break circle. Imagine my surprise when she didn’t know the first thing about ritual. I thought that with all the circles we had attended together, she would have picked up the basics. I thought about it. Yes she had been to ritual with me, but nothing was explained. The Quarters and God/dess were called and circles cast, but the reasoning behind the actions was something beginners get out of books. Pagan parents and educators learn what is involved in creating a meaningful and fun ritual for children ages 5-10 years old. (This workshop is for adults with previous ritual expience.)

Sacred Art: Creations for Worship and Healing

Join with Lyon on a guided meditation through the private landscape of your hidden vision. Discover the shapes and colors that have the most meaning for you, today on your present life path. After the meditation we will create Sacred Mandalas from the insight received. No previous drawing ability or training needed. Bring your favorite colored pencils, markers or crayons and unlined paper, plus a firm surface to lean your paper on. All ages.

Family Activities/Crafts

Does your festival or gathering have a "kid-track"? Various crafts or kid friendly rituals can be arranged with seasonal or other themes. These events are also good for book store appearances. Venue will be requested to supply materials and adult assistance. These workshops are not offered as child-care and a parent or legal guardian is expected to accompany all children. Activities are available for age ranges of 5-8 or 9-12.

Story Time for kids 3-8. Lyon reads from her most recent books, Aidan’s First Full Moon Cirlce or Watchers. These books are just perfect for active little ones with short attention spans. Story times run about 20-25 minutes.

Crafts available:

• Sparkling Spiral Mobile — Geared for older children 8 and up. Younger with active parent participation.
• Tissue Paper Pentagrams — Geared for school age children 5 and up.
• Feathered Spirit Masks — Geared for school age children 5 and up.

Contact Lyon for details.