Theology is a study of god but at this point we don't have a robust poly-theology. Can we have a discussion about the nature of gods? It would be nice if we could get panelists from different perspectives who can display how to civilly discuss the nature of the gods from different perspectives. Why don't we start with this proposition (from a John Becket blogpost):If you believe the Gods are many and have agency then you cannot also believe They can’t affect you unless you permit it. The two propositions are logically inconsistent.

Theology is a study of god but at this point we don't have a robust poly-theology. Can we have a discussion about the nature of gods? It would be nice if we could get panelists from different perspectives who can display how to civilly discuss the nature of the gods from different perspectives. Why don't we start with this proposition (from a John Becket blogpost):
"ideas from popular religion and popular culture are often hard to catch – particularly if they’re comforting."

Panel idea: AI and the magical world.. how to not be erased by the artificial (writers & practitioners that have online presence) ?

Seekers in the 21st Century: Many of the books and resources we used are not necessarily aging well (looking at the Witches' Bible Compleat), and lots of modern magic books are blurring the lines, and including stuff that were rooted in errors, also mixing of stuff that is questionable like Nazi-era runes etc. , how do we identify good sources, and how do we save ourselves from flooding from AI- based authorship?

Gender: Some of the stuff out there is very Hetero-based, which is problematic for not being as inclusive in the reflection in content, to which most practitioners actually practice in their personal conduct & practices. If it isn't making it into the press, people aren't gonna see it, and assume they aren't included.

An oldie but goodie: We discussed a decade or so ago about whether pagans felt relatively safe outside of the closet, … looking back, what has changed, what has stayed the same?

In the 80s allegations of Satanic abuse in pre-schools set off an hysteria that led to over 200 people being charged and dozens convicted (some being released in 2013 and successfully suing for wrongful conviction). “When people get emotionally involved in an issue, common sense and reason go out the window. People believe what they want and need to believe.” said former FBI agent Ken Lanning. But we are hearing this sort of charges circulating again, and since even ridiculous charges can ruin lives, what should we due to guard ourselves, and our society against another hysteria?

Few changes are more profound than birth, both for child and parents. (The body of a non-pregnant woman is as different from that of a pregnant woman, as it is from a man's body.) What rituals or customs have you used (or plan to use) to celebrate this change, and help negotiate the transition from being single to plural, or from pre-born to incarnated human? Unlike marriage, coming of age or eldering, we can be distracted by the changes themselves, and not do anything. Let's share our ideas with those approaching this event.

We proudly mention how many years we've been active in magick/psychic/ spiritual practices, but often find ourselves mentoring newcomers. Can we get some who have recently been experiencing entering our community to advise us on how better to nurture 'newbies'? If it's been five years (or you remember vividly what you wish your teachers had realized), please come and give us the information we need to better serve those new to our community. You do NOT need to be a CTCW presenter, simply have something to share that would help new folks who come after.

This is not quite a panel, but not a workshop either. Do you have Tarot decks you don't use because they don't resonate with you? Let's bring our poor orphan decks and see if they can find the people they were meant to work with. It would be surprising if we didn't also exchange some insights into what makes a deck 'right' for a user.

The future of humanity, and its place in the universe, feels especially tenuous right now, and the impacts on mental health can be profound. How should being an occult practitioner inform work for mental health? Is there anything about our attitudes towards mental health or healing that should be changing, by exploring new techniques or returning to old ones? How shall we care for our community and our world?

Before there was Cunningham and Drawing Down the Moon, there were books on witchcraft and magick. Some of these were pretty good and still worth reading, others, not so much. Our panelists will discuss and recommend (or issue cautionary remarks) about books by authors like Helena Blavatsky _Isis Unveiled_ (1877), James George Frazer _The Golden Bough_ (1890), Charles Leland _Aradia_ (1899, Margaret Murray _Witchcult in Western Europe_ (1921), Manly P. Hall _Secret Teachings of All Ages_ (1928), Robert Graves _The White Goddess_ (1948), Max Freedom Long _Secret Science Behind Miracles_ 1948, and others like Edgar Cayce, Charles Fort, Éliphas Lévi, Emanuel Swedenborg, Rudolf Steiner, Aleister Crowley, & early magickal lodges, many of which informed early practitioners. Which of these old books should be read by people coming into the community.

Modern students of magick can find many books of spells from the Key of Solomon, Grand Grimoire, and the Black Pullet to Lady Sheba's Book of Shadows, Trolldom, or the Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells. Many collections of spells, new and old, have been made available. I was surprised to see "Enochian Magic for Beginners" in a friends collection, although I have Cockayne’s Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England. The Panelists will discuss what we can learn from these books and which ones they may have and use.

Panelist will share their recommendations for books on different modern branches of paganism: basic Heathenry books, books for Druids, and other Celtic pagans, books for Hellenists, for Khemetics, for Romuva etc. Suggests on good introductory books on Shinto or Hindu practice would be great. We hope for panelists from the branches they represent.

Which are the most useful collections to have in your library? There are Encyclopedias of Fairies, Vampires, Ghosts, Magick, Symbols, Crystals, Magical Herbs, and others. Which of these are worth getting and consulting, and which are simply trying to take advantage of our interest to make money for the publisher and author? Panelists will share their opinions.