CTCW 2023 Panels

Here are the panels which will be presented at this year’s conference.  The panels with openings for additional panelists are listed first.

Bird Folklore

Panelists Jane Sibley, Raven Kaldera, Sara O’Malley

Birds in divination, religion, and as omens: Throughout history, in many religions and Paths, birds have played a significant role. If an owl hoots, does it foretell death? If a bird flies widdershins around a person or item, is that an omen? Let’s explore the role of birds in folklore, religion, and omens in a variety of cultures and religions.

Gender Panel: Inclusivity R’US?

Panelists: Raven Kaldera, Brandon Hardy, Tarren Renn

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.

Ritual Food and Drink

Panelists: Brandon Hardy, Tchipakkan, Russell Tatro

Ritual food and drink: Christians have the wafer and wine (or grape juice), Friday and Lent fasting; Jews have the Seder plate, Muslims fast (days) during Ramadan. Some people have personal restrictions on what they may not or must eat from the spirits they work with. Do you have special ritual food and/or beverage ceremonials? Let’s compare and contrast food and drink in ritual usage in a variety of world and home practices.

2023 Panels and Remaining Sign Ups

Event Chair: Kathy Smith - Programming

Bird Folklore Panel

Birds in divination, religion, and as omens: Throughout history, in many religions and Paths, birds have played a significant role. If an owl hoots, does it foretell death? If a bird flies widdershins around a person or item, is that an omen? Let's explore the role of birds in folklore, religion, and omens in a variety of cultures and religions.

Available Spots
1 remaining:  
Gender Panel: Inclusivity R'US?

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.

Available Spots
Ritual Food and Drink Panel

Ritual food and drink: Christians have the wafer and wine (or grape juice), Friday and Lent fasting; Jews have the Seder plate, Muslims fast (days) during Ramadan. Some people have personal restrictions on what they may not or must eat from the spirits they work with.
Do you have special ritual food and/or beverage ceremonials? Let's compare and contrast food and drink in ritual usage in a variety of world and home practices.

Available Spots
1 remaining:  

Art as Spiritual Practice

Panelists: Brandon Hardy, Tchipakkan, Tarren Renn, Lailani

Our panelists will describe how their work intersects with their spiritual practice. In the modern world being a full-time artist is often at odds with being self-supporting, yet people do it anyway. Sometimes we feel that we have no choice about this. Art is a compulsion, a need. It is also a service to the community, as is being a healer, diviner or shaman. Many artists work with deities, others don’t. Some do their work in sacred space, others see the whole physical world as sacred. Looking for four panelists who can talk about their relationship with their art and muses and geniuses, as well as involving those in the audience who also feel the calling.

Ethics of Divination

Panelists: SewMagical, Jane Sibley, Raven Kaldera, Starwolf

Doing readings for others can be satisfying, but can also present challenges. What do you when negative events show up in your reading? How do you present that information to your client? Or should you not give bad news at all? Panelists will discuss situations and possible courses of action.

Multitude of Altars

Panelists: Branodn Hardy, Raven Kaldera, Tarren Renn, Lailani

Altars: many religions have altar setups. If you have an altar(s), how is it set up and dedicated? Are ritual sacrifices/offerings made? How are your items and images placed? Christian altars are usually in churches, but many folks have altars in their homes: Public and private, Food prep (hearth) or consumption, sleeping areas, Ancestor altars, indoor and outside, temporary and permanent, for a specific god, or shared … How are yours set up? Each is just as valid, right? How do different purposes change how they are set up and used?

Poly-theology Panel: Do the Gods have agency?

Panelists: Brandon Hardy, Raven Kaldera, Tarren Renn, Starwolf

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, you cannot also believe They can’t affect you unless you permit it. The two propositions are logically inconsistent.

Tarot Spreads: Beyond the Celtic Cross

Panelists: SewMagical, Raven Kaldera, Sara O’Malley, Robert Nolan

Just about every Tarot deck includes a little booklet with card meanings, and suggestions for laying out the cards. And it almost always includes the 10-card Celtic Cross. But is that the only way to read the cards? And is it the best spread for all purposes? Do you even -need- to use a defined spread? Come learn about other options. If time allows, tips for designing a spread will be provided.

Unusual Forms of Divination

Panelists: Raven Kaldera, Starwolf, Sara O’Malley,

Panelists who practice unusual forms of divination WILL share and explain them. People are always developing new systems, like the lady in England who uses asparagus, or the Canadian who tells the future with hot dogs, or bug splatters on windshields. If it works, it’s real. What have you got?

Spread the word!