A unique Online Symposium focusing on witchcraft, spirit work, shapeshifting, sorcery, cunning ways, and enchantments from the aqueous realms.
The 2024 Presenter Proposal Application Form is OPEN until August 1st
Hosted by Annwyn Avalon and Laurelei Black
Opening Workshop: Shapeshifting Sirens
One thing that Witches do is work with spirits. It is no surprise then to learn that Water Witches often work with water spirits! Within the watery otherworld is a vast number of spirits of all shapes and manifestations.
In this opening talk, Annwyn will speak about Shapeshifting Sirens that are associated with the realms of water. These include Melusine, Morgan le Fae, Cerridwen, the Glaistig, Selkie, and more! Their aquatic nature will be discussed as well as their ability to shapeshift form and act as agents of healing, change, cursing, and initiation. As well as their role in aiding the Witch as a familiar spirit guiding them as champions and protectors of our natural waterways.
Bio: Annwyn Avalon is a Water Witch and Avalonian. She is the Author of The Way of the Water Priestess, Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition, and The Celtic Goddess Grimoire. She is the founder of Water Priestess Training, The Water Priestess Confluence, Bewitching the Waters Symposium, and Triskele Rose Witchcraft a Avalonian Witchcraft Tradition. She has devoted her life to the study of Esoteric Water Mysteries, art, witchcraft, and magic. Her path is one of sacred service to the waters of this world and her ancestors. She is an initiated Witch and Priestess, She is the author of the Patheos Blog The Water Witch. She now lives in Glastonbury as the sacred steward of Chalice Orchard, the former home of the famous occultist Dion Fortune, and is a Keeper at the White Spring. One of the sacred springs located in Glastonbury.
Closing Workshop: Goetic Water Spirits
Witches have a long history of consorting with spirits. The ancient Greek word for spirit is daemon, which is in turn the foundation of our modern word demon. The demon spirits of the Lesser Key of Solomon, the Goetia, are among the most famous named spirits in the occult world. Sadly, many contemporary witches (including modern traditional witches) shy away from working with the spirits; and one of Laurelei Black's missions in this lifetime is to help make friendly introductions between witches and spirits who might become allies and friends. In this workshop, Laurelei will introduce seven water-related spirits as she has come to know them from personal workings and gnosis. We will, of course, explore the ways these seven can be partners and teachers in your own magical practice.
Bio: Laurelei Black is a hedge-rider, a Cunning Woman, a traveler on the crooked path. She is a priestess of love and pleasure, an Ishtar-woman, an Aphrodite-woman. She is a friend to daemons and a mate to the Red God. A bone collector; a temple dancer. A daughter of Avalon. Laurelei is the author of over dozen books on Aphrodisian and Witchcraft practice, a co-Director and frequent presenter at the Babalon Rising Festival, a co-host of the Water Priestess Confluence and the Bewitching the Waters Symposium, a co-owner of Midian Events and also of Driftwood Tiny Retreats, and the proud proprietress of Asteria Books & Events and also of Blade & Broom.
2023 Keynote Speaker Judika Illes
Lecture: A Hungarian Femme Fatale: A Beautiful but Dangerous Water Spirit
Not every goddess is friendly. Not every spirit is welcoming. Similarly, while water can cleanse and bestow gifts, it may also be potentially dangerous. Water can drown, as well as bless. Meet Szépasszony, the Beautiful Lady, Hungary’s seductive, but deadly water witch. (Don’t worry. I will teach you how to pronounce her name.) Szépasszony literally means “beautiful lady.” Is this a euphemism, something like calling fairies “the good people” in the hopes that they will be? Has Szépasszony always been dangerous? Or is Szépasszony a prime example of what happens when formerly worshipped spirits are maligned and angered? Join Judika Illes, author of Encyclopedia of Spirits, Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spirits, and other books for a look at this fascinating water goddess, one who is believed to literally bewitch the waters and not in a good way. In the process, we will explore the pre-Christian spiritual traditions of Hungary, a land-locked nation with a unique culture—not Slavic, Germanic, or Romance like their neighbours, the Hungarians (or Magyarok in their own language) brought a shamanic culture with them from their origins in Asia. Christianity arrived in Hungary relatively late, and it was imposed with particular brutality, leading to suppression of earlier traditions. However, like water seeping through cracks, vestigial traditions linger. We will also examine the history of Countess Erzebet Báthory, popularly known as the Blood Countess, for clues that, at least in some circles, worship of Szépasszony may have survived.
Bio: Born in New York City to parents who had recently left Hungary, Judika Illes is a lifelong lover, student, and practitioner of the magickal arts. She is the author of numerous books devoted to magic spells, witchcraft, saints, spirits, and the paranormal including the best-selling Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells and Encyclopedia of Spirits. Her other books include Pure Magic: A Complete Course in Spellcasting, Magic When You Need It, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, and Daily Magic, a perpetual calendar of spells, rituals, and feasts. Judika is also the curator of two books of occult fiction. Someday she will publish some occult fiction of her own. Judika is a certified aromatherapist and has been a professional tarot card reader since 1988. Judika has worked as an editor for Weiser Books since 2015. Before that, she worked for The Witches’ Almanac. She teaches about spell-casting and other topics in the US, internationally, and virtually. Her website is under construction, but Judika is easily found on-line at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles Instagram: @judikailles and Twitter: @JudikaIlles
2023 Presenters
Mhara Starling
Lecture: Welsh Water Witchery
Water holds a prominent place within the magical traditions of the Celtic nation of Wales. During this presentation learn about Welsh sea witchery, sacred wells and lakes, otherworldly entities associated with water, and more!
Bio: Mhara Starling (Chester, England) was born in North Wales, raised on the Isle of Anglesey, and is a native Welsh speaker. She leads a coven, and is an author who focuses on the topic of Welsh folk magic, witchcraft, and mythology.
Cory Thomas Hutcheson
Asynchronous Bonus Content: May Dew, Stump Water, and Magnetic Springs - 'Found' Waters in North American Folk Magic
The folk properties of many "found" waters have long been a part of the magical DNA of North America. Dews collected on auspicious dates are reputed to confer beauty, while water collected from rotting stumps might have curative properties. Some waters were considered so powerful that entire towns and industries sprang up around them to harness their health- or luck-giving powers. This brief video highlights three examples of magical waters found in North American folklore and explains a bit of their history, their uses among folk practitioners, and some thoughts about magic in "found" waters today.
Bio:Cory Thomas Hutcheson is a folklorist, university educator, and magical practitioner currently living in the Upland South. He has spent more than a decade as the co-host and author of the New World Witchery podcast and website, producing hundreds of episodes and articles on North American folk magic and witchcraft. He has a doctorate in American Studies from Penn State, with specializations in folklore, ethnography, and religious studies. He is the author of New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic (Llewellyn, 2021), Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic (Llewellyn, 2023), and the forthcoming Conjuring the Commonplace: A Guide to Everyday Enchantment and Junk Drawer Magic (1000Volt Press). He has also contributed to a number of magical publications, including Witches & Pagans magazine and the witchcraft anthology The Gorgon's Guide to Magical Resistance (Revelore, 2022), as well as scholarly publications like the Oxford Handbook of American Folklore and Folklife Studies (Oxford UP, 2018)
Sarah Lawless
Workshop: Flower Essences, Botanical Dews, and Magical Waters
A workshop on flower essences, what they are, how they’re made, the importance of water, their origins, their use in history, and their applications today. Enjoy a fascinating history of flower essences and their origins in the animistic folk practices of ritually harvesting botanical dews and magical waters. Learn how Hildegard von Bingen and Paracelsus made and used flower essences centuries before Dr. Edward Bach did in the early 1900s. Discover how flower essences are used in flower essence therapy today and how you can make and use them yourself for folk medicine or folk magic.
Bio: Sarah is a published author, artist, herbalist, herbal manufacturer, and educator who hails from the Pacific Northwest but is currently living in rural Ontario, Canada. She has been a gardener and herbalist for 15 years, creating herbal medicines, publishing articles, and teaching at herbal conferences in Canada and the United States. Sarah has taught native plant and mushroom identification walks & workshops to private groups, local schools, scouting programs, outdoor education programs, and via horticultural societies for the past 15 years. Some of her biggest influences include herbalists Michael Moore and Robert Rogers along with ethnobotanists Nancy J. Turner and Wade Davis. For the past 10 years she has focused on researching and working with the medicinal properties of poisonous plants & fungi with a particular focus on medicinal nightshades —which led to the creation of Bane Folk. Bane Folk is a resource on poisonous plants, mushrooms, animals, and insects created as a labour of love. Original artwork and herbal products are created with sincere devotion to poisonous plant medicine combined with over a decade of research, experience, and practice.
Nicholas Pearson
Workshop: Aqueous Alchemy: The Magick and Medicine of Crystal and Gemstone Elixirs
Water is a remarkable substance, existing in a liquid crystal mesophase and demonstrating the qualities of transformation and memory. These traits enable water to carry the essence and healing energy of crystals and gems, offering us deeper healing and communion with both water and stone. Join award-winning author, crystal expert, and flower essence practitioner for a tour de force of the world of crystal essences and gem elixirs. Together we will explore the nature of water and crystals, discuss safe methods for making gem elixirs, and learn how to implement these sacred waters for achieving inner and outer balance.
Bio: Nicholas Pearson has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral kingdom for nearly 30 years. As one of the leading voices in crystal healing today, he offers a unique blend of science and spirituality alongside a grounded, practical approach to working with crystals. Nicholas is also a flower essence practitioner and researcher and has received training in several systems of flower essence therapy, including Floral Acupuncture, Bach Flower Therapy, Patagonia Essences, and Green Man Tree Essences. The author of several books, including Flower Essences from the Witch's Garden and Crystal Basics, he lives in Orlando, Florida.
Madame Pamita
Lecture: Voda: The Mysteries of Slavic Water Magic
Slavic people from the most ancient times have revered rivers, lakes, seas, wells, gentle rains, and springs. Water is seen as living or dead, healing or depleting and is the special domain of spirits such as the Rusalky and Vodyanyk. Join Madame Pamita as she teaches the mysteries and magic of water in the Slavic tradition.
Bio: Madame Pamita is a Ukrainian-American witch, teacher, an award-winning best-selling author, candle maker, spellcaster, and tarot reader. She has a popular YouTube Channel for teaching witchcraft, she hosts the “Magic and the Law of Attraction” and “Baba Yaga’s Magic” podcasts and she is the author of Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft, The Book of Candle Magic, and Madame Pamita’s Magical Tarot. She is also the proprietress of the online spiritual apothecary, the Parlour of Wonders and lives in Santa Monica, California. You can find her at parlourofwonders.com
Brett - The Witch of Salopia
Lecture: Sabrina: The liminal Goddess of the river Severn
The river Severn is the longest river in Britain. A source of tranquility and a liminal gateway; a vast amount of folklore has been attached to her magnificence. But unknown to many, an ancient Nymph resides in these waters who, through apotheosis, has become a loved Goddess among practitioners. Alongside her story of tragedy and transformation dwells additional tales of dragons, serpents and magical salmons, all which we can learn in order to understand the power of her waters. In this talk I will discuss Sabrina's place amongst the people and how anyone can work with the Goddess. I will delve into her history, the folk practices from my home, all while exploring how divinity has always existed within rivers and how we can connect to this.
Bio: The Witch of Salopia is a devoted practitioner of folk witchcraft, born and raised with the stories, traditions and magic of the Welsh Marches.He is a workshop leader, a writer for zines and a public speaker at various Pagan festivals, camps and conferences throughout the United Kingdom. He is a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids as well as a professional pole dance instructor, avid tasseomancer and a member of the Coven of the Red Serpent, Cylch y Sarffes Goch.
Wendy Mata
Workshop: Embracing Cenote Mysteries: Channeling Underworld Energies and Healing Powers in Your Sanctuary
Journey into the profound realm of Mayan spirituality as we delve into the mysteries of cenotes, sacred wells revered as gateways to the underworld. In this immersive class, you'll learn about the cultural significance and the healing capacities of these magical bodies of water. More importantly, we'll guide you on how to replicate the potent energy of cenotes within your home, helping you tap into their transformative and curative power. Experience a unique form of spirituality, steeped in ancient wisdom and designed to cultivate inner healing and stronger connections to unseen worlds.
Bio: Wendy Mata supports magical ones in their journey to the reclamation of their power. She believes that awakened humans are a force of nature and the drivers of the transformations needed in the world. Wendy is a Lunar Priestess who received her Mayan Shamanism initiation in Yucatan, Mexico, and was trained in Curanderismo and Brujeria by her family. She is a Reiki Master Teacher and Advanced Pranic Healer. She graduated from the Feng Shui Master class of Lilian Too in Malaysia, Ericksson College of Leadership and Coaching in Canada. She also completed studies on Energy Healing, the Human Mind and Co-Creation in China, India, Finland, Brazil, Indonesia and The Netherlands.
Moss Matthey
Lecture: Nixies and Nymphs - Water Spirits in German Lore
German folklore and fairy tales are filled with fantastical creatures, including many beings associated with water. Chief among them is the famous Lorelei, presiding over the river Rhine. However, she is but one spirit among many, and a relative newcomer to the scene. This talk will explore the many beings that dip their toes into Germany's bodies of water, from Gods who stand atop a giant fish, to Princesses who are turned into springs of water, and the many spirits in between.
Bio: Moss Matthey is a folk witch and a member of a Welsh coven. Having been raised in christian fundamentalism before finding his way to the pagan path, he has a passion for all things spiritual and the magical side of life. He often presents at festivals and conventions online and in the UK, and is an upcoming author with Llewellyn worldwide.
Suzanne OGara
Workshop: Tea Magic 101
Join Tea Witch Suzanne O'Gara of Alchemy of Avalon for a crash course in Tea Magic! If you're a Water Witch who also loves herbs...or the thought of crafting a potion to suit your every desire excites you...this class is for you. In Tea Magic 101 we will discuss how to craft the perfect tea blend to align with your magical intention, and some of my favorite ways to imbue or "charge" the water. We'll also go over the magical properties of at least 25 tea-friendly herbs and botanicals, and some other ways you can incorporate a magical tea blend into your practice.
Bio: Suzanne O'Gara, owner of Alchemy of Avalon LLC and known by many as "The Tea Witch" is a Certified Herbalist, having studied under Joann Sanchez at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, AZ, from which she graduated in early 2011. At Samhain in 2012, Suzanne launched her tea shop online, and after many years of dreaming, working, and planning, opened Alchemy of Avalon as a brick-and-mortar shop in Greenfield, MA in August of 2021. An Avalonian Priestess, Witch, and devotee of Morgan LeFay, Suzanne practices her Craft both alone and with her husband, Sean, and her two children, Sebastian and Selene. Since the autumn of 2018, she has also served as the Herbcraft Professor for Rockstar Priestess’ 11-month online course, “Morgan LeFay Mystery School”, under the direction of Demelza Fox. Suzanne also teaches her own class series in Herbalism, "Herbs of Avalon: Morgana's Materia Medica", and also runs in-person classes and events at her shop as well. When not running her shop, Suzanne can be found dreaming about running away to Glastonbury, Ireland, and just about any ancient sacred sites. She is a proud member of the Sisterhood of Avalon, and those who attended Ninefold festival in Colorado may remember her as one of the bellydancers in the evening performance that year!
Elhoim Leafar
Workshop: Three Ages and Dark Faces of Water
The evolution of the black mother of the waters between Africa and South America. Healing the deep wounds in the water body of Olókun, understanding the powerful waves of change of Yemanjá, and embracing the sweet waters of Ọṣun. Join Elhoim Leafar (Baba OmiOloyu Yoko) Ọbatala's priest initiated into the Yorùbá religion to study and understand together the various aspects of the primordial divinity of the waters in the Lucumi cult, its incarnations and other aspects of the divinity of water that nourishes and separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. This workshop serves as a guide for those interested in understanding three of the most important Orisas in Afro-Caribbean worship, and closes with three works of Abundance to attract wealth while venerating the Orisas.
Bio: Elhoim Leafar (the urban Shaman) is a tarotist, dowser, and Spiritual worker who hails from a family of magical practitioners from Amazonia, Venezuela, where Brujería was introduced in his family for his Great-Great Uncle; tio Javier. With over twenty years of practice, he has been formally initiated into Espiritismo Tradicional Venezolano (1999), Candomble (2001), Santeria (2003), and La Orden de Los Encantados (2007). Elhoim's classes and books portray the Afro-Caribbean influence and culture of his land and people, and the diverse aspects of pagan spirituality of his tribe and family. His academic education includes six years of University College at the "Instituto de Nuevas Profesiones", and "ISUM", in Venezuela, specializing in Mindful Marketing, and Conscious Sustainable Advertising. Elhoim is the author of 'Dream Witchery' (Llewellyn Books, 2023).
Robin Corak
Workshop: Well of Dreams: Using the Element of Water in Dream Magick
Water has long been associated with liminal worlds beyond the physical one we inhabit. Dreams take place in a liminal state; thus, combining water magick and dream magick can yield powerful results. This workshop will cover the basics of dream magick and how working with the element of water can help us to better remember and understand our dreams as well as to connect with loved ones or ancestors who have passed and explore the world of lucid dreaming. This workshop includes topics and immersive exercises such as: • Understanding the connection between the water element and our dreams • Using water to facilitate a liminal state for dream work • Water aligned deities that can be dream allies • Use of oils and sacred water in dream work • Guided meditation to a water aligned dream temple
Bio: Robin Corak has always felt a deep connection to both the element of water and to dream work. In addition to authoring a forthcoming Llewellyn book about dream magick, Robin is also the author of the Moon Books Pagan Portals titles “Persephone: Practicing the Art of Personal Power” and “Demeter”, and is Robin has presented locally and at national conferences including Paganicon, the SOA Ninefold Festival, Mooncon, and the “A Year With Our Gods” conference series. . A member of the Sisterhood of Avalon, Robin has immersed herself in the Avalonian tradition over the past 20 years to include having served as Board Secretary. Robin is a certified End of Life doula and has several years of experience with modalities such as Reiki, coaching, and tarot reading. She currently writes a blog for Agora Patheos entitled “Phoenix Rising”. Passionate about helping others achieve their full potential, Robin is also the CEO of a large, non-profit social services organization in Washington state.
Cailleach's Herbarium (Scott)
Lecture: Uisge Beannaichte - Water and water ways in Scottish folk magic
Uisge Beannaichte – Blessed Water in Scottish Gaelic. Water is intrinsic to Scottish life, as a small part of a larger island nation. In this lecture we will traverse the numinous nature of bodies of water as they occur in folktales, myth, historical records and academic research in Scotland. We will explore holy wells, springs rivers, shore, sea and those liminal islands who raise above the waves. We will dip our cup along the way, sampling some of the Scottish folk magical practices illustrating how important water and water ways is to Scottish folk beliefs and folk magic today.
Bio: A native Scotsman, an academic researcher, writer, herbalist, activist, and Scottish folk magic practitioner. Scott draws on the rich well of Scottish Folklore, customs, practices, and traditions Scott weaves these strands to explore the historic and academic basis of Scottish folk practices. He encourages people to become custodians of Scotland’s intangible and historic animistic heritage through the work of the Woven Land Network and curates’ events through the Taibhsear Collective bringing together experts in areas of Scottish folk magic, music, story, and practice to fetch them into relevance today. When he is not writing, he works alongside minority groups, creating change in legislation, policy and practice in Scotland and advocates alongside marginalised communities to have their voices heard where it matters.
Lisa Wagoner
Workshop: Creek Magic
Creeks, those magical waterways that wind through mountains, neighborhoods, and farmlands, can sometimes be overlooked. The definition of a creek is that it is a minor tributary of a river. We tend to overlook creeks as they burble over rocks or placidly glide through forests. Yet we can also be startled when creeks majestically swell after a storm, sometimes causing havoc in their wake. Lisa Wagoner is the neighborhood Water Priestess of her own neighborhood's creek, and has a long history and a personal relationship with this particular type of waterway. This relationship goes all the way back to childhood, when she lived in Austria during her formative years. Utilizing folk magic and water priestess rituals, she will offer ways to work with, honor and appreciate these small yet mighty waterways.
Bio: Lisa Wagoner is a writer, the author of Positive Pagan: Staying in an Offbeat World by Llewellyn, and the co-host of the podcast Mystic Tea. She is a certified Reiki Master in Usui and Celtic traditions, an emerging herbalist, a water priestess, and the owner of Aligned Alchemy Center, where she works with clients on manifesting/magical challenges, purpose clarifications, healing work, and more.
Salicrow
Workshop: Scrying with Colored Water
