2024 Program and Workshops
These are the highlights for what is planned for the current festival.
This page now includes Workshops and planned rituals.
Come back here regularly to see the plans for the 2024 festival as they develop.
Air
Inspiration, inner knowing, understanding, knowledge.
The Breath of Life. The Winds of Change.
Insight. Inner Vision.
Air is all around outside of us.
We welcome in the world as we inhale.
We share ourselves with the world as we exhale.
Rituals
Main Ritual
We call Lilith - Queen of the Night
We will co-create the Main Ritual at the festival this year. Although rare in recent years, this was frequently done in the early years of the festival. We have a loose outline and we will meet together during the festival to plan out the details.
Opening and Closing Rituals
Led by Suzanne, Stacey, Naomi, Kathleen and Bear
The Opening Ritual brings all festival-goers together on Thursday before dinner; calls the directions and sets the a cone of protection around the entire bounds of Camp Two. The sacred space created here is remains in effect for the entire festival.
The Closing Ritual brings everyone back together on Sunday morning to take down the cone of protection around Camp Two, to offer thanks and honors to the powers that we called in the opening ritual, to ground; prepare ourselves for the journey back to mundane life and to say farewell to each other and The Woodlands for another year.
Crone Ritual
Willowbrook is the Priestess for the Crone Ritual
There will be a Crone Gathering scheduled for before the ritual. If you wish to be Croned, or have never attended Elderflower as a Crone before, please come to the Gathering.
Mother Ritual
Christina is the Mother Priestess
The Priestess for the Mothers is Christina
Mother is not only a parent for a child, it is more broadly a stage of life that all women pass through as we transition between Maidenhood and the Crone years. This ritual honors the middle phase, where our power is somewhat developed and our creations are manifesting in the world. Our focus will be on the heart, a source of nurturance for our growing projects, ideas, children, and to bring holding and healing for ourselves and others.
We will take this intention down to the river to make our offerings to Goddess. Let’s remember the importance of what the heart offers, both gentle and strong, to carry us through all the roles that we play in life.
Amazon Ritual
The Amazon Priestess is Cynthia.
If you plan to participate in this ritual, please check in with Donna when you arrive at the Festival. More information will be in your Program.
A Gathering of Maidens
Ashe is the coordinator for Maidens
Workshop Descriptions
Workshop Leader names are first name only or magical names for privacy reasons.
These workshops ask you to bring something with you.
Sacral Release - Ashe G.
PLEASE BRING A YOGA MAT! Our Sacrum & Womb hold emotions & physical tension. This workshop will utilize breathing techniques, physical stretches & mobility work to RELEASE tension/pain & leave you feeling more connected to the sacred hips that hold you. Ashe will have some equipment for use such as Foam Rollers, Softballs & Resistance Bands if some are interested in a more targeted muscle fascia release in the lower back, glute, or hip flexor area at the end of the workshop. Bringing a towel to fold up, yoga blocks or anything that will make you feel more comfortable is also helpful!
Stitch and Witch - Suzanne S.
Bring your knitting, crocheting, mending, hand quilting, or any other crafty thing you are working on. We will sit together in the Redwoods and craft and talk about witchy or mundane things. How do you craft with intention? What does it mean to be a witch? What’s the best yarn for socks? Or anything else that might come up. This is a chance to slow down and relax and just chat, or sit quietly and listen. All are Welcome.
Spirit Drum Journey Circle - Naomi CopperJet
We will create a circle, raise energy to call our power animals and journey to the sound of the drum. The energy-raising is participatory. Come ready to assist with drumming, singing songs to unify the group, and be prepared to raise individual and group energy.
BRING: a frame drum and/or rattle to help raise energy for the journey; something to lie on, and cover yourself for warmth, and an eye cover.
The steady beat of the drum induces a special state of consciousness, which allows each woman to travel to non-ordinary reality where anyone can access information unavailable to conscious thought in normal waking reality. For those new to journeying: meet your power animal and get to know the ways of the ‘lower world’. For experienced journeyers, sing your power song, play with your power animal or meet a new one; visit your teachers; ask a question for yourself or another.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a deep yogic practice designed to induce profound relaxation in body and mind. In Yoga Nidra, you enter a state of receptive relaxation, remaining aware and alert. The goal is to tap your innate intelligence and wisdom resources to provide solutions to various issues, problems and questions faced in daily life.
BRING: a comfortable pad to lie on and a blanket to cover yourself, if desired.
Deep Chanting for Opening and Grounding – Denise
In this workshop, we’ll begin with some gentle asana (physical activities) to tune and prepare our bodies, and then we’ll do a focused study of chanting Sanskrit* vowel sounds as they relate to various areas and energy centers (Chakras) of the body.
I find that this particular chanting practice greatly enhances my ritual and spell work as it prepares me to be powerfully open and grounded, and I often do this practice with my other witchy friends. I also practice this chant in my daily life when I feel stress, or before I enter a challenging situation.
Please note that there is no denomination or specific deity associated with this chanting practice. That said, I find this practice to be an extremely spiritually connective activity, especially when practiced with others. These sounds are ancient, magic, and holy. And our bodies know.
BRING: Please bring a yoga mat if you have one, a towel or two (for a bolster), and a chair if you are unable to sit or lie on the ground. If you have a yoga bolster, that is an ideal way to sit for chanting practice if you can sit on the ground.
JD Memorial Girls' Softball Game – Alice
JD founded the Girls’ Softball Game. We remember JD who provided the mitts and much spirit! Thank you to Jean who donated a dozen softballs. Alice leads the game and will bring balls, wiffle bats, regular bats and some gloves. Please BRING gloves. We laugh and get exercise and have a lot of fun!
Ritual Crafting 101 – Kathleen
This workshop is part of the EPN track, and is open to ALL Elderflower women.
One witch’s perspective on how to craft a ritual, for 3 or 300. We will discuss ways to build a ritual, from start to finish,. This will include a basic, step by step outline, touching on everything from preparing and setting up your space to finishing and leaving no trace. We will talk about calling Deity, raising and releasing energy, and all
the magical bits in between. BRING: Paper and pen is HIGHLY recommended.
Dreams for Elderflower Women – Nancy W.
Do dreams have meaning in our waking lives? Dreams are a part of our lives as much as food and drink. Most of us don’t get enough opportunities to share our dreams with others. During this workshop, we will hear the dreams of others and ourselves and learn some ways of finding an answer to that question. Limit 5 women per day.
BRING: at least one dream to the workshop, a notebook and something to write with. (Offered 2 times)
Yoga for Pelvic Floor Health for Women – an introduction – Denise
The pelvic floor is a vital and powerful area of the body, especially for women. Come learn more about your pelvic floor through the unique lens of yoga. I’ll introduce this complex topic through anatomy, awareness, breathing, and chanting, plus we’ll do releasing and strengthening activities. The asana (physical activities) will run from the
subtle to the fairly gentle, and no yoga experience is required.
I marked this workshop as intense, however, because it’s a serious topic that requires focus, even while it can be fun. Also, even though you may find that the physical poses are not necessarily intense, it can be emotionally and psychically intense for some women to tune deeper into this root area of the body.
Please BRING a yoga mat if possible, and a towel or two (to use as a bolster.) Please BRING a chair if you are unable to sit or to lie on the ground. (You will need to sit on a firm surface to participate fully.) I look forward to teaching this introductory workshop at Elderflower, where acknowledgment and embodiment of the sacred feminine is made explicit. ~Blessed Be
“What Do I Need Today?” – J. Joy
Guided Shamanic Journey to the inner self ending in a group healing ceremony. Giving attention to what needs attention, within. Participants will be guided through the process of a traditional shamanic journey, though they may be confronted with some serious discomfort/truth/internal need for attention. As a group we will hold each other in loving ceremony to close the circle. Participants should bring a yoga mat/blanket to lay on & any sacred items they feel called to bring along. They may also want a blanket to cover themselves, something to cover their eyes with & comfy clothing.
These Workshops don't ask you bring anything to attend.
Orientation and reintroduction to Elderflower – the Council and Cynthia
Mother is not only a parent for a child, it is more broadly a stage of life that all women pass through as we transition between Maidenhood and the Crone years. This ritual honors the middle phase, where our power is somewhat developed and our creations are manifesting in the world. Our focus will be on the heart, a source of nurturance for our growing projects, ideas, children, and to bring holding and healing for ourselves and others. We will take this intention down to the river to make our offerings to Goddess. Let’s remember the importance of what the heart offers, both gentle and strong, to carry us through all the roles that we play in life.
The Elements Series: Air
This is the first of five planned workshops to be held – one each year to cover the basics of the esoteric meaning of the Elements. This year we will discuss symbolic meanings, correspondences, delve into historical evidence for the archetypal element of Air. There will be a demonstration of ways to Call the Power of Air into a ritual or sacred circle with an opportunity to practice, if there is interest in that. My understanding is based in Western mystical tradition; Dianic Wicca; and a smattering of Western astrology and theoretical alchemy. There will be opportunity to discuss other cultural perspectives and methods of evocation/invocation. This series is for beginner level but may offer information of practical use to intermediate- and experienced-level ritual practitioners. If you are a note-taker, bring a pen and pad for notes.
This workshop is part of the EPN track, and is open to ALL Elderflower women.
Family Constellations - Christina S.
We heal relationships, in relationship to others. Together, we will form a warm circle that will support the movement of a woman who feels ready to look at an unmet longing or troubling issue. As we stand in support, witness or represent in the constellation, we all receive some healing of our own. We are woven in a web of life where we all belong. Come, and feel the powerful acceptance of the healing field.
Write and Read in the Redwoods with Rita!
We will sit in the shade and have a comfortable chat about our relationships with writing. Then we will write together, using a simple prompt. Those who wish to will read from what they’ve just written. Then we will discuss the experience. It promises to be fun, deep, and full of creative surprises.
Chants for the Ritual Framework - Vicki S.
Create sacred space using chants! Come learn the parts of a ritual, and easy chants for each part. Ground, cast the circle, call the elements, call the Goddess, do the Magic, and return the space to mundane use. Lyrics or sheet music will be provided. Recording is encouraged. Link to music: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hsz3AIAyOgHtby0V8_xdXAv_UVInoz4t?usp=sharing
This workshop is part of the Elderflower Priestess Path (a Spiritual Leadership Program) and is open to ALL Elderflower women.
NOTE: There is no internet access in the Woodlands and won’t be able to download once you are at the festival. So plan to download and print out the music to bring with you.
Creating the Wet-Your-Pants-Funny Skit for the Talent Show - Rita L.
Come brainstorm about the plot, actors, costumes, settings for the way-over-the-top skit. We will forage in camp for the costumes & stage props. Rita will present the Goddess theme & we will wildly riff on it.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention - Vicki "Mae"
This class can be done seated or standing. Each class includes warm-ups and cool downs. The routine, developed by a team of medical and Tai Chi experts focuses on moves to alleviate arthritis and prevent falls. The routine is taught step-by-step.
Care and Feeding of Your Broom - Kathleen
This workshop is part of the EPN track, and is open to ALL Elderflower women.
This is a practical, hands-on workshop, focusing on the magical use of a broom (or besom). We will explore ways to infuse or discover the personality of this tool; ways to bond on a metaphysical plane; ways to use our brooms as receptacles and amplifiers of our magic. We have brooms available to borrow, to purchase for a small fee, or you may BRING your own.
What Makes a Priestess? - Kathleen and Others
This workshop is part of the EPN track, and is open to ALL Elderflower women.
New for 2024 – the Elderflower Priestess Network program.
This is more of a moderated discussion than a workshop. It is open to all, but geared specifically towards those women who identify as Priestesses, or Spiritual Leaders, in their own communities, inside and outside of Elderflower. This is the start (or re-start) of the Elderflower Priestess Network program, and we request and welcome input from all.
Our intent is to provide a network of women all over the state, and country, who will spiritually support each other all year around. We will discuss what defines us, what we feel we need in order to be the best spiritual leaders we can be. We expect the discussion to open up many avenues of communication! Each year, starting in 2024, we will offer four workshops that will directly pertain to the program, each representing a different element of study. Please see Naomi or Kathleen for further information.
Workshop Title
Description