The Sacred Space Conference

So much of the hunger that is taken advantage of in capitalism and consumerism is built on spiritual hunger — out of the actual hunger of the Great Depression and the World Wars of the 20th century. Modern western culture is an offspring of widespread hunger — both literal and spiritual. How does this hunger influence our culture and our spiritual pursuits?

Along with providing spiritual union, opportunities for magical development, and social connections, Pagan and metaphysical groups, covens, groves, and chapters face challenges from the outside. Our communities are targeted by extremist organizations seeking to recruit members and by antisocial individuals seeking power over others. Additionally, some Pagan groups use holdover practices that are inaccessible or unwelcoming to the very people we are most hoping to help. Explore tools and techniques for increasing accessibility, identifying red flags, building policies that make predation more challenging for those who seek to do harm, conflict resolution, and more. 

Something often glossed over about modern Heathenry is a core belief in animism. Our forebears lived much closer to the land than we generally do. The belief that plants, animals, minerals, and humans all contain Spirit (animism) seems to have always been present in their world. In this class we explore how the Zusaagpflicht can help us get back to balance between the non-human and human peoples that inhabit this realm. This Urglaawisch “Sacred Promise” is easier to fulfill (regardless of spiritual belief) if we expand the 3 R’s beyond “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” by adding “Re-Think, and Reject”. Then we can begin to truly re-work our position and become better neighbours to our plant, animal, mineral, and aethereal neighbours.