Gaia's Womb presents
Invocation

A Winter Retreat for Women
March 2, 3, & 4th, 2012
DeKoven Center, Racine, WI

Featuring:
  • Avia Venefica
  • Juniper Talbot


    • Invocation
    The summoning
    A calling forth
    Arms uplifted
    I am open
    To the everlasting yes!
    A soul lit in the void

    On the bosom of voluptuous rain-kissed earth
    And by the sapphire tumblings of the sea.
    We summons the breath of our Mother
    She stokes the embers in our hearts and bellies
    Fanning them to a roaring flame
    From within that flame comes the dance of life
    And we dance it
    Finding the mystery within and without.


    This year, just before the ground thaws, the Woman Tribe of Gaia’s Womb will usher in the lions and lambs of the month of March. (Mars) Bringing together two wielders of wisdom; Avia Veneifica – who invokes and reveals the mysteries through symbols and the messages of nature, and Juniper Talbot, who uses dance itself as a Divine invocation. These two powerful women bring a merging of mind, body and spirit into the sacred circle. When you are conscious of the whole world at the same time, only then can you become conscious of the Divine that resides within you.

    Raise your arms, open your hearts; drink from the well of wisdom, knowledge, healing, and inspiration.
    Invoke Her.
    Be filled.


    Avia Venefica contends Nature (in all Her forms, including cosmic) is a sacred energy which uses organic symbolism as a platform for expression, and she actively pursues deeper meaning in life events (individually and collectively) by exploring archetypal symbolism. This pursuit has lead her to study literature (i.e.: Jung, Campbell) and philosophies of varying cultures (i.e.: Native American, Celtic) with a goal to understand prime symbols within naturalistic (pre-industrial) perspectives. In essence, [Mother]Nature, with Her ancient symbolic language is always communicating with us. Avia proposes, that by learning various cultural and archetypal meanings of symbols, we can translate those meanings into guidance for real-life problems. Avia's writings and presentations come from her passion for sharing the potential of symbolism as a catalyst to self-development and collective awareness. Avia's unique perspective blends current knowledge with intuitive understanding and channeled vision. Avia has an undergraduate degree in anthropology and has been an understudy and apprentice in several tribal and occult organizations. She is a certified medium, Tarot reader and dream interpreter, she is also the author of several published articles concerning esoteric wisdom. Avia's interest in symbolism ranges widely, from numerology to totemic wisdom. Her writings on these subjects and more can be found on her websites: www.Whats-Your-Sign.com, www.TarotTeachings.com, and her blog, www.Symbolic-Meanings.com


    Juniper Talbot has over 27 years of experience with ritual and magic. As a professional dancer and choreographer, Juniper has travelled often to the sacred sites of the British Isles to teach and perform and to learn from the land itself. Juniper is a scholar of Welsh-Celtic mythology, cosmology and folklore. She was initiated into Lenai Aine, a Celtic-based coven in 1982, and is currently an Elder there. She works as a professional Tarot reader and as a Birth Doula, supporting women as they give birth, and she is currently writing a novel based on the Mabinogi, an ancient Welsh mythological cycle.


    Pricing Structure:
  • $325.00 for registrations postmarked prior to January 20th, 2012.
  • $355.00 for registrations postmarked between January 21st and February 10th, 2012.
  • $385.00 for registrations postmarked after February 10th, 2012.
  • The price includes programs, meals, and accommodations.
  • Rooms are semi-private. Bathrooms are shared.
  • No refunds.

    To Register For The Event:
    1. Click on this link to bring up the event registration form.
    2. Print the form on your printer.
    3. Complete the form.
    4. Mail the form to the address on the form.

    Please make checks payable to: Gaia’s Womb
    For further information contact Angie Buchanan at:
    (847) 456-4833 or email: angie@gaiaswomb.com.

    Those interested in vending please contact Angie Buchanan at (847) 456-4833 or angie@gaiaswomb.com

    Schedule:


    Friday, March 2nd, 2012
    3:00pmArrival, Registration and Marketplace Setup
    6:00pmDinner
    7:00pmOpening Ritual: bring personal talismans to help build our altar. Tools that you use for magic and the everyday craft of life; things that inspire you, something that represents what you might be longing to invoke; journals, statuary, photographs, and other items to help make the space beautiful. A list of additional items you will need to bring will be provided with your confirmation, upon receipt of your registration.
    Saturday, March 3rd, 2012
    8:00amBreakfast
    9:00amAvia Venefica: Know the Goddess, Know Her Symbols

    This presentation explores the importance symbols and markings in connection with ancient Celtic queens and goddesses. Findings and historical connections are based upon studies of Celtic anthropological research paired with Celtic legends as well as Celtic lore, folk tales and Avia's own observations. Discussions will include relevance of symbols such as the triskelle, moon markings, agricultural symbolism, and highlighted Ogham properties. Special attention will be paid to goddesses such as Epona, Danu, Macha as well as Celtic warrior queens such as Boudicca and Cartimandua. We'll look at how these powerful women are a reflection of this era of Celtic life (La Téne Iron Age) and how Her symbols still empower modern women today. The goal of this presentation is to tap into prime Celtic anima (feminine) energy via her symbols, step back in time and come back into the present with renewed understanding about the rich heritage of the goddess and global womanhood.
    12:00pmLunch/Free Time/Marketplace!
    2:00pmJuniper Talbot: Dancing the Silver Wheel

    In the ancient Welsh tradition, Arianrhod (whose name means “Silver Wheel”) presides over the initiatory cycles of birth, life and death. Using shape-shifting techniques gleaned from her mythology, we will dance the spiral path toward trance and vision. Moving through metamorphic postures drawn from Spirit Animals sacred to the Celts, we loosen our hardened shapes and discover own initiatory path to transformation, renewal and wholeness.
    6:00pmDinner/Free Time: Browse the Marketplace, walk the land, spend time with one another. Allow yourself some freedom from the schedule!
    7:30pmRitual Preparation (Fluff & Puff)
    8:00pmRitual: A space of pure inspiration where we build the container for you to do the magic!
    Sunday, March 4th, 2012
    8:00amBreakfast
    9:30amBringing It Full Circle: An informal summary and discussion of the weekend.
    11:00amClosing Circle
    11:30amFree Time/Departure New friends now old friends - may the circle be unbroken. Safe journeys home!