I am available for book-signings, talks and workshops on a variety of subjects, including Wicca and Paganism, Ritual, Tarot, and Myth (ancient and modern). Following are some of the classes I do. These presentations are fun and interactive. They run from one to three hours. Please contact me for arrangements. I would be happy to get a press kit or more information to you. I live in the vicinity of New York City and can most easily travel locally but, hey, you never know...

Talks on Gods and Myth

• "The Nature of Deity--Who or What are Gods?"
  How can we understand deity? Are gods merely aspects of The One? Are gods beings with thoughts and feelings? A down- to-earth discussion that even the non-metaphysical can appreciate. The talk reviews major types of Pagan theology (monism, henotheism, hard and soft polytheism, and more) and the major god-concepts within modern Wicca and Paganism.
• "How to Worship the Gods "
  How are Gods approached? What is the "worship bargain?" How do we relate to, and form relationship with, deity? What kinds of deity relationships are possible? This workshop can work well as Part II of "The Nature of Deity" or it can stand alone.
• "Becoming a Deity"
  This is a guided group process, involving equal parts of trance, active imagination and storytelling. Participants will become gods and goddesses of Classical Greek myth, and interact with one another. Extremely powerful. (Group should be limited to 7 participants. Knowledge of Greek mythology helpful.)
• "Snow White, the Wicked Witch, and Female Power"
  This discussion applies an understanding of ancient mythology and archetypal imagery to one of the best-known fairy tales in the world. In his cartoon classic, Walt Disney captured an essential image of women and witchcraft in Western culture. We examine what Snow White and the Wicked Witch tell us about cultural views of female goodness and female evil, female sexual emergence, and female magic. This is not for women only!
• "Modern Myths: How the Movies and TV Tell Pagan Stories, Enact Ritual, and Are Cool, Too"
  This workshop takes the “cult” in “cult movie” seriously and looks at the religious significance of cult movies in a Pagan context. Why does a movie become a cult? What is happening in such a movie that inspires ritualized behavior? Are there “gods” in such movies? Theology? We’ll have fun discussing such seminal cult favorites as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Star Trek (the original series).
• "The Hero’s Journey in The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
  When The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released as a midnight movie in 1976, it created an unprecedented and startling cult phenomenon. Not merely the product of a sex- and drug-crazed era, Rocky Horror embodies mythic truths as powerfully as any ancient hero tale. This discussion will examine Rocky Horror’s images and symbols, and compare them to to examples from ancient Pagan myth. We hope this presentation will be as fun as its source material, while showing the serious side that has captured two generations of fanatics.
• "Demeter, Persephone and Hades"
  An in-depth analysis of one of the most important myths of the Classical world. What are the psychological, archetypal and spiritual interpretations of this myth? Why did Hades abduct Persephone? What does it mean to be "raped" in a myth? Why did Persephone eat the pomegranate seeds? What does this story teach us today?

Talks on Ritual & Magic

• "The Structure of Wiccan Ritual"
  A discussion of the underlying structure that permeates and creates the Wiccan circle. Each step of ritual — calling the quarters, casting the circle, cakes and wine — has a reason for being there, and for being before the next step and after the previous one! This talk is based on material in my book The Elements of Ritual.
• "Preparing for Ritual"
  Before ritual can begin there are all manner of factors to consider, and all manner of preparations to be made. After considering the location, size, experience, and purpose of the rite, you must prepare everything from fire safety to spiritual readiness. This talk discusses virtually every pre-ritual step in depth, and is adapted from my book The Elements of Ritual.
• "The Use of Voice"
  The effective use of voice is a major component of ritual, storytelling, or any dramatic presentation. We will briefly discuss theory, then get down to business! We'll explore pacing, volume, range, tone, and personal blocks to using our voices. Everyone will get a chance to speak shout, or squeak.
• "Pain Management for Pagans"
  The rise in popularity of physically demanding rituals (such as ritual tattooing), has brought to light the inexperience of many of us in managing our pain. What are some physical, mental, and spiritual methods that can ease us through physical trials? This interactive workshop uses techniques learned from a variety of disciplines, including NLP and Bradley Childbirth. Instructional material and guided meditation are included.
• "The Structure of Spellcasting"
This can be presented as single workshops, or as two or three parts of one and one-half or two hours.
Both for beginners to magic and to those who wish to fine-tune their craft. What makes a spell work? What impedes its progress? What are the preconditions for a spell to succeed? How do the magician, the target, the goal, and the Gods affect a spell? Magic is an integral part of many of our lives, yet much of the magic we do is left unanalyzed. By looking closely at what does and doesn't work, we can improve our spells. Based on material in my book, The Way of Four Spellbook.
Part One: Magical Power (1 1/2 or 2 hours)--Covers the nature of magic, sources of power, and raising power. Different power-raising techniques are covered.
Part Two: The Structure of Spellcasting (1 1/2 or 2 hours)--Covers constructing spells to take advantage of power sources, the basic outline of spells, building spells around an outline, deciding when to do spells and when not to do spells, and disposing of spells. (Prereq.: Part 1)
Part Three: Putting Spells Together (1 1/2 or 2 hours)--When Part Three is scheduled at an event, Part Two will close with homework, allowing students to come back to Part Three with their own proposed spells. We'll go over various spells brought by students for discussion and figure out what will work and why, and how to tinker to improve spells.

Talks on Wicca and Paganism

• "The Study of Witchcraft "
  After mastering the basics of "Wicca 101," many students are baffled about where to go next. How do I study "Wicca 202"? What is Wicca 202? One of the crucial features of a course of study in Advanced Wicca is to reach beyond the basics and study other topics. Based on the material in my book, The Study of Witchcraft, this class addresses topics that are of value to every student of the occult, and how to approach their study.
• "Who are the Gardnerians and Why are They Nekkid?"
  This is an introduction to the first Wiccan tradition to reach North America. Less visible today than 30 years ago, Gardnerian Wicca remains incredibly influential in the history of Wicca and modern Paganism. Gardnerians are controversial, sometimes condemned, sometimes dismissed, sometimes admired, and sometimes despised. Known to keep secrets, many wonder what they have to hide. Known to engage in controversial practices such as skyclad worship, many wonder what's going on in those circles anyway! This workshop introduces the basic history, outlines the major controversies about that history, and directly addresses the misconceptions and questions about the tradition and its practitioners. Lively, interactive, and blunt.
• "Festival as Community"
  A look at the way that the festival movement has influenced Paganism in general, and us as individuals. What changes has the community seen as a result of the festival movement, and what changes have we ourselves experienced? Does it mean something different to be a Pagan in a community that has festivals, than it did to be a Pagan in decades past? This workshop will combine formally-presented material on the history of Pagan festivals, as well as free-form discussion about how we have experienced festivals.
• "The Descent of the Goddess"
  An in-depth analysis the "The Legend of the Descent of the Goddess into the Underworld" (presumably) written by Gerald Gardner, and published by many other Wiccan authors. As a genuine Wiccan myth, it has great importance to us. We will also compare it with other Descent myths.
• "The Charge of the Goddess"
  Like the Descent, the Charge is genuine Wiccan mythology, and has gained near-universal familiarity among Wiccans (Once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full...). We will discuss why the Charge is a myth, and analyze its meaning.
• "Starting a Pagan or Wiccan Group"
  This will cover many of the issues that arise in a group’s first year or so of existence. Topics will include, contact, screening and networking, safety, a syllabus of classes for beginners and others, book lists, projects, and group dynamics.

Talks on the Elements

• "The Elements of Ritual"
  How are Earth, Air, Fire, and Water present in the Wiccan circle? What meaning do they have in the ceremony? How does our understanding of the four elements improve our understanding of ritual? This talk is based on material in my book The Elements of Ritual.
• "The Way of Four"
  What are the four elements? Where do they come from and why are they so important to occultists? What part do they play in our personalities and day to day lives? This talk is lively, with lots of questions and answers as we each discover the parts of ourselves that are earthy, fiery, watery and airy. This talk is based on material in my book The Way of Four.

Talks on Tarot

• "Introduction to the Tarot"
  What is the Tarot, where does it come from, and how does it work? This is a one-evening session running about 2 hours.
• "Tarot for Beginners"
  A ten-week course that will walk the new reader through every card, as well as the meaning of numbers, suits, and symbols. The language of the Tarot, the use of layout, becoming more psychic, dealing with difficult readings, and much more, is covered.