Ninefold Festival

Red Thread Creative Circle

The Red Thread is a symbol of connection to the first ancestral mother, and through her to all humanity. A workshop focused on creative process and connection among women, exploring the symbol and the stories of the Red Thread in Wales and across the world.

Francesca Aniballi is a creative facilitator and writer weaving together various experiences and practices underpinned by the creative imagination, in order to bring about healing, inspiration, empowerment. The focus of her work is to foster increased self-awareness and interconnection among women, as well as a sense of belonging to the Earth and the Cosmos through creativity.

You can find out more about her work and offerings at https://hy.page/creativevisionquests and https://www.il-pianeta-azzurro.com/creative-journeys-for-women.

Seeking Mother Water

Water is abundant on our planet and in our own bodies. It is one of the most precious natural resources we have, and we depend on it to live. Water is much more than just a physical resource. It is the Well Spring of life, a pathway for the spirit and the body to become balanced. In this class, we will Seek Mother Water through the framework of the watery Welsh Landscape. We will discuss bodies of water specifically found within Wales as well as Welsh Water Goddesses and Water Spirits. However, our physical bodies are also bodies of water that need tending! What can we learn from water that will help us to tend to the sacredness of our own bodies and souls. How can Mother Water teach us about tending ourselves like we tend the waters in the sacred landscape? Together we will seek Mother Water to find opportunities to love, heal and prosper in our own lives. Water is life… let’s truly live it! 

Annwyn Avalon is a Water Witch, Water Priestess, and the founder of Triskele Rose Witchcraft, an Avalonian witchcraft tradition. She has devoted her life to the study of art, witchcraft, and magic. She is an initiated Witch and Priestess, Reiki Master Teacher, award-winning Dancer, published author and has a BFA in sculpture, BA in Anthropology with emphasis on plant and human interactions, and has received an apprentice certificate in Herbalism. She writes for the Magical Times Magazine in the UK and has contributed to other published works such as The New Aradia Witches’ Handbook for Resistance, This Witch, and Witchology Magazine. She is the author of the Patheos Blog “The Water Witch” as well as the books Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition, The Way of the Water Priestess: Entering the World of Water Magic, and her forthcoming book published by Weiser Books in 2023. Visit her at www.AnnwynAvalon.com

Three Drops of Wisdom: Maxims, Myths & Mysteries in the Welsh Triads

Contained within the collection of short verses known as the Welsh Triads are advice for living rightly, legends of the British Isles, and keys to pre-Christian Welsh spirituality. If we are diligent, persistent, and attentive, we might draw great inspiration and wisdom from just three little drops!

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 and a temple dancer, Laurelei is the author of 13 books (including Temple of Love and The Witches’ Key to the Legion: A Guide to Solomonic Sorcery), a co-Director and frequent presenter at the Babalon Rising Festival, an OTO initiate, a co-owner of Camp Midian, and the proud proprietress of Asteria Books and Events and of Blade & Broom.

Wounded Goddesses: Seeking Healing and Empowerment Working with Welsh Goddesses

In this presentation Ness Bosch takes us by the hand to learn about different Welsh Goddesses, their wounds and their magic. Many of these Goddesses share stories full of shadows, betrayal, grief… But within those wounds they offer us an opportunity to work on our empowerment, connection and transformation through the Magic and Fate of these Goddesses. As part of this presentation, Ness will also share a Ritual to connect with the Welsh Goddesses.

Ness Bosch is a shamaness and Priestess, Independent Researcher and the Head of the Goddess Temple in Alba and director of the Priesthood of Alba. She is a recognized member of the International Hispanic Pagan Community for her work over the years. Before moving to Scotland, Ness was also Regional Coordinator for the Pagan Federation International in Spain.

Ness was Torch Bearer of the Covenant of Hekate, the First Spanish to hold this position in the Covenant, where she actively participated in ritual creation groups and other activities for the Covenant community. Ness edited the first devotional guide of the Goddess Hekate in Spanish. 

Since 2012 Ness is the Head of the Temple of the Waters and the Covenant of Waters. She is also Founding Member of the Council of Near Eastern Pagan Religions and Founder of COARCI, the Council of Ancient Religions and Cults of Iberia. She is also a Member of the Pagan Heathen Symposium. 

Ness coordinated the Online Conference for the SPF in 2020 and previously, organized the International Symposium of the Fellowship of Isis (of which she is Hierophant Priestess, Dame Commander and Archdruidess) and other popular events both Online and physical. She is the Organiser of the Scottish Goddess Conference. 

Ness has walked the Shamanic path for years. She travels to different countries sharing her knowledge and experiences. She is the Founder of the Path of Bones and El Clan de la Huesera. She lives in Scotland with her children where she is also a Pagan Legal Celebrant and active member of the Pagan Community.

Mothering Ourselves: Self Care with the Avalonian Goddesses

In these times of chaos and stress, it is  important  that we provide ourselves with nurturing.The Avalonian goddesses can teach us how to tend to our own needs for holistic sustenance and growth. Through the exploration of Welsh myths and hands on techniques, this workshop shows attendees how to:

• Take time to mourn our losses in a self defined way without guilt or shame (Branwen)
• Find an ally for strength, sovereignty, and inspiration (Arianrhod)
• Develop our own personal power “potion”  (Cerridwen)
• Experience emotional and spiritual nourishment, self love, and greater confidence (Rhiannon)
• Rebirth ourselves in alignment with our own strengths, needs, and desires (Bloduewedd)

This presentation will include handouts with guided meditation and activities. 

Robin Corak is the author of the Moon Books Pagan Portals titles “Persephone: Practicing the Art of Personal Power” and “Demeter” (Oct. 2022), and is working on a forthcoming Llewellyn book about dream magick . Robin has presented locally and at national conferences including Paganicon, Pantheacon, the SOA Ninefold Festival, and Mooncon. A member of the Sisterhood of Avalon, Robin has immersed herself in the Avalonian tradition over the past 20 years to include serving as Board Secretary, completion of Quests and the first year of Seminary, and attending pilgrimage in Glastonbury and Wales. She currently writes a blog for Agora Patheos entitled “Phoenix Rising”. 

Robin has presented at a variety of local and national conferences including Paganicon, Ninefold Festival, Pantheacon, Mooncon, and the “A Year with our Gods” conference series. She is trained as an End of Life doula and has several years of experience with modalities such as Reiki, coaching, and tarot reading. Passionate about helping others achieve their full potential, Robin is also the CEO of a large, non-profit social services organization in Washington state.

Reflections on the Identity of Rhiannon

Kris will guide participants through a fearless exploration of the importance of Modron, and others, in a better understanding of Rhiannon.

Kris Hughes is a writer, ritualist, hedge teacher, and storyteller. She is a devotee of the three Celtic horse goddesses – Epona, Rhiannon, and Macha. Her writing and teaching focuses on Celtic mythology, folklore and folk customs, and Celtic Paganism. A prolific blogger and essayist, she also writes poetry and occasional short fiction. 

Originally from rural Colorado, Kris spent much of her adult life in Edinburgh, Scotland where she worked as a professional musician. She returned to Colorado in 2009 and tried ranching, but it was too hot, so now she lives in NW Oregon.

Cloaked in Fire: The Wonder and Mystery of Y Ddraig Goch

Many are familiar with the red dragon that graces the Welsh flag. That bold striding powerful creature first strode across a band of white and green to become that flag in 1959 but her connection to Wales reaches far further back in its history. This presentation weaves history, mythology, and meditation to meet Y Ddraig Goch.

Tiffany Lazic is a Registered Psychotherapist, Spiritual Director, and Certified Havening Techniques Practitioner. She is an international retreat facilitator and organizer; the originator of Hynni energy healing, and author of The Great Work: Self-Knowledge and Healing Through the Wheel of the Year (Llewellyn Publications, 2015) and The Noble Art: From Shadow to Essence Through the Wheel of the Year (Llewellyn Publications, 2021). Tiffany has recently pulled up her maple leaf roots to transplant to her beloved Wales where she looks forward to communing with ancient stones and many red dragons. Visit Tiffany at www.hiveandgrove.ca

Being a Spiritual Rebel

Many of us find our way to the practice of Witchcraft because we are seeking change, connection, and let’s be honest, power. Witches and heretics are the outsiders of mainstream culture. They are the edge-walkers and the world changers. In this workshop, we will explore the potential of our own personal spiritual rebellion and step closer to our own inner heretic. Part lecture, part ritual, during our time together we will speak the names of the rebels of the past and seek their influence, wisdom, and magick on the rebellions we wish to create in the world today.

Phoenix LeFae (she/her) started on the path of Witchcraft in 1993. She has trained in several Witchcraft traditions, always looking to learn more and expand her knowledge. She is initiated into the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft, the Avalon Druid Order, and Gardnerian Wicca. Phoenix is a professional Witch, author, reader, teacher, and owner of the Witchy shop Milk & Honey in Sebastopol, CA (www.Milk-and-Honey.com).

A New Style of Leadership for Within and Without: The Round Table

Michelle Skye is the author of three goddess books, Goddess Alive, Goddess Afoot, and Goddess Aloud (Llewellyn Publications), and two children’s books Harriet Tubman: Follow Your Star and Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield (Chicken Scratch Press).  She is committed to helping individuals find their inner gifts and power through these books, individualized healing sessions, and group ritual experience. Michelle has been a member of the Sisterhood of Avalon for eleven years. She lives in southeastern Massachusetts, where she meets with clients and holds ceremony on the Sabbats.

The Physicians of Myddfai and the Lady of the Lake

In this session, we will delve into the legendary heritage of the Meddygon Myddfai, the 500 year-long lineage of famous Welsh physicians said to have descended from the Lady of the Lake of Llyn y Fan Fach. We will examine details of their world-famous herbal formulary, discuss its importance within a medieval context, and spend time exploring the underlying significance of their supernatural origins.

Jhenah Telyndru holds an MA in Celtic Studies from the University of Wales, Trinity St. David. She is the founder of the Sisterhood of Avalon and serves as Academic Dean of the Avalonian Thealogical Seminary.

Her published works include “Avalon Within: A Sacred Journey of Myth, Mystery, and Inner Wisdom” (Llewellyn, 2010), “The Avalonian Oracle: Spiritual Wisdom from the Holy Isle” (Schiffer Books, 2016), “Pagan Portals – Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” (Moon Books, 2018), “The Mythic Moons of Avalon: Lunar and Herbal Wisdom from the Isle of Healing” (Llewellyn, 2019), “Pagan Portals – Blodeuwedd: Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty” (Moon Books, 2021), and the forthcoming “Awakening Avalon: The Ninefold Path of the Priestess” (Llewellyn 2023).

Jhenah teaches four day residential training retreats around North America and the UK, hosts online learning immersions and workshops, and facilitates pilgrimages to sacred sites in the British Isles and Ireland through Mythic Seeker Tours. She is a frequent presenter and guest speaker at academic conferences, religious symposia, Women’s Spirituality gatherings, and Pagan festivals. A priestess in the Avalonian Tradition for over three decades, Jhenah has been walking a Pagan path since 1986. For more information about her work and offerings, please visit: www.ynysafallon.com.