BILLIEJO RACINE

TAROT READER

BillieJo possesses deep experiential knowledge in the areas of art theory and studio arts stained glass artist; her work is exhibited locally.  She maintains avid interests in crystal work, petrology, candle magic, herbs and holistic and naturopathic medicine.  She is an educated, empathic and astute tarot reader.  Her interests include yoga, gardening, and Pennsylvania Dutch hex craft.

Beginners Tarot  (a five week workshop)

(write-up to follow)

Introduction to Tarot

Join me as I walk you through the discovery of reading the tarot.  This course offers the student an introduction to the art of reading Tarot cards.  Topics that will be covered include:
-a brief history of tarot;
-ethics of tarot reading;
-terms and definitions;
-deck division;
-three basic tarot spreads.

Candle Magick

Candle magick is one of the simplest and most direct ways to put our prayers and intentions out onto the cosmic web and to make them known to the gods.  In this course you will learn how to select candles that correspond with your intentions and "dress" them for ritual use and spell work.  You will learn about the colors and oils used in candle work, and about inscribing them with symbols that will effectively communicate those prayers and/or intentions.  

Mask Making  (a two week workshop)

(write-up to follow)

Sympathetic Magick (a two week workshop)

In this class you will learn the history of sympathetic magick, and the metaphysical concept of "like begets like."  Mankind has practiced this type of magick from time immemorial to the present day, the evidence of which spans from prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux, France to Renaissance natural magic philosophy, and finally to the Voodoo tradition extant in our southeastern United States.  From an overview of its history you will progress to theory and then to practice, at which point you will learn how to perform acts of sympathetic magick.  

Wicca 101 (a four week workshop)
In just over half a century, Wicca has grown from its roots in secular ceremonial magic to one of America's fastest growing religions.  Contrary to popular opinion, Wicca is not an "old religion", but rather a new one that has tapped successfully into the spirit, power and influence of older historical ones.  In this course you will learn the history of Wicca, including its origins, development, and about the founding fathers and mothers of its basic ritual format and liturgical framework.

Early in the course you will be instructed about the ethics that guide Wiccans in the practice of their magic and their religion.  You will then learn about the principles of magic that are integral to the practice of Wicca, i.e., what magic is and why it works.  You will also be instructed in the symbolism and use of ritual tools. 

In the second half of the course you will learn about the basic framework of a Wiccan esbat, or monthly ritual.  You will witness and participate in an actual esbat.  At course-end you will receive instruction on performing a self-dedication to the Wiccan path, one you can use should you decide that it is truly the path for you.

Wicca 201 (a four week workshop)

In this four-part class you will learn about the Wheel of the Year (Witch's Calendar) and the significance of each of the eight "spokes" that correspond to the great witches' holidays or sabbats.  You will also learn the esoteric symbolism of the witches' Ritual/Working Tools and be instructed in their use. 

Once you have mastered the concepts of the sabbats and ritual tool use you will learn about one of the key aspects of Wicca < Spell Work. You will be tutored in the uniquely Wiccan approach to spell work as it relates to the Wiccan Rede and the Law of Three-fold Return.  You will learn how and why spells work, and how to "weave" them.

Lastly, you will be instructed in the purpose of keeping and the creation of your own Book of Shadows, or secret magickal grimoire.  This is your personal workbook/magickal diary that you will use to record your progress in The Craft.  In this book you will record such things as ritual liturgy, correspondence charts, spells, recipes, altar setups, magickal alphabets, weather lore and whatever else you find useful to your purposes as you go forward in The Craft.  

changes made 3/16/05