Book Talk for The Waters of Mnemosyne at Kay Spiritual Life Center at American University
Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM, free admission
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW Kay Spiritual Life Center, Washington, District Of Columbia
Join us with Author Dr. Gwendolyn Reece for a talk and conversation drawing from her recently released book – The Waters of Mnemosyne: Ancient Greek Religion for Modern Pagans. Gwendolyn – a High Priestess, KSLC Pagan Community Volunteer, and University Librarian – will introduce some of the topics from her book, such as the history, rituals, and deities of ancient Greece and their continued relevance in modern paganism and the rebirth of ancient Greek religion. This program will also offer time for open Q&A as well as refreshments and conversation with the author to follow and is open both to those familiar with and new to pagan tradition.
https://american.campuslabs.com/engage/event/10784743
ConVocation – February 20-23, 2025: https://www.convocation.org/convocation-theme
My classes:
Heroes and the Heroic Path in Ancient Hellenic Religion
Ancient Greek traditions about the heroes provide us with a particular model of how to live in such a way as to be of service to this world and to hone our chosen type of excellence. In the Hellenic tradition, heroes were humans who have managed to transcend the limitations of their mortality and become something else. Heroes are important for two reasons. First, they can be called upon as intercessors. Secondly, they reveal a path available to humans for becoming something else—for becoming some form of Theoi. Through analysis we can discover this heroic path that is accessible to all of us. Come join Gwendolyn as she examines the nature of heroes and the heroic path with an eye towards practical application.
Hellenic Household Practice: Modern Adaptations
The central social unit of society is the household, but we are in a time in which the oikos has a different shape and form than in Ancient Greece. This workshop explores both ancient practice and modern adaptations to build a meaningful and relevant practice for today. Learn about the deities and spirits of the household, how to build a household shrine, and how to make a kadiskos to bless the household’s wealth. Gwendolyn will also share some reinterpreted rites to bless the household and its members, including rituals to bring spiritual meaning to life transitions. Household practice brings the sacred consciously into everyday life in ways that are both profound and transformative.
Sacred Space Conference: 3/27-3/30/2025
My classes:
Hellenic Hekate
Hekate, the Goddess of Witchcraft (Pharmaka) and the Crossroads, is one of the Great Ones most involved in the rebirth of Paganism as a magical tradition. In literature, She is first mentioned in Hesiod in the 8th century BCE and is the most important deity in the Chaldean Oracles, which were of critical importance to the Neoplatonic philosophers through the 6th century CE. This class explores Hekate from a Hellenic and Hellenistic standpoint with an emphasis on cultic practices. It includes a pathworking to encounter Hekate on the inner planes.
Hellenic Household Practice: Modern Adaptations
The central social unit of society is the household, but we are in a time in which the Oikos has taken on a different shape and form than it held in Ancient Greece. This workshop explores both ancient practice and modern adaptations to build a meaningful and relevant practice for today. Learn about the deities and spirits of the household, how to build a household shrine, and how to make a kadiskos to bless the household’s wealth. Gwendolyn will also share some reinterpreted rites to bless the household and its members, including rituals to bring spiritual meaning to life transitions. Household practice brings the sacred consciously into everyday life in ways that are both profound and transformative.
Gwendolyn Reece 