RELIGHTING THE CAULDRON:
Embracing Nature Spirituality for the Modern World
Facilitated by: Rev. Wendy Van Allen
Available by: Watch Online Recordings (learn more about videoconference)
Price: General Public: $ 100.00 | One Spirit Graduates: $ 90.00
Elective Credit: 1
The cauldron is a metaphor for the fiery core of Earth’s consciousness and life force. It is a symbol that appears in many cultures across the world. Mother Earth’s cauldron has been dimmed as we come to the end of a Western paradigm that prioritizes patriarchy, domination, individual wealth, materialism, and consumerism over egalitarian society, shared humanity, and the health and well-being of all living beings. Where do we go from here?
In this workshop, I identify and discuss principles and core beliefs that are held in common by all Nature-based practitioners from a wide variety of cultures: from the Far East to the African Diaspora to Modern Neo-Pagans. By recognizing these commonalities, I aim to inspire and unite those who practice Nature and Earth-based spirituality to be a driving force for shifting the paradigm.
Returning to Nature-based spiritual practices and values includes developing a holistic individual and collective way of being that prioritizes self-care, healing, creating community, and developing a relationship with ancestors and fellow sentient beings. Nature spirituality is a way of being in the world that embraces the spirit residing in all things, including us. Together we will look deeper at the five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit in order to embody these elements in our lives.
This workshop will have a lecture component, and then we will explore each of the elements with meditation, chants, and experiential connection to Nature. Participants will be encouraged to share their own wisdom and experience back in class and during the lecture portion. We will conclude the day with each participant making a clear dedication to how they will be part of the shift through Nature Spirituality in their own lives through ritual, practice, and activism.
FACULTY:
Rev. Wendy Van Allen
Rev. Wendy Van Allen is a 2014 graduate of One Spirit Learning Alliance's Seminary and a 2019 graduate of the Interspiritual Counseling program. She received two bachelor's degrees from Rutgers University, and will graduate with a Master's in Clinical Counseling degree from Saint Bonaventure University, Olean, NY, in August of 2023. In addition to counseling, Wendy is a certified Intuitive Consultant from the Holistic Studies Institute, New York, NY. In addition to serving students at 1Spirit ISCC, Wendy teaches and serves students at Grace Theological Seminary, an independent Catholic online seminary incorporated in Florida. Wendy’s spiritual traditions are Earth-based and include initiation and practice of Wicca, Lukumi, and Spiritism. As a former archaeologist, Wendy has a strong interest in the intersection of culture, spirituality, religion, evolving human consciousness, social justice and environmental concerns. She lives in Kingston, New York, and offers private interspiritual counseling services, classes and workshops from her home, Soul Blossom Center. She is the author of Relighting the Cauldron: Embracing Nature Spirituality for the Modern World, published by Llewellyn’s Worldwide Publications in early 2023.