Witchvox Article

Author: Frater Sibolas
Posted: May 14th. 2006
Times Viewed: 4,575

Shall We Trance?

On Saturday, March 18, 2006 I attended a “Trance Prophecy Workshop” held by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone. The purpose of this workshop was to help people become more receptive to trance induction, and also to enable the practitioner to experience more legitimacy in the areas of prophecy, and “drawing down.” This is a subject very close to my heart, as I am currently devoting a couple of chapters of my manuscript to a very similar subject.

As one of the Co-Chairs of Harvest Home Gathering (www.cwpn.org/hhg) I was hoping to attend this workshop at HHG last year, but as many of you know, running an event does not always afford one the opportunity to attend all the lectures that they’d like. Needless to say, I was very curious to hear what they had to say.

The lecture was definitely packed with people, as a number of us in attendance struggled to find adequate seating. As the lecture began, one of the opening topics (which I found quite amusing) , was a discussion about Pagan Clergy. How many times have one of us been to a circle, and the Priestess (or Priest) has allegedly drawn down, only to dispense their egos upon us, as opposed to an actual interaction with deity? I know that my own coven experiences have taught me that this is generally the rule, not the exception. Janet pointed out that a number of people read “The Charge of the Goddess” as opposed to actually drawing down. The late Doreen Valiente who penned a couple of versions of the Charge actually grew to dislike it for this very reason.

After the preliminary discussion, Gavin discussed various means of trance induction, and brainwaves. I actually had the opportunity to briefly discuss this with him a few nights prior to the workshop, and was happy to hear that it was part of the lecture. After a brief discussion of the various types of brainwaves, Janet and Gavin began to discuss their methodology for the workshop.

In essence, the trance prophecy occurs with the facilitation of two people. There is a person who assumes the role of Deity (the Seer) and the other person, who guides and protects the Seer through various trance techniques such as breath control, chakra work, a middle pillar exercise, etc. The Seer’s head is covered to facilitate a temporary dissolution of their ego. Once the Seer is covered, the person guiding him or her leads them through a path working. Needless to say, the person guiding the Seer also observes the Seer’s breathing patterns, eye movements; level of trance, and of course, their well being.

Once the Seer has reached the appropriate trance state, and Deity is invited into them, then people who work with that particular Deity are invited to speak with the Deity, with the Seer acting as a vessel. The first woman who acted as a Seer, actually volunteered to have Brighid speak through her. I’ve worked with Brighid on a number of accasions in the past, and I enjoyed seeing not only the facial changes that manifested on the Seer, but also the radiance that emanated from her (and always has) . People asked questions of her, and received answers that were meaningful to each of them.

The next Seer had the Morrigan speak through her unexpectedly. I do not work with the Morrigan, but I know many people who do. Once again, the facial features changed, and the Seer’s fingers took on the quality of a raven’s talons. Once again, questions were asked and meaningful answers were offered.

Next, I was informed that it was my turn. As a Priest of Hekate, I chose to ask Hekate to speak through me. Gavin covered me with a veil and led me through the breath work, and instructed me to use the Middle Pillar exercise (Gavin knows that I am a Ceremonial Magickian as well as a Witch) . I struggled a bit; after all, this was my first time using this particular method. I reached a point where I was supposed to go through a gate, but I couldn’t see it. Later, I discovered that I had already passed through it. I don’t remember much after this, but the people observing me explained that I was very soft spoken (certainly not characteristic of me, that’s for certain) . One of the women who came to speak to Hekate was reduced to tears, because Hekate must have given her an answer that confirmed her fear of a situation that she was dealing with (I’m guessing) . Other questions were asked, and answers given. I kept laughing, because of the internal dialogue that I was sharing with Hekate while she was speaking. After Gavin asked Hekate to leave my body, the complexity of a male working with Hekate was addressed, and one of my friends commented that my beard disappeared during the working. After a bit of time I returned to my seat to recover from the experience and reflect upon it.

After me, one more person stepped up and she worked with Freya. My memory was still not as clear as I would have liked, but once again questions were asked and facial features morphed into something other than what they had been. After the fourth and final working of the day, Janet and Gavin made some closing comments, and answered any questions that people had.

Overall, it was a fascinating workshop. Janet and Gavin are a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight. Everyone at the workshop was wonderful, and quite cooperative. The fact that it was held at The Church of Eternal Light in Bristol, CT made it an even more appropriate setting, since as Pagans, it is important for us to support one another. I would urge all of you who have not yet had the opportunity to take part in this workshop to do so.

In Her Service,
John M. Boye

ABOUT...

Frater Sibolas

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York

Bio: John M. Boye
John has been a practicing witch for almost fifteen years. He has practiced within both an eclectic and a traditional format. He is a Thelemite, and an initiate of the Caliphate OTO. He is a 32nd degree initiate of Freemasonry, as well as being a Past Master. John is the Ipsissimus, and one of the founders of Temple Of The Serpent Flame (a Thelemic organization in Connecticut) . He is also a Teaching Magi in a school of Magick and Spirituality known as The Magocracy. He currently serves on CWPN's Executive Board of Directors as the Trasurer.

John is one of the founders of Harvest Home Gathering (HHG) , a Pagan festival in Connecticut. John has appeared as a guest speaker on the television show Sacred Circles, and has been published in Green Egg Magazine, and The Wiccan Read. In 2004 he had the honor of being interviewed by Marion Weinstein for Radio Free America. He spoke on the subject of Paganism and community.

In addition to lecturing at both CraftWise and AkashaCon, John occasionally lectures at local high schools and universities on the subject of Paganism. He also lectures to various groups, and organizations on topics such as Western Sex Magick, Trance Induction, Sigil Magick, Contemporary Freemasonry, Thelema, and a number of other topics. John has postponed his Doctoral pursuits in order to devote more time to working on the manuscript for his first book.

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