Class Descriptions

ECUMENICON INTERFAITH CONFERENCE 2008
The Year of the Wheel of Fortune
Ecumenicon’s 21th Year
March 27-30, 2008
Best Western Travel Plaza
Baltimore, MD
(registration information go to http://www.ecumenicon.org )

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
(Ecumenicon Fellowship presents its Interfaith Conference once a year. We are currently in a 22 year cycle exploring major spiritual themes. This year we explore the concept of The Wheel of Fortune.

100X - First Year - Beginner’s Classes
200X - Second Year - Intermediate Classes, most with pre-requisites or testing.
300X - Third Year - Advanced Classes, require prior study before the conference.
400X - Fourth Year - Graduate Level Projects
500X - Intensive - Focused series in the conference year.

ECUMENICON Interfaith Conference costs a basic registration fee of:

$80 (September 1, 2007 - December 1, 2007)
$95 (December 2, 2007 - March 1, 2008)
$110 (March 1, 2008 - and at-the-door)

This includes class registration, badging, the conference book, and any exams taken. Classes may individually charge materials fees.

Intensives are $60 each. Each Intensive is 6 or more classes meant to be either sequential or whole subject matter inclusive. The Intensive classes are by pre-registration unless specifically noted to ensure individual and focused instruction to a specific group size (no more than 12). All participants in an Intensive class must fill out the survey/exam as it is given specifically for CEU credit.

ASTROLOGY INTENSIVE (ASTR)

- $60 pre-registration. Includes reading assignments from teacher and preparation of one’s personal chart.

ASTR-5001 - Mystery of Time-Kaballah/Tarot/Reincarnation (Friday, 10:30 am, 1.5 Hours, Francis Scott Key A). Jacqueline Lichtenberg reviews the purposes of astrology and its relationship to Kaballah, Tarot, and the lessons or Reincarnation. 1.5 CEU. $15 if not pre-registered.

ASTR-5002 - Appointing the Seasons/Cycles (Friday, 1:00 pm, 1.5 hours, Francis Scott Key A). Jacqueline Lichtenberg reviews the responsibility and purpose of humanity to mark the cycles of time, the signs, the seasons, the days, and years. 1.5 CEU. Pre-registration required.

ASTR-5003 - The Soul as the Interface of Tarot & Astrology (Friday, 3:00 pm, 1.5 hours, Francis Scott Key A). Jacqueline Lichtenberg reviews the journey of the soul, the Tarot/Kaballah as a map, and astrology as one key to the journey. 1.5 CEU. Pre-registration required.

ASTR-5004 - The Week Ahead, Personal Charts, Part I(Saturday, 10:30 am, 1.5 hours, Francis Scott Key A). Jacqueline Lichtenberg reviews each personal chart, showing keys for choices and actions. 1.5 CEU. Pre-registration required.

ASTR-5005 - The Week Ahead, Personal Charts, Part II (Saturday, 1:30 pm, 1.5 hours, Francis Scott Key A). Continued review of each personal chart, showing keys for choices and actions. 1.5 CEU. Pre-registration required.

ASTR-5006 - Astrology - Open Discussion. (Sunday, 10:30 am, 1.5 hours, Francis Scott Key A). Jacqueline Lichtenberg leads discussion on trends in astrological interpretation and growth. 1.5 hours. Open discussion. $15 fee if not pre-registered.)

CHRISTIANITY INTENSIVE (CHRS)

- $60 pre-registration. Includes reading assignments from teacher. Bible, prayer books, and other readings appropriate.

CHRS-5001 Women of the Bible (Friday, 12 noon, Brown Bag Lunch) Mt. Vernon). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg leads discussion on the many brave, unusual, and unknown women of the Jewish and Christian Bibles. - No Charge.

CHRS-5002 Christianity - A Faith with Braided Roots (Friday, 1:00 pm, 1.5 hours, Mt. Vernon). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg leads discussion on the Jewish, Gnostic, and Pagan roots of Christianity. - Pre-registration or $15 at the door.

CHRS-5003 Christianity - Christian Mystic Poetry (Friday, 3:30 pm, Mt. Vernon). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg leads discussion on medieval and modern Christian mystics and their poetry which has often been woven into Christian hymns. - Preregistration or $15 at the door.

CHRS-5004 / CELT-1003 - Pelagius to Ereugina - Celtic Christianity (Friday, 5:00 pm, 1.5 hours, Mt Vernon). Alexei Kondratiev discusses Pelagius and earth positive traditions of Irish Christianity. - Preregistration or $15 at the door.

CHRS-5005 - The Knights Templar and the Christian Roots of Wicca (Friday, 8:00 pm, 1.5 hours, Mt Vernon). Discussion on the Knights Templar, the OTO, Israel Regardie, and other mystics in Wicca’s history. - Preregistration or $15 at the door.

CHRS-5006- Sympathy for the Devil (Saturday, 1:30 pm, 1.5 hours, McPherson B). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg discusses the varying views of Lucifer or Satan in Christian traditions. - Pregistration or $15 at the door.

CHRS-5006- Babel or Pentecost? (Saturday, 3:30 pm, 1.5 hours, McPherson B). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg discusses communication and interpretation in building community or discord through the stories of the Tower of Babel and the prophetic Fire of Pentecost. - Preregistration or $15 at the door.

CHRS-5007 & CHRS-5008- Midnight Mass (Saturday, 10:30 pm (Preparation, 12:00 midnight, Mass). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg, Rev. Skip Koritzer, and Rev. Sharon Henderson lead the experience of the Mass as the Christian Church prepares for Easter. No charge.

CHRS-5009 & CHRS-5010- Christian Mass (Sunday, 9:00 am, Preparation, 10:30, Mass). Rev. Alexandra Honigsberg, Rev. Skip Koritzer, and Rev. Sharon Henderson lead the experience of the Mass as the Christian Church prepares for Easter. No charge. Open to hotel registrants on Mezzanine level.

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS INTENSIVE (DADA)

- $60 pre-registration. Includes reading assignments from teacher. Pre-registration required, classes are meant to be sequential.

DADA-5001 Center Ground Shield (Friday, 3:00 pm, McPherson A). Larry Obern. Basics of Centering, “Grounding,” and Shielding. First class in the Defense against the Dark Arts Intensive, and is suggested as a refresher course for the more advanced students.- No Charge.

DADA-5002 Ritual Defenses (Friday, 5:00 pm, McPherson A). Larry Obern. What defenses are acceptable and required even in Ritual Settings. Second class in the DADA Intensive and will include more advanced shield work, centering within a group and energy controls - Pre-registration only.

DADA-5003 Advanced Center Ground Shield (Friday, 8:00 pm, McPherson A). Larry Obern. We will cover the more esoteric concepts of “Grounding” as well as the more advanced forms of shields. This class will contain practice time and will also contain “homework” for the students. - Pre-registration only.

DADA-5004 Ethical and Moral Use of Defenses (Saturday, 1:30 pm, McPherson A). Larry Obern. Where, when, how, and what you may use in defense of yourself, and those around you. Pre-registration only.

DADA-5005 So You Wish to be an Auror / Guardian? (Saturday, 5:00 pm, McPherson A). Larry Obern. what it means to be an Auror or Guardian. We will cover the more offensive techniques of Defense and the use of “jinxes, curses, and spells” for defense. Discussions will cover the ethical use of Defensive Magic against or on others, and when it is appropriate to “break the rules.” Also this class will start to cover the concepts of “boggarts, booggies, and imps.” We will also cover the various “Styles” of Magic and Mayhem. Pre-registration only.

DADA-5006 You are Determined to be an Auror? You FOOL! (Saturday, 5:00 pm, McPherson A). Larry Obern. This is a practical session. The students will practice offensive and defensive techniques in a class room setting that allows for the use of controlled circumstances. The student may or may not be proficient at the end of the class. Be prepared to work, sweat, and feel dizzy at times. This course will also discuss the summoning and dismissal of other planar creatures. This is NOT a class that is for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Wear Comfortable clothes, and bring something with you to eat and drink. Pre-registration only.

DADA-5007 Psychic EMT and Defense (Sunday, 10:30 am, McPherson A). Larry Obern. Center, Ground, and Shield of others technique. When and how to act, what you may do, how you may do it. This class will also teach the breaking of curses, jinxes, and spells on a person. The class will discuss the process of banishing spirits, and of exorcism, the use of Healing Skills on a person, and when to call the Mundane or Muggle Paramedics. It will also cover the five basic principles of Healing and Psychic EMT. This will also include an Ethical Discussion. Pre-registration, or permission of the teacher only.

HINDU INTENSIVE (DADA)

- $60 pre-registration. Includes reading assignments from teacher. Pre-registration required, classes are meant to be sequential.

HIND-5001 Intro to Lakshmi (Friday, 3:00 pm, Key B). Black Lotus leads scholarly talk on Lakshmi, fortune, and luck through Indian eyes. - First Class of Intensive - Open - No Charge.

HIND-5002 Astrology and the Devas (Friday, 8:00 pm, Key B). Black Lotus explores the connection between Astrology and the Gods. - Pre-registration or $15 if class slots are available.

HIND-5003 Vedic Astrology (Saturday, 10:30 am, Key B). Black Lotus and Sophia Heartsinger discusses the basics of Vedic (Indian) astrology. - Preregistration or $15 if class slots are available.

HIND-5004 Planetary Rituals and Acts of Fortune (Saturday, 1:30 pm, McPherson A). Black Lotus and Sophia Heartsinger lead discussion on balancing one’s Planetary markers of fortune with civil and charitable acts. - Pre-registration or $15 if class slots are available.

HIND-5005 Puja Setup (Saturday, 3:30 pm, 3rd Floor Room). Black Lotus leads demonstration of Puja. - Open.

HIND-5006 Puja to Lakshmi (Saturday, 5:00 pm, 3rd Floor Room). Black Lotus leads Puja for good fortune for the coming year. - Open.

BASIC REGISTRATION - The Following Classes are included with Basic Registration without an Intensive Fee.

CELT-1001 - Fire & Water - The Celtic Wheel of the Year (Friday, 10:30 am, 1.5 hours, McPherson B). Alexei Kondratiev and the balance of the elements through the sacred year.

CELT-1002 - Gaining or Losing the Land’s Favor (Friday, 1:00 pm, 1.5 hours, McPherson B). Alexei Kondratiev discusses the ancient view of rulership and the connection to the land’s fertility and welcome.

CELT-1003 / CHRS-5004 - Pelagius to Ereugina - Celtic Christianity (Friday, 1:00 pm, 1.5 hours, McPherson B). Alexei Kondratiev discusses Pelagius and earth positive traditions of Irish Christianity.

CELT-1004 - Black Sheep & White Sheep - Death & Life in the Celtic Myth Cycle (Saturday, 10:30 pm, 1.5 hours, McPherson B). Alexei Kondratiev discusses the continuity of life beyond death in Celtic faiths.

CORE-1001 - First Ecumenicon? (Friday, 10:30 am, 1.5 hours, McPherson A). TBD. Meeting with curriculum advisor for all who are first attending Ecumenicon. giving a history of the conference, the school, and advice for study.

CORE-1002 - Ground Center Shield (Friday, 1:00 pm, 1.5 hours, McPherson A). - Balu leads basic exercises to help one understand high-energy rituals, meditations, and unexpected drains of energy. Requirement for Norse Working.

CORE - 1003 - Ground Center Shield (Saturday, 9:00 am, 1.5 hours, McPherson A). - Working with high-energy rituals, meditations, and unexpected drains of energy.

Magickal Connections (MCON) - A series over three years by Lisa McSherry on promoting healthy relationships in magickal groups. This year focuses on formation and clearing.

MCON-1001 - Air/Inspiration - At the start of every group is the time of inspiration, of air. We gather and grow and it is a time of pure joy as we ‘come home’ to a group of like-minded others. During this workshop, we will look at the highs and lows of the gathering of a group. Exercises, discussion, and sharing our stories will make this a light-hearted look at the stage every group is guaranteed to go though.

MCON-1002 - Fire/Clearing - After the gathering comes the clearing. Much like an overgrown forest welcomes the forest fire, a healthy group needs to have a little conflict. But when a little feels like ‘too much’ or even ‘destructive’ even an otherwise healthy group can self-destruct. During this workshop, we will look at where conflict starts and how it can be healthily managed. Exercises, discussion, and sharing our stories will make this a thorough, but not gloomy look at the stage every group is likely to go through.