WITCH SCHOOL 2023 IS NOW SOLD OUT!
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‘Witch’ Has Always Been a Codeword for
Women Society Wants to Control
“In the cool of the evening they used to gather
beneath the stars, in the meadow, circled near an old oak tree.
At the times appointed by the seasons of the earth and the phases of the moon.
In the centre often stood a woman, equal to the others and respected for her worth.
One of the many we call the witches,
the healers and the teachers of the wisdom of the earth.”
Burning Times, Spiral Dance
Dear Sister,
I know you.
For a long time, you’ve been searching.
Sometimes, you’re not even sure what for.
But you know, for certain, that there’s something more.
Sister, I see you.
Scouring the internet for information, joining groups in an effort to find your tribe, following people who ‘look like’ they’re good spiritual teachers …
… but your soul is craving something deeper.
Because you intuitively understand that social media is a highlights reel.
That great spiritual truths can’t be captured in an image carousel.
That true knowledge comes from real and physical experiences.
That’s why we opened Witch School.
The High Priestess Witch School is all about giving you direct, face-to-face access to highly experienced witches, healers and practitioners, who want to share their knowledge with you. It’s also about growing and flourishing together in a space of witchhood, so that you can step fully into the witch you know, deep down, you were meant to be.
Witch School is a two day event, purposely held two days after the
Winter solstice, or Yule. We chose this time intentionally, because Yule is when you reflect on your lessons, and start to prepare for the light ahead.
It’s a season of magic, with a community focus on rebirth and renewal, and a celebration of warmth and light returning to the world.
It’s when we focus on new beginnings, and deeper magical work.
Connect with witches in a safe, supportive space
At Witch School, we’ll help you connect to, and learn from, other individual witches in a safe, supportive, and structured way.
You’ll have a timetable of various 90 minute classes and lectures, which run over 8 hours each day. Classes will be led by experienced, genuine leaders and practitioners. These teachers know their stuff, and want you to know it too.
Here are just some of the things you’ll have the opportunity to learn over two days at Witch School:
➟ Witchcraft 101: Just starting out? This class teaches you everything you need to know about being a modern witch!
➟ Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble: A hands-on workshop where you’ll do some Grade-A Witching, mixing potions from herbs and oils
➟ What's in the Cards: Reading and divining with tarot cards
➟ The Modern Priestess: Bringing back female divinity and goddess worship to the modern world
➟ Find Your Voice: It's time to speak up! Learn voice techniques and participate in group ritual chanting
➟ High Magic: An advanced magic class for experienced witches
➟ The Southern Hemisphere Witch: Working with the seasons and sabbats in the southern hemisphere (did you know Halloween in Australia should be in April/May?)
➟ Earth, Air, Fire, Water: Working with the 4 elements in daily practice and to spark creativity
➟ Hunting for the Witch: A deep dive into the history of witchcraft mythology and iconography
Every class is led by experienced and knowledgeable witches, with class sizes never larger than 30 people, so there’s plenty of time and space to have your questions answered.
You’ll move through the incredibly beautiful grounds of Abbotsford Convent (yes, Witch School is at a convent, which I LOVE), experiencing the Yule Winter’s nature as you head to your next lesson.
While you’re waiting for your next class to start, you’ll be hanging out in the central Witch’s Market - a space full of local and Australian suppliers and makers, with everything from crystals, herbs, tarot & cards, books (yes, you still need books!), talismans, readings - everything you need to upscale your apothecary and tool chest.
And yeah, I’ll point out the bleeding obvious at this point:
The High Priestess Witch School is pretty much like living in a fantasy novel for the weekend.
Witch School Teachers:
LEELA COSGROVE
Class: The Modern Priestess: Rediscovering Female Divinity and Goddess Worship
High Magic: An advanced magic class for experienced witches
Leela is the founder of High Priestess, a third-generation psychic, and a life-long student of goddesses and female divinity.
JADE PULLAR
Class: Witchcraft 101: How to Be a Modern Witch
Jade is a shadow worker and lunar witch, and an experienced course facilitator, who hosted the High Priestess Dedicant course in 2023.
CLAIRE DUNCAN
Class: Hunting For the Witch: History, Mythology, and Iconography of Witchcraft
Claire holds a Bachelor and First Class Honours Degree in History and Ancient Cultures / Archaeology from Monash University.
JENNA COSGROVE
Class: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble: Designing and Brewing Potions
Jenna is High Priestess’s resident expert in potion design and brewing. She creates potion recipes and rituals for manifesting desired outcomes.
POLLY KIERNAN
Class: Earth, Air, Fire, Water: Using the Four Elements in Daily Practice
Polly is a practicing witch who continues to study and learn the craft. Polly speaks on the basics on Elemental Witchcraft, and how to access the four elements as a creative magical force.
SUZI VILLENEUVE-SMITH
Class: Look to the Stars: How Astrology Can Support and Elevate Your Practice
Suzi is an alumnus of Lunar Logic Moon School and member of Astrology Hub's Inner Circle, learning and growing with each lunar cycle.
AMY HARVEY
Class: The Seasonal Witch: The Beauty of Working with the Southern Hemisphere Seasons and Sabbats
Amy is a Seasonal Witch who works with the Fae, the elements and the seasonal cycle of nature.
MATILDA BROWN
Class: The Embodied Witch: Art Divination and Creative Alchemy
Matilda is a queer being of multiplicity, tending to the hearth of astrology, art psychotherapy & decolonial practice.
... more speakers will be announced soon!
Enrol in the real life Witch School!
Witch School
Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne
Saturday June 28— Sunday June 29, 2024
9am - 5pm
With Witch School, we’re running a limited release at early bird enrolment prices. In the future, we might increase entry fees, but for now: I strongly feel that the people who are called to do this have already read this far. You’re already into it.
This is the school I wish I’D had when I was first starting out AND when I needed to expand my practice decades later. There’s been nothing like this until now - we’re pretty sure this is a world-first!
Witch School 2024 - GA
Abbotsford Convent
29-30 June 2024
Witch School 2024 - VIP
Abbotsford Convent
29-30 June 2024
But how do you know if Witch School is for you?
Are you interested in learning about Witchcraft?
Are you tired of being told you can’t be a witch unless you are initiated?
Do you love the word ‘witch’ for its historical and feminist connotation?
Do you want to meet other folks who are just as curious about this stuff as you are?
Do you feel like everyone else has their witchy stuff together and you don’t?
Do you work or learn better in a safe, structured, inclusive, and supportive environment?
Are there people in your life telling you that Witchcraft is evil, but you don’t think so?
Do you want to learn about Witchcraft without spending hundreds of hours on the internet, for the basics?
Do you want to feel confident in your own path, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s?
Even one yes - even one cautious ‘I think so?’’ - means Witch School has a desk for you.
It means your birthright is calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortnately, no - while we'd LOVE to stay onsite at the Convent, that's not possible. After you buy, we'll send you out a welcome letter which will include some suggested venues. We'll ALSO send you a link to a private networking group where you can find room mates / couches to crash on!
The focus of all High Priestess content is the feminine and Goddess Worship. We strive to ensure our paganism is intersectional in every way - if you're interested in the topics presented, this is a safe, welcoming and inclusionary space. We welcome all members of the LGBTQI+ community, and even men!
VIP have an included lunch, which will include vegan, vegitarian and gluten free options (please contact us for other dietary requirements).
For those who are coming on a GA ticket, there are multiple cafes on site, and you're also welcome to bring your own lunch - maybe even have a bit of a picnic (weather permitting - it IS June in Melbourne, so let's send our prayers for a sunny day, but be prepared to rug up!).
Anyone who is interested in Witchcraft is welcome! Please keep in mind that the sessions are being designed with an adult audience in mind, so probably aren't suitable for young children. Interested Teens are more than welcome, but we suggested parental oversight in choices of classes, as some may cover topics that are a bit more adult.
In the weeks leading up to the event, we'll send you a link to register for the classes you'd like to attend. There will be 4 classes running concurrently, each for a 1.5 hour block. You'll choose your classes and receive a personal timetable. Class sizes ARE limited, so once you've locked in your timetable, we'll only be able to swap classes around on the day if there are spaces available - so choose wisely!
Cultural appropriation is a really serious issue within the spiritual community - at High Priestess we believe in decolonisation and respect for Indigenous Cultures. We work with all of our speakers to ensure that their presentations fall within our guidelines on this and are constantly working to find representatives from different cultures to share their experiences.
If you’re not 100% sure, that’s fine too! We’ll always be part of your people, and you’ll be one of ours.
But right now, this early bird price is one of THE CHEAPEST I’ve offered in the LAST DECADE.
That’s something to think about.
Love and laughter,
Leela Cosgrove
Founder, High Priestess
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