Helping Women Consciously Create Their Ideal Life
‘Witch’ Has Always Been a Codeword for
Women Society Wants to Control
‘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.
But How Do You Find Real Teachers?
The word occult literally means ‘hidden’ - and for so long, this information has been.
While history wants you to believe that pagan and occult practices disappeared 2,000 years ago with the introduction of Christianity, that’s simply not true.
Whether we’re talking about specific cultures who never adopted another way of worshipping (from Hinduism to smaller closed Indigenous practices - there are a lot of them!), or whether we’re looking at the people in the West who kept their traditions alive,
Witches have kept their practices occult for thousands of years.
But no more!
What has been - necessarily - hidden is now coming to light.
It is illuminated, as brave women from all around the world step into their birthright - their ownership and practice of the knowledge robbed from our ancestors.
Own Your Birthright
So many of us are attracted to Witchcraft in the first place because there is no dogma, no ‘one way’ of doing anything. The lack of higher earthly authority appeals to those of us who’ve always felt like we’re a bit different, a bit on the outside of what society expects.
We’re rebels.
We’re outlaws.
We’re counter-culture revolutionaries.
If you identify with this - even if you’re not sure you’re a ‘witch’ - I want to encourage you to explore this path. Whether you’re drawn to Witchcraft for its magic, or for its feminist and historical connotations, we’d love to help you tap into your power.
Yes, Witchcraft has definitely become more mainstream in the last few years, but even so - it can be hard to find your people.
Finding your people doesn’t have to mean literally practicing in a coven - solo practice is a totally legitimate choice. Many of our ancestors worked on their own. But there’s a strength that comes with seeing your self reflected in the eyes of others like you. There’s a strength that comes with knowing your sparkling uniqueness is something to be embraced, and nurtured.
Education comes from exposure.
And women’s magic flourishes when it’s backed up by the tribe.
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.
You don’t know what you don’t know.
Look, I get it - I’ve been a practicing witch for more than 30 years. Sometimes I think there’s not a lot I’ve got left to learn! My parents owned a fantasy and sci fi bookstore in the 80s and 90s, and both my mother and godmother were significant lightworkers and tarot readers. I was taught from a pretty young age about how to walk this path and, to be honest, I reckon I’ve been walking it pretty freaking impressively.
But I’m always wrong about how much I know.
In 2019, I felt a strong call to visit Glastonbury (on a plane, not a broom!), with the intention to DISCOVER and LEARN. I knew that there was more I needed to know about how I approach my practice, and I needed to get my butt in front of people who - I‘d heard - had that very piece of the puzzle.
I ignored my jetlag and literally started the day I landed. I spent a really full-on week talking, dissecting, and learning from leaders in so many different fields - Priestesses of the Goddess Temple, Shamans, Lightworkers and Druids.
We sat in lounge rooms and talked until the moon set. They taught me energy work, druidic practice and methodology, they took me through deeply intensive divination and ritual practice. I walked the Tor’s spiral, and I witnessed - and experienced - profound magic.
I became a better witch. Those 30 years of practice behind me, now meant even more.
Because the thing about Witchcraft is it’s a constant education. It’s a practice. You kinda have to hone and harness your spiritual tools, once you’ve picked them up for the first time. And you have to put yourself in front of those people, and listen to hear (instead of listen to speak). Listen to learn. Even if you feel like you’re already incredibly experienced.
But now, you don’t necessarily have to fly to Glastonbury to do it! (Melbourne’s Abbotsford Convent is far closer!)
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 - we’re not just turning the internet into real people!
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:
➟ Spell Class 101: The difference between sympathetic and ritual Magic and how to determine which is appropriate for your outcome
➟ WitchCRAFT Your Life: How the principles of Witchcraft can be used to create the life you’ve always dreamed of
➟ Mistress of the Moon: Do you find your life moves in time with the moon cycles? You might just be a Mistress of the Moon …
➟ Season of the Witch: Looking at how pop culture has influenced the way witches and witchcraft are viewed in society
➟ Potions Class: A hands-on workshop where you’ll do some Grade-A Witching, mixing potions from herbs and oils to create the outcome you’re looking for
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 Hogwarts.
There. I said it.
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.
Enrol in the real life Hogwarts!
Witch School
Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne
Saturday June 24 — Sunday June 25, 2023
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 2023 - GA
➥ 2 days of Witch School
➥ Regular registration for classes
➥ Take home exercises and fun goodies
Witch School 2023 - VIP
➥ 2 days of Witch School
➥ Priority registration for classes (spots are limited, and we expect our most popular classes to fill up quick!)
➥ Catered lunch in our VIP room
➥ A Special VIP Goodie Bag
➥ Take home exercises and fun goodies
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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