Nestled In the Coils of Mother Dragon:
Myths and Tools for Times of Chaos
A Three-Part Workshop Series with River Fagan
May 23rd, May 30th, and June 6th
6:30pm-8:30pm
SE Portland
As humanity’s long, misguided war against the wild accelerates into terrifying chaos, where do we turn for solace and strength? One answer is dragons! As guardians of land and sovereignty who are at home in multiple realms and capable of both great destruction and great creation, dragon spirits may have much to teach us about navigating monstrous times and devastating transitions.
In this workshop series, we will explore and inhabit an enchanted body of knowledge rooted in the mysteries of dragons and drawing from historical lore, modern ecofeminist insights, and River’s own poetic inspiration. They’re designed to be both synergistic and modular; you’re welcome to join for just a single workshop and you might find increased depth and learning by joining for all three.
Most importantly, these workshops are centered in a deep invitation: Mother Dragon and her many, many draconic children are here to help us transmute individual and collective fragmentations into individual and collective initiations. And thus to find the power, kinship, clarity, and wildness to respond to this moment in ways that serve the great web of life.
To register go here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17_zbq8K4koTEQ0NWW29eyjXGG3nTbvunLu9DlxQxndY/
Specific address provided upon registration
Dancing With Mother Dragon: Aligning with Resilience in Times of Chaos
May 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm
In this workshop, we will begin by mapping the mythic and spiritual resonances of dragons, drawing from both the group’s collective understanding as well as specific frameworks explained by River.
Then we will cast a circle, dragon style. Using the Bukovinian fairy tale The Flower Queen’s Daughter as vehicle and guide, we will venture forth on a trance journey into the realm of Mother Dragon. There, you will encounter Mother Dragon herself, receive both challenges and blessings from her, and finally attend Mother Dragon’s ball, at which “young he-dragons and she-dragons were dancing together” and meet a dragon willing to be a personal ally for you as you continue this work.
There will be an opportunity to share your trance journey experiences as well as a brief integration.
The Dragonscale Pentacle: Orienting to Resilience in Times of Chaos
May 30th, 6:30-8:30pm
In this workshop, we will begin by exploring our personal and collective experiences of dragons from pop culture, mythology, and magic.
Then River will present the history and framework of The Dragonscale Pentacle, a tool they were given by dragon spirits as a means of shifting from a traumatized stance to an embodied, empowered stance. The Dragonscale Pentacle includes both a pentacle and a central vertical line. Imagine a dragon wrapped around a tree, which reaches both above and beyond the dragon. We will work with this pentacle in various experiential ways, including running the pentacle energetically as well as journaling and movement.
The points of the Dragonscale Pentacle are Clarity, Boundaries, Presence, Collaboration, and Transformation as well as the axis points of Accepting, Grounding, and Adapting.
Mysteries of Tiamat, Dragon Goddess: Embodying Resilience in Times of Chaos
June 6, 6:30-8:30pm
This workshop will begin with a ritualized retelling of the myth of Tiamat, the ancient Mesopotamian Dragon Goddess whose murdered corpse was used to create the world. This will be a revisionist retelling rooted in the understanding that the Goddess is still alive, despite any and all attempts to kill Her or deny Her existence.
We will explore this myth in various ways, including a group debriefing as well as art-marking or journaling.
Then River will facilitate a guided trance journey to encounter Tiamat and to receive her monstrous blessings.
We will conclude with a circle share of learnings and intentions for carrying forward the magic of remembering the Goddess.
To register for one or multiple workshops go here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17_zbq8K4koTEQ0NWW29eyjXGG3nTbvunLu9DlxQxndY/
River’s Bio:
River Fagan is an initiate in the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft, a writer, and a psychotherapist in private practice. As a practicing witch for over twenty five years, they have honed the arts of poetic spellcrafting, spirit weaving, and rooted dreaming. They have offered workshops at Many Gods West, the Nasco Institute, and the Allied Media Conference. Their writings have appeared in Honoring the Wild: Reclaiming Witchcraft and Environmental Activism, Hoax Zine #8: Feminisms and Mythologies, and Facing the Change: Personal Encounters with Global Warming.