Community and Rebellion: Spring with Darkflower and Lilith

Card from The Deck of Rebellion Oracle Deck by Tava Baird. Prints and Deck available at https://darkflowerbooks.etsy.com

Happy Spring, Friends!

The sun is rising higher in the sky, and despite turmoil in the world around us, our work continues. Our work continues. The work of building community and reaching out to support each other. Over the past year especially, I have seen this magick arrive many times.

Last year Samael told me to set aside the classes I'd been teaching for years and focus on Lilith. We need her now. We need to champion the demonized and set the idea that we need to be pure ablaze (burn, you awful idea. And let self-worth grow in your place). And so I stopped teaching introductory Witchcraft classes and turned my attention to what my guide urged me to do: create spaces where everyone, both embodied and unembodied, were welcome. Guide others to learn more about their own power in the name of Lilith. And then cheer them on as a wave of empathetic, bright, talented, rebellious magick users went forth to spread the word. You are divine. You have more power than you know.

Lilith laughed in Adam's face when he told her to be less. Even through it meant the end of everything she'd known. Even though she was shaking as she did it. She leads the way for us to do so too.

Since that time, I've watched incredible transformation. Seen groups spring up overnight and bond together to make change right here, right now. They are reclaiming their voices. They drown out hate with their laughter and love. They make sure we all rise together. And they will not be denied.

To everyone who has walked the Lilith path with me this last half year, I want to tell you how grateful I am. Your friendship and fellowship makes me want to do more. It's transformative. It brings hope. And that is the energy that will sustain us.

Many Blessings and balance to you as you walk your path. You are not alone. You have never been alone.

Know that I send you my adoration, Little Daemons.

:) Tava

Upcoming Events and Classes for April and May

APRIL 11, 1-3 at GREEN HILL CEMETERY: THE POWER OF STORY

Come to the Mausoleum in Martinsburg, West VA for a unique sound healing and guided meditation experience! Use coupon code TAVA to get 50% off the ticket price and come to the event for just $25! Register here: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/the-power-of-story-a-channeled-guided-meditation-and-sound-healing-event

Please note: as this event is in a cemetery, there are no bathrooms on site. There is also a set of stairs leading into the Mausoleum to keep in mind if you have mobility issues.

APRIL 12, 12-4 in Clear Brook, VA: GRIMOIRE OF THE MAGDALENE (Pre-requisite: The Four Mirrors)

Come and upcycle an old religious-based text into a new holy book! This class includes meditation, paint, glue, and a HEALTHY dose of irreverence as we create our own magickal Lilithian books for holding spells, invocations, stories, and notes. Walk away with something unique dedicated to you. An altar to Lilith is an altar to the self. Link for registration: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/grimoire-of-the-magdalene-lilith-and-the-lost-city

APRIL 19, 10 am - 12 pm at GREEN HILL CEMETERY: DEATH CAFE

What is a Death Cafe?

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. This Death Cafe session will be hosted by Tava Baird. Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.

A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.

Our Death Cafes are always offered:

- On a not-for-profit basis

- With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action

- Alongside drinks and food – we'll have donuts, juice, and coffee!

Please note: as this event is in a cemetery, there are no bathrooms on site. There is also a set of stairs leading into the Mausoleum to keep in mind if you have mobility issues. if the weather is nice, we will meet outside under the trees to make it more accessible.

The event is FREE but donations towards supplies are appreciated at the event. Everyone is welcome, but space is limited! To register: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/spring-death-cafe-at-green-hill-cemetery-in-martinsburg-west-virginia

APRIL 19, 2:30-4:30 at the Simple Life in Frederick, MD: THE DARKFLOWER COLLECTIVE FIELD TRIP

The Darkflower Collective is a Pagan social and education group, and this month we'll be meeting for a talk with Britnie Goldberg inside this beautiful metaphysical shop on smoke cleansing traditions! Just $15 gets you a spot. More info and registration at https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/the-darkflower-collective-a-mentorship-gathering-for-solitary-pagans-3

APRIL 25, 12 PM-2:30 PM at the Simple Life in Frederick, MD: POCKET POLLIES: Herbs, Poppets, and Astrology in The Craft with Britnie Goldberg and Tava Baird

Join Poppet-Maker Tava Baird and Herbal Astrologer Britnie Goldberg in this fascinating session that alchemizes the disciplines of astrology, herbalism, and poppet-making! Dive into the interconnectedness of magickal practices and build yourself a powerful poppet (or two!) for use in spellwork outside of class. SIGN UP at https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/pocket-pollies-herbs-poppets-and-astrology-in-the-craft-with-britnie-goldberg-and-tava-baird and bring a friend for FREE!

APRIL 26, 12-4 in Clear Brook, VA: THE TEMPLE AT OCCULUS DEI (Pre-requisite: The Four Mirrors)

This is an intermediate Lilithian Magick Class focused on the creation of a Lilithan altar. Participants will create either an altar banner or altar cloth and will participate in a self-consecration ritual to honor the Earthly body. This is the first time this class of channeled knowledge from Samael is being offered. Link for registration: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/the-temple-at-occulus-dei-lilith-and-the-lost-city

MAY 1-3: THE FERTILE GROUND GATHERING

I am teaching TWO Lilith Classes at fertile Ground this year AND co-teaching a class on Deathwork with Jennifer Jurlando AND The Power of Story is coming to Fertile Ground! Come celebrate Beltane with us! Information here: https://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/

MAY 16, 1-4 PM in Clear Brook, VA: QUEER AFFIRMING SPIRITUALITY: Poppets and Ancestor Veneration with Rev. Ron Padrón and Tava Baird

A rare treat! Rev. Ron Padrón of White Rose Witching (https://www.whiterosewitching.com/) is coming to join forces with Tava Baird for a workshop on Ancestor Veneration and Poppets for the Queer Community! The class will begin with a brief lecture from Rev. Padrón on Queer-affirming spirituality, Queer Ancestor veneration, and the use of physical items such as poppets in creating talismans or spirit houses. Tava Baird will then lead participants through a hands-on workshop where they create their very own Queer Ancestor poppet! Registration is here: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/queer-affirming-spirituality-poppets-and-ancestor-veneration

MAY 23: The Newtown Heritage Festival

Darkflower will be vending! More info at https://www.facebook.com/NHFStephensCity/

MAY 30, 11:30-2 at the Simple Life in Frederick, MD: LILITH and THE LOST CITY: THE FOUR MIRRORS

LILITH and THE LOST CITY is a rare opportunity to dive into the stories society sets on us and to begin to shake off what doesn't serve us...through Poppet Magick! Come and create and consecrate a one-of-a-kind cloth companion (no sewing skills necessary) to help you on your self-worth journey. We'll dive into the basics of Lilithian Philosophy...a loving, inclusive view of the world and of our own divinity and use it to walk the Four Mirrors Ritual on the patio. It's time to let you power RISE! Link for registration: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/lilith-and-the-lost-city-an-introduction-to-the-philosophy-of-lilithian-magick-1

MAY 30, 2:30-4:30 at the Simple Life in Frederick, MD: FULL MOON NIGHT: The DARK GODDESS

Our full moon night in February for Imbolc was overflowing...so we're doing another! Join Tava Baird for an exploration into The Sacred Dark and why we need its balance in our lives! We'll be making and blessing Sacred Dark Goddess devotional bracelets and making Dark Goddess Witch Balls for use in blessing our liminal states.

Registration is here-spots are limited! https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/full-moon-circle-the-dark-goddess-at-the-simple-life

MAY 31, 1-4 in Clear Brook, VA: CHAOS ANGEL (Pre-requisite: The Four Mirrors)

This is the first class in Lilithian Magick Level 3 and the first time it is being offered! We'll dive into more advanced Lilithian concepts including Chaos Angel phenomenon, time slipping, dream work, and a message from Helel (Lucifer) about his nature. Link for registration: https://www.tavabaird.com/event-details/the-temple-at-occulus-dei-lilith-and-the-lost-city

JUNE 5-6: THE VIRGINIA RENAISSANCE FAIR

Darkflower Books & Mystical Supply will have a double sized tent full of prints, books, spirit communication dolls, divination tools, stickers, vintage ritual jewelry, and more! More info at https://varf.org/

Announcements

Hey look! There's a little interview with me in Voyage Baltimore! https://voyagebaltimore.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-tava-baird

Wyldwood is coming out through a publisher this summer! More details to come!

Working on Wyldwood slowed me a bit, but the next in the series, The Book of High Places, is 250 pages and counting, and will be out this year too! AND the audio version of Circle of Three is well underway!

Also, online recordings of Lilith Level One Classes have begun filming and will be available this summer!

Because of all this growth, I am stepping back from the archaeology program at The Blue Ball Inn. I'll still be teaching classes there, though! The Archaeology program is continuing with three FANTASTIC friends of mine taking over the program. Ashley Simmons is the Volunteer Coordinator...if you are interested in getting in touch with her, just drop me a line and I'll get your information to her!

More events ahead! For up-to-date events, please visit tavabaird.com

Thank you so much for staying in touch, everyone! I hope our paths cross soon...