05/22/2026
On Chalice & The Blade
I generally do not care for last-minute surprises.
But I care about this one!
The staff of Chalice and the Blade are honored to welcome Orion Foxwood as a member of our faculty.
Orion has a long, long history with Four Quarters. He goes back to the very beginnings, when he served as High Priest of the very first Stones Rising. He has been away for many years, and we are waiting eagerly to welcome him home. We are sure he will enjoy all the amenities Four Quarters now has to offer, because, like me, and just a few others, he remembers when the only amenity was that the dirt stayed (mostly) underfoot!
Orion will be sharing his vast knowledge with this intriguing offering:
The Power and Presence of the Dark Rider: Traditional Southern Crossroads and Liminal Magic with Orion Foxwood
The belief that a there is a powerful intercessory spirit or deity that dwells at physical thresholds, transition points and intersections is a common theme in the folk beliefs and magical practices traditions of Africa, Europe and in the American South. The most common being the crossroads where roads, foot paths, horizontal and vertical forces (such as the planetary poles and rotation), the living and dead (graveyards) and/or geological states (such sea, land, wind etc) intersect . These places are often described by those who know their secrets as being “claimed by all yet owned by none” - where reality, causality, liminality and possibilty are present but beyond the clutch of time, limitation and the usual rules of consensus thought. The spirit dwelling there is seen as the opener and closer of the ways (roads of life) and its names (and gender) vary depending on the local tradition or that of the petitioner/ magic worker and include Papa Leba (New Orleans Creole spelling), the Devil, the Crossed Man, the Dark One, the Trick Doctor, Jesus-on-the-Road and the Dark Rider to name a few. His power, and his capriciousness is legendary and it is both feared and revered. However, there are traditions and techniques for revering, encountering, and employing his power safely and effectively. Likewise, there are times and means to approach his crossroads where luck, love, life and death meet. In this workshop, Orion will share lore of the crossroads, its magic, its roads and its Master; and how to find and work with them. He will share music, poetry, lore and practices to introduce you to the spirit he knows as the Dark Rider.
At the thinning time when shadows move apart.
Sadness fades and frees the haunted heart.
Four roads from everywhere to somewhere meet.
At a crossroads, where spirits and conjure greets;
Four roads from everywhere to somewhere meet,
Let us walk the magic road with practical feet,
The way is open…………… (by Orion Foxwood)
-pam
Learn more and register at:
Kurt Griffith 12 December 2024 Friday, May 22 - Monday, May 25, 2026 The Chalice and The Blade: A Fundamental Approach to WiccaA new premium event with tent camping and all 6 meals included. Lodging is available as are RV and car camping, but all will sell out early. Please call us for detailed...
