Family Wiccan Traditions International, Inc.

It is important to acknowledge the feelings that you have, it is the energy that you are radiating to the universe whether you acknowledge that or not.  Going into the spring is a perfect time to pay attention to what is coming up for you and find ways to cope with those things we cannot control.  Many of us are coming out of the dark half of this past year with scars and bruises.

As I am trying to do in my life, I encourage you to push past the fear you may be feeling as we go into the balance of the equinox and use that to sustain your spirit.  Without this hope can easily die and that is the greatest type of abandonment of all.

by Rev. Crystal Blanton, HPs, Family of the Rising Phoenix family Coven

This was my fifth adventure to Pantheacon, I think. The years start to meld together after a while but each year has been full of adventures and lessons. This year was very much the same but I entered it facing different circumstances than ever before. My mother was in a unforeseen accident on January 13^th and crossed over on January 29^th, leaving my family in a state of grief and shock. Picking up and preparing for Pantheacon this year felt like the impossible task.

The night before leaving home Michael Cheiron arrived and it was nice to have a companion on this journey. We finished preparing and the next morning we were off to the Con in San Jose, California. We arrived to the hotel and walked into a lobby of people wearing pentacles and I knew we had made it.

We were able to immediately meet up with Jenna and Hoi Sum at the hotel, checked in and got our passes. One of the first things we did after getting settled into the room was go to the vending room and see all the goodies that you can’t see all year.

I don’t know how many vendors were there but it was a heavenly array of Pagan shopping in there. We came to a booth where an artist was selling some of her paintings and prints, some of which were on an upcoming tarot deck. My coven sister pointed out a picture with a phoenix and I was going to get it in memory of my mom and my family coven. While the artist was looking for the print I stumbled on another picture that brought me to tears. It was a picture of a phoenix rising and the front of it’s body was the image of a woman. When I looked at the title it was the death card in the tarot deck. I knew it was the one I was suppose to get. It was an emotional introduction to the weekend ahead.

The schedules were so packed that it felt impossible to choose during certain time frames and I ended up going to the pomba gira event that night with another coven sister. We danced and tranced for an hour and a half, feeling numb yet alive afterwards. The days and nights were packed with seminars, friends, laughs and moments of crying.

Both of my presentations went well and were pretty well attended. I laughed at myself when one of the attendees asked me what the name of my book was and I couldn’t remember. That tells you how distracted I have been. So my handy dandy coven sister wrote it on a piece of paper for the author’s panel I was going to so I wouldn’t forget. LOL!!

I was able to be blessed with performing an elevation for Jenna on Sunday night along side Michael, Kathryn, Hoi Sum and Jade. It was a special and powerful ritual with no tools but a lot of energy and love.

It was truly great to bond with Michael, Hoi Sum and Jenna at the con and spend some quality time with FWTI folks. In spite of all the pain I am dealing with inside, it was a great trip full of love and support. I am very grateful to Kathryn, Jade, Del, Jenna, Hoi Sum and Michael for supporting me there and showing me much family love. I hope to share that magical space with others in 2012!

Blessed Be!!

I have been to several festivals and thought I knew how it would be.  It was what I expected and much more.  The experience was greatly enhanced by meeting (in person) the people I had only talked to on the phone or at best an occasional Skype talk.  This was also in  hotel which is so much better that sleeping in a tent, which is my usual sleeping arrangements.  I shared space and fellowship with the Family of the Rising Phoenix and other FWTI people.  That made it very special as we all got to know each other a lot better.  We all brought some food to share and by doing so we were able to avoid the very expensive hotel restaurant.  And, we did order pizza to be delivered to our rooms on two of the nights.

In addition to all else that was going on, it was an honor to be able to assist with the first degree initiation of one of our own.  It had to be modified a litle as we were not allowed to have lit candles in the hotel.  However, that was not a problem.  I have subsequently purchased some battery operated tea candles and plan to maintain them as part of my travel altar.  Congratulations Jenna.

This year the theme was “Back to basics”.  The event was well attended and we (Pagans and Witches) took over the entire Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, California.  If the event keeps growing, and I hear it grows each year, they will need to seek a bigger venue.  Some participants stayed at other hotels as the Doubletree rooms were booked early.  Thanks to Crystal, we were able to stay where the event was being held and didn’t need to ferry back and forth between hotels.  The only down side was the elevators that seemed to have amind of there own.  They probably weren’t Pagan elevators.

It was a little overwhelming when I looked at the schedule of events as there were so many things happening at the same time.  When there are ten offerings at once I was able to eliminate some right away as not for me.  Once I got it down to two or three, it became a challenge to decide what I would enjoy more.  I believe I made good choices for the most part and it was usually easy to switch to another workshop if I had not chosen wisely.  The rituals were also part of the scheduled events and at times I chose a ritual over a different even.  The rituals were awesome as was the drumming circle I attended.  With events starting at 9 am and the last one ending at 12:30 am in made for ;long days and short nights.  Of course, I didn’t go there to sleep anyway.

The highlight events for me were The God Within, facilitated by the CAYA Brotherhood of the Moon (at late night all male ritual) and Meeting the Dark man at the Crossroads by Orion Foxwood.   There were other fun things, like the dances and concerts.  Skinny White Chick was exceptional as usual.  The the participants at the dances were entertaining to say the least.  I also attended Absinthe Cocktails:Mixing it up with Le Fae Verte.  That was very adult (they checked Ids at the door) and also a real blast.

I am hoping to be able to attend again next year and hope that more of the FWTI people can also attend.  I believe it is a great experience and everyone should attend at least once.  I do know that it is better to take a direct flight and eat the extra expense than to change airlines in Los Angeles.  I’m not saying any more about that, except “Don’t Do It”.   Enough said.  See you there next year.

Blessed Be,

Cheiron

Pantheacon is a event that happens every year in San Jose, California.  This is one, if no THE biggest Pagan events in the Western US.  It is a four day event filled with seminars and workshops from some of the leading Pagan authors and practitioners of our time.  All Pagan paths are highlighted including Wiccan, Druid, Voudon, Umbanda, Shaman and others.

Included in the line up of workshops, there are two that I will be presenting; one called Mentoring Fundamentals and another called When Good Witches go Bad (about group dynamics and conflict mediation).

There will be a host of exciting things to do, including three board members and other FWTI members present.

For details visit www.pantheacon.com

Blessed Be and hope to see you there!

Rev. Crystal Blanton, HPs

Acting Director of the Board, Weaver of Weavers, FWTI

FWTI has recognized the growing need for renewal in the coming year.  2009 has proved to be a challenging year in many ways.  The recession, loss of jobs, loss of hope, loss of popular icons and even a horrible flu season have added to the anxiety of the closure of the cycle for this decade.  As the number 9 represents closure, among other things, this has created a lot of things coming to the surface and a lot of endings that can lead to new beginnings.

Throughout all of the ups and downs of 2009, each of us have the opportunity to lead our families and our energies into new growth, new chances and new places.  Our spirituality reminds us of the cycles of life and how all endings lead to new beginnings.  So on this new years night it is good for us to remember that we can let go of what it is we don’t want and open ourselves to the things we do.  More importantly we are able to show our families and our children that we have the power to change our course and being a Witch is powerful.  Spirituality can be the glue that holds a family together in love and faith; let’s set that example tonight and in the year to come.

May you celebrate this night safely, with love, excitement and hope.  May you enter the new year with blessings, renewed faith and spirituality.  May you enter this year protecting the spiritual legacy of your family and setting the course for 2010.

Blessed Be to you all and we here at Family Wiccan Tradition International look forward to walking this journey with you in the coming year.

With love and respect,

Rev. Crystal Blanton, HPs

Acting Executive Director, Weaver of Weavers, Board of Directors, FWTI

Welcome to the new FWTI website.  You will find more information, more articles, more resources.  This blog will be used for a multitude of things including announcements, FWTI updates, and ongoing information that will be useful to the membership.  Remember to check the blog periodically for new information and resources.

Phase two of Project Phoenix 2010 will be announced within the next several weeks.  Additional announcements regarding upcoming events, virtual classes and chats are forthcoming as well.

Welcome and Blessed Be!!

Rev. Crystal Blanton, HPs

Acting Executive Director, Weaver of Weavers, FWTI