Special Guests
Every year prominent members of the Pagan Community, not just here in the Midwest but from across the country, are invited to join us in celebration at the St Louis Pagan Picnic.
Ami Amoré - Ami Amoré has studied belly dance for over 10 years. She believes it is a spiritual journey celebrating the Goddess within. She has been teaching all forms of Belly dance and Creative Movement through Exotic Rhythms Belly Dance Studio since 2006.
Ellen Dugan - Ellen Dugan, is the prolific and award winning author known as the “Garden Witch”. A psychic-clairvoyant, she has been a practicing Witch for over twenty-six years. She is a Master Gardener, and is also the Co-High Priestess of Greenwood Coven, a mixed magickal tradition Coven in the St. Louis area. Ellen teaches classes locally on Witchery and Magick. She is the author of twelve non-fiction books: Ellen’s twelfth book with Llewellyn Worldwide will be released in 2011. When she’s not working on her next book or keeping up with her family, Ellen likes to unwind by working in her perennial gardens at home with her husband. Ellen wholeheartedly encourages folks to personalize their Spell-craft . To be practical and creative and to go outside and connect with the spiritual side of nature. To get their hands dirty and discover the wonder and magick of natural world that surrounds them.
Reverend Bill Duvendack - Reverend Bill Duvendack is a nationally known professional astrologer that is a lifetime and board member of the Astrological Association of St Louis where he frequently lectures and writes a column for the AASTL members only bulletin entitled “Choleric Humour”. He is also a member of the professional astrological association NCGR (National Council for Geocosmic Research). He is currently writing the horoscope column for the local magazine The River’s Edge and teaching monthly astrology classes at Pathways. He is also available for astrological chart interpretations and divination readings using a system called “Astro-Dice” which he reads at the monthly in-store psychic fair held at Pathways.
Through his many appearances in the local media, Bill has brought the concepts of astrology to many people, as well as the modern spirituality of the 21st century. In addition to his astrological work, Bill is also the current secretary for Circle of Light Independent Spiritualist Church through which he is ordained. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Isis as well as BOTA (Builders of the Adytum). He has almost a quarter of a century experience in ceremonial and ritual magick, including, but not limited to, Enochian magick, Hermeticism, the Golden Dawn, Evocation, Invocation, and the Qabala. His experiences also include Thelema, the tarot, the Craft , Shamanism, Buddhism, Theosophy, Hinduism, Sanskrit mantras, and metaphysics. For more information, feel free to e-mail Bill at bill@418ascendant.com.
Grandmother Elspeth - Few of our cultural elders in America ever reach the status of “Living Legend” but 79 year old Grandmother Elspeth of Haven has most certainly done so. Her reputation for honest advice and earth-based “mountain wisdom” draw throngs of people, young and old, male and female, to gather in her teaching circles, as she travels around the country, weaves tales, startles us with her homespun humor and heals us with her imagematic journeys of the spirit.
Elysia Gallo - Elysia Gallo is the Acquisitions Editor for books on Witchcraft , Wicca, Paganism and Magic at the oldest independent metaphysical publisher, Llewellyn Worldwide. She has held this position for five years, prior to which she worked as a freelance writer, translator and editor in Budapest, Hungary for many years. The best part of her job is working with wonderful authors in developing their ideas and manuscripts into the best possible product. She lives with her husband and two cats in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ember Grant - Ember Grant, freelance writer and poet, has been writing articles on Paganism and witchcraft for more than ten years; her first book is scheduled to be published by Llewellyn Worldwide in 2011. She earned her B.A. in English with a Certificate in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis and she holds a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Missouri.
River and Joyce Higginbotham - River, along with his wife Joyce, have been teachers and writers on Paganism for more than a decade. River was part of the early days of the Pagan Picnic and is proud of how the event has grown and how the community continues to support it. River is on staff at Diana’s Grove Center which fosters personal growth retreats and leadership training.
Zo Allen Leavy - Zo is a long-time member of the St. Louis pagan community, and has served in various roles with CAST, Magickal Weekend, Pagan Picnic, and Spirit Awakening. She has also been a regular staff member of various science fi ction conventions in the area. Currently she is teaching Oral Communications at the Wildwood campus of STLCC, and has stories in three recently published anthologies.
W. Lyon Martin - Lyon is both author and illustrator of Pagan children’s books. An Eclectic witch living in Eastern Missouri, she has also written articles for Craft publications both on-line and in print including PanGaia, IF… (was PagaNet News), Broomstix, The Seeker Journal, NewWitch, Acorns Journal, Elements Magazine, Crescent Magazine, The Witch’s Voice and The Pagan-Wiccan Times.
Mickie Mueller - Mickie Mueller, is an award winning fantasy, fairy and Pagan artist. She has been working as a freelance artist since 1983. She is Co-High Priestess of Coven of the Greenwood, an ordained Minister, has studied Natural Magic, and Celtic Tradition. In addition she has been a Reiki healing master/teacher in the Usui Shiki Royoho tradition since 2001. She is a member of M.A.F.I.A. (Missouri Area Fantasy Illustrators Assoc.) Mickie is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed divination decks, The Well Worn Path and The Hidden Path. Recently she has added to her successful sterling silver jewelry line produced by Peter Stone, named one of INATS West’s Best of Show in 2008 by New Age Retailer Magazine. Mickie is the
author and illustrator of a new divination deck due out Sept. 2011 from Llewellyn, The Voice of the Trees, A Celtic Ogham Oracle. Mickie’s art has been also seen internationally on the covers of Witchcraft and Wicca, Raven’s Call, Spirit Seeker, and Oracle 2000 to name a few. Mickie creates her art magically, using infusions of herbs corresponding with the subject matt er she portrays. She works lovingly by hand in a mixed media of watercolor and colored pencil. Her magical artwork can be seen on her websites at www.mickiemuellerart.com and www.voiceofthetrees.com
Kathy Nance - Kathy Nance is the first Pagan blogger for the Civil Religion, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s religion blog. Her background is in traditional journalism as an education reporter, feature writer, and editor.
Tricia Overkamp - Director of Tricia’s Treasure Chest of Faeries and local Faerie Oracle, Tricia can be seen most oft en in the guise of Queen Mab or the Fairy Godmother. Come to the booth to be painted by her talented team of artists, or pick up a pair of faery wings! Tricia’s Treasure Chest performs original plays for festivals, fairs, and other special events. The shows are interactive and focus primarily on fairytales and faerie folklore. Tricia’s Treasure Chest has sponsored the Living Tarot project for the last several years, and looks forward to continuing it
for many more!
Ruby Sara - Ruby Sara is a member of the Chicago performance collective Terra Mysterium (www.terramysterium.com) and the author of the blog Pagan Godspell (www.gospelpagan.wordpress.com). She is also the editor of the recently released collection Datura: An Anthology of Esoteric Poesis, published by Scarlet Imprint (www.scarletimprint.com). Ms. Sara lives in Chicago with her partner Stephen and their demon-monkey-cat, Pinky.
Susabelle - Susabelle has been in the community for ten years and active for almost the whole ten. She is best known as the Goddess who runs Kidzone at the St Louis Pagan Picnic every year. She is a member of Four Winds Fellowship, the founder of Coffee Coven, the moderator of the Pagan Playground, and an author of romance novels. Susabelle is the Secretary for St Louis Pagan Events, Inc.
Melissa Tarot - I've been doing tarot readings for 22 years, and have been reading professionally for the last 10 years or so. I’ve worked with Sara Benincasa on Sirius Satellite Radio, and have contributed articles to www.tarotelements.com. I’ve got two little kiddos and a great bunch of wackadoos to call friends and family. I’m available for in person readings in the St. Louis area, and can also do readings on line or on the phone. melissatarot@gmail.com. I’m all over the internet as Melissa Tarot.
Johnny Rapture - Johnny Rapture is a writer, ritual leader, and workshop facilitator currently pursuing a degree in Islamic History at the University of Chicago. Johnny maintains a blog (greattininess.wordpress.com) and has recently been published in Scarlet Imprint’s collection of Pagan and esoteric poetry, Datura: An Anthology of Esoteric Poesis. Through his writing, he works toward deepening Pagan theological discourse; He practices Semitic and Greco-Roman folk magic and a little bit of good, old-fashioned cursing.
Team 1 of the St Louis Paranormal Research Society - Team 1 of the St Louis Paranormal Research Society is active in the local area investigating reported home and historical hauntings. Using scientific methods, multiple investigations and solid evidence collection and historical research, we strive to answer some of life’s oldest questions. We try to help people along the
way and to educate people about the Paranormal. Our team is an eclectic collection of personalities, experience, backgrounds and lifestyles that come together to collaborate and explore.
Charlynn Walls - Charlynn Walls has been writing on Pagan topics for small publications for 7 years. She is currently writing articles for PaganPages.org and Witches & Pagans Magazine.
Reverend Rose White - I am Rev. Rose White my craft name is Luna Firehawk I have been involved paganism for 13 years, but in my heart I been one all my life . 4 years ago I became a Priestess and solitary practitioner. I became Reverend 3 years ago and have been using it as counterpart to my meditation studies. My callings are healing with energy, teaching the craft and teaching meditation. I have been doing the Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation under the training of Most Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi for two years and have learned to use the meditation to help people with depression and pain.
