Bloody Mary. Ouija boards. Cat Scratch. Light as a Feather, Stiff  as a Board. We grow up surrounded by occult practices that are often  framed as “games,” even if they are sometimes also presented to us as  potentially dangerous ones to play. Where do these rites and games come  from, and if they’re so dangerous and forbidden, why are they so much  fun? This course will examine a number of game forms, including:  Fortune-telling Games, Summoning Rites, Necromancy, Places/Spaces in  Play, Cursed Toys, Feats and Wonders, Masks of Misrule, and Digital  Demons. We will look at the stories, do some analysis of these rites and  their historical roots, and discuss practical elements and folkloric  connections to other examples of play. We will also see how occult  practices can be a part of everyday life for both the young and old, and  how imaginative engagement with magic can enhance our understanding of  ourselves, our communities, and our place in the universe. 

This 3-hour course also includes downloadable slides, links to supplemental videos, and a PDF booklet to  accompany the course.

About the Presenter:

Cory Thomas Hutcheson (Central Pennsylvania) is the cohost of the popular podcast New World Witchery.  He has a doctorate in American Studies with specializations in  folklore, religion, and ethnicity from Penn State. He is a contributor  to the Oxford Handbook of American Folklore and Folklife Studies and American Myths, Legends, & Tall Tales, and he has written for popular occult publications, including Witches & Pagans.

THIS CLASS IS ONLINE ONLY! The class link will be emailed to you in your registration confirmation. The class recording link will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days of the conclusion of the class and will be available to you for 30 days after the conclusion of the class.

By purchasing this ritual you agree to the following Non Disclosure:

This Agreement is between The Cauldron Black (“OWNER”); and the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, and expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material and trade secrets directed and related to this class.  (“INFORMATION”); WHEREAS, OWNER desires to disclose the INFORMATION on a confidential basis to RECIPIENT.  The OWNER wishes to maintain the confidentiality of the INFORMATION and the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the  mutual promises, covenants, and conditions contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:  I. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION A. OWNER agrees to disclose  INFORMATION to RECIPIENT for the purposes of an online class.  B. RECIPIENT agrees to receive such INFORMATION and to refrain from  copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any and all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any and all of the INFORMATION, and to take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or  use  of any and all of the INFORMATION.  Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.