The spiritual heritages of pagan Europe were once carried by wise women, healers, seers, enchantresses, and nightfarers. In this visual talk, Max Dashu will examine the cultural history of these women, including folk names for the witch and the female sacraments of spinning, weaving, herbcraft, divination, incantation, and sacred dance. These women held together their communities through healing and magic, their knowledge of the plants, animals, and land, and through their intimate knowledge of the people who came to them for counsel. The Christian bishops fought to suppress the ancient European veneration of Fatas, faeries, and the “good women who go by night with the Goddess,” but it persisted and still exists today.

Join us for an evening devoted to the celebration of the lives of these ancestors, with Max Dashu, author of "Witches and Pagans: Women in European Folk Religion, 700-1100

About Max Dashu: Max Dashu founded the Suppressed Histories Archives in 1970 to research and document women's history from an international perspective. She built a collection of 15,000 slides and 30,000 digital images, and has created 150 slideshows on female cultural heritages across human history. For titles and descriptions, see the online catalog. (Read evaluations of these dynamic presentations here.) Dashu's work bridges the gap between academia and grassroots education. It foregrounds indigenous women passed over by standard histories and highlights female spheres of power retained even in some patriarchal societies. Dashu is internationally known for her expertise on ancient female iconography in world archaeology; female spheres of power and matricultures; patriarchies and allied systems of domination; medicine women, female shamans, witches, and witch hunts. Her work is followed by 163,000 people on Facebook and remains in the top 1% on Academia.edu.

FAQs

What if I can't pay $20? Can I still come?

No one will be turned away on the basis of ability to pay. Please write to Marie Goodwin (below) and let her know you plan to come so that we can keep spaces open for you.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There is limited parking at Providence Friends Meeting, but plenty of on-street parking in the neighborhoods across Providence Road from the Meetinghouse. Also, there is parking available in the Acme shopping mall parking lot a short distance away at the intersection of 252 and Baltimore Pike.

Media has two Septa stops, neither of which is easily walkable to the lecture. They are, however, a very short Uber/Lyft/Taxi ride away.

Will Max have books available to purchase and sign:

Yes! There will be books.

How can I contact the organizer(s) with any questions?

For more information or questions, contact: Marie Goodwin - marielouisegoodwin@gmail.com