Courses – The House of Twigs

Devious Divinations: Scrying with Crystal Balls and Mirrors – Live Zoom Event Oct 17 5-7 PM PST

scrying live event the house of twigs erika fortner queen meb keven craft divination trance witcraft

Learn how to scry using the grey space of trance. During the waning light of day, we delve into this old practice while the veil is thin.

This is an online/live zoom event through @thehouseoftwigs that begins (PST) and we will record the event. Be prepared to scry and learn some ways of navigating this interesting form or divination.

Some topics discussed are:

What is scrying?

What tools can be used for scrying?

How do I work with deities or protect myself during scrying?

What herbs, resins, and crystals can increase my scrying ability?

How much do I need to practice?

All people (gender, race, sexual orientation…) are welcome here but this class isn’t a great event for kids unless they are taking the course and the parent has given approval.
Pre-paying helps us to book the space and prepare the print-out information you will receive.)
Cancellation policy: Up to 50% refunded for cancellations 48 hrs in advance. Cancellations within 47 hrs or less will result in a discount for a future class but no refund.

About your instructor:

Erika Fortner, founder and Head Mistress of The House of Twigs, has been a Tarot reader, Witch, medium and Psychic for 26 + years. She is also the Head Mistress and Curator of THoT: The School of Ritual, Keven Craft Rituals, and the newest addition q. Meb (Queen Meb).

She is an Artist with a BFA from Pratt Institute and has an extensive fine Art background in NYC with one of the top Artists in the world working with museums such as the MOMA and Guggenheim as well as living in Berlin, Germany and Venice, Italy.

She is an eclectic energy worker (Reiki master as well as other healing modalities) Shamanic/folklore Witch; specializing in her own style of in-depth master Tarot reading, crystal work, and channeling.

She favors the Morrighan, Isis, Hecate, Freya, and Cernnunos. Erika’s inspiration of ritual comes from many areas, including her family lineage which connects to the first Kings of Ireland, Queen Maeb, the King of the Picts, as well as connections with the Welsh Lewellyn family, the Scottish McLaughlins, De Forsythe and McCloud clans.

She has worked for the Psychic Friends network while in Brooklyn before deciding the ethos of the company didn’t align with her practice.

She now has her roots planted in Portland, Oregon with her partner and daughter.

SEPT 3, 10, 17, 24th 7-8:30 PM Intuitive Tarot, (Pre-recorded) Live Zoom Event 4 Part Class

Intuitive Tarot live online the house of twigs event class THOT witchcraft

Intuitive Tarot Course (Live adaptation):
If you have ever wanted to learn tarot or have been studying and haven’t quite gotten comfortable with your readings, than this course might be for you.

The Intuitive Course and why it’s different-
We do things a little different than most of the other tarot classes out there and focus on the reading aspect of tarot before memorization. Your instructor, proprietress of Q. Meb has been reading for 26+ years and works with up to 10 decks at once, varying in style and personality. She worked for the psychic friends network and has had over 200 tarot students. She also is the head mistress of the House of Twigs: School of Ritual where her online tarot courses are also available.

To take this course you must own a tarot deck and a small book with meanings. *Please do not use a Rider-Waite book as this is “old white dude energy” we want to avoid. Any style of deck is acceptable as long as it has major arcana, and minor arcana. It is ok to use a Rider-Waite tarot deck but please avoid the tradition RW book.
We have a few decks available to test if you would like to expand experience. Decks are also available for purchase and we carry mostly independent published decks with a small selection of creative, main-stream decks.

This is a 4 part series. Thursday September 3, 10th, 17th, and 24th 7-9 PM (PST) $75

Normally this class will be a 2 hr event, with practiced readings throughout the class. To navigate this as a live event, we shorten the lecture series to 1 hr each evening and then one on one time with the instructor, with some homework and Q & A ability.

Spells, Cursing, and Removing Hexes – (Pre-recorded) Live Zoom Event

the house of twigs online class live even erika fortner the house of twigs curses hex spell bind

An important continuation of this series of Awakening the Witches will deal with the darker aspects of spell work, cursing and what it means, as well as removing hexes. We take a neutral approach to this discussion as it is something that each person must approach with their own personal compass. Traditional methods, charms, and simple items will be discussed for harnessing the energy within and around yourself, for this type of work as well as those I practice myself. We will also talk about things such as hereditary curses and previous life concepts and how to navigate these topics as they suit you and your own practice. Some topics discussed are:

What is a binding, hex, and curse?

Black Magick vs. White Magick and why these terms don’t work

Herbs and Oils to help remove curses

Following a hex (energetic chase)

Common Deities to assist

Road Opener

Poppets

Candle Magick

Jar Spells

Sigil Work

Visualization and Meditation

Un-Intentional Curses & Generational Curses

Practicing a Hex

All people (gender, race, sexual orientation…) are welcome here but this class isn’t a great event for kids unless they are taking the course and the parent has given approval.
Pre-paying helps us to book the space and prepare the print-out information you will receive.)
Cancellation policy: Up to 50% refunded for cancellations 48 hrs in advance. Cancellations within 47 hrs or less will result in a discount for a future class but no refund.

COMING SOON: Crystals, Power, and Programming: Working with Crystal as an Energy Worker

Crystals Power and Programming energy work Reiki Witch

Come learn about crystals, their properties and how to work with them to awaken your inner witch. I find this to be one of the most natural ways to connect with energies in crystals without having to rely on anyone else.

I this course I suggest what my personal best methods for cleansing each crystal despite many believing the moon or the sun will recharge a crystal. Most of the time these are not the right method. Crystals grow very slowly, deep within the ground!

This class comes with details on different crystals (over 70+ different crystals that I also carry in my store and work with personally), and a discussion of working as an energy worker with their metaphysical properties. We will go over cleaning, charging, and breaking the “wive’s tales” of working with crystals, as well as having a small ritual and meditation of initiation. I am a master level Reiki practitioner as well as work in other healing modalities.

**You do not need to be a reiki practitioner to learn or use energy in this class.

**A suggested collection of my favorite crystal reference books is also included at the end, but not required to take this course.

Candle Crafting and Magick

Candle Magick and Philosophy:

Candle magic is practiced by many pagans, witches, and root worker paths. This will be my eclectic combination of candle magic and how I go about making intentional ritual candles. This is not the end all and be all of how to do something, so remember to pick and choose what resonates with you and feel free to change it to how it applies.

Candles contain all of the elements making them something that represents earth (wax), water (melting wax), fire (burning wick), air (smoke). Color can be representational of what you are intending to do with the candle, but I believe how you view the color and the representation is more important that someone elses description of what the candle colors and ingredients represent. Others may prefer a more specific color and representation across their practice, such as Wicca, or traditional passed down colors for a root worker.

In this class, you will develop your own candle recipe, or work from a kit. We provide pointers for working with different waxes and include a demo video of melting your wax, prepping, pouring, and cleaning up. Secondly, we provide help with carving dipped or votive sized candles as well.

**Available in Closed Caption in: English, Spanish, German, Italian, and French

Incense Making, Blending and Burning: Making Sticks and Cones

Incense making workshop the house of twigs erika fortner

This is an immensely popular class that we host in our Portland location, but are offering it online with small kits that can be purchased if you don’t have the materials.

This class consists of magickal properties of different, herbs, flowers, and resins along with an instructional video of blending and making your own incense. The burning will be up to you, but we urge you to develop your own recipes (for personal use) to work with specific deities, for spellwork, or overall enjoyment.

If you want to purchase a mailable kit with ingredients to take in tandem with this online class, make sure to choose the option you want! https://queenmeb.com/products/pre-order-incense-making-sticks-and-cones-from-scratch-online

Resins and Makko can be found online at our store:

https://queenmeb.com/products/makko-powder

https://queenmeb.com/search?q=resin*&type=product

Please make sure to check out the materials needed for this class. We are also happy to say that this is also being offered with closed captions so the hard of hearing can also enjoy taking this class, as well as international customers. It is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German.

COMING SOON Tarot Memorization Course: Major Arcana

major arcana tarot memorization class the house of twigs erika fortner

This course is not yet available for purchase and will become available soon!

Do you struggle with knowing the meanings of your tarot cards?

This is a drop-in style, tarot study course for those wanting to learn more about the meanings of their tarot cards, and can be for any level reader and any gender identity. We use gender expression for symbology, but not as a representation of gender. Tarot has a lengthy history since the 15th Century and although they are created to represent various aspects of people, they really are more symbols of the spirit and psyche and can apply to any person.

This course goes beyond the use of your own tarot book that comes with your deck. We ask you to participate a bit differently than just normal readings so you can commit it to your long term memory.

Use this as an interactive tool to learn the meanings of your cards instead of or in tandem with reading through the book on your own. We will use the Rider-Waite symbolism at times but will not be using their meanings. Anyone that knows me, understand that I feel like this is an “old white-dude energy deck”.

However, at the end of this class you should be able to read the symbolism in any deck.

**You may also divide ALL of your decks you own into their corresponding suits and compare each one for identifying the differences amongst them. This is a great way to learn across many systems of tarot.

*Throughout the course we will reference many decks and examples of readings, deck combinations and spreads. We are not endorsing or negating the use of any tarot decks out there, these are just my personal decks and ones that I use in professional readings or have enjoyed using. No money is made by showing images of these decks, it’s just because I like them myself.

COMING SOON Tarot Memorization Course: Wands

Tarot Memorization Course Erika Fortner the House of Twigs

This course is not yet available for purchase and will become available soon!

Do you struggle with knowing the meanings of your tarot cards?

This is a drop-in style,tarot study course for those wanting to learn more about the meanings of their tarot cards, and can be for any level reader and any gender identity. We use gender expression for symbology, but not as a representation of gender. Tarot has a lengthy history since the 15th Century and although they are created to represent various aspects of people, they really are more symbols of the spirit and psyche and can apply to any person.

This course goes beyond the use of your own tarot book that comes with your deck. We ask you to participate a bit differently than just normal readings so you can commit it to your long term memory.

However, at the end of this class you should be able to read the symbolism in any deck.

COMING SOON Tarot Memorization Course: Cups

Tarot Memorization Cups Erika Fortner THe House of Twigs

This course is not yet available for purchase and will become available soon!

Do you struggle with knowing the meanings of your tarot cards?

This is a drop-in style,tarot study course for those wanting to learn more about the meanings of their tarot cards, and can be for any level reader and any gender identity. We use gender expression for symbology, but not as a representation of gender. Tarot has a lengthy history since the 15th Century and although they are created to represent various aspects of people, they really are more symbols of the spirit and psyche and can apply to any person.

This course goes beyond the use of your own tarot book that comes with your deck. We ask you to participate a bit differently than just normal readings so you can commit it to your long term memory.

However, at the end of this class you should be able to read the symbolism in any deck.

*Tarot shown above is the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, a variation of the Rider- Waite style without all the angsty old white dude energy. Throughout the course we will reference many decks and examples of readings, deck combinations and spreads. We are not endorsing or negating the use of any tarot decks out there, these are just my personal decks and ones that I use in professional readings or have enjoyed using. No money is made by showing images of these decks, its just because I like them myself.

COMING SOON Tarot Memorization Course: Swords

tarot the house of twigs online course school thot

This course is not yet available for purchase and will become available soon!

Do you struggle with knowing the meanings of your tarot cards?

This is a tarot study course for those wanting to learn more about the meanings of their tarot cards, and can be for any level reader and any gender identity. We use gender expression for symbology, but not as a representation of gender. Tarot has a lengthy history since the 15th Century and although they are created to represent various aspects of people, they really are more symbols of the spirit and psyche and can apply to any person.

This course goes beyond the use of your own tarot book that comes with your deck. We ask you to participate a bit differently than just normal readings so you can commit it to your long term memory.

**You may also divide all of your decks you own into their suits and compare each one for identifying the differences amongst them. This is a great way to learn across many systems of tarot.

We will also walk through each card and connect the meaning with the symbolism. We will reference traditional symbolism that can be applied or seen in most tarot decks. However, at the end of this class you should be able to read the symbolism in any deck.

COMING SOON: Magickal Ink Making from Medieval Grimoires

the house of twigs erika fortner ink making grimoire

This course offers the instruction and process of making your own Magickal Ink for your own magickal use, spellwork, and sigil magick.

This ink recipe is based on creating a custom india ink based on an old recipe from medieval times meant to banish evil spirits. We take this base recipe and give room for you to change it as it suits your intention. This is NOT the only way to make your own inks, but it is just one recipe.

I talk a little bit about my experience in the fine art world, the finishing world in custom cabinetry, and exploration of materials. I know a lot about materials!
What are the differences between a paint (including acrylic, oil, tempera, and watercolor), dye, and ink?
What are some traditional methods of using plant material or tannin based dyes/inks?
We of course have a compendium of recommended materials to work with such as resins and plants, and we also discuss how to customize an extraction to use this as an extra magickal layer.

Queen Meb, our retail location in Portland offers purchasable kits to go with with course. You can buy them in tandem or by themselves. Access to this course is for a lifetime. Kits are a single purchase to be mailed. https://queenmeb.com/collections/online-classes-through-the-house-of-twigs/products/pre-order-magickal-ink-making-from-medieval-grimoires-online

COMING SOON: Luciferian Witchcraft (Part 2)

This is a continuation of my Luciferian Witchcraft Course (Part 1).

This Course in its entirety is perfect for anyone who wants to (or does!) practice Traditional Witchcraft and live by the pillars of Lucferianism.

This is my version of Lucferianism, a practice I have molded and formed for over 10 years now; I have been a practicing Witch for 20.

The Philosophy itself is considered ‘New Age’ to some, it’s anything but in my opinion; the veneration of Lightbringers has existed since the beginning of time.

This portion of the Course is where we dive deep into the more taboo aspects of Luciferian Witchcraft, and dive deeper into our own Psyche. You will be required to face the deepest recesses of your mind, and test the limits of your Magickal capabilities.

As with my Shadow Work Course, this Course requires you to be an active participant in your own experience; this Course requires you to rely on yourself–the cornerstone of Luciferianism is Self, after all.

Be prepared for a lot of reading, thinking, reading some more, and then putting it all into practice.

May the light of the Black Flame guide your way.

In Nomine Luciferi!

In Nomine Draconis!

**COURSE OFFERED IN TWO PARTS–YOU PAY FOR PART ONE AND UPON COMPLETION, YOU WILL PURCHASE PART 2 SEPARATELY**

INCLUDED IN TUITION COST:

-Rituals and Methods of Protection, Defensive, Grounding, Banishing, Evocation and Baneful Magick

-An overview of Deities, Archetypes and Spirits of Luciferian Witchcraft

-An overview of Ancestral Magick, the LHP and how it relates to Luciferian Witchcraft

-Practical Application of Serpentine Gnosis

-Personal Recipes and Spells

-Exercises, assignments, tips and/or practical advice with each lesson

-Direct access to Instructor via e-mail for support, counsel, and questions

Hedgewitchery, Brews, & Potions

This course is a look into the connections of folklore herbalism ( the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth) and magickal herbalism and how to incorporate that knowledge into making your own potions.

An insight into points brought up in the class can be found here on The House of Twigs.

As a maker for most of my life, I have learned about working with plants and ingredients intuitively, working in the high-end cabinetry and finishing world, attending one of the most prestigious art schools, working with one of the top artists in the world where I had a chance to work with some of the top reputable art conservators around, and then moving onto having my own skincare and magickal brand, Keven Craft Rituals.

This class is a blend of combined knowledge, and basic recipes that you can then intuitively make your own. It gives you a basis for how to use magickal herbalism in simple things like cooking and magickal oils and then permission to move outside of a common recipe that doesn’t resonate with its purpose or intention.

COMING SOON: Introduction to Cartomancy: With the Lenormand

fortune telling caromancy lenormand wooden tarot skullgarden the house of twigs thot

Lenormand is a unique system of “The Game of Hope/Fate” which was popularized by one of the most famous fortune tellers, Madame Lenormand. Seh was well known for being a great fortune teller and was the personal reader for Napolean’s wife.

The game iteself originated around 1800, originally designed as a game in France or Germany. The named changed (after Madame Lenormand died) She was said to have her own custom deck.

This type of card reading differes from tarot or oracle readings because it is meant to be used to discuss specific things in the future and predict timing. Cartomany is a form of fortune telling.

It is a simple, yet advanced system that can add a depth to traditional divination through reading tarot and may help provide insight when the language of tarot or oracle cards won’t work.

Discernment, Banishing & Protection Magic

Banishing Discernment Protection magic Course online witchschool the house of twigs thot erika fortner

Protection Magic is the most highly asked form of spell work for new and experienced witches. In this course we will discuss magickal discernment, various forms of energetic debris maintenance, and protection magick including banishing spells and everyday protection.

We touch on aspects of folklore magic as well as practical spells and recipes that you can adjust to make your own.

This class is meant to be used as a guide to integrating tools into your own practice, and allowing your beliefs to integrate and made to be your own.

Elemental Magic: An Introductory Course

emma kethryn the house of twigs elemental magick magic witch witchcraft thot school witchcraft

Welcome to this short course in Elemental magic. It is my hope that by the end of this course that not only will you have a firm understanding of the Elements as concepts and actual forces, but that you will also have the practical knowledge to directly utilise them fully in your own personal crafts and practises.

The Elements are familiar to anyone interested in witchcraft and are some of the first concepts encountered; there’s always an Elements section in every witchcraft 101 book. And, for the record, there’s nothing wrong with those books and they can be helpful in the very beginning, but you do eventually outgrow them, leaving you wanting something deeper.

This course will require that you engage with your own locality. Much of the work contained herein focuses on the self and the individual’s relationship with the Elements, as such, personal growth is an important aspect, and so the course will be different for every person.

There is so much more to experience and know about the Elements, this journey really is one of discovery and I hope you’re as excited about this as I am!

COMING SOON: The Craft: and the Sins of the Witch

sins of the witch school witchcraft the house of twigs thot erika fortner

The Craft is something based both in practice, lore, and tradition. Behind all of these things lies the entirety of you as the practitioner and how you walk your path. No matter the tradition of witchcraft you practice, the way that you practice it counts.

One of the issues we can all face is confidence. Allowing the internal “nay saying voice” to speak up and determine how we fully choose to do something can really prevent our practice as an empowered witch. You do not have to be a witch to embody this practice, however you may find yourself more open to your own energy and to be on the path of the witch after confronting all of these issues.

Trending conversations about the witchwound, or hereditary witchcraft only come up in a means to control and manipulate the masses but from opposite spectrums. In fact, this isn’t about being a witch as much as it is being confident so when you are practicing magick, you choose to show up with your energetic potential.

Dislaimer: I am not a doctor, or qualified therapist. This information is to be used in tandem with proper psychological and medical care when necessary. It is not meant to replace or deny any medical treatment or practice.

Instead, use this course to delve deeper into what these words mean and how they show up in your life.

COMING SOON: Introduction to Shamanic Practices

shamanism online the house of twigs thot shamanism witch

Course Status: Not Started

THIS COURSE IS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND WILL BECOME AVAILABLE SOON!

Shamanism exists in cultures all over the world and the practice has existed for thousands of years. Those who practice Shamanism usually have the following identifiers:

They work in non-ordinary reality or the realm of spirit working with spirit helpers, guides, and allies
They work in altered states of consciousness with helping spirits and allies typically by using rhythmic tools such as drums and rattles
They continue an ongoing relationship with their helping spirits to gain knowledge and healing practices to benefit themselves and their communities

This course will introduce you to the core practices of Shamanism including:

Brief history of Shamanism and recent expansion into Western culture
Introduction to Shamanic Tools and Symbols
Identifying your Shamanic Allies and Helping Spirits (including the Ancestors)
The Shamanic Journey

Included in the cost of tuition for this course:

Access to all course materials on The House of Twigs Learning site
Lesson plans, assignments, and quizzes
Two complete guided Shamanic Journey recordings online
Ongoing email support from instructor

Embodied Witchcraft: Sensual Expression and Soulful Authenticity in Magick

danielle dulsky online witchraft school the house of twigs thot

The Witch’s body is the medium between her personal sovereignty and the cosmic energies integral to her Craft. Her magick is the lived conversation she has with the world about her deepest values, strongest convictions, high-fire desires, unhealed woundings, and non-negotiable boundaries, with all these soul-specific traits churning and writhing under her very skin. To embody the Craft is every Witch’s birthright. Through embodiment, we remedy the body-spirit separation that has plagued many human spiritual systems and robbed us of our sensual holiness. In the reclaiming of sensual expression and bodily autonomy within spellwork and ritual, the Witch honors the Earth, the elements, and her dual rights to feel and hand-shape her world.

This five-lesson, eight week course is self-paced, with the curriculum offering opportunities for embodiment practices to be integrated into an existing practice of the Craft or as a stand-alone introduction to living cyclically, ritual, and spell-craft. Each lesson is structured in the following format:

• New Moon Rising
This is the description of new content, introductory questions and points for consideration, and opportunities for initial exploration.
• Full Moon Transmutation
This is the recommended ritual, spellcraft, and/or creative work. Here, you, as the student, develop your own living practice of the content offered.
• Dark Moon Setting
In the final stage of every lesson, the student is offered multiple opportunities for meaningful integration of the content into her own practice; these include journaling, pathworking, and daily ritual.

Lesson 1: The Witch’s Body
This introductory lesson describes the spiral dance of time, the way the seasons are lived within the body, and the interconnectivity between the aspects of the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone) and the Wheel of the Year.

Lesson 2: Cauldrons ‘Neath the Skin
In lesson two, we work with the energetic cauldrons of the body, dialoguing with these power-centers and framing them as integral aspects of soul where our ancestral inheritance is contained and made available to us.

Lesson 3: Body-Prayer in Spell-Craft
The third lesson highlights multiple forms of practical, embodied magick for banishing, protection, healing, and manifestation. This is a lesson in movement alchemy and living, breathing ritual.

Lesson 4: Toward a More Soulful Ritual
In lesson four, we work with the concept of “soul,” or that which is most unique about this incarnation you find yourself in. You will develop your own 21-day embodied ritual practice, and you will become a living expression of your magick. We work with all six senses in this lesson, and recipes for smoke-baths, ritual sippers, and other multi-sensory ingredients are offered in addition to visualizations and early psychic development practices.

Lesson 5: These Bone-Deep Tattoos
The final lesson asks you to explore and connect your deepest values to your Craft. What kind of world do you hope the children of the future will live in? How does your magick reflect this more just world? Here, you will design a short but concise “In My Skin” vision statement to guide you forward on your path toward a living Craft.

Mastering The Natal Chart – The Hermes-Thoth Guide To Stellar Interpretation

astrology charting the house pf twigs thot online witch school course class

know thyself

Astrology is an ancient art. Each living thing is possessed of a unique astrological portrait based on the time and place in which it was born. Upon taking their first breath, all creatures are imprinted with the force of their natal astrology, which they carry with them for the rest of their lives, like cosmic embroidery hovering over our shoulders.

Your natal chart is a map of the heavens at the time of your birth. Engaging the natal chart is both an exercise in self-knowledge as well as a practice of esoteric study. Placing the human within the context of the cosmos connects us to the larger picture; finding the cosmos within the human guides us to higher connection to the self, to others, and to nature, the origin of all life.

Within us sparkles the light of possibility. Our natal astrology predisposes us to certain behaviors, preferences, ways of seeing. Our hates, loves, gifts, and shadows, are all expressed in the natal chart.

This course establishes the basics of natal chart interpretation. Like learning a language, students of astrology must establish basic rules and grammars, and connect with foundational astrological principles before they dig in to their own chart. I provide the building blocks of this study, guiding students into the natal chart, breaking down the weight of the planets, the archetypal power of the signs, and the import of astrological houses and aspects.

Encouraging students to form a fluid relationship to their own astrology, this course culminates in an exercise of ekphrastic writing, where students create a poetic depiction of their chart.

The study of any occult art form is a lifelong engagement. With this course, I set curious seekers on the proper path to having a solid, thorough foundation from which to build their astrological perception.

All students will receive a 10% discount on any readings from Eighth House Astrology, Christina’s Natal Chart Reading service.

This course comes with Astrological Lexicon: A Reference Guide of Vocabulary for Astrological Interpretation, a guidebook that contains all important information, as well as a writing exercise.

Students will have the option to purchase Personal Planets: A Guide to the Inner Planets and Your Inner Psyche, which contains descriptions of all personal planet placements. This provides explanations of the signs in each of the personal planets, a key component to building a relationship to your own chart.

Office Hours will be held weekly so that students can connect with the instructor with any questions or for further support.