Psychology & Magick

Applying Psychology to Leadership and Teaching the Magickal Community

10-lesson monthly class, online via Zoom, begins November 2022
$250 class fee • Psychology & Magick online application form

“Granny Weatherwax had never heard of psychiatry and would have had no truck with it even if she had. There are some arts too black even for a witch. She practiced headology—practiced, in fact, until she was very good at it. And though there may be some superficial similarities between a psychiatrist and a headologist, there is a huge practical difference.” – Maskerade by Terry Pratchett, 1998

Although most teachers and leaders do not have a psychology degree when they teach in the Magickal Community, having a basic understanding of some dynamics that might come out of the teacher-student relationship can be helpful when working with others. Join Christopher Penczak and Debbie Stellhorn discuss psychology and Magick and how the two intersect when working with others.

In this class we will look at basic psychological principles such as: avoidance, transference, codependence, defense mechanisms, and boundaries along with how to and how not to respond.  You will learn active listening techniques and how to use a trauma-informed perspective in your interactions with others. We will cover some red flags for potential personality disorders, OCD, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder and how to refer out for assistance, as well as situations you might face yourself with obsession and stalking.  In addition, you will be presented with Magickal techniques to set up your classroom and to address problem situations.  Time will be available at the end of each class to ask questions and present your own scenarios that need resolution.

Debbie Stellhorn is a High Priestess, Ordained Minister of the Temple of Witchcraft. She graduated with her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in 1997 and has taught psychology at the college and university level since 1999.  Debbie has worked in a social service agency with victims of domestic abuse and their children since 1995 as a clinician, supervisor, and grant writer.

Christopher Penczak is an author, healer, High Priest, and co-founder of the Temple of Witchcraft. He has been teaching in the Magickal community for over twenty-five years and has a wealth of first-hand experience in working with students as well as the challenges of being a community leader.

3 CEUs for Temple of Witchcraft ministers.

Please use the Psychology & Magick Online Application form to apply.

November 10, 2022 • Class One: What is psychology and how is it useful when you are a community leader or teacher?

• The Art and Science of Psychology
  • Magickal Thinking vs. Magical Thinking (As Defined in Psychology)
• The application process and student acceptance
  • Magickal experience presenting as mental illness and mental illness expressing as magickal experience
• Putting Guidelines in Writing
• Magickly preparing your classroom
• Setting the tone
• Trauma Informed Perspective
• Responsibility verses unrealistic expectations

December 1, 2022 • Class Two: The Baggage We Carry and the Quest to Transform, part I

• Theories of Personality as applied to Magickal training
• Defense Mechanisms in the mundane and Magick
• Unmet needs from child and adolescent development
• Transference and co-dependency
• Confrontation with Taboo
  • Student Seeks to Get Over Fear
  • Student is Enchanted by the Dark/Macabre/Power Over Others

January 12, 2023 • Class Three: The Baggage We Carry and the Quest to Transform, part II

• Psychology and the Four Elements
  • Jung and the Elements
  • Alchemical Imagery in Transformation and Healing
    • Seven Basic Stages of Alchemical Process
  • Gender and Sexuality in Alchemy
  • Kings, Queens and the Rebis
• Psychology and Astrology
  • Using the Chart for Basic Understanding of Patterns (For Non Astrologers)
  • The Big Three: Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign
  • Looking at current Moon Sign, Major Aspects, and Major Transits for Triggers

February 16, 2023 • Class Four: Basic Skills for the Teacher or Leader

• Active Listening
• Dual roles
• Different learning styles and ideas for Magickal instruction
• When to allow for adaptation of assignments
• How to teach about something you haven’t experienced
• Decoding symbols in active meditations and shamanic journey
  • Using classical symbols
  • Encouraging students to find their personal meanings

March 9, 2023 • Class Five: Group Dynamics and Conflict

• When it isn’t a good match
• Power Struggles
• Oppositional Defiance
• Boundaries
• Passive-aggressive behavior
• Conflict, disruption, and disrespect
• Group dynamics
• Magickal Egregores, Initiatory Currents and Group Minds
  • Familial ties vs. esoteric sorority/fraternity
• Pathological “Nodes” within the Group Mind
  • Esoteric Cliques
  • How they form
    • Bonding Over Similar Background/Style/Ideas/Subculture
    • Trauma Bonding Over Perceived Enemy in Class

April 13, 2023 • Class Six: States of Consciousness

• Dreaming and dream image interpretation
• Hypnagogic Hallucinations
• Hypnotism
• The Immortal Psychic Vampire
• Shadow People

May 25, 2023 • Class Seven: Common Psychological Problems that Impact Teaching

• Cognitive Dissonance
• Cognitive Distortions
• Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder)

June 22, 2023 • Class Eight: Serious Issues and How to Refer for Help

• Personality Disorders
• OCD
• Dangerous situations (obsession, stalking)
• Personal problems and referrals (DV, abusive situations, homelessness)
• Difference of Services
  • Teaching
  • Reading/Divination
  • Consultation
  • Pastoral Care
• When Students Demand Too Much
  • Use of money to bribe a teacher
  • Lack of compensation for services beyond your agreement

July 13, 2023 • Class Nine: Healing inside and outside of the Magickal experience

• Types of therapy
• Door handle disclosures
• Attempts at substitution of Magickal solutions for psychological problems
• Art Therapy – Making Mandalas and Reality Maps as Healing
• Flower Essences
• Gem Therapy
• Shamanic Healing

August 17, 2023 • Class Ten: Psychology of Initiation

• Reordering of Perceptions of Reality by going through Magickal Training
• Destabilizes Personality and Life
  • Chance of Becoming Someone New
  • Can Happen Slowly and Can Happen Quickly – Either Needs Stabilization
• Basic Formula of Initiation
  • Separation – Transformation- Return
  • Common Themes found in The Heroes’ Journey
• The Shadow Confrontation
  • Access to Opposite Points in the Myers Brigs Scale
• Healthy Bonding in Initiatory Group
• Unhealthy Behaviors of Initiatory Groups
  • Cult Warning Signs
    • Excessive Secrets
    • Accepted Abusive Behavior