Aerik Arkadian

This week, I’m starting a very special community spotlight series.

“What? A spotlight series?” I’m sure you’re asking that very question right now. Yes, that’s what I said. A spotlight series. It’s very special because it will feature the Summer Magick Fest 2024 headliners. As we go through the next few weeks, you’ll get a more up-close look at these talented presenters, what they’ll be teaching, and how you can find out more information. Among them, you will find:

• Ivo Dominguez, Jr.
• Iya Funlayo E. Wood, PhD
• Ellen Evert Hopman
• Yeshe Matthews
• Sandra Tabatha Cicero & Chic Cicero
• Ginger Doss & Lynda Millard

And of course, I’ll also be chatting with the wonderful women who organize the festival! If you haven’t already gotten your ticket(s) for SMF 2024, they’re on sale now. Maybe you’re on the fence about attending… in which case, hopefully this series will help convince you. And if you just need one extra final push, have I mentioned I’ll be presenting a workshop, too?

Alright, let’s find out more about these headliners. First up, Ellen Evert Hopman!

Ellen Evert Hopman

Ellen Evert Hopman is the author of many books of Herbalism and Celtic lore, including the forthcoming Celtic Druidry: Rituals, Techniques, and Magical Practices (2024).  As a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990, she is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and has presented on Druidism, herbal lore, tree lore, Paganism and magic at conferences, festivals, and events in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. Ellen has participated in numerous radio and television programs including National Public Radio’s “Vox Pop” and was featured in a documentary about Druids on A & E Television. Ellen is a lay Homeopath who holds an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. She is the former Archdruid and founder of Tribe of the Oak Grove, a Celtic Reconstructionist Druid Grove that seeks to preserve and pass on the traditional ways of the ancient Celts.  Vice President of The Henge of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years, Ellen and has been at times a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF).

Learn more about her at https://elleneverthopman.com/

You know how this goes, right? I send people questions, they send me back answers, you read them, everyone learns something, etc etc. Here we go…

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Q&A

What’s the quick story of who you are, what tradition(s) you’re a part of, and how you got started on your spiritual path?

I have been a Druid for 40 years now. I was one of the first members of ADF, in 1983, then I co-founded The Henge of Keltria in 1986 and served as Vice President for nine years. I founded the White Oak Yahoo group in 1996 and then co- founded The Order of White Oak and was co-Chief there from 1999 to 2014. When White Oak dissolved in 2014, I went on to found my own Druid Order, Tribe of the Oak (Tuatha na Dara – www.tribeoftheoak.org) where I was Archdruid until a few months ago. I happily handed over the leadership to a new Archdruid which I consider a great accomplishment!

(Tribe of the Oak is a Druid school for those who are interested in studying towards initiation. We have a mostly Irish focus. Feel free to contact us through the website.)

As far as how I got started…I have been a mystic since the age of 4, a story that’s way too long to tell here! Smile.

Are there any resources (including your own works) you would recommend so that people can be more prepared for your workshop?

You don’t need to prepare for the classes, but I do invite you to see all my books at www.elleneverthopman.com. The books are also available on Amazon and the other usual places. Those with a special interest in Druidism can visit our public Facebook group at Tribe of the Oak Druids Public Forum.

What’s your most memorable experience at a festival?

I enjoy meeting fellow Druids and Pagans from other parts of the world, and making new connections.

After that I studied exclusively with Native American elders for five years. I still do fasts and sweat lodge ceremonies on occasion. I lived in a Franciscan Community in Assisi, Italy for a while. All that was before I became a Druid. After all that exploration the Druid path was the one that stuck.

Aside from your own, what workshop are you most looking forward to attending at Summer Magick?

The class on Weather Magic looks very interesting! I think that’s something we can all use.

What’s the best place for people to find out more about you?

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

I am looking forward to the festival and hope to meet some of you for lunch or dinner – so we can have good discussions!

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More about Summer Magick Fest 2024

Summer Magick Festival is an earth-based spirituality convention with workshops, celebration, and community in a comfortable hotel setting. Headliners, rituals, and musical entertainment have been chosen to encourage tolerance between the many different earth-based faiths and foster planetary stewardship. It’s a family-friendly event with programming for young ones as well as close proximity to all the wonders of the Orlando theme parks. Join us for a new kind of Florida festival!

What is it actually like to attend? If you want to find out, you can read all about last year’s festival in my Summer Magick Fest 2023 Recap.

I sincerely hope you’ll join us. It’s going to be a lot of fun!