These Sacred Objects:
Giving Life and Meaning to Everyday Things
A writing workshop exploring the meaning and importance we give things, and how consecrating those objects change, heal, and empower us. Bring your Sacred Objects to class (if you can, or photos).
Sunday, October 26: 2pm-3:30pm
$40
As humans, we can’t help but collect objects as we go through life. Perhaps we are given something from a family member or friend. Maybe we find something at a turning point in our lives. Perhaps it is a stone, a feather, a scarf, a ring, a painting, a photo. The significance and power of an object grows over time, and can say a lot about our spiritual lives, our relationships, and what is important to us. The sacredness that we impart to objects in our lives — this consecrating of objects–is part of the map of our spiritual journey. This workshop will explore your spiritual journey through sacred objects.
Participants will bring 3-7 objects that have spiritual significance or deep resonance for them and will use them to write about their lives. This can be a deeply satisfying workshop for those who want to explore themselves, and others, through sacred objects and through writing. You will learn more about your spiritual journey through sacred objects, and the journeys of others.
We recognize that the idea of Sacred Objects and Spiritual Journeys are not reserved for one spiritual practice, or even for any faith at all. An object can have deep importance and significance outside of any religious affiliation. Resonance with an object can happen between you and the object alone. Let’s talk about that too.
As with any of my classes, it’s important that participants have a healthy respect for other people’s faiths and spiritual practices and we ask that you also have an inclusive mindset for people of different beliefs, ages, race and cultural backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, abilities, and experiences, and any other distinguishing factors.
Class will be held in-person at the Sacred Owl and Salt Room in Knoxville, TN.
(Class size cap 10)
If you would like to join us, email me at jeromestueart@gmail.com.
Writing the Spiritual Journey: Sacred Objects (a writing workshop)
This 3 hour in-person writing workshop will use writing prompts and exercises to help you explore the significance and meaning behind the sacred objects in your life–not only where they come from, or who they come from, but also the deeper meaning they still hold for you, the meanings you give to them. You might share stories about how you came by them, or how they gained meaning over time. Participants should bring their own sacred objects to work with.
$40.00
Writing the Spiritual Journey: The Complete Series
10 Workshops starting November 1 Session 1: The Quest—Where are you going? What do you want? What are your goals? Session 2: The Hearth—Exploring our spiritual past to understand our now Session 3: The Pilgrimage: Sacred Places or making places sacred. The Divinity of Place. Session 4: The Guides—Who do we model ourselves after? Who are our guides? Session 5: The Light We Carry—what spiritual practices have given us hope Session 6: The Woods—Finding our Path Again When All Seems Dark and Doubtful Session 7: The Altar—Moments of Sacrifice that Propelled us Forward/ How we get Guidance Session 8: The Company—Groups, wanted and unwanted companions along the way Session 9: The Twists in the Path—Turning Points, Flashpoints of revelation, guideposts Session 10: The Map—putting the Spiritual Journey together for yourself and others to follow (limited to only those who have come to 5 or more sessions) RSVP by emailing Jerome at bigbeartarot@gmail.com Special Pricing 9/26-10/19 Save $100 by prepaying for all 10 sessions. $300 *$40 per sessions
$300.00
Jerome Stueart (2007 Clarion Workshop) is a queer illustrator, writer, and professional tarot reader. His PhD in English (Texas Tech U) with specialties in Creative Writing, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Spiritual Memoir put him forever in debt, but has allowed him to live and work as a teacher part-time for more than 25 years, running writing workshops in academia and through city programming, in schools, in churches and online. His writing has appeared in a number of magazines and journals including Geist, Lightspeed, Fantasy & Science Fiction, and he has edited three anthologies and two academic books. He was a finalist for a 2020 World Fantasy Award in Short Fiction. Both American and Canadian (Yukon), he lives now in Knoxville, TN.
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