The Speakers
Meet our speakers for
tac 2023
Rev. Ellen Bourn
Medium, Psychic, Master Astrologer, Homeopath
Reverend Ellen Bourn’s expertise is world-renowned. Discovering her Gifts as a child, she has spent her life expanding and honing them. She is the former President of Lily Dale and founded the “Light of Truth Church” in Buffalo, NY. She’s also an R.N., Medium, Kabbalist, Tarot expert, Reiki Master and Homeopath, providing healing insights and touching lives all over the world.
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Kabbalah, Karma and Astrology
The Kabbalistic Tree of Life, along with your natal chart, offer clues to your Soul's path. Rev. Ellen will offer a deeper understanding of how to place certain planets in your natal chart on the Tree of Life.
Which are the more karmatic planets? How does their relationship indicate a possible glitch that you need to overcome in your life?Untangling these threads can help you understand more about how to create harmony, set personal boundaries, and welcome more joy into your life.
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Inspiration Stump Readings
Join Rev. Ellen Bourn for her annual "Messages at the Stump" presentation. Messages have been offered at the Stump by numerous mediums throughout the world since 1898. Lily Dale considers the Inspiration Stump to be a sacred sanctuary. It's location is in the center of a virgin forest. The vibrations and energy in this location easily lend itself to a strong presence from Spirit.
William
Stickevers
Master Astrologer
With a broad scope of political, economic, psychological, spiritual, and metaphysical knowledge, William Stickevers systematically explores possibilities about the future and how they can emerge by weaving current secular trends, geopolitical factors, and mundane astrological portents. As a counseling astrologer, he has expertise in various forms of astrology, including psychological, Horary, Electional, Medieval, and Renaissance astrology, as well as AstroCartoGraphy and astrological magick.
Since 2002, William has created authentic astrological talismans based on the Picatrix grimoire and the work of Agrippa, and his talisman coaching programs have helped clients around the world to live more empowered and authentic lives. In addition to being a well-known guest on various radio shows, including Coast to Coast AM with George Noory and The Jerry Wills Show, he has given lectures at numerous astrology conferences and events internationally, including the NCGR, AFA, Astrological Society of Connecticut, the United Astrology Conference, the New York Open Center, Funai Media, and in Canada, Germany, Romania, and Japan. Information on William’s consultations, webinars, programs, and memberships can be found at williamstickevers.com
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Pre-Conference Workshop:
Empowering Your Life with Astrological Magick and Daily Ritual
Astrological magick refers to a form of magic that was practiced during the Renaissance period, particularly in Europe, and was heavily influenced by the teachings of Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, and astrology. It was a time when scholars and philosophers were studying ancient texts and exploring the relationship between the physical world and the heavens.
In astrological magick, practitioners believed that the movements and positions of the planets had a direct influence on the natural world and human affairs. They used this knowledge to create magical rituals and spells that were designed to harness the energies of the planets and stars to achieve specific outcomes.
In this workshop, you will learn about astrology and how it relates to magic, the meanings and energies of the planets and zodiac signs, astrological talismans and sigils, the use of planetary hours and days in magical workings, the use of astrology in divination and spellcasting, and the creation and use of astrological candles, incense, and oils. We will end the workshop with an astrological magick group ritual.
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The Global Financial and Economic Impact of Pluto In Aquarius And What You Can Do To Protect And Grow Your Wealth
Pluto in Aquarius is a period that astrologers associate with transformative changes in the realms of technology, innovation, and social progress. This transit will last from 2023 to 2044, and as such, it is expected to have significant impacts on the global financial and economic landscape. In this lecture we will discuss some strategies to protect and grow your wealth during this time.
Dawn Silver
Astrologer, Naprapath, Crystal Healer, Herbalist
Dawn Silver is the author of Jewels of the Lotus and Tibetan Gemstone Oracle, recipient of the Visionary Arts Award, & Healing Earth Resources founder.
She is a Naprapath, Astrologer, Herbalist, Crystal Healer and Aromatherapist. She has lectured internationally on Crystal Healing, Astrology, Holistic Nutrition and Consciousness for SpiritHeart cruises, IANDS, Lightworkers, Golden Pyramid, Global Consciousness, SOTA, NCGR and TAG.
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Illuminating the Gifts of Perception from your Chart
Are your naturally leanings philosophically-based, psychic impressions including channeling, mediumship and dreams, intuitive flashes or time-tested sage wisdom? Using planets, signs & houses, midpoints, fixed stars, asteroids, trans-Neptunian points, and the upcoming transits of the outer planets will show you how you roll! Bring your chart!
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Excavating Your Birth Chart’s Reincarnation Story
"The soul is the unit of evolution; the personality is the unit of incarnation." - Isabel Hickey
Astrology reveals rich metaphorical themes using the twelfth house planets and rulers, nodes, midpoints, degrees, asteroids, moon memory, conception point & more to understand past lives of relevance. This lecture will be a hands-on journey to excavate some past planetary dirt!
PAM GALLAGHER
Master Astrologer, Interfaith Minister
Pam has over 40 years of experience practicing, studying and teaching astrology and is an interfaith minister. She opened and directs the Midwest School of Astrology where she is well-loved as a teacher. She sits on the board of the Avalon School of Astrology and has lectured at the Kepler Institute in Belgrade, Serbia.
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"Hot Spots": Are We Looking at the Fulcrum of Change into the New Age?
We will look at the outer planet indicators and critical aspects between them in current time. Also, big cycles and cycle shifts – going back in time!
What are the critical degrees in the zodiac?
What do eclipse patterns tell us and do they activate for timing in the world and in your chart?
What is Pluto’s impact on the big picture and on your chart?
How do outer planet midpoints show up in the BIG change?
Most importantly, where do the “hot spots” show up in your chart? How are you responding to the New Vibrational “Call”?
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Post-Conference Workshop:
Using Progressions to Discern Your Soul's Growth Patterns
How do progressions work? Let’s look at your starting quadrant that has the most planets. Which is strongest at birth?
Where are you in your growth cycle? Which progression method should you use? What are you looking for?
We will start with profections (the oldest method) with a handout. Next, we will look at secondary or day-for-a year progressions (your most personal indicator). We will then work with the Solar Arc Direction chart for your current age.
Bring your natal chart and progressed chart with you. We will have a computer available if you do not know these.
Michael Barwick
Professional Astrologer
Michael Barwick is a professional astrologer with 30+ years of experience in the field. He maintains a practice centered in Toronto, Canada, is an international speaker, and teaches astrology. Personally, and professionally, Michael sees astrology as a powerful tool for self-understanding, empowerment, and authentic living. Using both modern and classical techniques, Michael provides astrological services to empower clients to make more creative and conscious choices.
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Celestial Superpowers: Transforming Fixed Stars in Natal Astrology
Fixed stars once played a major role in astrology. Despite astrology literally meaning "study of the stars"; today, many astrologers view the fixed stars as add-ons or dismiss their significance altogether.
Psychological astrology is largely mute regarding their influence. Even some traditional astrologers have asserted they have no meaning in natal astrology. In this talk, Michael explores theoretical approaches to integrating the fixed stars from a psychological and spiritual perspective and presents illustrative
examples.
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Amplifying Astrology with Alchemy: The Starry Path to Gold from
Lead
While contemporary mainstream thinking relegates them to merely precursors to the so-called superior modern chemistry and astronomy, astrology and alchemy traditionally were complementary disciplines that shared a paradigm in which matter, and consciousness, are unified. For alchemists, knowledge of astrology was vital for identifying the moments when key alchemical operations could be performed.
Join Michael as he discusses the connections between astrology and alchemy to better understand and manage heavier natal and predictive considerations.
SUZY WOO
International Healer, Astrologer, Psychic Medium, Sound Healing Practitioner
Suzy Woo is an international healer, astrologer, psychic medium and sound healing practitioner with a private practice in Orchard Park, NY. She brings her enthusiastic energy around the world with her signature demonstrations, workshops, classes and retreats.
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Plugging into the Planets, Quantumly
In this lively, experiential workshop, you will learn about the quantum qualities, and then experience that quality of a planet as a wave and a particle. Receive quantum planetary “language” and quantum healing from the planets in real time. It is amazing that you will be able to differentiate each one, in your mind’s eye, and palpably in your body. Presentation concludes with a full-on planetary immersion: all the planets will “play their frequencies” simultaneously; and you will receive deep quantum clearing and high-level quantum understanding directly from the planets themselves! A workshop you will NEVER forget.
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Elementally Speaking
Why would a person not at all relate to their sign? You’re out of your element! In this introductory class, we will learn how to understand a chart using the elements. Elements can clash, or complement one another. Find out through a fun, simple survey, your strongest and least strong element. We then will go through all 12 signs by element to reveal the "high road" expression, the "low road" expression, and things to bring into your life to help bring your elements into balance, to create harmony, success and happiness in your life!
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DIANE TRIMBATH
Astrologer, Lecturer,
Graphic Design Professional
Diane is a professional Astrologer in Cleveland, Ohio and holds a Level IV Certification through the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR).
She has been teaching 3 online programs since 2017: ‘An Astrological Look Ahead Monthly Series’ through the IAA International Academy of Astrology, Planetary Highlights, offered through Lake County Astrological Association
(LCAA), and Star Notes, offered through J&J Productions/Chakras Root to Crown.
Diane has been an invited speaker for LCAA, GLAC (Great Lakes Astrology Conference), NCGR, OPA and TAG (The Astrology Gathering) astrological events. She has published articles in NCGR Syzygy Research Journal 2022 and OPA ‘The
Evolving Astrologer’ in 2022-23. She is President of LCAA Board in Willoughby Hills, OH.
Diane holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Kent State University, and is founder and Creative Director of her Marketing Communications Firm in Cleveland, Ohio since 1989. Diane can be reached at 216-401-9601 or diane@dematrix.net
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Heliocentric Planetary Nodes
The significance of the heliocentric planetary nodes are very important in mundane astrology, strongly influencing critical world events. People who influence the collective have planets and points on these powerful planetary nodes in their birth charts too. Learn of the strength and interpretation of these key degrees that contain the essence of the planetary archetypes themselves. Find out how they express through people and events that are shaping our world at large. Are you one of them?
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2024-2026: The Great Initiation
After 5 years of turbulent changes for all, a great collective awakening is in store as the North American Solar Eclipses and Great Conjunctions set the stage for a new agenda. In addition, Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon’s Nodes
are all shifting signs! Major change, exciting innovations in consciousness, vision, technology and communications lie ahead. 2024-2026 holds the promise for a completely new understanding of who we are and what we can create.
Madalyn Hillis-
Dineen
Astrologer, Lecturer, Teacher
Biography: Madalyn Hillis-Dineen began her study of astrology with the Uranian system in 1979 and has taught, lectured and practiced Uranian (Symmetrical Astrology) techniques for more than 30 years; she is also a certified Astro*Carto*Graphy interpreter and is a CA NCGR-PAA. She has written for a variety of publications, StarIQ.com, and is a contributor to the Llewellyn anthology, "Astrology for Women: Roles and Relationships." In 1994 Madalyn joined Astrolabe Software and is their Vice President of Sales and Marketing. An active leader in the astrological community, Madalyn is the winner of the 1995 UAC Regulus Award for Community Service, was the national Chair of NCGR from 2005-2011, and was one of the coordinators of UACs 2008 and 2012.
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Symmetrical Forecasting Tools
Whether you want to determine the general trends for a year or focus in on daily transits, the tools of Symmetrical Astrology will add a powerful component to your astrological work. These include solar arc and transits on the 90 degree dial, graphic ephemerides, solstice charts, paran clocks, the Prime Meridian of the Year and the Prime Meridian of the Day.
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Astro*Carto*Graphy Basics
This lecture explores the basic principles of astro*carto*graphy: planet angularity and crossings. We'll look at the meanings of the planets as well as explore some interesting and mind-blowing a*c*g examples.
CASSANDRA JOAN BUTLER
Medium, Astrology Practitioner, Massage Therapist
Cassandra Joan Butler, MS, LMT is a medium and noted practitioner of astrology, spiritual development and massage. She has lectured at UAC, SOTA, the Kepler Conference, and Lily Dale Assembly. She blends astrology with a healing ministry. She is the president of the NCGR Buffalo NY Chapter and writes for the Cosmic Intelligence Agency’ an international astrology website.
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Luncheon Lecture:
The Saturn Shift in Pisces Grounding our Spirituality
How do you ground something as amorphis as belief? If any planet can accomplish this seemingly impossible task, it's the task-master Saturn. During this workshop Cassandra Joan Butler will do a review of the Saturn cycles historically as a tool of prediction for the next two years as Saturn transits Pisces. Why do you believe what you believe? Saturn may shake each of us to the core. We could also see a serious shift to recognizing spirituality as a serious topic deserving of scholarly scrutiny.
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Saturn and Depression : The Alchemical Process of Self-Individualization
The alchemists recognized Saturn as lead, and the element which leads us to self-transformation and true wisdom. Using motifs and images from Jungian psychology and ancient alchemy Cassandra Joan Butler will offer ways to turn our depressions ( lead) into gold ( happiness.) She will also draw upon her personal experience working in mental health as a social worker. The predictable Saturn cycles of our lives will be discussed so we can use the tool of the `old malific' to our ultimate advantage.
Franco Minatel
Astrologer, Mechanical Engineer, Musician, Omnimancer, Energy Worker
Franco is a Renaissance Man: Astrologer, mechanical engineer, musician, a runner, omnimancer, and energy worker. He has spoken at various Astrology conferences in North America, Italy and India. He has been published in various publications including the Mountain Astrologer, Dell Horoscope and the Well Being Journal. He is the co-director of Alphee Lavoie’s Astrological Investigators.
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Birthtime Rectification Techniques
A client gives you a birth time, and you give them a reading based on that birth time. This is fine if you are doing a character assessment, but the Ascendant can change one degree every four minutes. That could throw your predictive timing off by one year. After working with Alphee Lavoie, I now rectify clients’ charts prior to reading them to provide a more accurate reading. We will go through the techniques and emphasize the importance of rectifying charts.
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Changing Landscapes
As the director of the Astro Investigators, Franco has looked into earthquakes in Turkey and Japan. What are some of the astrological signatures that indicate there could be an earthquake? Join Franco on this exploratory journey on shaky ground using the astrological lens!
VICTORIA SMOOT
Astrologer, Teacher, Writer
Victoria F. Smoot has practiced astrology since the early 1970s along with teaching, writing, design, and editing ISAR’s journal, The International Astrologer. In 2010 she joined ISAR and became an ISAR CAP. Now she is a Consulting Skills trainer, Competency Exam proctor, and Vice-President of certifying organization CAPISAR, for ISAR.
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Life in Retrograde
It’s interesting that the term “Mercury retrograde” has worked itself into the Western lexicon. We all seem to joke and use it in good humor (and as a convenient excuse) at times when communications appear to go astray or gadgets malfunction. I would like to review this term from an astrological view and see how you can use retrograde periods to your advantage.
RICHARD SMOOT
Astrologer, ISAR Operations Manager, Instructor
A professional astrologer for over 50 years, Richard Smoot, has provided direct services and research tools to astrologers and organizations. Richard’s aim is to guide astrologers to their highest professional level through education, publishing, and training. Richard is the recipient of the UAC 2018 Regulus Award for Community Service.
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Luncheon Lecture:
I’ve Got a Feeling: First Impressions in Horoscope Judgment
Transformation of ourselves as astrologers ends with our ability to combine our knowledge to do a
consultation. Who is your client? Before your in-depth chart analysis, first impression judgments of the
horoscope can provide the answers you need to gain a firm understanding of your client’s personal style.
This lecture provides basic tools an astrologer can use to become a quick judge of a horoscope and to the
person it belongs to.
Gregg Unterberger
Professional Counselor, Therapist, Author
Gregg Unterberger, M.Ed. is a licensed professional counselor and certified past-life regression therapist who trained directly under Dr. Brian Weiss, author of the international bestseller, Many Lives Many Masters. Gregg's case studies are featured in Dr. Weiss's latest book Miracles Happen. Unterberger is the co-founder of the new online Soul Empowerment Community, an international presenter for Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) and is the author of The Quickening: Leaping Ahead on Your Spiritual Journey.
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Past Lives, Future Lives, and the Afterlife
Only one life to live? Maybe not! One third of Americans believe in reincarnation. Past life regression therapist Gregg Unterberger has regressed thousands of people to past lives, future lives, and even the life between lives! In this fascinating presentation, he will share:
· A "map" of the afterlife based on the experiences of psychics, mediums, and near-death experiencers
· Incredible stories of past life memories
· Some of the 99 cases of Near-Death Experiences that may "prove" that the afterlife really exists
· A dramatic audio recording of someone having a near-death experience and describing it in real time!
This captivating presentation may have you rethinking everything you think you know about the afterlife!
Colleen
VanDerZyden
Medium, Life Coach, Spiritual Teacher
Colleen Vanderzyden’s specialty is personal and spiritual transformation. She is a Lily Dale registered medium, certified intuitive life coach, spiritual teacher, and professional violinist. She’s the host of the Lily Dale radio show “Embracing your Essence,” Tuesdays at 8pm. A co-founder of the online Soul Empowerment Community, she is also the author of Courageously You: Magical Mind Games to Get Unstuck and Reignite Your Joy.
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Soul Empowerment
Does it feel like there should be more to life? Perhaps you’re stuck in uncertainty, questioning who you are or longing to know your unique purpose.
It’s time to experience the freedom and joy that comes from living in the authenticity of your Soul’s light. In this uplifting presentation, you will:
· Discover the shockingly common blocks that obscure your soul’s radiant light
· Get greater clarity on your special purpose and who you really are at the soul level
· Explore ways to reclaim and recharge your light, building resilience for the future
You’ll be empowered to create the joyful, meaningful life you want and deserve!
Aerin Fogel
Astrologer, Core Pattern Reader, Tarot Practicioner
Aerin Fogel is a Toronto-based core pattern reader, astrologer, and tarot reader. She has been practicing professionally with clients since 2012 through one on one readings, lectures, and workshops. Aerin has spoken for Kepler College, Canadian Astrology Conference, ConVocation, and Astrology Toronto, has had several appearances on The Astrology Podcast, and has written for The Mountain Astrologer. Aerin was also the occult consultant on The Craft: Legacy. She strives to work from an integrated, trauma-informed perspective, centring the uniqueness and gifts of all individuals. In addition to her esoteric work she plays in her band Queen Of Swords, and was the founder and long-time Artistic Director for Toronto's Venus Fest.
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Intergenerational Healing through Astrology
In this lecture I will introduce my practice of using astrology as a tool for intergenerational healing. We will explore themes around epigenetics, trauma, intergenerational connection, and more, and use the Greek and Roman astrological myths as a foundation for intergenerational theory. We will have a look at some significant mundane astrology cycles that have led to great challenges and progress between generations, and provide a foundation from which participants can begin to work with these themes in their own charts and lives.
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Mercury the Psychopomp
In mythology, Mercury governs the liminal spaces between worlds. Come learn about the brilliant 'psychopomp,' the guide between realms, traveling the road between the living and the underworld. We will explore Mercury's significance in myth, its astrological meaning and traits, and as a guide for important transitions and journeys in our lives. We will also discuss Mercury retrograde phases as a tool that can be used, and what it means to act as a psychopomp in the world.
