Statue of Hades and Kerberos at the Plutonium in Hierapolis (Pamukkale/Denizli, Türkiye).
Image credit: Unma Desai via Unsplash.
You're invited to participate in a guided Hades book study with Jamie Waggoner, author of Hades: Myth, Magic and Modern Devotion. During a series of live Zoom sessions, Jamie will break her book down chapter-by-chapter, guiding you through the material and exercises, while also sharing behind-the-scenes insights from her personal practice and experiences while writing the book.
During these sessions, breakout groups give you a chance to chat in small groups with other participants, and are offered alongside engaging participatory activities and plenty of Q&A time with Jamie. Participants will also be invited to join an optional Signal text thread to facilitate ongoing discussion and group comradery between meetings.
Live Zoom sessions are every other Wednesday, from 6pm to 8pm, central time. Sessions are recorded and participants will have access to download the recordings. Here’s a brief overview of our curriculum:
August 6 - Introductions and Chapter One: The Unseen One
Who is Hades? His origins, realm, and responsibilities.
Symbols: Helm of Invisibility
Flora and fauna: Bay Laurel, Hellebore, and Black Ram
August 20 - Chapter Two: Host of Many
Mapping the Underworld of ancient Greek mythology
Symbols: Key to the Realm
Flora and fauna: Mint, White Poplar, and Hades’ Cattle Herd
September 3 - Chapter Three: Notorious
The Myth of Hades and Persephone – Hades as Consort
Symbols: Golden Chariot and Black Horses
Flora and fauna: Narcissus, Pomegranate, and Screech Owl
September 17 - Chapter Four: Good Counsel
The Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice – Hades as Counselor
Symbols: The Single Tear
Flora and fauna: Cypress, Dittany of Crete, and Bat
October 1 - Chapter Five: The Unbreakable
Hades the Unyielding – except when Herakles hits him with an arrow!
Symbols: The Bident
Flora and fauna: Aconite, Adamant, and Kerberos
October 15 - Introductions and Chapter Six: The Harrowing Journey
Katabasis: best practices for journeying to and from the Underworld
Symbols: The Meandros
Flora and fauna: Mistletoe, Rue, and Cakes for Kerberos
October 29 - Chapter Seven: Shadow and Desire
How Hades can help with shadow work and living our desires
Symbols: The Soul Fire
Flora and fauna: Datura, Fig, and Scorpion
November 12 - Chapter Eight: The Good Death
What is a good death? How do we ensure it for ourselves and others?
Symbols: The Lekythos
Flora and fauna: Rosemary, Quince, Snakes, and the Ouroboros
November 26 - Chapter Nine: When Gods Come Calling
How do you know a god wants to work with you? How do you seek one out?
Navigating relationships with deities and other Unseen Ones
Symbols: The Cornucopia
Flora and fauna: Violet, Thyme, and Cockerel
December 10 - Chapter Ten: Oaths and Vengeance
Considerations, pros, and cons of dedicating yourself to a god
Best practices for oath-taking and dedication rituals
Symbols: The Phiale
Flora and fauna: Myrtle Tree, Poppy, and Cicada
December 17 - Closing Circle
Celebration, reflections, and next directions
Ways to stay connected