Workshops and Teachings

Joy Wedmedyk is a nationally recognized speaker and offers a variety of workshops and lectures on topics including Regla de Ocha, commonly called Santeria, the Orishas, Ancestor reverence, Shamanism, Drum making, Working with the Spirits, Psychic Development, Mediumship, Seances and Spirit Possession and Depossession

Regla de Ocha- What is Santeria? This is an overview of the Lucumi Tradition of Ifa, commonly referred to as Santeria. It will cover the basic beliefs, including ancestor reverence, the Gods or the forces of natureknown as the Orisha, and how the religion is practiced on a daily basis.

The Orisha This workshop focuses on bringing to those that have not been initiated into the traditions of Ifa an understanding and respect of these Forces of Nature known as the Orisha. We will discuss the manifestations of the Orisha in our daily life. Recognizing and working with the power of these Forces of Nature can bring growth and power to those that learn to see the Orisha in others, in the powers of the mother earth, in herbs and plants, and in relationship to each other.

Orisha as Warriors The Orisha are the pantheon of gods in the Santeria traditions. They all lived on earth at many different times and learned how to cope during the trials of their lives. Explore the types of warrior spirits they exemplified-- from conqueror and conquered, mediator and instigator, wise ruler and dictator, fighter and lover. This is an interesting overview of the Orisha in their many different manifestations as warrior spirits.

Spiritual Evolution through the Initiations of Santeria This workshop focuses on the initiatory steps that are given in the Lukumi tradition of Santeria. These initiatory transitions are given as a way for the people and their community to find spiritual evolution and progression. The early initiations lead to the formation of relationships with the Orisha or the pantheon of Gods. The Kariocha ceremony creates a Priest that is capable of becoming a vessel for these energies. This allows the Orisha to walk among the community as a living and breathing God among men. Initiations covered are----- The giving of Beads, receiving The Warriors, Orisha received Santo Lavado, the seven day Kariocha ceremony to become and OmoOrisha/ Santero or Santera, and the ceremony of Ifa, or the making of a Babalawo.

Proverbs and Orisha Folktales of the Yoruba The Orisha are known as the pantheon of Gods of the Yoruba traditions. These Proverbs and Folktales help illustrate the cosmology and wisdom of the Yoruba people, their tradition, and their divination systems. This collection includes---- Orunmila's fear of Mice, When Oya was Betrayed, How Oshun brought money Cowrie to the World, Two Hands, Bit-by-Bit we Eat the Head of a Rat , and others.

Ancestors in our world and in our lives Forming and recognizing bonds with the Ancestors will give us strong ways to grow spiritually, give us a sense of support and purpose and help us to acquire the wisdom we need to fulfill our destiny. This workshop covers ways to develop reverent communication and worship to our own Ancestors. Topics covered will include how to build different types of ancestor alters , Séances, development circles and the Spirit Mass. You will learn how to create your own spiritual development circle, how to pray and ask for guidance, and offerings and foods that are traditionally given to the ancestors.

Ancestral Breaks Our chain of ancestors should be stable, strong and continue back to the beginning of our life on earth. “Breaks” or gaps in the chain can cause many spiritual problems in our life. Symptoms of an Ancestral break are as varied as ill health, possession, soul loss, family curses and even OCD and autistic behavior. Joy will share her Shamanic healing techniques and give examples of sessions she has done with clients the repair the damage done by “breaks” in the ancestral chain.

The Boveda- Spiritual Evolution through the Ancestors The Boveda (alter) for the ancestors and other benevolent spirits is a place of prayer and comfort, and the foundation of your spiritual progression. Based on the practice of Espiritismo, Caribbean ancestor reverence, the Boveda will help you build stronger connections to your Ancestors and other spirit guides. It will help organize your spiritual frame and balance your connections in this world and to the world of the spirits. You will learn about the different spirits present at the Boveda, how to choose a place for the alter, how to set it up, how to take care of it and your spirits, and how to maintain effective communication through prayer and meditation.

Day of the Dead Craft The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated on November 2. It is to celebrate and honor our ancestors that have passed away. There are also altars set up by the community for the Anima Sola, the forgotten dead. In this class we will create a Calavera, a comical and clever skeleton to honor our forgotten dead. Later this Calavera can be placed with your ancestor alter, or with a community alter, or used when you celebrate a holiday such as Samhain. We will be using rubberstamps, paper and other crafty items.

Drum Making--Shamans Peace Drum--14" hoop Indigenous people around the world have used Hoop Drums to commune with spirit and bring healing and wholeness to the self and the community. Journey with others on this sacred path and create your own deer rawhide drum from start to finish along with a leather covered beater. We will begin with a ceremony to remind us of our connection to the deer spirit and to the universal rhythms of life and conclude with a blessing ceremony to honor the Drum.

Ancestral Breaks Our chain of ancestors should be stable, strong and continue back to the beginning of our life on earth. Breaks or gaps in the chain can cause many spiritual problems in our life. Symptoms of an Ancestral break are as varied as ill health, possession, soul loss, family curses and even OCD and autistic behavior. Joy will share her Shamanic healing techniques and give examples of sessions she has done with clients the repair the damage done by breaks in the ancestral chain.

The Boveda-Spiritual Evolution through the Ancestors The Boveda (alter) for the ancestors and other benevolent spirits is a place of prayer and comfort, and the foundation of your spiritual progression. Based on the practice of Espiritismo, Caribbean ancestor reverence, the Boveda will help you build stronger connections to your Ancestors and other spirit guides. It will help organize your spiritual frame and balance your connections in this world and to the world of the spirits. You will learn about the different spirits present at the Boveda, how to choose a place for the alter, how to set it up, how to take care of it and your spirits, and how to maintain effective communication through prayer and meditation.

Psychic Communication Developing and using mediumship abilities are one way to create and maintain strong connections to our ancestors. Our ancestral connections bring about the fulfillment of our destiny and the path to healing. This workshop will help yo to understand our connection to the world of the Spirits and the different skills of a Psychic Medium.There will be opportunities in class to practice some of the skills learned.

Creating Your Own Spiritual Development Circles Getting answers from the beyond and developing stronger skills as a Medium is what brings people together into Spiritual development circles. Here is an overview of the séances of spiritualism, the white table Misas of Esperitismo, and others. I will present guidelines on how to pick a group, ways to develop stronger psychic skills, how to choose a focus and the pitfalls to look out for as you form your own circle.

Possessed by Ghosts Learn to identify, talk to and release a discarnate spirit entity attachment. This workshop clarifies what discarnate spirit possession is, the physical manifestations of personal ghost possession that we can identify (including acute and long term manifestations,)the symptoms that people experience, and how to de-possess ghosts and move them to their own path of spiritual progression. Removal techniques used by practicing Mediums and other healing practitioners will be covered.

Deity, Demon or Departed? This workshop is based on Joy's work as a medium, diviner and healer and on her personal Shamanic experiences. It will cover the different manifestations of spirit possession and give insight into the following topics:

The Spirits Union Mass / Seance Based on the Spiritist teachings of Allen Kardec, the Spirits Mass evolved as a way for people to pray for and receive messages from their ancestors, or from others that have crossed over, aspects of nature, various spirit guides, and to receive healing. While Christianity influenced the first Spiritists, over time the Spirit Circles evolved and combined with the traditions of Ifa. The modern Spirit Mass is no longer centered on one culture. It can now be adapted to embrace the ethnically diverse global community. Today's Spirit Mass is a vibrant and innovative channel for spirit communication.

This Spirit Union Mass may be scheduled at events or at your own home. It's purpose is to bring light and progression to your own spiritual court, to help you discover your main spirit guides, to take care of "hauntings", bring peace to the spirits and ancestors and to help people that may be troubled by the spirits around them. When possible and/or necessary, other mediums and I work together to create this workshop/ ritual. I am fortunate to be able to offer, The Spirit Mass/ Seance with other fine mediums, including my friend Lillith 3feathers.

There is a limited amount of people that may attend this at one time. Usually 10 to 25 people may participate depending on how many mediums are available to attend. Contact Joy at santerajoy@yahoo.com or 330. 273. 6260 if you have questions or to schedule a Mass.

Elevation of Spirits and Depossession of People, Places and Things Healing people, places, and things through the elevation and and depossesion of Spirits has been practiced through out the world since the beginning of time. We need to learn to identify and differentiate between:

Preventive practices, the "elevation" of spirits, protection rituals and meditations, the basic steps of depossession, and concepts to use for personal depossession will be covered. This workshop is based on Joy's personal experiences as a medium and shamanic healer and on researched material.