Honoring our 75th Anniversary! plus Occult America & Theosophy, the annual John Sellon Labor Day Program
This will be an extraordinary weekend, Honoring our 75th Anniversary.. .
Planning for the 75th anniversary gathering are unfolding: a tradition for many years- the Harvest Festival of brining in the winter pumpkin and squash, a festive harvest meal; a photo gallery in the barn and times for sharing the stories of the early years and all the special moments in between 'now and then'. These festivities will be Saturday evening through Sunday lunch.
For Friday evening and Saturday morning: a continuation of the presentation on Occult America with Mitch Horowitzitch Horowitz, who will offer his 'view' of Pumpkin Hollow in its essence today and its role in the history and impact of alternative spirituality today.
Esoteric philosophies and movements have wielded a tremendous influence over America's past and present. From its earliest days, the nation became a laboratory for the revolutions in alternative spirituality that eventually swept the globe. Yet this aspect of our history is often ignored or overlooked. Drawing on his acclaimed book, Occult America, Mitch Horowitz discusses the metaphysical influences behind our nation's culture, politics, and spirituality. His topics include how the "Burned-Over District" of upstate New York (not far from Pumpkin Hollow) impacted American religion; the marriage between Spiritualism and the women's rights movement; the impact of the African-American magical tradition called hoodoo; the occult roots of the "positive thinking" movement; the surprising history of the Ouija Board; and the lives of figures ranging from Mary Todd Lincoln to Frederick Douglass to Madame H.P. Blavatsky.
Author and TSA member Mitch Horowitz will explore the secret occult history of the USA, the role of HP Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society with a focus on the region surrounding Pumpkin Hollow Retreat Center. His recent book, OCCULT AMERICA: the Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation, will be available at the Pumpkin Hollow Bookstore for purchase.
A widely known writer and speaker on the history and impact of alternative spirituality, Mitch Horowitz is the editor-in-chief of Tarcher/Penquin and the author of Occult America (Bantam) which The Washington Post Book World called: "Fascinating...a serious wide-ranging study of all the magical, mystical and spiritual movements that have arisen and influenced American history in often surprising ways." Horowitz has written for U.S. News and World Report, The Washington Post, Parabola, and BoingBoing. He has recently appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, Dateline NBC and All Things Considered. You can visit him online at www.MitchHorowitz.com.
Full payment of program fee is your deposit for this special program.
$70 non-refundable
The Northeast Theosophical Federation offers Scholarships (room and board) for current members of the Theosophical Society. Contact us for an application.Scholarship does not cover the additional cost for single accomodations.
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