Jeremy Bechelli

Lecture & Workshop Host

LECTURE: Fields of Maleficium: The Impact of Witchcraft on Land and Crops in Historical Agrarian Societies
This presentation will explore the intricate relationship between witchcraft, plants, and agricultural practices in pre-modern rural societies. We aim to reclaim the narrative surrounding our ancestors’ spiritual connection to crops and harvests, offering a perspective that honors their experiences while critically examining historical accounts. We’ll investigate how the “witch” emerged as a powerful figure in agrarian communities, exploring the complex beliefs surrounding their ability to influence crop yields and community well-being. Our discussion will encompass the sophisticated nature of curses and maledictions as forms of magick and sorcery, examining their role in expressing emotions and addressing societal imbalances.

We’ll also celebrate protective magical traditions related to botanicals, such as the benandanti and “good walkers,” highlighting how our ancestors used their gifts to safeguard crops and communities. By reclaiming these historical perspectives, we invite modern practitioners to reflect on our spiritual heritage and its deep connections to land, seasons, and weather.
Join us in weaving together the threads of our past, gaining insights that can inform and empower our present-day practices while fostering a more nuanced understanding of witchcraft in wider society and occult botany.

WORKSHOP: From Hex to Harvest: A Maledictive and Magical Journey through Cursed Crops and Bewitched Fields
2 HOUR INTENSIVE– space is limited to 15 participants

“From Hex to Harvest” offers a unique exploration of plant-based curses and their impact on agricultural practices throughout history.Participants will uncover the secrets of various botanical curses, examining their origins, purposes, and effects. We’ll traverse the fascinating landscape of weather manipulation using plants, uncovering ancient techniques for influencing natural forces that can be used for good or evil.

The workshop culminates in a hands-on charm crafting session, where attendees will create cursing and protective magical items. This practical experience will provide valuable insights into the dual nature of plant magic – its power to harm and to heal. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a curious novice, this workshop promises to deepen your understanding of the intricate relationship between plants, curses, and agricultural magic.

$45 workshop add on fee
$15 materials fee
*Materials fee paid to Jeremy at time of workshop

BIO: Jeremy Bechelli received his Ph.D. in infectious disease pathology from the University of Texas Medical Branch and his M.S. in microbiology from the University of Rochester. Jeremy is currently an Assistant Professor of Biology studying tick-borne infectious diseases and endothelial pathobiology. Jeremy is a long-time student of European folk magic and studies occult herbalism, folk medicine and the traditional witch-lore and practices of the British Isles. Jeremy also owns Phytognosis, a business focused on plant based spirituality, incense, resins, and botanical curios. https://www.phytognosis.org

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