death & grief queer meet-up: connecting with queer ancestors

join us Saturday, February 21st 12:30-2:30PM for an exciting workshop with Frankie Castanea, aka @chaoticwitchaunt, as we discover how to reconnect with our beloved queer ancestors with rituals, herbs, tarot, and more.

this past summer, i had the pleasure of visiting the lesbian herstory archives in new york city. i was immediately charmed by the people, the aged letters on the walls, On Our Backs magazines, ink smudged poems, protest flyers: “DYKES FIGHT BACK”, decades of photos some featuring secret organizing meetings in small crowded living rooms--leather jackets, short hair, black boots. dykes--their strength, their courage, their tact, their passion; how incredible would it be to contact them today? considering our current place in history, what would they say? what would it feel like to be in their presence? could i call on their protection? their wisdom?

my heart unfurled at the possibilities. my uncle, my only queer family member, recently became an ancestor but my line of connection didn’t have to end there. who might be hidden in my bloodline beyond? i can call upon in the vast ethereal network of queer ancestors long passed. i can light a candle for audre lorde, for sappho, for mabel hampton, for a queer who punched a cop. especially for some us who can’t connect with living relatives, who don’t have community to feel supported by, we can commune with our queer ancestors and feel found.

so, finding Frankie and their ancestral work that same summer was serendipitous timing. i first came across their offerings at ritual cravt and then shortly after met them tabling at a spiritual fair, i purchased their queer ancestor spell oil--our collaboration was clear. i’m so grateful and thrilled that they’ll be joining us to offer such a special workshop where we’ll learn to make connection with our queer ancestors; expanding our support networks from our earthly realm into the beyond. queer as f**k...

location: Hope Tank, 1434 East 22nd Ave, Denver, CO 80205

date & time: saturday, february 21st, 12:30-2:30PM

tickets: sliding scale $5-$30, free for bipoc & pogm.

all ticket sales go towards supporting our special guest for their supplies, time, and energy. thank you!

accessibility:

parking: free street parking

entrance is wheelchair accessible

bathrooms available on site

lighting: bright warm lighting that is adjustable.

sound: our crafting and grief circles are usually at a mid/low volume with some chatting and soft music.

COVID: masking (unless you aren’t able to safely do so) and a negative test is required. we will have some tests and masks courtesy of COVID Safe Colorado. if you’re feeling unwell, have symptoms, and/or test positive this time, please stay home and take care. we’ll have more opportunities for you to join us in the future. reach out if you test positive and want resources.

ASL: please reach out at least 1 week prior to our gathering for ASL interpretation.

Additonal: bring what you need to be comfortable! sunglasses, ear plugs, fidget toys, comfort items, etc. are all welcome. please reach out if there’s something you need that we didn’t address at: [email protected]

please be prepared to mask. feel free to reach out with any additional accessibility needs or concerns at [email protected].

about our guest: Frankie Castanea (they/them) is a tarot & playing card reader, Italian American folk practitioner, and ancestral reconnecter. They have been on a journey of reconnection to culture and ancestral practices for almost four years now, but have been practicing tarot for seven. Frankie is a reader who is dedicated to creating space for their clients, offering practical methods of moving forward from obstacles that may appear and utilizing their knowledge of the tarot to assist you through a variety of matters. Also known as Chaotic Witch Aunt, they are a folk witch, practitioner of Italian American folk magic, animist, tarot & playing card reader and author. They originally found fame through TikTok where they has a platform over 1 million followers. They've also taken to Youtube, Patreon and Instagram, where they create long-form educational content. You can often find them reading in person at Ritualcravt. They are the author of Spells for Change and Ancestral Magic. Website is chaoticwitchaunt.com

about the host: sky (they/them) is a queer diabled community organizer, artist, handpoke tattooer, herbalist, hospice volunteer and aspiring death guide. their intention for death & grief queer meet-up is to bring those moving through grief together, normalize conversations of death, and offer resources to the queer community. this gathering is not a support group.

about death & grief queer meet-up: it's our intention to provide cozy spaces for trans & queer community to gather in mutual grief. we focus on a variety of themes and activities each month to explore what community grieving can look like. while we’re not a support group, our intention is to build community, learn new ways to express and understand our grief, and cultivate joy while de-stigmatizing conversations of death, grief, & beyond.

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