Occult Poetics: The Supernatural Speaks
Poetry is a place to commune with the things that haunt us. The word occult comes from the Latin occultus, meaning "hidden" or "concealed." Join me for this five-week exploration into poetry and the occult, inspired by the beloved dead, ghosts, ancestors, graveyards, and myths. Guided by celebrated poets, word witches, and wise ones, we’ll discuss different poems, poets, and practices for inspiration.
The first hour of each class will be dedicated to a lecture on the weekly theme, specific poems, and poet lore. The last thirty minutes of each class will be intentional time for writing, complete with aligned prompts, and opportunities to share your writing with our community.
The Course
Class #1 - Ghosts in Poetry, Wednesday, October 14th, 12:00 pm EST
In our first class, we’ll talk about how we can work with ideas of ghosts and spectral beings in our poetry. The page is a portal, an altar, an invitation to meet the ghosts that haunt our creative work.
In This Workshop We’ll Call Upon: Lucie Brock Broido, Anne Waldman, and Sylvia Plath as Word Witches and guides
Class #2 - The Ancestors in Poetry, Wednesday, October 21st, 12:00 pm EST
The ancestors speak through poems. In our second class, we’ll discuss how to work with different ideas and conceptual frameworks of ancestry in our creative processes and practices. Guided by poets who have called upon their own lineages and ancestry in their work, we’ll be inspired to work with this in our own way.
In This Workshop We’ll Call Upon: Tracy K. Smith, Joy Harjo, and Lucille Clifton as Word Witches and guides.
Class #3 - Our Creative ancestors, Wednesday, October 28th, 12:00 pm EST
Writing poems is a form of ritual, of creative presence. In our third class, we’ll discuss how poets call upon this ancient human impulse to create writing. This workshop is dedicated to the ritual of honoring our creative ancestors. You’ll be instructed to bring the work of one beloved dead poet to class with you.
In This Workshop We’ll Call Upon: Our collective creative ancestors
Class #4 - Graveyards in Poetry, Wednesday, November 4th, 12:00 pm
In our fourth class we’ll take a trip to the graveyard. A place of potent magic, we’ll read poetry dedicated to the headstones, natural world, and altars in the earth that we can visit. This workshop is dedicated to peering through the veil and into the other world through the lens of the graveyard.
In This Workshop We’ll Call Upon: Mary Oliver and Robert Frost
Class #5 - Myths of the dead, Wednesday, November 11th, 12:00 pm EST
Much occult poetry is dedicated to the power and lineage of myth. In our fifth and final class we’ll explore how myths and their associations, symbols, and stories have long inspired poetic work and inspiration, working primarily with myths of the dead, the underworld, and psychopomps.
In This Workshop We’ll Call Upon: Marie Howe, Emily Dickinson, and Louise Glück
The Schedule
Wednesday, October 14th, 12:00-1:30 pm EST
Wednesday, October 21st, 12:00-1:30 pm EST
Wednesday, October 28th, 12:00-1:30 pm EST
Wednesday, November 4th, 12:00-1:30 pm EST
Wednesday, November 11th, 12:00-1:30 pm EST
Exchange
The exchange for this course is $333
All replays and recordings will be available after each workshop, and you will be able to download the materials to keep them forever (in case you need to review them!). There will be a dedicated Slack community for sharing, and weekly assignments and feedback.
Testimonials from past poetry workshops
“Kate’s courses never fail to deliver. She creates a warm and inclusive environment for learning and exchange of ideas. The wealth and variety of subject matter she included was incredible. LOVE the PDFs and zoom replays to go back through at my leisure and for future reference. I look forward to taking many more workshops from this incredible artist.”
“The Poetry Practice was an incredible writing experience especially for someone who has not been formally trained in writing. It was a beautiful exploration with the perfect balance of structure and information to be able to speak the language of poetry.”
“Kate Belew's Poetry Practice workshop was fantastic. She really covered the many forms of poetry in easy to follow lessons. I would advise this both for beginners and advanced writers because there is always something new to learn. I learned so much. Plus, it was a lovely group of non-judgmental people and a safe space. Thank you, Kate.”
“Poetry Practice was a super lovely community and space created in a time of 3 days, was lovely getting more technical about poetry and tips to help me more in my day to day! Definitely after this workshop I have really had my mind much more open in new ways to write poetry and have loved this so much! Huge thanks Kate for the beautiful space and connecting to other wonderful writers.”
“The Poetry Practice workshop by Kate Belew was delightfully fun and informative. I am enjoying my new knowledge and skills in poetry and feel much more confident in writing and sharing my writing. I am looking forward to the next workshop.”
“A Poetry Practice was my first workshop with Kate, who creates a warm and inviting space for budding writers. Kate validated all the thoughts and insecurities to ensure all were working at their own level of comfort, and was able to provide support live in session as well as privately through email. Her decks were full of inspiration to channel creativity and we were given all of the materials for future reference. I look forward to future offerings!”
FAQ
Is this the same course as Occult Poetics: A Study in Symbols, Secrets, and the Poetic Imagination?
No! Occult Poetics: A Study in Symbols, Secrets, and the Poetic Imagination is a five-week course offered each spring. While that course focuses on the archetype of the witch, the goddess, divination, and rituals, this course focuses on the otherworld, ghosts, haunting, graveyards, and the beloved dead. The courses do not have to be taken in order and though they are part of a series of workshops, are independent of each other.
Can I join this class if I’ve never written or read a poem?
Yes! Absolutely. This workshop works to support you if you’re beginning on a journey writing poetry or unlearning what you know about poetry.
Do I have to share my work?
No! Opportunities will be given to share drafts, but no formal structure for sharing will be given.
What sort of poets and examples will be given?
I will be sharing poets of all backgrounds, and poems written in a myriad of voices and about a variety of experiences.
This Class is for you if…
You’re looking for a new way to connect to your creativity
You long for a new understanding of poetry
You want to cultivate opportunities to write and create poetic works
You desire spaciousness in the world of poetry and in your creative practice
You love a beginner’s mind
You long to expand your perspectives
You are open to asking questions and making mistakes
You love the possibility of poetry
You want to study poetry in both a historical and contemporary context
You want to read magical poetry
You want to be inspired to write by the works of others
You believe that poetry is magical
You love to study the occult
YOUR GUIDE:
Kate Belew
Kate Belew is an author, poet, and Witch. Since 2017, she has taught and facilitated circles and workshops worldwide. She is the author of Word Witch: How to Call Upon and Cultivate the Creative Magic Within You. She has an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and is an initiated Green Witch. She is dedicated to the spirit of poetry, the sacred wild of the planet, and seeks magic in all she does. @k8belew