On May 14th I’ll be teaching a workshop via ZOOM hosted by The Future on Hex Signs for Healing and Protection (register here). This workshop will give an introduction to Hex Signs, a talismanic folk art tradition that grew out of Germanic rosette and star designs, into an iconic East Coast art form in Pennsylvania Dutch farming communities. This practice has more recently been reclaimed by Pagan and Heathen communities as a form of “painted prayer” for healing and protection, inspired by the work of hexologists Lee Gandi and Hunter Yoder. Participants will be asked to ground and center their energies to get into a meditative mindset before designing their own hex sign toward a chosen intention. The goal of this class is to give a basic framework for the process so that it can be replicated at home in further iterations as needed by the practitioner. A PDF document will be sent ahead of class as a guide to the process, with more information on Hex Signs and how to make them. Please gather symbolism (color, shape, pattern, sigil, etc) that feels important to your needs and intentions for the present moment before we meet, as we will use these seeds to grow into finished hex designs.

This workshop will give an introduction to Hex Signs, a talismanic folk art tradition that grew out of Germanic rosette and star designs, into an iconic East Coast art form in Pennsylvania Dutch farming communities. This practice has more recently been reclaimed by Pagan and Heathen communities as a form of “painted prayer” for healing and protection, inspired by the work of hexologists Lee Gandi and Hunter Yoder. Participants will be asked to ground and center their energies to get into a meditative mindset before designing their own hex sign toward a chosen intention. The goal of this class is to give a basic framework for the process so that it can be replicated at home in further iterations as needed by the practitioner. A PDF document will be sent ahead of class as a guide to the process, with more information on Hex Signs and how to make them. Please gather symbolism (color, shape, pattern, sigil, etc) that feels important to your needs and intentions for the present moment before we meet, as we will use these seeds to grow into finished hex designs.

A note about materials: Given the COVID-19 situation, we will have to improvise materials with what is available to us at home. I would suggest looking creatively at what you have on hand or picking up some basic supplies if you feel comfortable doing so. Some things that can work for indoor use would be paper or cardboard and a large circular template like a trash can lid or mixing bowl to trace and cut out circles for your hex sign blank. There are also wooden rounds available to order online and in hardware and craft shops if you wanted something more durable for outdoor use. If you are using heavier materials like cardboard or wood, latex house paint can be used to prime your surface, but its ok to work on an unprimed surface too, so long as it is clear of distracting marks. Drawing utensils like pencils, permanent markers, straight edges and circle templates improvised from container lids will be useful, as well as a drawing or painting medium to complete your hex design. You can email Nestandtessellate@gmail.com to talk through materials, but really all that is needed is some creative problem solving to come up with interesting solutions.

Thursday, May 14th 6pm. via ZOOM, hosted by The Future Minneapolis 

$15-25, pay what you can.