Read about another one of our Totocon presenters!
Nicole DiMucci Potts is a self taught henna artist and owner of Scarlet Bee Henna in Austin TX, and has practiced the art of henna for 17 years. Nicole presented this talk on Henna as Magical Devotion at the 2016 Esoteric Book Conference, and is excited to bring this knowledge to Totocon 9. Additionally, she taught the Magical Art of Henna, & Henna & Ritual classes as an instructor at the 2015 & 2016 Henna Intensive and Retreat in California. Nicole’s henna based artwork was recently published in Three Hands Press’s A Rose Veiled in Black. Nicole has been a member of O.T.O. since 2008, and is currently serving as a novice Priestess, and as the E.G.C. Coordinator for her community.
Presentation: Adorning the Great Goddess: Henna as Magical Devotion
The art of henna is growing popular in contemporary global culture as a form of body adornment, but has a long history of use as a magical tool for protection, blessing, and manifestation. Even as henna has gained mainstream attention in the West, it continues to be used in traditions and celebrations all over the world. Its magical use is tied not only to the traditional patterns and symbols that adorn the skin, the rites into which that adornment is incorporated, but arises also from the plant itself, energetically manifesting the bearer’s intent as it dyes the skin.
Through her work as an artist serving her community and as a magician, novice Priestess, and martial artist, Nicole DiMucci Potts has used henna as a primary ally in her magical and spiritual work. Although the nature of that magic is conditioned by the specifics of any given working, her use of henna is intimately tied to devotional work with the Great Goddess, Babalon. Drawing both on her own experience as an artist, using examples from her own art, and from the devotional experiences of her clients, Nicole will discuss henna as a magical substance and the use of it ritually and devotionally in the manifestation of one’s Will.