Statue of Hades and Kerberos at the Plutonium in Hierapolis (Pamukkale/Denizli, Türkiye).
Image credit: Unma Desai via Unsplash.
You're invited to participate in a guided Hades book study with Jamie Waggoner, author of Hades: Myth, Magic and Modern Devotion. During a series of live Zoom sessions, Jamie will break her book down chapter-by-chapter, guiding you through the material and exercises, while also sharing behind-the-scenes insights from her personal praxis and experiences while writing the book.
During these sessions, breakout groups give you a chance to chat in small groups with other participants, and are offered alongside engaging participatory activities and plenty of Q&A time with Jamie. Participants will also be invited to join an optional Signal text thread to facilitate ongoing discussion and group comradery between meetings.
The River Styx Book Club is divided into two parts. Part 1 (January 8 to March 19) covers the first five chapters of Hades, and Part 2 (April 2 to June 11) covers the last five chapters. You can purchase a ticket for Part 1 or Part 2 separately, or save 20% by purchasing a combination ticket for both parts.
In Part 1, we'll cover Hades chapters 1-5. Live Zoom sessions are every other Wednesday, from 6pm to 8pm, central time. Sessions are recorded and participants will have access to download the recordings. Part 1 begins January 8, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of our curriculum:
January 8 - Introductions and Chapter One: The Unseen One
Who is Hades? His origins, realm, and responsibilities.
Symbols: Helm of Invisibility
Flora and fauna: Bay Laurel, Hellebore, and Black Ram
January 22 - Chapter Two: Host of Many
Mapping the Underworld of ancient Greek mythology
Symbols: Key to the Realm
Flora and fauna: Mint, White Poplar, and Hades’ Cattle Herd
February 5 - Chapter Three: Notorious
The Myth of Hades and Persephone – Hades as Consort
Symbols: Golden Chariot and Black Horses
Flora and fauna: Narcissus, Pomegranate, and Screech Owl
February 19 - Chapter Four: Good Counsel
The Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice – Hades as Counselor
Symbols: The Single Tear
Flora and fauna: Cypress, Dittany of Crete, and Bat
March 5 - Chapter Five: The Unbreakable
Hades the Unyielding – except when Herakles hits him with an arrow!
Symbols: The Bident
Flora and fauna: Aconite, Adamant, and Kerberos
March 19 - Closing Circle
Celebration, reflections, and next directions
Ways to stay connected