Holding the Flame: A Night of Writing & Renewal // with Sharon Pajka

On the night of April 30th, communities gather to celebrate Walpurgisnacht, a liminal evening...

...when bonfires blaze, voices rise in chant, and winter’s lingering spirits are driven away to make room for spring’s creative bloom.

Rooted in centuries of folklore, this enchanted night invites us to treat language itself as spellcraft—words that warm, illuminate, protect, and transform.

In this 2-hour session, we’ll explore witchcraft as both metaphor and method in our writing practice. Through the elemental themes of fire, imagination, liberation, and seasonal transition, we’ll tap into the creative energy that emerges when the world shifts from cold dormancy to vibrant possibility.

Participants will be guided through writing prompts, short readings, and embodied rituals designed to melt what has felt frozen on the page or within ourselves.

We’ll craft Spring Eve-inspired spells, incantations, and flame-bright pieces that celebrate renewal and invite personal and artistic transformation. No experience with ritual or witchcraft is necessary; writers of all backgrounds are welcome. Bring your curiosity, your creative spirit, and a willingness to let language burn brightly as we cross this powerful seasonal threshold.

What You Will Experience

During this two-hour gathering, we’ll begin with a brief opening ritual that includes grounding, a gentle introduction to the history and symbolism of Walpurgisnacht, and a simple candle-lighting to mark our entry into sacred creative space. From there, we’ll move into our first writing prompt, “What Winter Left Behind,” an opportunity to explore what still clings from the colder months and what we’re ready to release.

A short reading on fire, magic, or renewal will guide our discussion as we shift into the craft portion of the workshop, where we’ll experiment with rhythm, repetition, and imagery to create writing that feels enchanted, incantatory, and transformative.

Our main practice, the “Fire Words” Ritual, invites participants to craft a personal or creative text that melts stagnation, frees the voice, or calls in spring’s brighter energies. Afterward, we’ll gather in small groups for optional sharing and witnessing before returning to the full circle for a brief, playful Walpurgisnacht chant created collaboratively in the moment. We’ll close with a final fire blessing and reflection, releasing any lingering “winter spirits” and affirming the intentions participants wish to carry forward into the new season.

Who Is This Workshop For?

Writers, poets, artists, and anyone drawn to seasonal ritual, fire symbolism, creative renewal, or the playful enchantment of Walpurgisnacht. All backgrounds and levels of experience are welcome.

The TLA Network offers scholarships based on income as well as some partial scholarships for people living with serious illness and/or disability or people of color. Please fill out this scholarship application form so that we can find the best way to make the class accessible to you.

What people are saying about learning with Sharon:

I already miss this class for the depth, creativity and intimacy of the subject matter, our facilitator and classmates, and the safety provided. I am very grateful to TLA; Sharon P. our facilitator; and all my classmates for a rewarding, informative and challenging experience. 

LOVED this class, and the instructor. Would love to learn more in follow up class.

How fascinating, intriguing and rewarding the subject matter was; and how accepted and truly connected I felt — with the facilitator and classmates; especially considering my current level of writing and participation (first class).

This workshop will be presented Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 7-9PM ET/ 6-8 PM CT/ 5-7 PM MT/ 3-5PM PT / 12-2 AM UTC as a one-time, two-hour Zoom session. The event will be recorded and shared with with anyone registered for Holding the Flame: A Night of Writing & Renewal.

About the Facilitator

Sharon Pajka is a Professor of English. She holds a Ph.D. in English Education and a graduate certificate in Public History. Her writing combines a love of words and the stories of those who came before us. She is the author of Women Writers Buried in Virginia (2021) The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: Graves of His Family, Friends and Foes (2023), winner of the 2024 Saturday Visiter Awards by Poe Baltimore, and Haunted Virginia Cemeteries (2025).

On the weekends, you can find her in the cemetery volunteering, giving history tours, researching and writing about cemeteries. Find more information on her website: https://www.sharonpajka.com/