Drawing Down the Moon (89 page)

The House of Ouroborus (HoO).
Formally established in June 2002, the House of Ouroborus is South Africa's first “home-grown” Pagan tradition. The HoO was set up by a knowledgeable group of individuals who have expertise in many different Pagan paths, hence the combination of diverse elements of Neo-Paganism found in the Ouroborian tradition. From its inception the HoO clearly stated that “We do not claim long lost lineages, nor do we profess antiquity.” All Ouroborian covens and groups act independently of each other, and yet subscribe to “a common vision of high quality Pagan training and responsible Pagan practices.” Address: The House of Ouroborus, P.O. Box 462, Port Shepstone 4240, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. E-mail: ariasafrika@
yahoo.com
.

Web site:
www.geocities.com/ariasafrika

Hrafnar Kindred.
A Heathen group that was founded in 1988 in order to practice the native religion of the Germanic peoples (Ásatrú) and Norse shamanic skills such as oracular seidh—a form of trance working. “Hrafnar welcomes all who feel a spiritual affinity for the religious tradition of Northern Europe. We believe that all whom the gods have called to this path are our kin, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.” Hrafnar meets monthly to honor the gods and goddesses. The Hrafnar community also includes special interest groups devoted to individual deities such as Odin, Frigga, Hella, and the Vanir, and a working group, “Seidhjallr,” that presents oracular seidh as a service to the public. Address: Hrafnar Kindred, P.O. Box 5521, Berkeley, CA 94705.

Web site:
www.hrafnar.org

Immanent Grove.
An independent local church, Gnostic Pagan in concept, located in Maine. It meets primarily at Ironwood Circle, a dedicated outdoor ritual space. Visitors are welcome at open celebrations. Immanent Grove sponsors perhaps the longest-running Pagan athletic event in the U.S.: the Torch-race in Honor of Pan has been run seven times. Recently its venue has been changed to coincide with an open Beltane celebration at Popham Beach. Participation is free and open. One winner takes home a silver medallion. Details and past winners are online at:
www.ctel.net/~applebooks/torch-race.htm
. The Grove has also opened a savings account with the goal of purchasing Pagan Land to be open to Pagans in central Maine, and to create a legally sound church property. Address: Immanent Grove, 2328 Bog Road, Sidney, ME 04330. E- mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.ctel.net/~applebooks/ironwoodhollow.htm

The Index.
A Pagan Network for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, from Big Sur to Sacramento and all points in between. Founded in 1987 by Constance De Binero and Brook Attic, the Index takes its name from the list the Papal Inquisition kept of accused heretics, including those accused of the heresy of Witchcraft (they have taken the name to honor Witches past and present). Its main purpose is to provide local event listings and networking for Wiccan, Pagan, Ásatrú, Umbanda, Druid, Shamanic, Thelema, Egyptian, and other Neo-Pagan traditions in California's Bay Area. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.cyprian.org/Index

The Iowa Pagan Access Network (IPAN).
IPAN is a newsletter, community education, and networking organization for people from Goddess-centered and/or Earth-based spiritual traditions. “Our goal is to provide a medium for building community and helping Pagans from all over Iowa and the surrounding states connect with each other.” Monthly Craft circles, a free online newsletter, an online calendar of events, and a yearly symposium. Address: IPAN, P.O. Box 861, Iowa City, IA 52244-0861. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.ipan.org

Isis Oasis Sanctuary.
Founded in 1978 by Loreon Vigné, an artist and visionary who honors the teachings of the Goddess Isis, it is the home of the non-profit Isis Society for Inspirational Studies and of the Temple of Isis, a federally recognized church whose priestesses and priests are empowered to perform legal marriages, sacred unions, and other traditional and non-traditional clergy services. It is located in the Alexander Valley in the heart of the Sonoma County wine country in northern California. Its ten acres provide a refuge for an endangered species and a breeding program for ocelots, servals, and birds of many varieties. There is a meditation chapel, a stone labyrinth, an art gallery and studio, and many other sacred spaces. There are workshops, concerts, and Sunday services. The Temple of Isis hosts an annual Convocation in the fall. Fellowship of Isis founder Lady Olivia Robertson attends along with other well-known authors, priestesses, and priests. Address: Rev. Loreon Vigné, 20889 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville CA 95441. Phone: 707-857-ISIS or 800-679-PETS. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.isisoasis.org

Kalamazoo Pagan Community Brunch.
Formerly PINK (Pagan Individuals Near Kalamazoo) Brunch, it is held on the second Sunday of each month at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant, 502 S. Burdick, in Kalamazoo. The group meets in the banquet room at the rear of the restaurant from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lively conversation and moderately priced, tasty food makes the brunch a favorite of Kalamazoo's Pagan community. Non-perishable food items are collected to support a local food pantry. Contact: [email protected].

The Kindred of Ravenswood.
A non-racist, non-racialist, independent Ásatrú kindred founded in 1993 on the Feast of Vali. “Our mission is to rediscover, recreate, and revitalize the religion of the ancient Germanic peoples, especially as exemplified by the Vikings. Ravenswood honors the Aesir and the Vanir in our celebrations—and no other Gods. We remember our ancestors in the ancient rite of Sumble, and reverence the hidden wights that are our folk's lifeblood—the Disir and Alfar, Dvergar and Landvittar.” Ravenswood meets every month for blot and sumble, and welcomes contact with other heathens of like mind and purpose. Their motto is “For Vali, For Vengeance, For Honor, For Kin.” Address: The Kindred of Ravenswood P.O. Box 136, Zionsville, IN 46077. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
http://members.iquest.net/~chaviland/Rindex.html

The Kindred of ShiEndra.
Established in 1992 as a non-profit spiritual organization and temple in the United States after a petition was approved by the HaVlaEndra Council of Elders in Kemet, an ancient, enduring matriarchal society that is still in existence in present-day Egypt. Directly descended from the ancient Kemetic (pre-Egyptian) pantheon through a carefully safeguarded bloodline, “MaShiAat” (The Sacred Queen Mother) Oloya Philae, Ordained Priestess and Queen Mother of the HaVlaEndra tradition, formed the movement in the United States to fulfill the need for a broader and more balanced spectrum of spiritual practice that honors multiple philosophies, built on a solid foundation of the ancient Kemetic principles. “The Kindred of ShiEndra is an inclusive and unifying spiritual and cultural community dedicated to deepening our awareness and expressions of oneness/divinity; awakening of our personal and collective divine unity; activating our highest potential; and celebrating our many lineages through education, ritual, drumming, movement, and sacred play. We serve womin, children, men, allies, communities and villages of all cultures with our primary focus on working with underrepresented communities to end all forms of internalized oppression.” Address: The Kindred of ShiEndra, 4100 Redwood Road #392, Oakland, CA 94619. Phone: 510-259-1239. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.kindredofshiendra.org

Lady Liberty League (LLL).
An international network of Pagan religious freedom and civil rights activists. Members work together to help Pagan individuals and groups who are being persecuted, discriminated against, or harassed because of their religion. The organization also works to help Nature religions get the same respect and protection under the law as “mainstream” religions do. Founded by Selena Fox in 1985, LLL is sponsored by Circle and is part of Circle Network. The Lady Liberty League Report is published in
CIRCLE Magazine
and online. Managing Director: Jerrie Hildebrand. Address: Lady Liberty League, Circle, P.O. Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507. Phone: 609-924-2216. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty

Lake View Covenant (LVC).
A small Gardnerian coven in the Chicago area. Address: Hermes-Thoth, 835 Cornelia #2N, Chicago, IL 60657. E-mail: [email protected].

Living Earth Circle.
Founded in 1999 in Ashland, Oregon, Living Earth Circle serves to “catalyze, support and celebrate sustainable wellness: personal, community and planetary. Through ceremony and sacred performance arts, workshops, conferences, literature, and global networking we honor all creation and promote active and co-creative responsibility for social and environmental well-being.” Dynamic performance art and participatory ceremonies are offred at large festivals, conferences, and multicultural events. Experiential personal growth and intensive training programs are offered on Women's and Earth-based Spirituality, ceremonial facilitation, sacred dance and expressive arts, magical herbcraft, and wholistic health, as well as special events for children and community. LEC focalizes the Grandmother Council project (see page 535) and provides ceremonial and event coordination support for individuals and groups also serving the people and the planet. Founder and facilitator: Lisa Pavati. Address: Living Earth Circle, c/o Pavati, 961 Harmony Lane, Ashland, OR 97520. Phone: 541-201-0372. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.livingearthcircle.org

Loyal Arthurian Warband.
A Druid order in the United Kingdom that has come to be known as Lawband, Clawband and Warband, led by King Arthur Pendragon. Members and others perform public rituals at Avebury on the Saturday closest to each Solstice and Equinox, at Primrose Hill, London, on the nearest Sunday to each Solstice and Equinox, and at Stonehenge on the dawn of the actual day (English Heritage and Wiltshire Constabulary permitting). The order and Arthur Pendragon are known to spend much time doing civil rights and environmental protest actions, challenging unjust laws and “the encroachment on our once green and pleasant land by developers.” E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.warband.org

Maetreum of Cybele.
A reconstructionist revival of the ancient religion of the Great Mother Goddess Cybele founded in 1999. The Cybeline faith is served by a female Priestesshood that includes transsexuals, intersexuals, and other gender-variant people. “The tradition follows a belief in the divine feminine principle of the universe—that all of us and all we see and experience are a part of Her and that since we are all part of Her, none are inferior or superior to others.” The rituals of the Community are conducted by a priestess known as a Mellissa or Galla. “A Galla is a transsexual who combines her journey towards the unity of a female mind with a biologically female body with her journey towards closeness to the Goddess through the discovery of the Divine Feminine. The Gallae have been part of our community for at least eight millennia.” There is also a living component to the Maetreum, the Phrygianum, dedicated to the Goddess Cybele. Celebrations of new and full moons and solar quarters (equinoxes and solstices) are open to all. Address: Maetreum of Cybele, P.O. Box 468, Palenville, NY 12453. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.gallae.com

The Magaian Way.
The Magaian Tradition is inspired by the ancient Magi who followed the path of the stars while gathering the sacred keys to wisdom. Magaians explore the path between the magical aspects of nature and the mysteries of the universe. Magaians work with unique and specific techniques of Alignment. The Magaian Training program is inclusive of a variety of traditions and religions and draws on myths from around the world. The first year Magaian Apprenticeship program learns the teachings of the sacred Gateways. Each gateway is a weekend workshop that focuses on specific skills, such as Ancestor work, Alter/Gridwork, mystical Tools, and Veils of the Mysteries and the Goddess. The second year program develops the personal strengths of each apprentice, who then builds in great detail the inner temple. The third year program helps the apprentice choose a path work for leadership. The leader of the Magaian apprenticeship program is Eclipse Fey, activist, author, ritual artist and co-founder of WomenCircles (see page 586.) Address: The Magaian Way, 183 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. Phone: 401-521-0767. E-mail: [email protected].

Magical Education Council (MEC)
MEC (formerly known as MECAA) is a non-profit educational organization established in 1995 with the following mission statement: “This organization is established for the following purpose: To create community by promoting the sharing of knowledge, experience, and fellowship among people who follow mystical and esoteric traditions. In order to promote community, we do not include those paths or traditions whose doctrines advocate bigotry and/or violence against others on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.” MEC is the organizing body behind ConVocation every year and also presently is proud to be a sponsor of the following events: Pagan Coffee Night in Ferndale, the Pagan Picnic; the UnReal Witches Ball, and several fundraising events for the Tempest Smith Foundation. Address: MEC, P.O. Box 3190, Centerline, MI, 48015. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.mec-mi.org

Maine Pagan Clergy Association (MPCA).
A network of self-identified Pagan clergy, which serves as a support resource for leaders with a ministry in Maine. Members meet quarterly for support and networking, and undertake projects of benefit to Maine's Pagan community. Also offers Maine's only legal Pagan clergy licensure. No dues. Address: MPCA, P.O. Box 731, Saco, ME 04072. E-mail: [email protected].