Drawing Down the Moon (88 page)

Web sites:
www.free-spirit.org
;
www.FreeSpiritGathering.org

Gaea Retreat Center.
Affectionately called Camp Gaea, the Gaea Retreat Center became a reality in February 1992, after a long search for land for a permanent home for the Hartland Pagan Festival. The Gaea Retreat Center is a 168-acre property in a rural setting within an hour's drive of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The center is owned and managed by Earth Rising, Inc., a volunteer, not-for-profit organization. The primary goal is to provide a private, natural retreat area for a variety of people of all spiritual traditions, and to promote a feeling of connection with the land and people on it. Gaea includes a twelve-acre lake with a sand swimming area. Many areas are available for tent camping and there are open areas for sports and other organized activities. Buildings include a large open pavilion with stage and folding chairs, an air-conditioned meeting hall, a dining hall and kitchen, and nine cabins. Flush facilities and heated showers are available. The cabins are equipped with bunk beds, and one cabin, for special health needs, is air-conditioned. Gardens and secluded areas provide quiet places for meditation or simple relaxation. Hiking and biking trails are maintained. Many groups call Gaea home, the largest still being the Heartland Pagan Festival (see page 578). Address: Earth Rising, Inc., P.O. Box 696, Tonganoxie, KS 66086. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.campgaea.org

Gaia's Hearth.
Formed to create a harmonious spiritual environment for Pagan families and friends in which to worship. People of all faiths and paths are welcome and members come from varied backgrounds and experiences. The only CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) group in Rhode Island, Gaia's Hearth follows the Wiccan Rede of “harm none,” and holds strictly to UU Principles acknowledging the worth and dignity of each person. Gaia's Hearth follows the Wiccan Wheel of the Year and celebrates the eight sabbats, and all of its public celebrations are appropriate for families and children. Gaia's Hearth also holds regular workshops on a variety of magical and spiritual topics, both intellectual and practical, and holds beginner and advanced courses in the Cornerstones of Wicca. Gaia's Hearth is led by four women who share equal standing, and one of its foundational beliefs is in the concept of balance in all things. Gaia's Hearth is also involved in interfaith dialogue. One of its leaders, Lorna Buffum, is the coordinator for Pagan Pride in Rhode Island.

Web site:
www.gaiashearth.com

Gaia's Womb.
An interfaith spirituality organization that provides a place for those who embrace Nature-based spiritual paths to connect with the Divine Feminine. Gaia's Womb produces wonderful quality retreats for women twice a year with a number of smaller intensives more frequently. Additionally, Wheel of the Year celebrations for men and women are produced through Gaia's Womb Earth Traditions (the part of Gaia's Womb that includes men), and include Samhain, the Winter Solstice, Oimelc, the Spring Equinox, Beltaine, the Summer Solstice, Lughnassadh, and the Autumnal Equinox. Gaia's Womb events honor and draw upon ancient traditions and rituals in an effort to restore balance to the spiritual energy of the human psyche. Gaia's Womb is also involved in interfaith work and its director, Angie Buchanan, is on the Board of Trustees of the Council for A Parliament of the World's Religion, the first Pagan to hold that position. Address: Gaia's Womb, 2700 Wildwood Lane, Bannockburn, IL 60015. Phone: 847-405-0208. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.GaiasWomb.com

The Grandmother Council.
Honors women elders and provides a unique forum for their wisdom to be shared for the healing and sustainable wellness of the people and the planet. The project was started in 2002 as a part of Living Earth Circle (see page 542), and has three parts: an annual public conference, ongoing open gatherings of women elders, and global community networking and support. The annual conference is held in April in Ashland, Oregon. It is open to everyone and features an Honoring Ceremony for Women Elders, a public Grandmother Council, and experiential workshops presented by women elders. Address: Living Earth Circle, c/o Lisa Pavati, 961 Harmony Lane, Ashland, OR 97520. Phone: 541-201-0372. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.livingearthcircle.org

The Green Faerie Grove.
Founded on Yule of 1998, the Green Faerie Grove is the oldest continuously operating queer men's coven in Ohio. The tradition follows an eclectic path, with strong influences from Wicca and Druidry, bits of Greek and Roman mythos, Celtic Shamanism, men's Mysteries, and Radical Faerie thrown in for good measure. Solar sabbats and occasional full moons celebrated. Membership is open to queer men over eighteen years of age, and members come from a variety of spiritual backgrounds, including Witchcraft, Ceremonial Magick, Heathen, and Shamanist. Membership is through election. The coven is run by consensus within a framework of bylaws, with each member taking turns as facilitator. Members are active in the regional and national Pagan community. The coven's main public outreach project is the annual Between the Worlds Men's Gathering (see page 586). Address: Green Faerie Grove, 3000 B East Main Street, #240, Columbus, OH 43209. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.greenfaeriegrove.org

GreenSong Grove (GSG).
An eclectic non-profit Pagan church in St. Petersburg, Florida. GSG began in 1998, and incorporated with the state of Florida on June 14, 2001. “We formed to provide a place for Pagans and Wiccans to meet and improve communication in the magickal and mundane world, building a strong, connected community, and a safe place for new people to meet others of like mind.” GSG provides a weekly online newsletter listing area events that are presented by local Covens and groups. GSG provides workshops, classes, healing circles, drum circles, and two festivals a year. It also hosts public sabbats and organizes community service projects. “We do not require anyone to follow any path, tradition or faith to attend our events, all who come with an open heart and mind are welcome.” Address: GreenSong Grove, P.O. Box 55253, St. Petersburg, FL 33732-5253. Phone: 727-804-9370. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.greensonggrove.org

The Grey School of Wizardry.
“Omnia vivunt, omnia inter se conexa.”
An online magickal school for students aged eleven to adult. The Grey School provides an extensive program of studies in all areas of Wizardry at an apprenticeship level. Graduates will be certified as “Journeyman Wizards.” The basic textbooks are
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
and
Companion for the Apprentice Wizard
by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart. There are sixteen departments: Wizardry, Nature Studies, Magickal Practice, Metapsychics, Healing, Wortcunning, Divination, Performance, Alchemy, Lifeways, Beast Mastery, Mathemagicks, Cosmology, Ceremonial Magick, Lore, and Dark Arts. The school really began in 2005, and there is a growing faculty. The Grey School is highly interactive, with four Elemental “Houses” for youths and “Lodges” for adults. There is also the Great Hall, where all students can communicate directly with each other. Headmaster: Oberon Zell-Ravenheart; Dean of Studies: Elizabeth Barrette. Address: Grey School of Wizardry, P.O. Box 758, Cotati, CA 94931.

Web site:
www.GreySchool.com

Grok Fellowship: A Beloved Community of Waterkin.
Founded October 15, 2004, the Grok Fellowship is a vessel combining water from the chalice of CAW and that of each individual member. “We came together for the purpose of continuing our tribal connections and helping each other in our journey of self-actualization. Our mission statement is: The sacred path of the Grok Fellowship is to promote and participate in the manifestation of our common values: Thou Art God/dess, Know Thyself, Grow Closer, All that Groks is God, Love Thy Neighbor, Love as Thou Wilt, and From Thy Heart, Laugh.” The Grok Fellowship encourages the celebration of life, compassionate honesty, radical politeness, ultimate individual freedom, personal responsibility and the evolution of human potential. While there is not full agreement on the term “radical politeness,” treating each person with courtesy and respect is very important to members of the fellowship. There are two levels of membership: full members and friends. Each requires two vouches from members/friends with no vetoes. E-mail: [email protected].

Web sites:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/grokfellowship/
(for group members) or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GF_open/
(for interested non-members)

The Grove, South Africa.
The Grove, formed in 1996, is a Pagan Mystery School dedicated to the exploration of Pagan gnosis and the practice of Neo-Paganism. The order is an initiatory tradition founded on the praxis of ancient and modern Pagan traditions. Year and a day degree courses are conducted by experienced facilitators who encourage personal spiritual growth and ethical community participation. Address: The Grove, P.O. Box 4238, Rivonia 2128, South Africa. Phone: (27-011) 789 7847. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.thegrove.za.net

Hearth & Grove Fellowship.
A non-profit service organization serving southwest Michigan by providing local groups and individuals with opportunities for ecological service, book study groups, community sabbat celebrations, labyrinth walks, herb walks, classes about Pagan-related subjects such as Pagan traditions and paths, ethics, and magic, as well as practical skills such as making besoms, knitting, and growing herbs. The Fellowship feels strongly about continuing education for leaders who work in ministry capacities, and provides classes and workshops to further those skills. Hearth & Grove Fellowship has been fundraising to obtain property to create and maintain a Pagan community center with space set aside for a green cemetery. Address: Hearth & Grove Fellowship, P.O. Box 205, Kalamazoo, MI 49004. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HearthandGroveFellowship

Heartland Spiritual Alliance.
A networking organization that sponsors Heartland Pagan Festival (see page 578), a five-day annual festival held over Memorial Day weekend. HSA is also a networking organization for new or transplanted Pagans. HSA sponsors an educational program, Spirit Circle, on the third Monday of the month. HSA publishes the newsletter
The Heartland Spirit
and sponsors fund-raising events during the year, with the money donated to local charitable organizations. Meetings occur on the second Sunday of each month and are open to the public. Please write for information. Address: Heartland Spiritual Alliance, P.O. Box 3407, Kansas City, KS 66103. Phone: 816-807-2472. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.kchsa.org

Hecate-Legba Coven.
A Vancouver coven in the Pagans for Peace Tradition, a hybrid drawing from Feri, Alexandrian, Ceremonial Magick, “and just reading too many books.” Skyclad, open to women and men of a variety of sexual persuasions. Initiatory with a three degree system. Address: Hecate-Legba Coven, upper floor, 5196 Moscrop Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 2G4 Canada. E-mail: [email protected] “and we can maybe go out for a coffee.”

The Henge of Keltria.
Keltrian Druidism was founded in 1985 by members of Ár nDraocht Féin who were looking for a Celtic-specific path. In doing so, they built an organization, the Henge of Keltria, a tradition honoring the ancestors, revering the spirits of nature, and worshipping the Gods and Goddesses of their Celtic heritage. The tradition uses a very specific ritual formula, and over the years has become mainly Irish/Scottish in focus. Keltrian Druids believe in divinity as it is manifest in the Celtic pantheons and that polytheism, pantheism, panentheism, animism, and pan-polytheism are all valid theistic perceptions of the pantheon. “We believe that Nature is the embodiment of the Gods, that natural law reflects the will of the Gods, that all life is sacred, that the spirit is immortal, and that our purpose is to gain wisdom through experience.” Groves can be granted a charter by the Board of Trustees; there are also study groups and individuals who practice solitary. Most rituals are done around a sacred fire. In addition to the eight Neo-Pagan Feasts, the Henge of Keltria celebrates two lunar rites, the Mistletoe Rite and the Vervain Rite. E-mail addresses for all officers, elders, and groves are at:
www.keltria.org/E-Mail.htm
. Individual groves and study groups may be contacted via their Web site:
www.keltria.org/ContactUs.htm
.

Hof Guild Kindred.
The focus of Hof Guild Kindrid is self-reliance and sustainable living. Based in Ohio, all kindred members must possess a skill or trade to contribute to the kindred and the growth of the Ásatrú community at large. Members include woodworkers, blacksmiths, brewers, and herbalists. Hof Guild Kindred is a member kindred of the Ásatrú Alliance, and some kindred members also belong to the Ásatrú Folk Assembly. A long-term goal of Hof Guild Kindred is acquisition of land for its members to create an intentional community. As of this publication, a kindred Web site is currently in progress and will be accessible through search engines. Address: Hof Guild Kindred, 2625 CR 12, Bellefontaine, OH 43311.

Holy Spring Heathen Fellowship.
Serves the Denton/Dallas area of North Texas in offering ways to promote and practice Anglo-Saxon and Germanic early religion. With regular blessings both seasonal and deity specific and classes and activities for children, Holy Spring builds and sustains the Heathen community and fosters ties among Heathen folk. Phone: 972-625-RUNE: E-mail Rich at: [email protected] or Jennifer at: [email protected].

Web site:
www.holyspring.org