Drawing Down the Moon (84 page)

Web site:
www.rosencomet.com

Australian Pagan Information Center.
Established in 1983 to provide an authoritative reference point on all aspects of Paganism, including belief structures (Witchcraft and magic) and the phenomena and practices (such as herbalism and altered states). The Center publishes the journal
Panthology,
a digest of the best articles from around the world. The Center also has an extensive library of texts and notes and video and audio recordings, and also acts as a contact point for Pagans and even for the press and the police. Address: Australian Information Center, P.O. Box 54, Castlemaine, Vic., Australia. E-mail: [email protected].

Bay Area Pagan Assemblies (BAPA).
A non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to the Pagan community of the greater San Francisco Bay Area (including Santa Cruz). BAPA's mission is to serve the Pagan community as an information resource and to facilitate the practice of Pagan spirituality. Address: BAPA, P.O. Box 4159, Mountain View, CA 94040.

Web site:
www.bapa.net

The Black Earth Institute.
Articulates and forges connections between the arts and the sacred, whether defined as divinity, ancestors, or the earth. Fellows, appointed every two years, have significant publication records in poetry and/or fiction; Scholar/Advisors are appointed for varying periods to support Fellows' work. Public programming includes readings, conferences, and publications. The Institute is located in Black Earth, Wisconsin. Address: Brigit Rest, 4520 Blue Mounds Trail, Black Earth, WI 53515. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.blackearthinstitute.org

The Black Witch-Hat Society.
A social club–style network, co-founded by Lady Isadora and Lykaina, for Witches who enjoy having fun with “the image.” It includes an e-group and local chapters with in-person activities. “Just imagine what spectacular subversion we may be brewing: rune-casting, spellchanting hordes of wonderful Witches streaming stalwartly down Mystic Main Street, U.S.A., our trusty gnarled old besoms in hand, our tall pointy black hats and cacklesque cones of power aimed strategically at both Inner and Outer Stratospheres! Party on, noble Pentagram People!” Address: The Black Witch-Hat Society, P.O. Box 41246, Des Moines, IA 50311. E-mail: broomstick_ [email protected].

Web site:
www.ladyisadora.com/witchhat.html

Blood Eagle Kindred.
Based in Southeastern New England, the kindred is known for assisting the production of the radio show
Odin LIVES!
(see page 499) and
Zeitgeist
magazine (official publication of the Irminen-Gesellschaft); brewing exquisite mead and beer; advocating for the religious rights of incarcerated Heathens; publishing essays on Germanic socioethnobotany; practicing spiritual midwifery at birth and death passages; hosting Pub Moots in Southeastern New England; and for taking numerous cross-country road trips together to AlThings and Moots. Blood Eagle Kindred is a member kindred of the Ásatrú Alliance, and some kindred members also belong to the Irminen-Gesellschaft and the Ásatrú Folk Assembly. Blood Eagle Kindred produces Valhallapalooza (see page 590), a folk festival celebrating Nordic music, culture, and Heathen spirituality. Address: Blood Eagle Kindred, P.O. Box 15084, Riverside, RI 02915. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.bloodeaglekindred.org

Branching.
Founded in 1995, Branching is an international group that networks by mail. It publishes a newsletter,
Folio,
three times a year, which seeks to instruct newcomers on Paganism, current and ancient Wicca, Magick, ritual, and healing. Articles are written by members. Occasionally a member directory/pen pal list is issued for networking purposes. Since its founding,
Folio
has evolved into a forum for Wiccans and Pagans behind bars. The newsletter/ membership fee is $4 a year, or $6 for foreign members. This fee is waived for prisoners and other indigent persons. Contact: Aradia. Address: Branching, P.O. Box 3155, East Hampton, NY 11937-0397. E-mail: crafters22001@
yahoo.com
.

Caer na Donia y Llew
(House of Goddess and God). The Caer began as a small Cymri (Welsh, Celtic) family tradition and morphed into a large Pagan ecclesiastical corporation in 2001. Now a non-profit religious organization, members include old-line Pagans, eclectic Neo-Pagans, Ásatrú, Wiccans, Native Americans, and Druids. “We ask that members take a vow such as the Wiccan Rede or aspire to the Nine Virtues, and contribute to society by working, attending school, or caring for children. Our rituals and gatherings are very family oriented. Legally ordained clergy are available to facilitate weddings, baby blessings, hospital visits, funerals, and other rites of passage. We hold ceremonies for the Celtic holidays and Wiccan sabbats. We also celebrate American holidays such as July 4th and Thanksgiving.” Members help to support the Paganstock Music Festival (see page 579) in June in southwest Michigan, the Midwest Pagan Council's Pan Pagan Festival in August (see page 584), and Pagan Pride events. The Caer sponsors several kids' field trips, service projects, and classes. They also have a group for young adults, ages 11–22: MEH (Magickally Enchanted Heathens). Address: Caer na Donia y Llew, 52188 30th Avenue, Bangor, MI 49013. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.cndyl.org
.

California Utlandr Alliance.
The CUA exists to provide Heathens a common base for networking at a local, grass-roots level among California steadings, kindreds, hearths, Hofs, etc. Any Californian group or individual may join. Current dues are 3 self-addressed stamped envelopes sent to: Freya's Folk, PMB 165, 537 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-2007. “We do NOT keep nor give out a mailing list.” E-mail: [email protected].

Camp Sister Spirit Folk School.
A project of SisterSpirit, Incorporated, a non-profit, tax exempt, charitable organization whose mission is to “eradicate hatred and differences through education and interaction with our neighbors.” Camp Sister Spirit is located on 120 acres of sacred ground in the pine belt of Mississippi. “We host a variety of cultural events, including the Gathering of Eclectic Views, Gulf Coast SisterCamp, and the Driven by the Wind Festival. CSS has ten cabins, camping sites, meeting and conference space, nature trails, and more. Address: CSSFS, 444 Eastside Drive, Ovett, MS 39464. Phone: 601-344-1411. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.campsisterspirit.com

The Celtic Witan Church.
Founded in 1984 and legally incorporated in 1992, “We gather for the study and practice of Goddess-oriented, nature-based religion of the ancient Celtic people. This is a fertility religion concerned with all aspects of prosperity, emotional and spiritual growth, abundance, creativity and healing.” The church honors the Celtic deities with full moon rituals and sabbat festivals. There are many open rituals and hands-on training programs—from initiate to legal clergy. Associated congregations are: MoonDance Coven of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Moon Shadow Coven of El Paso, Texas, and Key to the Moon Coven of Canoga Park, California. All groups can be reached through the Celtic Witan Church. Address: The Celtic Witan Church, P.O. Box 8, Canoga Park, CA 91305.

The Chameleon Club.
A group of individuals involved in the exploration of inner frontiers and the celebration of the diversity of the human experience in all realms, be they magical, scientific, or spiritual. Founded in 1978, “their motto is ‘Change!,' their spirit is undaunted, their energy is phenomenal, and their number is far from legion.” They include magicians of many paths, teachers from many reality perspectives, and joyous entertainers. They have created ACE, the Association for Consciousness Exploration, the Starwood Festival, and the WinterStar Symposium, and run them all; and they perform as the musical ensemble Chameleon. They see themselves as an extended family or tribe in the style of the Pranksters. Mailing address: ACE, 1643 Lee Road #9, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.rosencomet.com

Cherry Hill Seminary.
A low-residency, professional Pagan ministry training program offering training in Public Ministry and Pagan Pastoral Counseling. The Seminary also offers academic enhancement courses through its Cultural Studies department that are open to all students. Most courses are done online and include required readings, regular postings to a designated class discussion list, and weekly chatroom class discussions. Courses are designed to be at a graduate level of academic rigor. The Cherry Hill Seminary does not teach the practice of Paganism; it teaches Pagans how to be leaders and ministers. Address: Cherry Hill Seminary, 307 Christian Hill Road, Bethel, VT 05032. Phone: 802-234-6420. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.cherryhillseminary.org

Chesapeake Pagan Community.
A group of people on diverse spiritual and religious paths within the Pagan and Pantheist family of religions. A non-profit religious corporation, “Our mission is to organize community events, workshops, and rituals open to the public in the D.C. and Baltimore area. Business meetings and events are usually open to all seekers on an ethical path.” Address: Chesapeake Pagan Community, P.O. Box 25242, Baltimore, MD 21229.

Web site:
www.chesapeakepagans.org

Church and School of Wicca.
Founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost, the Church and School of Wicca offers correspondence courses in Witchcraft, Astrology, Tantric Yoga, Astral Travel, and many other subjects. It also offers first-degree initiations to those who qualify. Active membership in the student body includes
Survival
, the school's bimonthly newsletter. Address: Wicca, P.O. Box 297-DM, Hinton, WV 25951-0297.

Web site:
www.wicca.org

Church of All Worlds.
(See Chapter 10.) Founded in 1962, and incorporated in 1968, CAW is one of the oldest legally incorporated Neo-Pagan organizations in America. Taking much of its early inspiration from Robert A. Heinlein's 1961 science fiction novel,
Stranger in a Strange Land,
CAW developed its mission into evolving “a network of information, mythology and experience to awaken the divine within and to provide a context and stimulus for reawakening Gaia and reuniting Her children through tribal community dedicated to responsible stewardship and the evolution of consciousness.” The Church of All Worlds is dedicated to “healing the separation between mind and body, men and women, civilization and Nature, Heaven and Earth.” In 2005, after a difficult period that encompassed the demise of its flagship magazine,
Green Egg,
the CAW embarked on a new “Phoenix Phase” of reconceptualization and reorganization. Address: Church of All Worlds, P.O. Box 758, Cotati, CA 95931. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.caw.org

Church of the Eternal Source.
“The Church of the Eternal Source is the refounded church of Ancient Egypt. We worship the original gods of mankind in their original names in the original manner as closely as possible. Our work is to establish a constantly evolving synthesis of ancient and modern knowledge under the direct guidance and in direct contact with the Eternal Gods.” The Church is a polytheistic federation of Egyptian cults founded in 1970 and includes basic instruction materials and current activity information on its Web sites. It published fifteen issues of a magazine,
Khepera,
which may return on the Web. Back issues are available. The church has congregations in three states and has consecrated four Egyptian temples. Address: Church of the Eternal Source, P.O. Box 2778, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-0778. Idaho congregation address: P.O. Box 124, Notus, ID 63565-0124. Phone: 208-455-5664. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.CESwebhq.org

The Church of Iron Oak.
An ATC English Traditional Wiccan/Pagan church located in the Cocoa/Palm Bay Florida area. The Church has a number of covens and groves. Iron Oak teaches classes in Wicca both in the Melbourne/ Palm Bay area, and a second class in the Cocoa/Cape Canaveral area. It also conducts many workshops, including the Athame Maker's Workshop, a full weekend workshop to assist Wiccan visitors in making their own athame by metal forging or casting. Iron Oak ministers actively participate in the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and local college classes to teach what Wicca is about. The Church of Iron Oak is a part of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (see page 511). It originated the biannual Florida Pagan Gathering, now operated as an independent organization with more than five hundred attendees. Iron Oak continues to practice its religion in the open, having prevailed against efforts to prevent its worship. Address: Church of Iron Oak, P.O. Box 060672, Palm Bay, FL 32906-0672. Phone: 321-722-0291. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.ironoak.org

Church of the Sacred Earth: A Union of Pagan Congregations.
A legal, tax-exempt church and organization of Pagans of diverse beliefs including but not limited to Wiccan, Greek Reconstructionist, Druidic, Icelandic Reconstructionist, and various forms of eclectic Paganism. All groups worship Nature and try to learn how to live more harmoniously with Her cycles and seasons. Each congregation is autonomous in its beliefs and actions. Most members are in New England and the Northeast, with others scattered around the country. Address: Church of the Sacred Earth, 307 Christian Hill Road, Bethel, VT 05032. Phone: 802-234-9670. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
http://cose.numachi.com

The Church of Spiral Oak (COSO).
A public Pagan church based in Akron, Ohio, COSO provides a place of celebration and learning, a community, and a connecting point for like-minded individuals who identify themselves as walking a Pagan spiritual path. Founded in 1996, the church meets monthly for ritual and social time and also gathers to celebrate sabbats. Statelicensed Clergy provide all manner of pastoral services, including legal/spiritual handfasting, baby welcoming, house blessing and pastoral counseling. Classes are offered periodically, and the church facilitates community involvement through volunteer work, the Akron Area Interfaith Council, Pagan Pride Day, and the annual Crop Walk. Address: The Church of the Spiral Oak, P.O. Box 13681, Akron, OH 44334-3681. Phone: 330-224-5871. E-mail: clergy spiraloak.com.