Drawing Down the Moon (90 page)

Web site:
www.mainepaganclergy.org
.

Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven.
A Ceremonial center run by Donna Henes, urban shaman and contemporary ceremonialist. Henes produces circles, ceremonies, and seminars, and offers four free public seasonal celebrations each year: Spring and Fall Equinox and Winter and Summer Solstice. She also publishes a quarterly journal,
Always in Season
(see page 492). Address: Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven, P.O. Box 380403, Exotic Brooklyn, NY 11238-0403. Phone: 718-857-1343. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.DonnaHenes.net

MAMAROOTS: Ajama-Jebi Afrakan Sistahood.
“A Spiritual Sistahood and
Afrakan
(Afrikan-womin-centered-self-loving) SpiraCultural community of Afrikan Diasporik wimmin, Wimmin of Color, and our allies, dedicated to Spiritual Awakening, Self-discovery and Self-development in Our unique
AfraKamaatik
TempleTradition. Founded in 1985 on the visionary work of artist, scholar, and Spiritual Philosopher AfraShe Asungi, Our MAMAROOTS' AfraKamaatik TempleTradition is a Modern
Afracentrik
(Black/Afrikan womin-centered as a positive and healthy norm) spiritual philosophy, rooted in the lost traditions of an
Ancient Afrikan matriarchal temple system
.” The Sistahood is open to all wimmin who earnestly seek to venerate “
Our Universal DivineShe
as Wholly Female and Afrikan in origin,” and is committed in the effort to join with other seekers to restore and maintain productive balance and global peace. Workshops, classes, and liturgical services are held regularly throughout the year. Entrance into the Sistahood requires a written petition to join and regular attendance at any of the organization's public or online gatherings. Address: MAMAROOTS, P.O. Box 21066, Long Beach, CA 90804. Phone: 562-961-0900. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].

Web sites:
www.MAMAROOTSweb.com
;
http://forums.delphiforums.com/SistahMIND

Military Pagan Network, Inc.
Founded in 1992 and incorporated in 1997 by John Machate, MPN's threefold mission is to provide information, advocacy, and community support for U.S. military Pagans, including active duty, reservists, veterans/retirees, and dependents. MPN offers networking opportunities online and helps military Pagans find others in their area. MPN encourages military and government agencies to appropriately accommodate Neo-Pagans and assists service members who may be faced with harassment or discrimination. MPN also informs the general public and civilian Neo-Pagans about the unique challenges that Neo-Pagans encounter within the military. Finally, MPN helps military Pagans stay up-to-date on regulations and current events regarding religious accommodation in the U.S. military. Address: Military Pagan Network, Inc., P.O. Box 1225, Columbia, MD 21044.

Web site:
www.milpagan.org

Minnesota Heathens.
Founded in 2002, Minnesota Heathens is an association of kindreds and individuals in Minnesota and the surrounding states. Soon to be a non-profit religious organization, Minnesota Heathens is currently an informal group of about two hundred individuals. Membership is open to all who are interested in the indigenous cultural, mystical, and spiritual traditions of the Scandinavian, German, Anglo-Saxon, Slavic, Baltic, and other Northern European peoples. “We only request that members try to keep an open mind about other alternative lifestyles, cultures, and religions.” The purpose of Minnesota Heathens is to disseminate accurate knowledge about Heathen cultures, histories, beliefs, and practices, to serve the religious needs of its members, to promote and provide resources for the training of clergy and scholars for the practice and study of Heathen religions and to facilitate and promote cooperation and community among non-discriminatory groups and individuals practicing indigenous religions. Address: Minnesota Heathens, c/o Kent Escherich, P.O. Box 13075, Minneapolis, MN 55414. E-mail: Minnesota [email protected].

Web site:
www.minnesotaheathens.org
; Minnesota Heathens' Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/minnesota_heathens

Minoan Tradition.
An initiatory Mystery tradition of Witchcraft that is based in Aegean and Ancient Near Eastern (particularly Cretan) mythology. The tradition comprises the single-sex lineages of the Minoan Brotherhood and Minoan Sisterhood. The Minoan Brotherhood was established in early 1977 in New York City by the late Edmund Buczynski (d. 1989) as a venue for gay/ bisexual men to explore ritual Witchcraft. It has since spread throughout the United States and into Canada. The Minoan Sisterhood was established in New York unofficially in 1978 by Lady Rhea and Lady Miw-Sekhmet—based upon the work of Edmund Buczynski. The Sisterhood is open to any woman, and emphasizes Women's Mysteries and Magics. Both branches of the tradition offer a three-degree training structure, and follow an eight-sabbat wheel of the year tailored to the deities of the Cretan mythos. Minoan Sisterhood Address: The Magickal Realms, 409 East 189th Street, Bronx, NY 10458. E-mail: Magickal [email protected].

Web sites:
www.minoantradition.org
;
www.minoan-brotherhood.org

Missionary Order of the Celtic Cross (MOCC).
Founded in 1983, one of the “grandchildren” of the RDNA. Other than those Branches of Druidism composed primarily of solitaries, the MOCC is possibly one of the smallest Druid Orders in the United States and has a very broad variety of philosophies represented in its membership—from the Apollonian to the Dionysiac, from very stoic to the ecstatic, from city lovers to Nature kin. There are good cross sections of ages, genders, and economic/educational backgrounds. The basic teachings are put forward in a short list of fifteen tenets (these are usually recognized as generic, pan-Pagan beliefs). MOCC draws inspiration from both Reformed Druidism and from Wicca, and is an eclectic, decentralized Neo-Pagan path. There are also some alternative-minded Christians in the group, and everyone seems happy with the arrangement. As of 2005, there were groups in Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Arizona, and a few other locations. Worship and study is held on the Full and New Moons and on the sabbats. There's an occasional newsletter. Contact: Thomas Lee Harris. E-mail: [email protected].

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

Mother Earth Ministries-ATC (MEM).
A Tucson, Arizona–based Neo-Pagan prison ministry. MEM's mission is to provide accurate information about Wicca and other Neo-Pagan faiths to interested inmates and prison staff, and to facilitate for Neo-Pagan prisoners the study and practice of their religions. Affiliated with the internationally recognized Aquarian Tabernacle Church, Mother Earth is very much a local group, founded by Carol Garr in the summer of 2000. Visiting clergy lead ritual for Pagan inmates in several Arizona facilities; corresponding clergy answer letters from Pagan inmates all over the country. MEM does
not
offer formal lessons or provide religious items, but does make introductory brochures about Wicca, the Wheel of the Year, Ásatrú, and Druidry available, along with flyers and pamphlets about various other aspects of Neo-Paganism. Address: MEM, P.O. Box 35906, Tucson, AZ, 85740-5906. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.MotherEarthMinistries.org

Neokoroi (The Temple Keepers).
A group for Hellenic polytheists who feel called to a path of service and devotion to the gods. Neokoroi favors a Reconstructionist approach to Hellenismos (Greek Paganism), while recognizing the importance of personal experience and spiritual innovation. The group is especially dedicated to fostering “real life” worship through the formation of local groups, installation of religious advisors and diviners, and the building of shrines and eventually temples. They also publish a quarterly newsletter,
He Epistole,
in print and electronic formats. Address: Neokoroi, c/o Sarah Winter, 715 S. 20th Avenue #18, Bozeman, MT 59718. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.neokoroi.org

Neptune's Silver Web.
A Wiccan coven and outer court that networks, teaches, and celebrates the sabbats. The background is primarily Alexandrian and Gardnerian, but the group also studies ceremonial magick and shamanism. Address: Neptune's Silver Web, P.O. Box 49187, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. E-mail: [email protected].

The New Alexandrian Library.
This is a project to create a modern, state of the art research and reference library where knowledge from many esoteric traditions can be accessed by scholars and serious seekers. Books, periodicals, special collections, music, media, digital data, etc., will all be carefully cataloged and cross-referenced to ease the work of research. Like the original Alexandrian Library in Egypt, it will be an interfaith crossroads and will collect materials from all spiritual traditions. The Library will work to restore and to preserve rare and damaged documents. In addition to creating a physical library, the New Alexandrian Library will have an Internet component with the idea that over time as much material as is possible, within the limits of logistics and legalities, will be available online. Land and architectural plans have been donated. Fundraising is proceeding and the projected date for the library is 2010. The library will be located in Southern Delaware, and will be under the aegis of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel (see page 509). Address: Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, 14914 Deer Forest Road, Georgetown, DE 19947. Phone: 302-855-9422. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.sacredwheel.org/nal.html

New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches (N.E.C.T.W.).
A center for Covens of Traditionalist origin, founded by Lady Gwen Thompson (1928–1986), a hereditary Witch from North Haven, Connecticut. It is a place for men and women to be trained as priests and priestesses of the Craft. Although formally named in 1972, this family tradition was brought into the public in the late 1960s. Gwen's family tradition originated in Somerset, England, and was brought to the United States by way of Nova Scotia. It was handed down through generations and blended with popular occultism to become the present form she named N.E.C.T.W. As not all who are born into a family tradition are destined to follow that path, Gwen feared her tradition would die out and fade into obscurity. This was the principal reason she decided to “foster” individuals outside her family bloodline in order to ensure that the Tradition would survive. Each Coven is completely autonomous and guided by its High Priestess and High Priest. The Council of Elders may decide upon matters between covens, or relating to the tradition. Gwen Thompson's teachings have had extensive influence on many other Craft Traditions in the United States, some of which are still active today: the New York Welsh Tradition, Blue Star Tradition (via New York Welsh Tradition), Georgian Tradition, Keepers of the Ancient Mysteries (K.A.M.), and the StarBorn Sothis Tradition. Address: N.E.C.T.W., P.O. Box 29182, Providence, RI 02909. E-mail: [email protected] (the historian and archivist for N.E.C.T.W.).

Web site:
www.nectw.org

New Moon New York.
An open, all-volunteer, not-for-profit Pagan networking organization that works to provide opportunities for members of the New York Pagan community to communicate with each other and exchange ideas in both social and ritual situations. It welcomes all people on life-affirming spiritual paths. It holds workshops and seasonal celebrations, including an annual Beltane celebration in Central Park that at least several hundred attend each year. Address: New Moon, NY, P.O. Box 1471, Madison Square Station, New York, NY 10159. Phone: 212-388-8288. E-mail: [email protected].

Web site:
www.newmoonny.org

New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn (NROOGD).
A Wiccan tradition that began in 1967 (see Chapter 7) with a student taking a class from filmmaker James Broughton at San Francisco State college. She was given an assignment to create and perform a ritual, and enlisted friends to create a Witches' sabbat based on the limited historical and liturgical sources available at the time, in particular Robert Graves, Margaret Murray, and Gerald Gardner. After repeating the ritual several times and feeling its effects, they decided to create NROOGD. The name is a play on the attitudes they had toward what they were doing and upon their spiritual antecedents. NROOGD is an initiatory, coven-based Mystery tradition, worshipping a threefold Goddess and various forms of the God stemming from non-Olympian Greek deities and British mythology. Covens are autonomous, recognize one another's initiates, and share a common liturgy notable for its poetic beauty. There are roughly fifteen covens active on the West Coast and in Michigan. Covens in the San Francisco area and elsewhere cooperate to host public sabbats. For information on public rituals, NROOGD's public e-list, covens, and study groups, visit their Web site:
www.nroogd.org
.

New Wiccan Church International (NWC).
Founded in 1973, the New Wiccan Church is an international, professional association of individual members of various traditions of Wicca who are dedicated to preserving initiatory Witchcraft in an ethical manner. The NWC defines Wicca as the initiatory Priesthood of a Mystery religion with roots that originate in the British Isles. Members practice the ancient art of Witchcraft and recognize a belie in and a connection to the Old Gods of Nature—in particular the Goddess and her Consort, the Horned God. NWC membership is open only to initiated Witches who are in one or more of the following traditions: Kingstone, Silver Crescent, Daoine Coire (all derived from Central Valley Wicca, or CVW), Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Mohsian, and related traditions. All members agree to observe and uphold the bylaws of the New Wiccan Church, which were designed to implement a common-sense application of Craft tenets in accordance with the oaths taken at initiation. The NWC is not a church in the usual sense—it is not a public Pagan ministry—it does not provide “church services” or offer “correspondence courses.” The focus of the NWC is to preserve and maintain the heritage of the member traditions as an initiatory Priesthood, as well as provide a communications and mutual aid network for British Traditional Wicca (BTW). The NWC networks with other Pagan and Wiccan organizations, and some of its members participate in Pagan festivals and interfaith efforts. The NWC provides referrals to BTW groups only. Address: NWC, P.O. Box 162046, Sacramento, CA 95816. SASE needed to ensure a reply. Overseas inquiries please send three International Reply Coupons. E-mail: [email protected].