Goddess Gathering Draws Closer

As you can see, from the picture, things are really greening up down at Raven-Wolf. To quote Coordinator Mary T. Borden, “It is Spring and everything is springing up and trying to reach over our pathways.”

There are a few branches down as well on some of the paths to cabins and elsewhere so work was done to start clearing these away and overhanging branches also. Thanks to Barbara and Starla for their help with this!

54 days to go!!! So as the countdown continues to Summer Solstice and Goddess Gathering, there’s another work/camping weekend coming up on May 5 – 7. That’s when all the power equipment returns and the first mowing of the season will take place. There will be more clearing of paths and overhanging branches. Maintaining safe walking paths are a priority on the Land along with clearing the driveways for people, especially coming up the hill.

The early registration discount for Goddess Gathering expires in a couple of days so if you’re thinking of attending and want to save some money, get your registration in right away!!! Registration forms can be found on the web site under “Goddess Gathering” and then “Festival Registration Form.” For now we can only take checks, money orders or cash (Do NOT send cash through the mail!).

Goddess Gathering registrations will still be accepted by mail postmarked no later than June 1, 2017, for anyone who wants to make sure they have a spot and have less to do upon arrival – all you’ll have to do is present your Confirmation Letter at the Registration site. Registrations now, whether by mail or on site, are:

ENTIRE FESTIVAL : JUNE 21-25, 2017 (5 days)
After April 30, 2017 – $60 per person

FESTIVAL DAY RATES:
After April 30, 2017 – $20 per day per person

***Children under the age of 18 are FREE!***

MAIN RITUAL POTLUCK FEAST:
Bring a dish or pay $10 per person

VENDORS: While you still have to pay the regular registration fee to attend Goddess Gathering, there are no additional registration fees for vendors and we DO NOT ask for a percentage of your sales!!! We will, however, be asking you to donate a sale item for an auction to raise money for Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary that will be held during the festival.

We are still actively seeking Workshop Presenters and Entertainers. If you have a subject that you would like to present in the format of an hour long workshop or you have a talent that you would like to provide enjoyment for others with, we invite you to go to the Workshop & Entertainment Application form (click on that title to the left of this page), fill out the form and send it back to us. We will then confirm whether you have a spot for Goddess Gathering 2017. Here’s your incentive to get involved: If you are willing to put on two one-hour workshops OR give one full hour of entertainment, we will give you FREE admission to the Gathering!!!

Remember, we have a contact page on the web site now if you have questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you. Even better… we’d love to see you and meet you for one of the work/camping weekends or at Goddess Gathering itself!

Love & Blessed Be

Countdown to Goddess Gathering!

Last weekend was the first work/camping weekend at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary. A rainy Friday and some chilly nights left a small group to do a walk-through to assess the Winter’s damages. I’m happy to say that they were almost non-existent! Other than a branch down across a path leading to one of the cabins, everything was pretty much as it had been left.

For us, that’s really good news. Since the rebuilding, rejuvenating, and general maintenance started in 2014, Winters have generally meant clearing away and cleaning up from the dormant time before work could continue on the projects to bring the Land back to its former stature. So, “Thank you, Lady and Lord and anyone else who had a hand in being gentle to our sacred land!”

Guess what? We’re only 67 days from the next Goddess Gathering! Yeah, I know, that’s pretty amazing! Our coordinator, Mary T. Borden, would like to see a lot of improvements take place between now and then. What we need are willing hands to help. Yes, we are a primitive site with a hand-pump well and latrines, but there have been many who have spent some pretty wonderful times on that Land and never felt uncomfortable because everyone pitched in to help. We’re looking for more of those kind of people to come and be part of this sacred space that we call Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary.

You can find our calendar of events on the web site, but here are the camping/work weekends between now and Goddess Gathering (June 21 – 25, 2017):

April 21 – 23 : For this weekend we start weeding places we want to
plant. It is OHIO, so planting will take place a litt later. For now, let’s look at where we want to CULTIVATE some NEW GROWTH.

May 5 – 7: Wood-cutting – chainsaws and wood-splitters will be in use to create piles of community firewood in various areas for the upcoming Solstice Gathering.

May 19 – 21: Potential planting weekend. Once again, this IS Ohio, so it will depend on the weather.

May 26 – 29: MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND – We shortened up the time between weekends to take advantage of this longer weekend. Depending on the weather and hoping for  sunny skies to allow for a fresh coat of paint on surfaces that need protecting from the elements.
June 9 -11: Officially, the lat weekend before Goddess Gathering.  This is a time to mow campsites for those who are pre-registered and make surer there are fire rings and
wood caches set up for them in advance.

Remember, there is free camping for anyone who comes to help on any of these weekends AND any help you give this year will count toward a discount to Goddess Gathering next year!

Please don’t hesitate to come to a work weekend because you aren’t physically capable of wielding an ax or running a chainsaw. There really, truly is something for everyone to do. If you like to cook, you could help by cooking for the work crew. If you like kids, you could watch the children of those working. Are you a people person? You could sit at the gate and greet people when they come in. If you can hold a paint brush, there are things that need painting. Like I said, something for everyone. We could help from everyone who is willing.

If you’ve never been to the Land and would like directions, you can contact me, Samantha Herron, at Durga1974@aol.com or message me on Facebook and I would be happy to email you a PDF copy of two maps we have available to get to the Land.

We have new contact information for our coordinator. You can reach Mary easiest by email at marymom1@earthlink.net or you can reach her by phone at 740-241-9340. We’ve had a few people get lost even with the maps, so having a phone number could come in handy!

One last thing before I go. There’s only about 2 weeks to go before the deadline for pre-registration discounts expire. Registration must be postmarked by April 30, 2017 to receive the early registration discounts! Come May 1, 2017, the cost of registration, either by mail or at the gate, for the attendance to the entire event jumps to $60.00 per person. Day rates will also jump from $15 a day per person to $20 a day per person. If you want to attend and save some money, be sure to get your registrations postmarked by the deadline!!!

For those interested in attending, a registration form can be found on the web site. Right now, we can only accept cash, checks, and money orders. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Love and Blessed Be