Festival Registration Deadlines & Discounts

The official start of Spring is on March 20th, but for those of us in the colder parts of the US, Spring is definitely in the air! With Spring comes thoughts of sunshine, warmer temperatures and getting outside to enjoy it all.

If you’ve been looking for a place to enjoy Nature and meet like-minded Pagan and magickal people, come see us at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary. This year for the first time in years, we will be coming together to celebrate the Summer Solstice at an event we’ve entitled “Goddess Gathering Reborn”. This is a 10-day event that will be presenting workshops, drumming circles, and rituals to celebrate the Sun’s zenith in the sky.

This year we’re offering discounts for early registration and you can register for the whole event or part of it. Prices and deadlines are as follows:

ENTIRE FESTIVAL – JUNE 17 – 26, 2016 (10 days)

Jan. 1, 2016 – March 21, 2016 each adult person is $ 75.00

March 22, 2016 – May 31, 2016 each adult person is $100.00

***CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE FREE***
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WAIT TO REGISTER AT THE GATE THE COST IS $130 PER PERSON.
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FESTIVAL RATES – 7 DAYS OR ANY PORTION (6/20/16 – 6/26/16)

Jan. 1, 2016 – March 21, 2016 each adult person is $ 60.00

March 22, 2016 – May 31, 2016 each adult person is $ 75.00

***CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE FREE***
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WAIT TO REGISTER AT THE GATE THE COST IS $100 PER PERSON.
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FESTIVAL DAY PASSES – A 24-HOUR PASS
These can be obtained by registering on site during the festival for $25 per person, per pass.
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Raven-Wolf is a 16 acre site. For this reason, we’ve had to put a cap on the number of people from whom we can accept registrations. That cap is 150 adults. Our suggestion is that if you’re really interested on attending all or any part of this event, you get your registration in as soon as possible. Not only will you assure yourself of a spot, but you’ll save some money as well. Now, how can you possibly go wrong with that?

In the meantime, if you live within traveling distance of Raven-Wolf, check out the events happening prior to Goddess Gathering Reborn listed under “Calendar of Weekends – at a glance”. These events are free to those who are willing to come and lend a hand in rebuilding and maintaining Raven-Wolf.

If you have any questions about Goddess Gathering Reborn, Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary or anything else, please feel free to contact us on our Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary Facebook page, or email us at RavenWolfNature@aol.com. You can also contact me either on Facebook (Samantha Herron) or email me at Durga1974@aol.com.

We look forward to meeting you!

Blessed Be

Elder Maya

 

The Gates Will Open Soon

Can you feel it? The first stirrings of the Earth have begun as it wakes from the sleep of Winter here in Ohio. Can you hear that? It’s the Goddess whispering of Her return. She’s calling to us, asking us to help Her.

Soon the first work weekend will take place at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary and preparations begin for the first Gathering at Summer Solstice to be held there in many years.

April 8 – 10 the gates open for the year and work on a long list of things that need to be done will start. I won’t lie. We need help. The more hands to do the work, the quicker it gets done and the more pleasant Goddess Gathering Reborn will be for all who attend. You may believe you have nothing to offer, in the way of help. Don’t sell yourself short. There’s things for people of all capabilities. Yes, we need help from people who can run a chainsaw, weed whacker, etc., but we also need people to clean and paint. We even need people who can cook or just sit the gate to greet new arrivals. If you want to add your energies to this revival of Pagan celebration, there’s something you can do, no matter what your physical capabilities. We could use your help.

Goddess Gathering Reborn is a gathering for Pagans, Wiccans and all other magickal people walking a positive path. It’s about coming together with like-minded people and celebrating our spirituality. It’s a safe place to come and become who you truly are away from all that’s mundane in your life.

We invite you to come and add your energies to ours in the rebuilding and rejuvenation of this wonderful Pagan-owned site and event. We look forward to seeing you and so appreciate anything you are willing and able to do to bring this dream back into manifestation!

Be sure to check out the “Calendar of Weekends” by clicking on the link at the left. You can contact us on our Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary Facebook page, or email us at RavenWolfNature@aol.com. You can also contact me either on Facebook (Samantha Herron) or email me at Durga1974@aol.com to obtain a map to the site or ask any questions you may have.

Blessed Be

At a Snail’s Pace

This past Labor Day weekend was a three day weekend down on Raven-Wolf Land. There are only 3 or 4 more work weekends before the Land is closed down for the year.

Progress is still being made, albeit much slower than we had hoped. You see, we really thought more people, especially of the Pagan/magickal variety, would see the value in bringing back to life, and use, this wonderful piece of sacred space that has seen so many gather there in years gone by. Such has not been the case – and I mean to lay guilt-trips on any one here, just a statement of fact.

It’s kind of a puzzlement to me. You see, I hear lots of Pagans and others say they would love to have a place to go, a place to “unplug”, a place to gather with other like-minded people. One would think, with all that desire, there would be lots of folks contacting us for the specifics on how to get there, what needs done, how can they help. The silence is deafening.

So those of us who want it to see it restored, go when we can and do what we can. Progress continues. Whether there will be a 2016 Summer Solstice Gathering will depend on those willing to help and the amount of work that still needs doing. We’re not giving up hope, but more help would sure be appreciated and would make the possibility of that 2016 Summer Solstice Gathering more attainable and realistic.

This year, for helping, we are offering discounts on next year’s membership fees. This can still amount to 30% to 40% off next year’s fees, with the weekends that remain to do the clearing and repairs still to be done.

So what still does need doing? Well, there’s more painting to be done, more paths to be cleared, mowing continues, and there’s an outhouse to finish rebuilding. We’re clearing trash to a localized place so that in the Spring a large dumpster can be rented and the trash hauled away. Also, as the weather cools, there’s lots of dead wood to be taken down, cut and stacked. There are also signs that need repainting.

Our coordinator, Mary T. Borden, has been working to get our garden tractor/mower running again. By process of elimination, she’s come to the conclusion a new carburetor may be in order. With the tractor fixed, a lot more grass would be cut a lot quicker. That would free up hands for other projects.

Once everything is brought back to where it once was, then maintaining it will be much simpler and less time consuming. Have we made progress this year? Hells yes! Is there more to do? Without a doubt. Is it worth putting blood, sweat and tears into it? Well, for me, I would have to give a resounding “Yes!!!” Raven-Wolf is a place dedicated to the preservation of Nature and the preservation of the human spirit. It is here, close to Nature, without the distractions of everyday mundane life, that healing begins and the gentle voice of ones True Self is heard much more clearly. This alone makes it sacred space and this alone makes it well worth the time and effort it takes to restore it.

So I call out to you now and ask you to come away from the city, away from your computer, your phone and all else that is a distraction. Come experience what Raven-Wolf has to offer you. I truly believe you will be glad you did. You can contact us on our Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary Facebook page, or email us at RavenWolfNature@aol.com. You can also contact me either on Facebook (Samantha Herron) or email me at Durga1974@aol.com. Ask for the next dates someone will be down there and request a map to the site. We will be very happy to meet and greet you and the Land will appreciate your help.

Blessed Be

Elder Maya

A Raven-Wolf Summer Solstice

Ask anyone who’s ever been to Raven-Wolf and they’ll tell you, “It’s all about Summer Solstice.” Before we ever had work/camping weekends; before there were smaller gatherings on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend; even before we ever own the Land, it was all about Summer Solstice.

Other Gatherings across the country seem to feel the same way too. Many are held on or near the Summer Solstice. “Why?” you may ask. I’m not sure of the answer but here’s my thinking. From a weather perspective, it’s kind of a “Goldilocks” time of the year. You know, “Not too hot, not too cold. Just right!” for gathering people together and having fun. From a spiritual, celebratory perspective, it’s the holy day that celebrates the Sun reaching it’s highest peak; the day being the longest day and the night, the shortest night of the year. Rituals were/are performed and bonfires lit in hopes that the Sun will not fade away and bring with its decline the cold and Winter. We all know this is just part of Nature’s cycle, but we celebrate, enjoying the warmth of the Sun while secretly hoping its warmth and light will stay just a little longer this year.

When we began Goddess Gathering so many years ago, we gave much thought to when the best time to hold such a gathering would be. May was still too chilly, often, and sometimes rainy still. July was usually too hot and dry to enjoy much of anything but sitting in the shade while drinking something nice and cold. Summer Solstice made perfect sense. That tradition has stuck for over 30 years now.

Once we got the Land, when the gates first opened in the Spring, until the week before Summer Solstice, we cleaned and straightened, mowed, sawed up downed wood all in preparation for the upcoming Summer Solstice Gathering. People planned workshops and rituals. We even had people who would assist with the potluck dinner that always took place after the Main Ritual on Saturday. We wanted people to come and enjoy themselves – to have a relaxing, spiritual experience.

This year, unfortunately, the Gathering we had hoped we would be ready for will have to wait for next year. Although progress continues, there is still much to be done. There are still downed trees to cut and stack the wood; areas to be cleared and mowed; buildings, benches, and picnic tables to be painted; cabins and campers to be cleaned, aired out and even restored. There is hope. We are motivated! We have a memory of what it was like and we would like to share that with newcomers and have former members return, even if for just one time.

We’ve discovered we can’t do this alone. The more hands, the quicker the work will go and the more ready we will be to start the actual plans for the “Grand Re-Opening” of Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary with our first Summer Solstice Gathering to be held there in quite a few years. We are very grateful for the help we have received from those who have driven as far as 3 ½ to 4 hours away to do whatever they could for a day or two. To be honest though, we could use more help.

If you would love to see an annual Pagan/Wiccan/Magickal Gathering take place annually in a wonderful wooded site, we invite you to be part of making that happen by joining us on one of the many work weekends scheduled for this year. You can find them listed on the left side of this page under “Events – 2015”. Know that everyone who comes and helps with the work that needs to be done gets credit toward membership fees for next year. The more you help, the more credit you get. While this is a great incentive, we hope you will come see the Land and feel the wonderful vibrations. It’s sure to make you fall in love with the place!

We are also very open and desirous of hearing what you would like to see happen at that grand re-opening gathering. Leave a comment at the bottom of the page or email us at RavenWolfNature@aol.com. If you would like to come and present a workshop, once again, contact us. We’d love to hear from you with your thoughts and suggestions.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Summer Solstice!!! Next year, let’s all gather at Raven-Wolf for one heck of a celebration! See you there!

Blessed Be

Elder Maya

Festivals – Past and Future

Have you ever been to a Pagan festival? Or have you yet to experience one? If you have been to one, is there any one thing that was your favorite experience? If you haven’t been to one, what do you look forward to experiencing?

Our history began at the primitive group camp area in Hocking Hills State Park as “Goddess Gathering” in June, 1983. It was an awesome experience just in the fact that we attracted 65 people to join us. Then there was the rituals, the workshops, the vendors, and the wonderful experience of meeting and getting to know new like-minded people.

Much like now, there were only a few of us to put on this event so some us did double and triple duty. Oh, but it was so worth it! We greeted everyone who came and asked if they needed any help getting set up. Then Opening Ritual was held the first day. This was followed on Saturday night with the Main Ritual followed by a potluck feast. In between, there were workshops, campfires and drumming. It truly was an event that left a continuous smile on your face. We all hated to see it end.

The next year was at another state park and that was followed by five years at a local ski resort where our attendance grew to around 250 people. The experience of the ski resort sort of spoiled us. There were showers and flush toilets along with a lodge that had a fully functioning kitchen where breakfasts could be made and served. It was here we held the “Pagan Olympics” with unique events that brought laughter and fun to the event. We even bought used trophies from places like Goodwill to give to the winners. It was a great time!

Then, due to the owner wanting to sell his property, we had to seek another site. This lead us to the Land we call Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary. Just before Hallowmas/Samhain, 1989, we signed the contract to buy our 16 acres.

Many of the people who had so enjoyed the conveniences of our former site didn’t return – after all, we had become very primitive. Still, we persevered and began to attract a whole new crowd of people who didn’t seem to mind our primitive nature that much and were willing to help in our efforts to improve the site.

The first Goddess Gathering was held here in June, 1990 and the Goddess blessed and purified the Land that year with lots and lots of rain. That rain, as miserable as it was at times, brought us together. It provided situations that allowed us to help each other – whether that was making a food & ice run or helping push someone’s car up or down the hill in the mud. It was heartwarming to see these “strangers” come together, making the best of a not-so-nice situation.

In the years that followed, we continued the tradition of an Opening, Main and Closing ritual. The Main Ritual Feast, that follows the Main Ritual, continued to be potluck and was enjoyed by most everyone. Later, there was the bonfire! Dancing, drumming, and just enjoying the company of each other and the Land itself…magickal! Of course, there were still workshops and we had a few vendors as well.

Now we are beginning again. This year, there will be no formal gatherings as we try to bring the Land back into shape so that we may once again come together to teach, learn, drum, dance, eat, drink, laugh, cry, and worship together.

During this year, we want to get to know you and you get to know us. We want to hear your ideas and what you would like to experience when, once again, the festivals begin. We would also like to hear any ideas that you have concerning the repair and improvement of the Land and that includes fund-raising ideas.

This is sacred space that is here for the use and enjoyment of all who come to it. We want it to be an experience to remember and a reason to return!

Once again, for those who have never been to the Land before, you may request directions by sending a SASE to: Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary, P.O. Box 61, New Straitsville, OH 43766.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to RavenWolfNature@aol.com We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

We’re looking forward to meeting you!!!

 

 

 

 

Blessed Be,

Elder Maya