Have Plans for Summer Solstice?

If not, then why not come join the celebration at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary at the 4th Annual Goddess Gathering Reborn?

This past weekend more improvements were made in preparation for the upcoming event. Here’s what our Coordinator, Mary T. Borden had to say about it:

“MANY, MANY THANKS to Dyagon Alley for donating funds to purchase stone for the muddiest spots in the road. I cannot thank Brian & Jaque’s son Ben & Brian for Brian Daugherty for bringing in 5 pickup truckloads of stone AND spreading them!! There are still a few more spots that need stone, however it is now drivable by more than just 4 -Wheel Drive vehicles!

“Many thanks to the folks that came out this weekend to push hard and get things prepped for Gathering! John Marzocchi did a lot more chainsaw work in clearing pathways of fallen trees & larger branches. Rhonda L Savage ran the Cub tractor & cart around picking up the cut logs and bringing them to Ritual Field for stacking in log racks. Jacque Daugherty kept all of us fed with an amazing breakfast! (NOTE :THIS IS NOT TO BE THE EXPECTED WAY OF THINGS! When you come help for work weekends you need to come prepared to fix your own meals. That includes bring your choice of food & a means of preparing it. ) She also graciously kept eyes on Sean which allowed me to help get some of the last mowing done.”

Here’s a couple picture of that work:

    

Even though it’s too late to register by mail, you can register at the gate any day of the festival. There are prices for the entire festival and one day prices as well. It’s $60 per adult for the entire festival or $20 per day per adult. Children under the age of 18 are always free!!!

Cabin rentals are also available on a first-come, first -serve basis. The cost is $10 per adult per night.

An important message from our Coordinator:

“If you haven’t pre-registered for the event, but plan on attending -PLEASE contact Mary to let her know so that a suitable campsite can be cleared for you. Right now all of the regular, usually available sites have been claimed!
We look forward to seeing everyone at Goddess Gathering June 20th-23rd!”

There’s not much more I can add. If you’d like to get away, be out in Nature, and celebrate with like-minded people, then be sure to contact our Coordinator, Mary T. Borden at 740-241-9340 (If you text, please put “Raven-Wolf” on it.) for gate opening times and/or directions, if you need them.

We wish you a very Blessed Summer Solstice, wherever you may be!!!

Updates & Events

It’s hard to believe we are only a little over 5 weeks from the 4th Annual Goddess Gathering Reborn festival and Summer Solstice. Time is moving quickly forward and there’s still work to be done to get ready for the event.

Just a reminder: We encourage people to participate by presenting workshops or entertainment. Just like in previous years, if you’d be willing to do two 1-hour workshops or one hour of entertainment, you could get free admission! If you think this is something you might be interested in participating in, there’s a Workshop and Entertainment Application on the web site that you will need to fill out and mail in to be considered. You’ll find the link to it on the left side of any page toward the bottom. Questions concerning workshops and entertainment should be directed to Krista Hanson either by email at kmagicnrgs@aol.com (Please put “Raven-Wolf” in the subject line.) or by phone at 513-349-9197. The deadline for registering to present a workshop is May 20, 2019.

Vendors are welcome!!! There are no extra charges to vend at Goddess Gathering Reborn. Just register for the Gathering and tell us what you will be selling.

One last thing: Even though the deadline for discounted registrations has passed, if you would like to have all your paperwork done before you arrive at Raven-Wolf, we will be accepting mailed in registrations postmarked no later than June 3, 2019. Confirmation of your registration will be emailed to you. If you need a map to the site, let us know when you send the registration and we’ll email that with the confirmation.  The registration form can be found on our site under “Goddess Gathering: 2019 Festival Registration Form”

Memorial Day Weekend is a long camping/work weekend that will be happening May 24-27, 2019. If you’d like to get away, be out in Nature, and help out in the preparations, then be sure to contact our Coordinator, Mary T. Borden at 740-241-9340 (If you text, please put “Raven-Wolf” on it.) for gate opening times and/or directions, if you need them. As always, camping is free to children under 18 and to adults who lend a hand in the work to be done. There are a couple cabins for rent on a first come, first serve basis. Be sure to mention this to Mary, if you’re interested.

For those who may be unaware, Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary is a primitive, Pagan-owned & operated, 16 acre site about 20 miles east of Cambridge, Ohio. We hope you will decide to come see us and check out the peace and tranquility we have to offer.

The Gates Open in Three Weeks!

Our Coordinator, Mary T. Borden, says she’s been getting calls already from some who are anxious to get down to the Land. Good news! In just three weeks, the gates open for the first camping/work weekend at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary.

Just like every other year, if you’re willing to help with the work to maintain the site and prepare for the upcoming Goddess Gathering Reborn at Summer Solstice, your camping is free! In case you may not be aware of it but your help this year can bring you a discount in the price of attendance to next year’s (2020) Goddess Gathering . There have been some who have lent a hand to the point where they get free attendance! It’s all definitely a win-win situation. There’s always plenty to do, no matter what your capabilities are.

This first weekend is predicted to be mild during the day and cold at night. If you do intend to stay overnight, be sure to have plenty of warm clothing, blankets, and sleeping bags. Sturdy shoes, gloves, and a hat are also recommended along with layered clothing. Fires are permitted in the provided ringed areas.

If you’ve never been to Raven-Wolf, know that it is primitive camping. There is a hand pump for water, at the bottom of the hill. Bathrooms are latrines that are slowly being converted to composting toilets. There is no electricity right now, but the desire is to have solar panels sometime in the future. The closest convenience stores are five miles away. So, come prepared.

This first weekend, March 29 – 31, will be one of discovery. Winter usually takes its toll on the trees, at the very least, so it’s good to walk the Land and see what trees may have come down and any other damage that may have taken place from their fall or the fall of branches from them. We are usually fortunate in not having major building damage often and the wood that has come down provides firewood for cooking fires and bonfires during camping weekends and the Gathering at Summer Solstice. Plans are then usually discussed as to what the priorities will be moving forward to the festival taking place.

If Winter has you anticipating Spring and wanting to get out and away from the busyness of where you live and work, into Nature, to reconnect with it and the peace that it offers, come see us. We’d be pleased to meet you!

Be sure to check out the rest of our web site for information on how to contact us if you have questions, the registration form for Goddess Gathering Reborn 2019, our Calendar of Events and more!

Love & Blessed Be

Merry Meet!

It’s been more than a month since people began arriving for this year’s Goddess Gathering Reborn. Some came from as far away as Georgia to experience both the event and Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary for the first time.

This was the third year of the rebirthing of Goddess Gathering and, although the number of attendees was still small, it continues to be a gathering of people who are interested in peace, quiet, and reconnecting with Nature as well as connecting with others who are like-minded. In the many previous years of this event, it had even been promoted as the place to go or be if you wanted to step away from the “party” festival circuit. It seems that still holds true for Goddess Gathering Reborn.

The rains came, once again, as they had the previous year, making things a little muddy. Most people didn’t see to care though. If you’re truly Pagan, a little mud is just another way of getting close to Mother Earth.

 

Nature made it presence known, and even came to greet people, in many forms.

   

The rain stopped long enough for a beautiful ritual to be performed Saturday night under the watchful eye of a gorgeous Moon.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again! Watch for news about Goddess Gathering Reborn 2019 coming soon!

Until then… There are still a number of work/camping weekends that are upcoming. The next one is August 3-5. Camping is always free to those who are willing to help in any capacity. That will be followed by another one on August 17-19, and the longer weekend on Labor Day weekend.

If you are interested in seeing and experiencing Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary, perhaps with an eye to attending the next Goddess Gathering Reborn, contact Mary T. Borden at 740-241-9340 for gate opening times, directions, or any other information you may need.

A special “Thank you!” to Rhonda Savage, Carol and Richard Cubberley for all the wonderful photos used in this article.  I’ll be back next time with information on Goddess Gathering Reborn 2019!

Blessed Be,

Elder Maya

 

Memorial Day Approaches & Goddess Gathering Reborn is only 32 Days Away!

It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day Weekend at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary will be happening next weekend, May 25 -28. It’s an opportunity for a long weekend that can accomplish both work and rest in preparation for the upcoming Goddess Gathering Reborn Festival.

The days continue to grow longer as we get closer to Summer Solstice and, while mowing, weeding, road repair and even painting continues, there’s also time for getting to know one another, exploring the Land, and just relaxing close to Nature.

For those who are interested in being part of what will be happening Memorial Day Weekend, please contact Mary T. Borden, Coordinator, for gate opening times and directions, if you need them. You can reach her at 740-241-9340 to either call or text. If you text, please put “Raven-Wolf” on it. You can also email her at vesta13.mb@gmail.com and please put “Raven-Wolf” in the subject line.

For those interested in attending Goddess Gathering Reborn this year, there’s still time to register by mail, if you’d like to get the paperwork out of the way before arriving at the gate for the festival. Registrations, by mail, must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2018. This is so we have time to send you your confirmation letter, maps, and any other paperwork necessary. A printable copy of the Festival Registration Form can be found on the web site.

You can still register at the gate for either the entire festival or as many days as you are able to attend. The cost is $60 for the entire festival or $20 per day for adults 18 years and older. Children under the age of 18 are always FREE!!!

VENDORS are always welcome! 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 may, 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.

Although there will be many activities during the festival, Saturday night is the night of the Main Ritual followed by the Pot-Luck Feast. A bon-fire and drumming often follows the feast. So, if your time is limited, and you’re trying to decide when to come, be sure to attend on Saturday. It will be fun!!!

In the meantime, come join us at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary for Memorial Day Weekend. Camping is free, if you’re willing to help with the maintenance and preparations. Come enjoy the Land and get to know those who work so hard to maintain it.

Love & Blessed Be,
Elder Maya

Early Registration Discount to Expire Soon!

Everyone likes to save money, right? Well, you still have time to register early for the Third Annual Goddess Gathering and save some bucks as well! The deadline is April 30th, 2018. That means you must have your registration postmarked no later than that date to receive the discount. Save $10 a person simply by registering now.

Registrations by mail will still be accepted until May 31, 2018, if you’re someone who would like to have the paperwork out of the way and just be able to check in upon arrival.

In either case, registration forms can be found on the Raven-Wolf web site at https://ravenwolfsanctuary.wordpress.com – just scroll down and click on the tab at the left that says, “FESTIVAL REGISTRATION FORM.” Fill it out, include your payment, and mail to the address on the form. Once received, we will mail you a confirmation letter. If you’ve never been to Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary or Goddess Gathering, we will include a map so you can easily find us and Emergency Medical Forms for each person registering, in case of illness or accident.

VENDORS are always welcome! 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 may, 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 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 2018. 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!!!

In the meantime, there are still five work/camping weekends before the Gathering if you are interested in seeing Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary and even helping with the preparations for the upcoming event. If you’re willing to help, camping is free!!! And, on top of that, any help you give will also count towards a discount to Goddess Gathering 2019! You can’t bet those savings!!! You’ll find the Calendar of Events on the web site. Just click on “2018 Calendar of Weekends – at a Glance” to see the dates for each one.

So should you decide you want to be part of any of these remaining weekends on the Land, you can contact Mary T. Borden, the Coordinator, by email at vesta13.mb@gmail.com Please put “Raven-Wolf” in the subject line. You can also reach her by phone or text at (740) 241-9340. If you text, please put “Raven-Wolf” on it. She can tell you what time the gates will open and give you directions, if you need them.

We truly hope you will decide to come see us!!!

Love & Blessed Be

3rd Annual Goddess Gathering Reborn

It’s a new year and the preparations for the 3rd annual Goddess Gathering Reborn are starting to take place already. The web site has been updated with a new “Calendar of Events” and the registration form for this year’s Goddess Gathering Reborn has been place on site and there is some new contact information on the “Contact” page as well.

Like the previous two years, if you register before April 30th, you will get a discount on your admission fee whether you register for the whole event or a few days. Children under 18 are still free.

If you notice, we’ve scaled back to four days this year. We’re still in the process of learning what you, the public, prefers when it comes to time spent at a festival. So this year, the Gathering will run from Thursday through Sunday.

Vendors are very welcome at no extra cost, other than admission. We do not ask for a percentage of your sales or charge vendor fees. If you would like to present a workshop or a performance of some type, please check out the “Workshop & Entertainment Application” form on the web site. If you are willing to do two 1-hour workshops or one hour of entertainment, you could get free admission! Check it out!

We also want to remind you, if you’ve never visited Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary, we are a primitive site. There’s no electricity and only a hand-pumped well with latrines as our bathrooms. Come prepared for a real chance to get back to Nature in this 16-acre wooded, primitive setting.

During this four-day event, there will be workshops, rituals, feasting, drumming and more. We invite you to come be part of this spiritual event.

Even before that, we hope you can find some time to join us for one of the work weekends before the Gathering. Camping is free for those weekends, if you’re willing to help get the Land ready for the event. Check out the Calendar of Events for the dates and what might be happening on those weekends. Be sure to contact Mary T. Borden, the Coordinator, for gate opening times and directions, if you need them. Sometimes weather can delay or cause a weekend to be cancelled, so contacting Mary ahead of time is beneficial to the enjoyment of your trip.

You can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GoddessGatheringReborn or we have a group page – Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary, if you would like to join us there.

We’ll be publishing more information, as it becomes available here. If you would like to write an article for the web site, be sure to contact us. Until next time…

Love & Blessed Be

Calling All Pagans – Young and Old!!!

June 17-26, 2016

With only two weeks until the opening weekend of the first annual Goddess Gathering Reborn, I wanted to remind everyone that 24-hour Day Passes are available at the gate.

24-Hour Day Passes for $25!!! The perfect solution for those who:
1. have never been to a primitive camp site before and are not sure if they would like it;
2. have never been to a Pagan festival and aren’t sure about whether they would enjoy it;
3. have limited time and/or money but would still like to come and see what it’s all about.

And the perfect day to check us out? That would be Saturday, June 25th! Why? Because Saturday is our big event day:

1. Workshops
2. Main Ritual
3. Potluck feast following the ritual
4. Bonfire and drumming following the feast.

With a 24-hour Day Pass you can come in on Saturday, stay for the festivities and then camp for the night. A perfect way to get to know Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary, Goddess Gathering Reborn and all the people attending.

So, if a 24-hour Day Pass seems like something you might want to do, either email me (Samantha Herron) at Durga1974@aol.com or private message me on Facebook for directions to the site. We’d love to see you there! Come join us, won’t you?

Do You Hear That? It’s Summer Solstice Approaching!

It’s really hard to believe but we are only 31 days from the start of Goddess Gathering Reborn!!! That also means we are only 14 days from the close of early registrations!

If you plan on attending the rebirth of an old and dear celebration of the Summer Solstice, and you want to be able to do it as cheaply as possible, then you have a mere two weeks to get your registration postmarked to us.

If circumstances are such that you are unsure whether you will be able to attend or don’t know how long you will be able to attend, then rest assured that there will be registrations taken at the gate. We accept cash, checks and money orders only for right now. No credit, debit or other forms of electronic payment can be taken.
Although the prices are listed on the web site, here’s a list of what to expect, both for registering early and at the gate:

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

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.
**************************************************
FESTIVAL RATES – 7 DAYS OR ANY PORTION (6/20/16 – 6/26/16)

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.
**************************************************
FESTIVAL DAY PASSES – A 24-HOUR PASS
These can be obtained by registering on site during the festival for $25 per person, per pass.
**************************************************
Remember vendors only have to pay the entrance fee. No other fees are asked to be paid.

You will find registration forms here on the left side of this page under “Goddess Gathering Reborn – Festival Registration Form”. All forms must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2016.

If you have questions, you can ask them here on the web site or go to our Facebook page – Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary – and ask them there, or you can email us at RavenWolfNature@aol.com. You can also contact me either on Facebook (Samantha Herron) or email me at Durga1974@aol.com. Lots of ways to get your questions answered.

 

 

 

 

 

In the meantime, there’s still lots of work to be done to get ready! The rain has caused a lot of grow that needs mowing and weed-whacking. As you can see from the pictures above, work has begun on tearing apart the old camper to get rid of it and make things safer. The floor frame will then be used to build a bunkhouse for those who want to rent some sleeping space for the night.

There are two free camping weekends still to come before Goddess Gathering Reborn takes place. All we ask is that you come and help with the things that still need doing to prepare for this event:

May 27 – 30               Memorial Day Weekend is a long weekend that allows us to keep things maintained while also doing things that haven’t been taken care of yet. We invite you to join us as we continue to prepare for the Gathering at Summer Solstice.

June 3 – 5                    We call this our “Busting Butt” weekend since we are only a couple weeks away from Summer Solstice and  seek out those “last minute” things that really should be done. There’s gravel for the entrance to make sure everyone gets in the gate okay. Come join us!

We very much desire this first Gathering in such a long time to be one filled with good events that create good memories. We really could use your help. Even if you think there’s nothing you can do, you might be surprised at the help your very presence might lend to making this happen!

PLEASE BE SURE TO CONTACT US FOR MAPS TO THE SITE even if you only think you might be coming. We’re out in the woods after all, and not easy to find.

Until we meet on the Land…

Love & Blessed Be

Wood-Cutting Weekend

What a difference a couple of weeks can make – especially here in Ohio! With the warmer, drier weather came many more people to help with the continuing efforts to get things in shape for the upcoming event – Goddess Gathering Reborn – that will be taking place at Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary, June 17 -26, 2016.

Although it had been designated a wood-cutting weekend (and a good amount of wood did get cut and split), other projects were begun as well. That communal fire pit that sits next to registration had been dismantled at the beginning of the month to let the ground dry. This time around, things were leveled, a gravel based laid, and everything reassembled. Now comes repainting the benches that took a beating through the Winter. Paths that had become overgrown, due to lack of use and maintenance over the years, began to be cleared. More paths to go, but at least the work has begun.

The Land has begun to attract many new people and we are very grateful for the interest and the help. We’re truly hoping the word will spread and many more will find their way to our little piece of sacred space. In the meantime, I want to sincerely say, “Thank you!” to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to come and be of help. Too many names this time to mention, but you know who you are and we are truly grateful.

We are now at the end of April so I wanted to remind you once more that if you intend on attending Goddess Gathering Reborn, and haven’t registered yet, May 31st is the deadline for pre-registrations that will save you money. Please remember we have a capacity of 150 adults and once we reach that number, no more registrations will be taken either by mail or. after May 31st, at the gate. Here’s the information again:

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

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.
**************************************************
FESTIVAL RATES – 7 DAYS OR ANY PORTION (6/20/16 – 6/26/16)

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.
**************************************************
FESTIVAL DAY PASSES – A 24-HOUR PASS
These can be obtained by registering on site during the festival for $25 per person, per pass.
**************************************************
Remember vendors only have to pay the entrance fee. No other fees are asked to be paid.

You will find registration forms here on the left side of this page under “Goddess Gathering Reborn – Festival Registration Form”. All forms must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2016.

If you have questions, you can ask them here on the web site or go to our Facebook page – Raven-Wolf Nature Sanctuary – and ask them there, or you can email us at RavenWolfNature@aol.com. You can also contact me either on Facebook (Samantha Herron) or email me at Durga1974@aol.com. Lots of ways to get your questions answered.

The next work weekend is coming up this weekend, April 29th – May 1st or you can check our Calendar of Events at the left of this page for the other upcoming work weekends. Hope to see you there!
Until next time…