The Pagan Community and Its Resources
"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family:
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
--Jane Howard --
The pagan community is growing by leaps and bounds. Many covens have open events that welcome those who are curious, novice or long time practicing solitary witches.
Large festivals and conferences offering varied and multiple workshops provide the seeker with opportunities not only to learn, but to also make new friends and create their own listing of those teachers whom they would like to learn more from.
The suggestions I've listed below are just the tip of a very large web of options. One suggestion I would give to someone not sure who is who and where the reputable and trustworthy sources are is to not only look at festival or conference listings with the intent of attending, but use these as research tools. Become a detective and advocate for finding the very best options for yourself.
There are some teachers whose names you will see at many of the gatherings. Some have websites which offer more information about them, their practice and the things important to them. Look at the founders and teachers of the Mystery Schools that may be mentioned in their biographies. Who were their teachers? Many of the highly respected pagan practitioners are authors. Look at reviews of their books, read from some of them.
This may seem like lots of extra work, but remember what I said about "charity beginning at home". Do for yourself what you lovingly and carefully do if asked by a loved one.
Let's begin the search:
Learning by Example:
Respected Teachers and Authors:
Assembly of the Sacred Wheel
Morningstar Mystery School
Reflections Mystery School
Servants of the Light Mystery School
Reclaiming Collective
Circle Sanctuary
Resources and Who’s Who
Web Newsworthy:
The Witches' Voice is a proactive educational network providing news, information services and resources for and about Pagans, Heathens, Witches and Wiccans.
The Pagan Pride Project sponsors Pagan public Equinox rituals and charity drives every September. Select a link below to find out the who, what, when, and where in your area!
Online Wiccan/Pagan New site offering book reviews, articles from leaders in the community and more.
Annual Events/Festivals:
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Pagan Pride Days are held throughout the USA, Canada and Internationally. See Link above for the Pagan Pride Project
Held every Spring in Timonium, MD 21093
Spring and Autumn Magick Workshop Weekends
Between the Worlds Grand Magickal Congress
Held in Wilmington, Delaware, every 4-6 years in accord with specific astrological events. The next will be held in December 2012.
Read a review of the BTW 2004: About Between the Worlds 2004
An annual multi day festival held in Darlington, MD.
Held in Potomac, MD
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PantheaCon is one of the largest, if not THE largest indoor Pagan conferences in the country. It attracts over 2000 people from all across the United States, as well as international participants. While many of the attendees are Pagan, this is not a requirement for attending this event. If you have an interest in alternative spiritualities or alternative lifestyles…you might enjoy PantheaCon. If you have an interest in Earth-Based Spirituality, Goddess-Focused Spirituality, or Women’s Spirituality…you might enjoy PantheaCon. If you have an interest in topics such as tarot and other forms of divination; natural healing; yoga; meditation; raising energy and practicing magick; ecology; mythology; and other similar subjects…you might enjoy PantheaCon. If you have an interest in sitting around with other like-minded individuals and engaging in some intelligent discussion; or drumming away in a drum circle; or participating in a ritual…you might enjoy PantheaCon.
Held in San Jose , Ca.
Excellent resource for learning more about other Paths. Seeing who the leaders are in the larger community of world religions.
Distance Education
M. Macha Nightmare
Read More Here:
Cherry Hill
Seminary Interview with Board Member, M. Macha Nightmare
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Our Mission: Cherry Hill Seminary provides quality higher education and practical training in Pagan ministry.
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Our Vision: Cherry Hill Seminary supports Pagans and their communities by —
Providing an extensive education in diverse aspects of Pagan philosophy, practice, and skilled ministry;
Supplementing existing ritual and magical skills with training for professional ministry and counseling;
Serving as an ongoing resource for individual continuing education; and
Providing a forum for scholarship and community
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Our Values: Cherry Hill Seminary —
Honors the sacredness of the Earth
Values scholarship
Respects diversity
Encourages individual and spiritual autonomy
Values community
Promotes service
