2000
Spring Gathering of the Tribes
Isle of Wight, Virginia
May 24-28, 2000


We hope you will choose to join us at the Spring Gathering of the Tribes. We have planned an enjoyable weekend of Pagan Networking, Knowledge Exchange, Healing, and Fun.  The changing times are upon us. The People are finally looking for new solutions to some VERY old  problems. Interaction with those who share the same values, but choose different methods to put them into practice, is an absolute necessity if All are to survive. The Gathering is a safe space in which that may happen. 
Yawl come now, ya hear? 

 The Spring Gathering of the Tribes 2001 is being held at in Isle of Wight, VA.The new site is only 30 minutes from our old site at New Quarter Park.  It's beautiful!  100+ acres at the headwaters of the Pagan River (that is really the river's name, kewl huh!)  with towering hardwoods, a strong stream that flows to the Pagan River, a very old earthen dam that one of the last of its kind, 2 fine deep wells,  easy access, etc. etc.  Our new site has everything we need and we thank the Spirits for guiding us to it! 

We are pleased to have as our very special guests..... 

  

Silver RavenWolf

Silver RavenWolf
http://www.silverravenwolf.com/
is the Director of the Wiccan / Pagan Press Alliance, a network of Pagan newsletters, publishers, and writers.  "It keeps me pretty busy, " she explains, "but I adore it.  Writing and publishing are important to the Pagan community.  The editors supply the life line for growth, change, and acceptance of magickal people.  Positive religions like Wicca are the heartbeat, but the editors are the arteries of the community."
Silver is the author of over 30 books including To Ride a Silver BroomStick, Teen Witch, To Light a Scared Flame, Angels, To Stir a Magick Cauldron, HEXCraft, and The Rune Oracle.  Silver will be offering Seminars at the Gathering and conducting a Black Forest Tradition Healing Circle.
In November of 1991 Silver received her First Degree from Bried Foxsong of Sacred Hart and is on the rolls of the International Red Garters. She also carries Second and Third Degree status from the Temple of Hecate Triskele of the Caledonii Tradition.


Silver will be available to do private readings at the Gathering for an additional fee.  Reservations for consultations are available on a first come, first serve basis.  Contact Gathering organizers  to make an appointment.


 

Freya Aswynn
http://www.aswynn.co.uk/ 

Freya Aswynn is one of the UK's foremost authorities on the runes and their history.  A dedicated priestess of Wodan and the old religion of the North, she has experience in divination, counseling and healing with the runes. 

She is the author of Northern Mysteries & Magick : Runes, Gods, and Feminine Powers, Leaves of Yggdrasil : A Synthesis of Runes, Gods, Magic, Feminine Mysteries, and Folklore (Llewellyn's  Teutonic Magick Series), and her newest offering, Principles of Runes. 

Freya will be available to do private readings during the Gathering.
Email : Gathering@OutoftheDark.com for reservation information. 


 
Oxun Olakari' Al'aye
     Tyo Llorente: Oxun Olakari' Al'aye is an initiate priestess of Oshun of both  Afro-Cuban Santeria and Palo Mayombe as well as an initiate of Brazilian Condomble. She brings to her present practice a diverse background: clinical and Jungian psychology, shamanic trance and healing work. She has, for the past 15 years, traveled to many countries lecturing and learning, including extensive study while living in Brazil. She is a practitioner of ecstatic dance, a poet and lyricist, Akpetebi' de Orunmila ("Maid of Orunmila"), a practitioner and student of Awo (the ancient Yoruba science of divination). Daughter of Oshun, the river, Mother of Mirrors, through silence and through sound, stillness and movement, introspection and celebration, is the reflection through which the beautiful reveals itself. Ecstasy is a love affair with the divine. Maferefun Orisha. 
   Oxun will be offering workshops  about the practices and traditions of Ifa' and Orisha worship as expressed through Yoruba, Afro-Cuba Santeria, and Afro-Brazilian Candomble.  She will explain the qualities and attributes of various Orisha (forces in nature as faces of Deities) and the ways in which the Aleyo (non-initiated worshippers can respectfully and productively work with the Orisha traditions.. 


Kirk McLarenAmulets by Merlin
     Kirk McLaren's foundation in the study in the mysteries began with Qabalist and Jazz musician Dr. Fred Katz of Southern California in the mid seventies. Kirk first began teaching Tarot in Spokane, Washington at Yhantra Book store in 1980 and has been teaching seminars for Circles, Gatherings and Conventions ever since. He completed his course work in Visual Arts through the "McLaren Studio Academy".
     Kirk has combined jewelry design and the study of the Tarot to produce a Three Dimensional Tarot System completed in 1993. This approach is based on the images of the Major Arcana in small sculpture that may be tossed like small stones, then read as they fall.

Don Two Eagles WaterHawk
http://www.WaterHawkCreations.com/
     A Vietnam Veteran, who is of Tsalagi (Cherokee), Mesquakie and German descent.  A Red Feather Brother and a member of the Wolf Clan of the Seneca Nation. 
     A seeker of his own Spiritual path.  An  eclectic walker, drummer, council facilitator, sharer, artist,  silversmith, Pipe carver,  leather worker, stained glass creator, a student of the Universe who's works have been in fine Art galleries and shops around the world.
     WaterHawks pieces have been on  National television and magazines.  Don gives tribute of his spirit to his two daughters, Tara and Tia,  Lady Daniella and to the Community for the  inspirations to create his work in the brightness of Love.

Daniella Bluestar WaterHawk
http://www.WaterHawkCreations.com/
Born in NYC, Daniella believes that her gypsy heart has brought her much adventure and insight.  Travel has given much realization, clarity and a closer relationship with Earth and Water Goddesses.   She seeks her own Spiritual path and has studied many various philosophies.  Blending a diversity of university and self-taught knowledge into her Path.
     Daniella met Don in 1994, it was love at first site and were married in 1996.  It is the energy of  this love that enables both of  them to create the magikical creations that they do. She developed her own style and brings that into WaterHawk Creations.   As she walks in Beauty, she becomes Beauty, and shares this Beauty  with the Universe.
 




Kokopelli
     Kokopelli was born in 1990 in Homestead Florida.  She is a female Blue-Gold Macaw that is a true part of the WaterHawk Family and helps bring  insight to us from the animal kingdom.  Kokopelli has traveled over 150,000 miles with us to all parts of the country and has shared her wings of brightness with the community. 
 

Rev. Gretchen A.L. Schork, OCL:AL
     Rev. Gretchen A.L. Schork, OCL:AL, teacher of Runes since 1985, and Practical Qabalah since 1982. She is an experienced teacher, initiated Scribe, and recovering entrepreneur. Through a broad range of training, she has become the lead member of the Ordo Corona Luci, a non-secret hermetic style ceremonial magical order. Favoring a humorous approach to learning, Rev. Gretchen tends to bring not only information and skills to her classes, but also a deep sense of the enjoyment of the learning process.

Bick Thomas
    Bick Thomas has been a practicing magician for over 14 years, and graduated from William & Mary with a major in Medieval / Classical history.  He has published several articles in local pagan newsletters, and has conducted extensive research into the religious and magical practices of the ancient world.

Donna Schneider
   Donna is a hearth witch, and "Mom" to many who have come to know her.
She has been attending this gathering for years; fixing booboo, passing out brownies, and feeding some of us into submission. The path she has chosen is Celtic in nature, but she follows The Mother in all her forms.  Donna will be back with us once again; to do her workshop on braiding.

   She will be teaching standard 3 strand braiding, the Celtic/ medieval braid, french braiding, and variations, and combinations of all three styles. She'll show you how to use cords, ribbon, flowers and other things to enhance your individual style. Bring a friend to practice on, a hairbrush, and learn this age old art form. Braiding can be beautiful, functional, and fun.

   This gathering, Donna will also be demonstrating how to make mulled cider on a camp stove. While it is not the traditional method; the results are still very tasty. Those attending this mini workshop are requested to bring a (heat proof) cup, or mug, so they can sample the brew.

LadyOwl
     LadyOwl is a Wiccan priestess ostensibly from an eclectic tradition, but she keeps wandering into this celtic thing....  Sometime back a High Priestess asked her if she practiced Music Magick - a logical question to ask a Pagan musician.  After staring blankly for a few minutes, LadyOwl was off on a new tangent, with music firmly in tow.  Then there's this inner child, play in the mud, uh clay thing.  A passion from high school and college days, she figured she'd get back to it one day, probably when she retired.  Then she went to a guided meditation at a festival and they handed her a hunk of clay ... these pesky muses can be hard to shake....

Rev. LaBette Kemp PhD.
     LaBette is an activist within and out of the Pagan community.  She is currently working towards yet another degree at the University of West Virginia.  Her background is in the Sisterhood and Wicca, her history is empowerment.  She has facilitated workshops on anger management, grief, empowerment and the warrior aspect of the Goddess.

Rev. Susan Davis
http://members.aol.com/txsuemom
     Rev. Davis was born in Galveston, TX in 1955. She is a former CPA with a BS in accounting. Susan began formal training in New Forest Tradition in Houston, TX in 1972.  In 1983, with two small children, she retired from active coven management and embarked on a solitary magickal journey that focused much more on healcraft training including; gestalt healing with aromatherapy and guided visualization, massage therapy, shamanic, yoga, chakra manipulation, vibrational healing with singing bowls and tuning forks, herbs, distance and Reiki.  She also began serious work with Elemental Magicks during this time and met her lifemate/HP and fellow healer, Rev. Lawrence Harney. They have been teaching students and travelling together since then. 

Rev. Davis will also have her merchant booth set up for Moon Silvered Magickal Things.  She has made this nifty neato coupon just for the Gathering.  Remember, the Goddess Saves!! ...by clipping coupons and shopping wisely  : )
 
 

Rev. Lawrence P. Harney
http://members.aol.com/azthara
     Rev. Harney was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1952.  He practices a Wiccan/Egyptian Tradition, and was career USAF, retiring 1995.  Lawrence is trained in several styles of healing, including techniques learned while stationed in the UK and in Japan.  He is a specialist in accupressure and vibrational healing and a teacher both in person and online. He actively performs a variety of Pagan Ministerial work, including funerals, handfastings, wiccanings and covenings along with lifemate/HPS.
 

Rosemary Kooiman
     Rosemary joined the Temple of Abraxas in Detroit, Michigan in the 1970's, as a neophyte, and stayed with the Temple until she and her family decided to move to the DC area.  During those years she was elevated to the position of High Priestess and served in this capacity as both a religious leader and counselor for members of the Temple.  When she moved to the Metropolitan Washington DC area she founded the Nomadic Chantry of the Gramarye (Chantry). 
     On August 5, 1992, the Chantry was incorporated as a Church in the State of Maryland.  A 501c3 status was granted later by the IRS to take effect on this date. 
She will have been married to her husband  Abe for 52 years on November 23.  They have three children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
 


There will be the traditional potluck dinner Friday night, followed by a bonfire and drumming, a HUGE Bonfire Saturday and Sunday nights after the concerts to drum and dance around, special children's activities throughout the event, and much, much more!


In response to increased numbers we have had to institute a few  safety policies (never fun, but necessary ) and burden you with sheet after sheet of dead tree to scribble on (even less fun, but more necessary ). These , and other organizational hoo haa are the price of growth. Please know that it is our intention to keep these patriarchal intrusions to an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. Your patience and understanding is appreciated!
Click here to go to the Registration and Rules & Regulations
Click here for Directions
Click here for a Vendor Application

The Spring and Fall Gathering of the Tribes sponsored by Out of the Dark, Inc. & FCMS Inc., which are held in Virginia are not associated with any other "Gathering of the Tribes" festivals which may be held on occasion in other parts of the country.  Yes, we know there is a very small "Gathering of the Tribes" run by the Y Tylwytha Twits or some such that is so pathetic that they have stolen copy directly off our website in an effort to confuse folks into thinking they actually offer a quality event like ours. I trust that our attendees can recognize my writing style as easily as they can recognize a scam artist when they see one : )
Someone might want to mention to the Twits that when you cut and paste stolen copy directly off someone else's website, you should at least take out easily identifiable original phrases like a "Lake Watch" workshift, especially when you don't have a lake.....LOL

Your opinions and ideas are important to us!! It is how we chose this event's path...
PLEASE take the time to give us your comments regarding this Spring's's Gathering, as well as your feelings on where we should concentrate future efforts. Thank You.... Betsy
 


or contact:
Spring Gathering of the Tribes/ FCMS, inc.
c/o Out of the Dark, Inc.
117 West 21st. Street
Suite 220
Norfolk,  VA 23517
(757) 623-6120     FAX: (757) 623-6121