NEWS of the Circle

NEWS of the Circle!

ØI am STILL working on a guestbook to the site. Next task: getting the blog to work and adding a chat function for online PDD.

ØWe're STILL looking for volunteers to lead ritual and or provide a venue occasionally, especially when we head back into the cooler months. Contact the Circle if you are interested.

ØIf you seeking "beginner" or basic Paganism education, individual classes are available by contacting Kate at the Circle's email.

A Brief History

The group coalesced in the fall of 2003 as each of us found the other. With so many of us coming from a solitary background, we have no set tradition or hierarchy for the group, but are an eclectic and open circle. Most of our members do tend towards Wicca, but Tibetan Buddhism, Native American Shamanism, Celtic and Druidic Pagans are also represented. We welcome all Pagans which is why we are a circle and not a coven.

We also have a broad range of experience and knowledge, from teenagers through mature adults. Most of us have at least some background in Christian religions but we all agree that we had questions that those churches could not answer or possibly not even address, while we have found solutions with our chosen Pagan path.

We have established a more official presence in the Centreville/Manassas/Nokesville area as there seems to be a lack of coordinated Pagan gatherings within this geographical region. We are essentially an in-place group that is advertising its presence so that others who are seeking a Pagan community know that we are available to them.

We mark the Circle's official "birthdate" as September 2003 after beginning as just a group of Pagans who chose to honor their paths together. Choosing a name cemented our commitment to each other and to the larger Pagan community. We now have franchises all over the world: Japan, Australia, Florida and a satellite office in Arizona--as members have left the area but not our hearts. We continue to welcome all those who seek and look forward to many more years as a Circle.

The Circle's Guiding Thoughts

As on open, eclectic group, we do not have one traditional list of rules. Most of us agree with, as well as abide by, the Wiccan Rede ("An it harm none, do as thou will") and most of us understand the concept of the three-fold law. We believe that each person is ultimately responsible for their own religious life and is the final authority for the beliefs that he/she holds to be true. We believe in the interconnectedness of the world and all that is in it. We have a deep and lasting respect for Nature and mark the passing seasons with rituals of worship. We believe in Magick and have a healthy fear about its use. We also tend to subscribe to the idea that "all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals".

We will accept you at face value. If you tell us you are just starting on this path, we will believe you. If you tell us you are a High Priest/ess, we will believe you. We won't initiate you--or make you start over in "our" tradition. Poseurs, pretenders and outright imposters will soon be sorted out.

(Think about this: What do you say to an angry witch?................Ribbit")

The Local Pagan Community

The Circle of the Crystal Grove (or CotCG) is active within the local Pagan community. We have ties with the Open Hearth Foundation and the Washington-Baltimore Pagan Leadership Conference. We have participated in Pagan Pride Day as well as attended OHF's Persephone's Ball. We hope to increase our networking with other local groups and welcome contact from any of them!

CotCG is also a WitchVox sponsor, helping to support one of the nation's largest online resources for Pagans. We have several listings on WitchVox and try to keep them updated as well as add new events as they occur.

Events, Rituals, Meetings

We gather frequently, since we are also friends. As far as spiritual gatherings...we celebrate each Sabbat with an "event ritual" on the weekend nearest that Sabbat. (Circle Events)
The Circle has ongoing discussions/workshops on a scheduled basis. (Pagan Discovery/Discussion, or PD/D)

Please contact us through the link below if you are interested in joining us for any event.

Many of us also attend the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist congregation in Old Town Manassas. It is a Pagan-friendly place as well as a welcoming congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.