Ravenwood Church and Seminary of the Old Religion was founded by our Witch Queen and Elder High Priestess, Lady Sintana, at Samhain 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia as an incorporated non-profit religious organization. It continues today under the leadership of its High Priestess and High Priest, Lady Larina and Lord Gaelin, with the guidance and love of its founder, its Elder High Priest, Lord Merlin, and the support of the Craft Eldership at large.

Ravenwood is unique. There is not another Wiccan group like it in the world.

At the time of Ravenwood’s founding, Elders of the Craft realized that there was a great need to preserve the honor and sanctity of the Craft as well as to protect new seekers from misinformation and abuses. Hence, since its inception Ravenwood’s mission has been focused on public education and awareness of Wiccan beliefs and practices. For many years Lady Sintana’s open door policy made the church available to any interested parties twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Though these times were often turbulent, Ravenwood persevered in its public ministry and ultimately won several critical legal battles gaining state and federal recognition for Wicca as an accepted religious path.

Simultaneously Ravenwood has served as a personal educational institution for those drawn to the Old Religion. From persons seeking basic factual information to those called to a lifetime of study and dedication within the Wiccan priest/esshood, Ravenwood offers a highly individualized training process built upon the Wiccan laws and tenets, the ancient mysteries, and the soul’s own experiences. For a very few this path may take them through Ravenwood’s lengthy initiatory process to become teachers of the Old Religion.

The heart and soul of Ravenwood’s purpose is its mission to preserve religious freedom through continuous education and outreach. Through public open houses, periodic introductory seminars, ongoing neophyte classes, and daily life experiences, we strive to communicate our beliefs and practices to those who have the questions. We do not seek to convert or evangelize, but simply to educate.

We find ourselves in an information age, with technology proliferating the so-called facts available to us. In this environment many claim a pagan heritage. They discover long lost family memories of folk traditions or even more simply, read a book, and decide that they have always been children of the old ways. They readily paint a pentagram on their foreheads, place a lofty title in front of their names, and advertise their Craft expertise to the world.

Such an epiphany does not make a Witch!

It takes years of study, self-discovery, and mental discipline. It takes an understanding not only of love, but of responsibility and commitment. It takes an application of these principles to one’s every action and choice. Not least of all, it takes a teacher. A guide who is there not to provide the secret mysteries of the cosmos, but to pass on their direct knowledge of the ancient ways and their understanding of the subtle magick of the universe.

At Ravenwood, we provide a sanctuary to experience the Old Religion where people can rediscover themselves and hence the Old Gods. Roots. Tradition. Heritage. This is Ravenwood’s legacy.

So mote it be!

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since May 12, 2000.

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Ravenwood Church

P.O. Box 28678

Atlanta, GA 30358

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