2013 Events 13/01/31 at 12.21pm / by Auz / 0 Comment There are many gatherings and events that take place at Raven’s Knoll. Before each event there will be posts talking about the activities that are planned and afterwards we will try to post descriptions of some people’s experiences. Beltaine Work Weekend – May 4 to 6, 2013 The first work weekend at Raven’s Knoll features a May Pole Dance and Beltaine ritual, as well Read more…

The Intrepid Adventures of a Kiwi Pagan who was at Kaleidoscope Gathering 2011 Austin Lawrence, February 2013 Polly is a wonderful Pagan that took our local community by storm with her keen intellect, irascible humour, and spiritual insights.  She writes a great blog called “Another Witches Blogg.”  Everyone who met her wants her to come back again to visit!  In her words, here is her story of her adventures in Canada in 2011. In late Read more…

The Rainbow Tree Austin Lawrence, February 2013 An amazing natural feature of Raven’s Knoll is a white cedar tree that grows up out of the ground and then back into the earth! From its arc of a trunk the tree sprouts five branches. This rare sylvan find was immediately recognized as a sacred site. In many Pagan theologies trees and the images of an mythic “World Tree” are key symbols. Generally, the three parts of the tree Read more…

Monocerosdrome Austin Lawrence, July 2013 At the Kaleidoscope Gathering 2013 the theme is “Heroes.” In our modern times the mass media makes people who are successful at professional sports into “sports heroes” and “legends.” But, what have they really done? Has their strength or agility saved lives, like warriors of old? Has their achieved fame given momentum to honorable causes or are their lives examples of virtues to live by? In Pagan Ancient Greece and Rome, sport Read more…

Hail and Horn Gathering 2013 Austin Lawrence, February 2013 The Hail and Horn Gathering is a festival that serves as a meeting place for the growing number of Heathens in Ontario and Quebec as well as throughout Canada. It takes place the Canada Day long weekend, from June 28 to July 1, 2013. In 2012, Raven’s Knoll established a one-of-a-kind place of worship, the Vé, built as sacred ground to house the god-poles raised by the folk year after year. Read more…

Húsel Feast Menu for HHG 2013 Austin Lawrence, June 2013 Wendish Cold Soup A buttermilk soup with smoked cottage cheese, garlic, cucumber and radish Breads & Smear Black rye loaf, light rye bread, and wheaten rolls Spreads of leek-cream and apple-flesh (a ‘butter’ of apples and bacon) Seethed Ox Joints of beef braised in ale and onions, seasoned with wildcrafted herbs Seethed Duck Jointed duck braised in cider, with turnip and onions Sharp Cabbage Butter-fried Read more…

Concerts at the Kaleidoscope Gathering 2013 Austin Lawrence, March 2013 At each Kaleidoscope Gathering there are a few amplified concerts that take place on the Raven Stage to entertain and uplift Festers.  This year we are very lucky to have three concerts from Canadian Pagans, from each of the Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls and Montreal areas.  From Canada we will welcome Elizabeth Bruce, Tales and Wails, and Natalie Rubyhill.  We are also very fortunate to have some Read more…

Kaleidoscope Gathering 2013: Heroes Austin Lawrence, February 2013 The theme for this year’s Kaleidoscope Gathering is “Heroes.” Heroines and Heros stride forth from the stories, legends and myths of our peoples. Their bold character expresses the virtues to strive for in our lives’ journeys, their hubris and tragedy teaches us and deepens our understanding of the human condition. The words of their stories inflames our spiritualties. Each of us is on our own heroe’s journey Read more…

Hail and Horn Gathering – “Threads of Frigg” Austin Lawrence, June 2013 Hail and Horn is an annual gathering organized by Canadian Heathens to express in fullness our ancient religious custom. The gathering is anchored by three intertwined rituals – blót, húsel and symbel – and a deep reverence for the Gods. This year, in particular we honour The Weaver, The Dreamer, Holy Mother Frigg. Blót Hail the Gods! The primary ritual will be that Read more…