If you are interested in Wicca and are looking for a place to practice or learn more about it, you may be wondering if there are any Wiccan sanctuaries near you. Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that has gained popularity in recent years. It focuses on worshipping nature and the divine, and many Wiccans like to gather in sanctuaries to connect with the earth and their spiritual beliefs. Finding a Wiccan sanctuary near you will depend on where you live. While Wicca is practiced worldwide, the number of sanctuaries may vary depending on your location. However, with the rising interest in Wicca, there are more and more sanctuaries opening up in different cities and towns.
"My own father is very weirded out by cremation," said Blechschmidt, whose father is a Southern Baptist. "If something would happen to me before him, he would like a cemetery plot to visit. In some faiths, if you don't have a body, you can't be resurrected. For some of our members whose families are of those kinds of faiths, it's important for them not to be cremated."
The PanGaea Sanctuary s physical space forty-five wooded acres about thirty-five miles west of Augusta, near the town of Thomson is owned and operated by the Darkwood group. Recently launched is the PanGaea Hermetic Order of Rune Magicians, a monthly meeting of those interested in learning the 24 Elder Futhark Runes, and about the exploration into the magical use of the Runes in our daily lives, according to Smith.
However, with the rising interest in Wicca, there are more and more sanctuaries opening up in different cities and towns. To find a Wiccan sanctuary near you, there are a few steps you can take. First, you can do a simple internet search using keywords like "Wiccan sanctuary" or "Wiccan gathering near me.
Wiccan church honors dead in eco-friendly cemetery
Amid graves that have been cleared of leaves and adorned with wreathes of thyme and mint, members of the Wisconsin-based Wiccan church Circle Sanctuary on Monday will celebrate the last day of a pagan festival that rings in the new year and honors the dead.
Church members, several of whom come from the Chicago area, gather annually at the 200-acre Barneveld, Wis., site to mark Samhain (pronounced SOW-un), which culminates with members placing plates of food and chalices of beverages on an altar in the cemetery while reflecting on loved ones who have passed on.
AdvertisementFor nearly 30 years, part of the celebration has taken place in a stone circle and on a nearby 1-acre ridge top, which in 1995 became an eco-friendly cemetery that holds cremated remains, or cremains, of humans and beloved pets.
But this year, the festivities will also take place in a new section of the cemetery that has been expanded to include environmentally friendly full-body human burials.
AdvertisementAlthough some cemeteries in the Midwest have designated areas for natural burials, the nearly 20-acre Circle Cemetery is believed to be one of the few in the region that handles only green burials, according to the Green Burial Council, based in New Mexico.
In April, the cemetery had its first and, so far, only interment.
The Rev. Ana Blechschmidt, a resident of Sycamore, Ill., and an ordained minister at Circle Sanctuary, said natural burials are important in paganism and other nature-based religions because it's difficult to fully honor a loved one who has passed on when that person is not buried in a way that preserves the land.
"The thought of getting filled up with formaldehyde and being placed in a sealed, laminated casket and put into a cement box in the ground is not in keeping with preserving Mother Earth," said Blechschmidt, a volunteer chaplain at Northern Illinois University.
"We believe the soul is eternal and immortal. So we want to leave as small a physical footprint as possible. If you honor the Earth you live on, how can you desecrate her and still honor the person you're burying?"
In natural burials, the body is not embalmed but refrigerated until the final services, and the casket or covering used is biodegradable. (Think bamboo caskets lined with unbleached cotton or natural-fiber shrouds.) Also, graves don't have liners or vaults, most of which are made of concrete or fiberglass to stabilize the ground.
And rather than being buried 6 feet under, bodies are interred no more than 5 feet — deep enough so that they're not disturbed by animals, yet shallow enough so that the microbes near the top of the soil can make decomposition happen more readily.
The Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister and founder of Circle Sanctuary, said the idea is for the body to decompose and return to the ground in the most efficient and thorough way possible.
Advertisement"This is about the greening of the end-of-life process," Fox said. "If one is really choosing as part of their way of life to eat whole foods and reduce or eliminate additives and to really live a sustainable life, then when you die, it makes sense to be able to have your body naturally return to the earth without chemical preservatives.
"You want to continue the sustainable living even in death."
She said that a century and a half ago, natural burial was standard operating procedure.
"It was the Civil War that brought about the popularity and practice of embalming because of such mass kill-offs," Fox said. "Families wanted the bodies of their loved ones back, and the most practical way was to embalm."
She said that although cremation has long been considered an eco-friendly option, there has been some concern about its use of fossil fuels to turn the body into ashes.
Blechschmidt, who was part of the church's cemetery expansion team, said there were other concerns about cremation. While members were comfortable with it, some worried that their families wouldn't approve.
Advertisement"My own father is very weirded out by cremation," said Blechschmidt, whose father is a Southern Baptist. "If something would happen to me before him, he would like a cemetery plot to visit. In some faiths, if you don't have a body, you can't be resurrected. For some of our members whose families are of those kinds of faiths, it's important for them not to be cremated."
Fox said a person needn't be a member of a pagan faith to be interred at Circle Cemetery. The church also doesn't require the use of a funeral home, although it is highly recommended.
"There have been such bad practices at some cemeteries over the last decade," Fox said. "That makes us extra careful. We have 20 acres and we're not looking at having huge numbers of people buried here."
In April, the cemetery had its first and, so far, only interment.
" This search should provide you with a list of sanctuaries in your area. Additionally, you can check online forums and social media groups dedicated to Wicca to see if there are any recommendations or announcements for local sanctuaries. Another option is to reach out to local pagan and metaphysical stores. These stores often serve as community hubs for Wiccans and may have information about nearby sanctuaries or events. They may even host their own gatherings or rituals. Once you find a Wiccan sanctuary near you, it's important to research and familiarize yourself with their specific beliefs and practices. Wicca can have a wide range of traditions and rituals, so it's important to find a sanctuary that aligns with your own spiritual beliefs. Attending a Wiccan sanctuary can be a great way to meet like-minded individuals and deepen your understanding of Wicca. It can offer a sense of community and support in your spiritual journey. Remember to always approach these spaces with respect and an open mind, as everyone's beliefs and practices may differ. In conclusion, while the availability of Wiccan sanctuaries near you will depend on your location, there are resources available to help you find a place to practice and connect with other Wiccans. Conducting an internet search, reaching out to local stores, and joining online communities can all be helpful in finding a Wiccan sanctuary in your area. Take the time to research and familiarize yourself with the sanctuary's beliefs and practices, and approach the space with respect and an open mind..
Reviews for "Discover the Spiritual Haven: Wiccan Sanctuaries Near You"
1. John - 2 stars - I recently visited one of the so-called "Wiccan sanctuaries" near me, and I must say I was thoroughly disappointed. The place was nothing more than a makeshift shack with dirty rugs and dimly lit candles. The whole experience felt incredibly underwhelming and unauthentic. I had expected to encounter a serene and mystical atmosphere, but instead, I was greeted by a disorganized and chaotic environment. Definitely not what I was hoping for.
2. Sarah - 1 star - My visit to a nearby Wiccan sanctuary left me feeling incredibly uneasy. The whole place had a strange vibe, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of being surrounded by negative energy. The staff seemed disinterested and unprofessional, and the lack of proper organization made me question the credibility of the sanctuary. I was seeking a peaceful and spiritual experience, but all I found was a dark and unsettling environment that left me wanting to leave as soon as possible. I won't be going back.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I visited a Wiccan sanctuary near me after hearing rave reviews from friends, and I have to say, it fell far short of my expectations. The advertised serenity and tranquility were nowhere to be found. Instead, I found myself amidst a noisy and crowded space, with people talking loudly and seemingly more interested in taking Instagram photos than engaging in any sort of spiritual practice. The lack of respect for the sanctity of the sanctuary was disheartening, and I left feeling disappointed and disillusioned. It's safe to say I won't be recommending this place to anyone.
4. Alex - 1 star - I had the misfortune of visiting a nearby Wiccan sanctuary and I couldn't have been more disappointed. The whole experience felt like a tourist trap rather than a spiritual retreat. The staff seemed more interested in selling me trinkets and merchandise rather than offering any genuine guidance or knowledge. The lack of authenticity was palpable, and I left feeling like I had wasted my time and money. If you're looking for a true Wiccan experience, I suggest you look elsewhere and avoid this place at all costs.