The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

History

From 1994-2000 the group that is now the Golden Thread Grove Church was called Phoenix Rising. The Phoenix Rising focused on the Goddesses and had the same events as what is now the Golden Thread Grove Church. In 2000, Phoenix Rising split into two groups: one closed circle (not open to the public) and one public circle. The public circle was named the Golden Thread Grove Church. The split of Phoenix Rising reiterates the desire felt by many Wicca’s of Idaho to remain closed and private in their religious practices. However, as the Golden Thread Grove Church proves, there is also a growing circle of Wicca’s that are very open and public about their faith.

Challenges and Discrimination

Although the Golden Thread Grove has a small and steady membership, some members want closed circles, not open to the public. For this reason, the Golden Thread Grove Church struggles to retain members who initially join the group because they are interested in Wicca, but then decide it is too public for their liking.

A fear of being discriminated against challenges the individuals in the group. Lisa Pruitt, a member of the Golden Thread Grove Church, reported that at the 2001 Goddess Fest four men from a local Christian youth group interrupted the festival by parading through the event with large crosses on their backs and fake blood make-up on their faces. They reportedly said, “All Pagans will go to Hell.” Members of the Golden Thread Grove Church say that these hate acts help explain why so many Pagans in Idaho are “in the broom closet” or underground.

Demographics

Almost all of the members of the Golden Thread Grove Church are Caucasian and all events are held in English. There are many singles in the group and also many families. The group covers all age groups.

Activities and Schedule

The Golden Thread Grove Church has weekly prayer circles every Sunday at 11:30am in the “kirk”, behind Crone’s Cupboard, a Pagan retail store owned by the High Priest and High Priestess. The prayer circle begins with the creation of sacred space and drumming and music. This ritual opens the doors for individuals to enter the sacred space. Prayers are then acted out and the deity is called to prayer. Next, the focus of the meeting is addressed and is always based on experience by the leader or members of the circle. In each circle there is always dancing, music and storytelling. The ritual ends with the closing of the circle, which reopens the space to the secular world.

There are full moon and new moon meetings (espbat) every month, held on the closest Sunday to the actual date of the full or new moon and open to the public. On the exact day of the full or new moon there is a ceremony that is always private and held outside. Additionally, there are four equinoxes and four solstices, and eight major holiday celebrations (sabat). Some of the holidays include Halloween, May Day, Luna Said (August 1) and Stara, Imbulk (Groundhog Day/beginning of Spring).

The Golden Thread Grove Church also provides a men’s group and women’s group, by invitation only. It offers personal empowerment quests, vision quests, handfastings (weddings) and funerals. Additionally, the group organizes an annual Goddess Fest, Psychic Fairs and stone therapy sessions, which are advertised and open to the public.

Description

The Golden Thread Grove Church meets in various locations, depending on the event. Currently, all prayer circles and some ceremonies are held in the backyard of Crone’s Cupboard (kirk), or in the small building behind Crone’s Cupboard if weather is not permitting. The other ceremonies are held in private locations, usually the backyard of a private home.