Our Covens
The Temple of the Spiral Path practices the Shadowfolk Tradition of Wicca, which emphasizes a deep, personal connection to the spirits and forces of Nature and the Gods. There are two Covens within the Temple: Stranger's Gate Coven, and the North Wyldewood Coven. Members of both Covens work together to facilitate public rituals, host workshops, and teach our Grove and Hearthfire study programs as members of our Teaching Collective. (See our Grove and Joining pages for more.) Elders in both Covens include some who have been practicing together for more than 15 years. Each Coven has its own unique blend of magic, expressed through service to fellow Temple members, our wider communities, and the Craft.
our Covens:
North Wyldewood Coven
Denise Cruci, High Priestess
JoAnna Farrer, Assistant High Priestess
Founded in 2003, North Wyldewood Coven (NWC) has developed a focus on healing the Earth and her inhabitants, including ourselves. We strive to apply our healing gifts for the greatest good of all, while deepening our connections to our spiritual traditions, and the Earth.
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We heal through the arts (music and dance, visual arts, writing, etc.), through volunteering for animal rights and welfare, and through ecological regeneration of the Earth using Permaculture and other cooperative practices. We provide healing experiences for our fellow pathwalkers through the use of meditation, journey work, and trance, done within the Shadowfolk Tradition's ritual format.
We strengthen and heal ourselves by attunting to the rhythms of nature, the moon and seasonal cycles, and we worship the energies and spirits of our Ancestors, the Nature Spirits, the Good Folk, and the Gods. We have a deep love of learning, and are constantly working to further our scholarly and experiential knowledge.
We believe that a fundamental purpose of our practice is to offer spiritual service and community to others. We strive to lead by example, and to nurture love and respect for Nature, while fostering greater understanding of our Wiccan faith in the modern world.
Strangers' Gate Coven
Strangers' Gate Coven (SGC) was established in 2001 and is jointly led by Elders Ruthann, Athena, and Nanci. We are urban Pagans/Wiccans who joyfully connect with the ancient energies of our spiritual Ancestors and the Earth's elemental essences while living in cities and using modern technologies. We meet in person to celebrate the eight Sabbats and most Esbats. We have taken to invoking the Power of Three in many of our rituals by calling upon the Divine Androgyne as well as a God and Goddess.
SGC meets outdoors whenever possible to better connect with Nature's sacred energy. We like to honor all four of TSP's pantheons throughout the year, but sometimes elect to connect with more general universal forces. Healing, honoring particular deities or occasions, divination, meditation/journey work, and the arts -- particularly music and crafting -- are integral to our worship and practices.
We also socialize outside of the coven exploring museums; attending lectures; creating and/or participating in labyrinth walks; engaging in environmental activism; participating in Pagan Pride events, and more.
We enjoy being active members of the Shadowfolk Teaching Collective, sharing and expanding upon the knowledge we've attained through many years of study and co-teaching with our fellow Temple Elders, and love co-facilitating open rituals for the NY area Pagan/Wiccan community. We look forward to welcoming new seekers in the future.
Our Paths
Want to know more about our Tradition and how we work together? Join us at one of our upcoming Events, or find out more about our Grove and Hearthfire programs, offered in NYC! We look forward to meeting you.
