A Fresh Start A Druids New Year

A Fresh Start

We have endured much together as a country and a world. Now its time to write this. To encourage people,

to give a ray of hope . Challenges have been great for the last 4 years not just in America but around the world. As Pagans and Druidfolk  we can buckle down take care of the planet and each other

There are challenges ahead , repairing race relations, deescalating the police state, equality for men and women , replacing fascist hatred with universal love and understanding. These things wont come easy but we can do it. As Druids, Pagans and such we are tasked to be the teachers and healers of this coming age .i myself will return to teaching, counseling and clerical work in the Druid and Magickal fields. A small burden has been lifted . When you feel like the Gods have turned away they come back in to our lives in a major way.

Honor your traditions, laugh ,cry, and love together. We need to release a wave of AWEN -IMBAS that wipes the slate clean . We will be those who DO the things needed, SAY the things that increase knowledge and understanding . Never feel that we cant do this. WE MUST , so the world can move into magickal being that it was meant to . DIVISION is over Rally together Help ech other, yor familys, friends and neighbors. We will beat COVID, INJUSTICE, HATRED and so many things that are stumbling blocks to this world And in conclusion if YOU ever have questions, doubts or ned a encouraging ear, PLEASE contact me. The Awen . The Grove and the Gods are taking us to new places

Be Glad and i bless you all in the Coming year. Rev Sylvanus Treewalker Founder of the Order of the Standing Oak 

Everyday is Samhain - Tribute to the Priestess i Lost

Several months ago i lost one of the most important people in my Life. The Lady who many years ago along with her Daughter Kate and Greenleaf Coven , brought me into the world of Pagan practice and Wicca I met them on a Dark and warm Beltain eve at Busiek State park near Springfield Missouri . The Ritual was led by HPS Amber and her Hp Shamash . i sat on a car hood in the parking lot watching as the covenors sang and Danced around the fire . the song they sang was Thats the Way i like it by Kc and the Sunshine band. My best friend for 30 years Steve Lyons came up to us suprised that we came , i said i wanted to see, i was.. Curious. Shortly after He introduced me to Amber and Shamash , they were very nice to me and my friend and after a short chat she drove herself and Shamash back to town. We were invited to come join them down at their campfire i felt excited to be with these new people. myself moreso . Soon coming up to join us in the campire talk was Kate Ambers daughter dressed in jeans long red hair red lennon glasses and a marked up jean jacket, to me she looked very much like Janis Joplin. After a night of chat laughter and revelry Kate invited me to attend a Drumming they were hosting at Ambers home in the Following Week Its here Where my Journey begins

I came to Her house with a friend and as we approached the house i saw the coolest thing on the porch of this Witch's house was a 5 foot Iron Pentacle , the place seemed so cool much more then any house on the Block . I went in , and as the Door opened i was Greeted By Amber and the sound of SEVERAL large barking dogs , the biggest was her Akita named JIM who was right behind her. in the house were several people one being A blond man wearing glasses playing a old acoustic guitar named Jay. There were drums. and book cases and a mint green piano , and couches to sit and relax and enjoy the company of all who were there. Over the weeks and months i attended more Drummings. more meditations and other events . This whole time i started my study in Paganism witchcraft , and magick Soon we were preparing for Samhain , and i remember one night we were all at Ambers house just visiting and doing what we do.i went in to the kitchen I started talking to Amber and she was very happy and smiling as she put away dishes , then i said something that made her laugh , she turned to me and said 'you know something. i like you.." i said 'what you didnt like me before' . she just smiled and said. 'before, i didnt know, NOW i do Soon Samhain was upon us

That night of my FIRST Samhain with Greenleaf was so. intense. Everything was setup. Drummers at the Quarters which i was allowed to Drum in at the East, and after everyone entered the Circle in Ambers backyard we began the Song chant 'Spirit of the Wind' which i STILL use in ritual to this day. The energy of the Night and the fire and the people and Amber and Shamash had my mind going 100 miles an hour. i experienced the Magick of the thn veil on that night. And i knew then that i wanted to REALLY pusue the path so in the spring i was dedicated to Greenleaf by Amber at Grant Beach park i attrended more and more events , we had Springfields prime newsletter THE SPIDER, i wrote articles , and i studyed more, to were it came to the point one night i was visiting Amber and while everyone was outside i asked, Do you think im ready for Initiation, she said. Yes, i have thought that for awhile now. After a period of Time i was indeed initiated , it IS the most memorable experience , i wont give the details But Amber. Shamash and Kate were all my initiators . plus those who were there before me. And Samhain Came Again , and Again we were gathered in Ambers backyard, and on this night i had a vision of the Man in Black the Guardian outside the Circles Edge. And life moved on

During this time Greenleaf had many projects going , Classes, Drummings, and a cable acess show The Pagan Pagan Show , it went on for many years and it was a hoot. i loved and enjoyed the company of everyone in the Coven family. Through it all Amber and Jay and Kate and Shamash were stering the ship. the Pagan community was growing , people were not inclined to fear us. then one night we were going to get together at the Covenstead for a Full moon ritual , well on this night it was storning with loud thnder and Kates boys were young then and didnt like the storm. so she left to take them home. We all sat on her floor which under our Butts was a HUGE blue Dragon Tile Floor. Candles were lit and we chanted and held hands and felt the energy of the storm. Soon i started to see at least a Dozen discarnate figures in various locations in Ambers living room, i said to her.'Do you see them' looking around in awe, and she smiled and patted my leg' So youre our Jean Dixon for the Night' this told me she saw them to. There are HUNDREDS more stories i could tell , but the thread that i come back to is Samhain, every Samhain with her and the coven was something so incredible. Her Role as High Priestess was appreciated , Her life in the Craft of over 50 years. The way the community responded to her and Kate .helped Springfield to thrive in many deifferent avenues, And even though things went in a different direction , it doeasnt change the facts. Ambers last Days must have been so Painful. But i know that her suffering is past, She gets to return , But NOW she is an hnored Ancestor, Priestess and someone who helped me so much over the years , She was a friend and i honor her. In this Blog is posted a picture of Selena Fox, unfortunately i dont have any pics of her on my computer, but i have MANY in personal photo albums . Just know that EVERYDAY is Samhain. everday we need to honor and communicate with those who have touched our lives. To my High Priestess Amber -Pat-Allgeier I Bid You Hail--and Farewell

Pagan Classics-Living Wicca and Guide For the Solitary Practitioner . Still great for beginners.!!

Many Years ago BEFORE the year 2000, there was a BOOM in modern paganism and wicca, and the question was. Where do we start.? What is a place that is easy to understand so that i also might follow the old ways of Wicca. And for many the First 2 books many would learn of are Wicca;A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner& Living Wicca a further guide for the Solitary practitioner

Recently a Writer for Llewellyn Jason Mankey has blogged that both of these works written and Published by Scott Cunningham for Llewelyn, do not hold up to age since these books were published in the late 80s. I dont see it as even after Scotts untimely death MANY of his books are STILL seeing new Printings . He feels that they arent good for beginners. Then the question remains if this is so then WHY are these books STILL selling, why are so many finding the path to the Gods through these books . Not everything must be brought up to MODERN CODE to STILL impact a generation of Pagans and Witches. These books helped ME and many i know gain an understanding of what paganism and Wicca is in a pleasant and easy to read conversational style. What Mr Mankey fails to grasp MANY pagans moved from these books to Bucklands Big Blue and other more concise and even wordy tomes on Witchcraft and Magic.

The thing about Both of these books is they achieve the goals they set out to do. To bring a Solitary Witch into a relation with the Gods, the Earth and the Universe. and these books do have ALOT of valuable instruction for beginners/PEOPLE TODAY are buying Scotts books THESE books and are learning. Maybe not in the way Mr Mankey would like And im proud to be one of many thousands. Scott cunninghams books beyond these are great for any Pagan/Wiccan Library and i own almost all of them i see no need to update something that doesnt need that treatment . We are walking on a ANCIENT path in a modern world. so lets move forward with his library of books. We thank You and Blessed Be Scott Cunningham