Raven and Hazel

At the Rivers Edge

Upon the Land and Beneath the Stars

Children of the Earth and the Eternal Sea

Raven and Hazel is a study group dedicated to the practice of Witchcraft.

Found within Western Illinois

“Quod est inferius est sicut quod est superius, et quod est superius est sicut quod est inferius, ad perpetranda miracula rei unius. “ 

What This Is and What This Isn't

Raven and Hazel is a Witchcraft Study Group.  Its primary goal is to provide an avenue for those interested in the subject to learn more about the practice of Witchcraft, primarily through the lens of British Traditional Witchcraft.  As a study group it is informal in nature, with no set curriculum or ritual schedule.  

This is not a coven.  There is no High Priestess or High Priest.  There are no initiations or hidden rites.  While the facilitators have lead an Alexandrian coven in the past and may do so again in the future, this isn't that.  There are logistical challenges and necessary steps required for the formation of a British Traditional Coven, and we don't have the time to tackle those at the moment.  

How to Reach Out

Here is what you need to do if interested in participating:

1. Send an email.  In your email you should state the following:

   1. Who you are and a little about yourself

   2. Why you are interested in exploring Witchcraft

2. We will email you back and set up a meeting.  The initial meeting will happen at a coffeeshop.  During the meeting will will go over things in more detail to ensure that we are a good match.

3. If we come out of the meeting with a good feel for things, we will provide details for the study group.

Disclaimers and Expectations

1. While this is explicitly a study group and not an Open Circle, Outer Court, or Coven, there is an expectation of reliability.  Meetings will happen on a monthly basis.  If you are not going to be able to participate, please give the facilitators a heads up.

2. We do not charge for training.  Participating will not be gatekept behind a paywall.

3. While this is not a political group, there are some basic assumptions that need to be agreed upon, otherwise we may  run into problems in the future.  Some of this is covered on the Inclusivity page, but it will also be stated here:

• We affirm the inherent worth, dignity, and sacred sovereignty of all LGBTQIA+ people, and we welcome queer, trans, and gender-expansive individuals in full participation within our community.
  
  

• We uphold reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right, supporting each individual’s autonomy over their body, health, and personal choices.
  
  

• We recognize that Black Lives Matter, and we commit to cultivating a space that actively resists racism, honors ancestral lineages, and supports justice, safety, and liberation for Black people within and beyond our community.
  
  

• We categorically reject white supremacy, racism, and all hate-based ideologies, and we affirm that such beliefs have no place in modern witchcraft, Paganism, or in our community.
  
  

• We acknowledge the importance of vaccinations and evidence-based public health practices, and we expect our members to uphold community well-being by following established medical guidance to protect the most vulnerable among us.

If any of the above is a problem then this group is not for you and you are welcome to seek instruction elsewhere. 

***COVID-19 POLICY***

As a group we have members who are immunocompromised.  Out of consideration for those members, as well as an adherence to medical best practices, we do not accept members who are unable or otherwise unwilling to be vaccinated.  We are more than happy to refer those Seekers to other groups who may be able or willing to accommodate them.