Our Organization

 

The Mountain Ash Grove exists in three forms, three unified and inseparable elements that make what we do possible. We endeavor to "keep it simple", with our focus on our goals and our practice rather than on burocracy and appearances.

 

The first part is the legal entity which makes fund raising and land ownership possible. The Mountain Ash Grove is a duly certified South Carolina religious non-profit corporation registered as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization based, for now, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The corporation is the financial arm of the Grove, and will act as a perpetual trust administrator for the land when the time comes.

 

To earn money (apart from contributions and grants) for our purposes, we operate a small landscaping and gardening service doing business as Harmonic Journeys. The members of the Grove derive absolutely no personal income from our pursuits, except for receiving fair wages for actual gardening work by Harmonic Journeys.

 

In addition, our Man in Black is recognized as ordained clergy and is an official notary public, enabling us to facilitate and perform legally-recognized weddings and handfastings.

 

The second element is the animistic, shamanic, polytheistic mystical praxis which makes us what we are. It is the spiritual power of our members that impels and enables our work. We do not define ourselves by our mundane occupations or social status. We are defined by our spiritual being, as manifested in the sorcerous magic we perform.

 

The third facet of the Grove as a living spiritual entity is our people. This is the close-knit sisterhood and brotherhood which binds and connects us to each other and the Grove. Those of us who have been nominated and accepted as full partners, usually referred to as members or cords,  partake in the inner magical workings of the Grove and have voting rights regarding business.

 

We also have an informal group of friends, supporters, and seekers who associate with us on a social and educational basis. We frequently hold little informal get-togethers called Firesides for these friends. Beyond that, we embrace the spirit of the old Red Thread: we are brothers and sisters of all the truly wise, whomever and wherever they may be. Like all adept mystics everywhere, we know and honor our own kind.