Vision Statement

The Grove of the Royal Palms

A Vision Statement

We come together as a group of men whose spirituality is Earth-based, and Wiccan in outlook, yet without the oaths, secrets, and initiations of a "traditional" coven.

We strive to seek spiritual growth by studying, talking, learning, doing rituals, and most of all, celebrating the Divine around us and within us.

We are eclectic in our rites. Creativity is our gift. We will strive to reconnect to the Old Religions of our pre-Christian ancestors. The Celts, Greeks, Romans, Norse, Egyptians, Native Americans, African and other ancestral cultures offer an immense treasury of spiritual wisdom. We encourage all the members of the group to study and share their knowledge of ancient traditions.

We have great respect for Traditional Wicca, and the efforts of its pioneers (Gardner, Valiente, et al.) to resurrect the Craft of the Wise. However, many of the practices and ceremonies are not always appropriate for gay men searching for a spiritual identity. Traditional Wicca incorporates facets of ceremonial magic that date, at the earliest, to the Middle Ages, and are not truly Pagan in origin. Also, its emphasis on fertility and male/female polarity and male/female sexuality does not address the spiritual needs of gay men. We must find, within the framework of Wicca, a way of addressing the obvious polarity inherent in Nature without making it always a male/female metaphor.

We have no set statements of belief. That notwithstanding, we accept Deity as the All, and call on the dual identity of the Divine. We can address the Divine as we see fit as a group, or as our individual needs dictate. Some of us have a predilection for a particular pantheon, others prefer to call on God and Goddess forms of a variety of pantheons, while still others have chosen (or been chosen by) individual Goddesses or Gods.

We are democratic and non-hierarchical. However, as we grow, there will be need for leadership positions within the group, since planning and leading meetings, study groups, and rituals are a basic reality. The current leader serves in the capacity of facilitator only. Eventually, we hope that every member of the group will use his individual gifts to plan and lead rituals and teach. At the same time, the opinion of every member has the same weight.

Besides the spiritual aspects of the Circle, we hope that friendships will develop. We can plan outings to festivals, camping to celebrate life in the wilds, and other activities.

At present, we have an open Circle. Everyone is welcome. As we get to know each other and form a core group, the principle of "perfect love and perfect trust" must be honored. That means that what is said in Circle, remains there. Because of that, as the group matures, there will be a time when the core group will have to make a decision when it comes to accepting new members. It is important that our energies and styles mesh well in order for the group to grow.

Those men who are "attention hounds" will not feel comfortable in this group. We strive to make certain that one month or twenty years in the Craft does not make a difference in the way a member is treated. Those who have attained the wisdom of years of study and dedication are usually known for their humble demeanor, and we honor them. At the same time, we cherish the seekers who are new to the Craft, and wish to learn and grow with us.

As gay men, we have been excluded from organized religion. Paganism and Wicca offer us a way to become spiritual men without having to compromise our principles. We celebrate our gayness, and remember that in many ancient cultures, homosexuals were revered and held in high positions because they embodied the Duality of the Divine. It is now time for us to reclaim the right to be spiritual and live in accordance to an ethical path.

As Pagans, we celebrate life and all it offers. We do not find shame in our sexuality or in our body. We do not believe we have to deny ourselves in order to grow spiritually. On the contrary, we see our sexuality as a gift to be enjoyed within the parameters we set for ourselves individually.

We uphold the Wiccan Rede and the Three-fold Law. We celebrate the four "Great Sabbats" (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine and Lammas) and the four "Lesser Sabbats" (Yule, Ostara, Midsummer and Mabon) which make up the Pagan Wheel of the Year. We also celebrate together the Full Moon Esbats, and as needed, at other times.

We honor Deity in our rituals as Goddess and God, use the traditional tools of the Craft, honor the Elements as we cast our Circle, and celebrate our connection to the Universe within the Sacred Circle creatively with ritual, magic, music, dance and whatever we are moved to do.

Blessed Be!

Ian