 |
About Circle of AradiaCircle of Aradia is a Dianic Wiccan 501(c)3 not-for-profit religious organization co-founded in 1988, by Dianic High Priestess Ruth Barrett and a former coven member of Ruth's first coven, Moon Birch Grove. On October 31, 1980, Ruth was ordained as a High Priestess by Z Budapest, one of the founding mothers of the Goddess spirituality movement and mother of Dianic feminist Witchcraft. The ordination took place before Z relocated from Los Angeles to northern California. Because the Dianic tradition is a teaching tradition, Ruth chose the name, Circle of Aradia (COA), to honor Aradia, known in The Old Religion as the first female avatar. Aradia was sent to earth to teach Witchcraft to the oppressed so they could free themselves. By 1993, Ruth incorporated COA as a non-profit religious, educational, and charitable organization in the state of California and for several years was under the federal umbrella of Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess. Over the years Ruth developed a full curriculum of Dianic education, including providing opportunities for women to develop religious leadership skills through participatory opportunities, and facilitating public seasonal rituals for the Los Angeles women's community. Thousands of women participated through the years, helping to perpetuate and evolve the Dianic tradition. Circle of Aradia's orientation was, and continues to be, Goddess-focused and woman-centered, with rituals celebrating Women's Mysteries. Magickal practices are aligned with feminist visions of an egalitarian and healed world free of patriarchal violence toward women, children, animals, and the Earth. Ruth Barrett served the Circle of Aradia community as High Priestess and was COA's religious director for 20 years. In 2000, Ruth relocated to Wisconsin, and ordained Letecia Layson, who served as High Priestess of Circle of Aradia until October, 2007. In Wisconsin, Ruth co-founded Temple of Diana, Inc., a 501 ( c ) (3) tax-exempt Dianic church. Temple of Diana now provides church status to Circle of Aradia as an extension of Temple of Diana in Los Angeles. Circle of Aradia continues as the longest-lived Dianic community in the U.S, and is proud of its herstory! Circle of Aradia
|
