Acorn Coven and Grove

Guests

Acorn Grove welcomes interested seekers to attend selected Acorn circles, to attend, participate, and discover who we are and what we do.

How to receive an invitation

To secure an invitation to one of our open circles, contact the Grove using our contact form on this website.

We will want to meet in person or via Zoom to chat, and we may request that you fill out a questionnaire (the same questions will be asked in person.) We will also provide you with an opportunity to ask questions of your own.

If we are comfortable with each other and you are still interested in attending, we will give you some information about what is expected of guests and attendees of any ritual. You will be sent an invitation to the next open ritual.

What to Expect

Sometimes we ask people to bring items to participate fully in an activity. If our ritual will have this component, the invitation will include a list of items you should bring. If you have any questions or difficulty acquiring an item, please tell the person who sent you the invitation.
Dress in seasonally appropriate clothing; we usually meet indoors but if an outdoor activity is expected, we will let you know in advance. Clothes that provide ease of movement and comfort are preferred.
When you receive your invitation, you will be asked to bring a food item or item for the feast table. We share a meal after every ritual, with every participant bringing a dish to share. If you have any difficulty for any reason bringing something, please tell the person who sent you the invite and we will work something out! Additionally, if you have dietary requirements or restrictions, let us know so we can plan accordingly. Our members have a variety of dietary restrictions so there is usually something for everyone to eat.

Our rituals

Our Sabbat gatherings often last from around noon into the evening; we usually engage in some sort of craft activity or discussion during the day, and then hold our ritual in the late afternoon/early evening, often making use of the fruits of the afternoon’s activities in the ritual. After ritual, we finish preparing our feast, bless the food, and enjoy a convivial meal together.

Our esbats (Full and New Moon rituals) generally begin around 6:00-7:00 in the evening and consist mainly of ritual followed by the feast meal.

The ritual will consist of:

  • setting up the magic circle, our sacred space;
  • calling on a God and Goddess to join us;
  • some sort of ritual activity related to whatever occasion we’re celebrating;
  • the blessing and sharing of cakes and wine*;
  • and the closing of our ritual.

There will be four officiants at each ritual: the Priestess and Priest of the ritual, the Handmaiden who assists the Priestess, and the Summoner who oversees the physical space and handles mundane needs that may crop up. The Summoner should also give you an overview of what to expect on the evening of the ritual, and you should feel free to ask them any questions you may have as well – that’s part of their job!

* in most cases at Acorn rituals we use kombucha instead of wine in support of members who choose not to drink alcohol. (Why kombucha? We’ll explain in person!)

Do’s and Don’ts

Do: Feel free to participate fully—hum or sing along if you’ve figured out the chorus!
Don’t: Feel anxious if you’re not up to it—you’re welcome to just watch and listen.

Do: Follow along physically—watch the handmaiden for posture cues.
Don’t: Worry if you’re not sure what you’re supposed to be doing at any given time.

Do: Remember to bring a feast contribution.
Don’t: Forget to let us know if you have any allergies or special needs.

Do: Remember to take any medications you may need.
Don’t: Forget to tell us if you have any medical conditions that may require special attention.

Do: Eat and drink of the snacks freely.
Don’t: Make a plate from the Feast Table until after the food blessing, libations, and officiants are served.

Do: Discuss your impressions of the ritual during feast.
Don’t: Be afraid to ask questions if you didn’t understand something.

(with thanks to Serenity Coven and Grove!)