About Thorn & Oak

Thorn & Oak, The UVic Pagan Students "Club" was born in 1997 after a series of meetings among six persons who saw a need for a networking group both at the university and within the larger community of Victoria.

We applied for and were recognized as a "university club" by the UVic Student Union in the Spring of 1997 and that first year began an abitious commitment to provide public ritual at each of the Wiccan Sabbats.

Within a year we had grown to a couple dozen members and expanded the number of rituals to include the Full Moons as well.

We have in addition over the past years organized workshops in the basics of Wicca, Tarot, Drumming, and how to construct a ritual.

Thorn & Oak exists as a support group and a bridge to the local Pagan community for Pagans and other interested parties, especially for those working solitary. We encourage communication and networking between Pagans of various faiths who may worship in groups or solo. We provide a place for both Pagans and Non Pagans to meet and exchange information about Paganism and to help people explore the knowledge of the Old Religions and other such aspects of metaphysics. Victoria, as an urban area, has several different traditions represented, mystery and teaching traditions, Celtic, Asratu, Druidic, Dianic, Spiritualist and many others. One of our main purposes has been to help dispel myths and eliminate stereotypes concerning aboriginal religions. Towards this end we promote research and the sharing of knowledge in the western mystery tradition, in order to understand the human need to revere the forces of nature. We set up an information booth at most University "Clubs Days" at the start of Fall and Spring semesters in which we provide literature, access to reading material, and meet and greet students...in particular those newly attending the university.

Thorn & Oak is open to both Pagans and other any interested parties as long as they agree to abide by the rules set out in our constitution, whether they be Wiccans, Druids, Erisians, Isians, Agnostics or any other religion or faith. To us a Pagan is defined as a follower of any of the original indigenous religions of Europe, Africa, Asia Minor, North America etc. or modern revivals of them. These religions are characterized by the acknowledgement of both female and male Divinity inherent in or metaphorically representing Nature; and often a female Creative force and acknowledgement of the cycle of death and rebirth. These religions include, but are not restricted to, the shamanistic traditions of Africa, North America, Australia and the circumpolar regions, the Wicce, Norse and Druidic traditions of Europe and the Shintoist tradition of Japan. We have strived to foster a non-threatening environment for all Earth centred spiritual beliefs including differing religious views, in order that they be discussed and shared. No member should feel ever threatened due to their personal belief system

During the course of this growth in service to the community, our membership has expanded to its current numbers of about 130 persons, of which two thirds are from the UVic and local community college student body. We are listed with Witchvox as a community organization, keep in touch with Pagan Student organizations across Canada, and provide contact with both local and national Pagan groups and organizations as a service to our members.

Our structure is semi-hierarchal as we have executive positions such as Bard, Bard in Waiting, Scribe, Treasurer, Fund Raiing Coordinator, Newsletter, and Webmistress. However all members are welcome to executive meetings and have a vote in the proceedings. In addition we operate on a system based on consensus in that if we are unable to come to agreement on a particular item we will set it aside for another day. Our members have as much say in the operations of the "club" as they wish and can introduce new ideas for consideration at any time simply by contacting one of us and placing it on the agenda.

We ourselves are not a Coven, we do not posess a degree system nor do we have an established hierarchy of priesthood. We offer our members the opportunity to take part in ritual creation and performance to the level at which they are comfortable. However, if they express an interest in becoming Coveners, we suggest contacts they may wish to make in order to further that goal.

By Denis O'Brien