Greetings, Seeker:
Welcome to Wicca! Thank you for your interest. While we welcome your forthright communication, we also appreciate commensurate donations to cover the expenses associate with handling your letters and a personalized reply.
Gavin and Yvonne spent decades working with inmate outreach as a volunteer service associated with the Church and School of Wicca in an effort to help build community. They consulted directly with the North Carolina Bureau of Prisons, which, in part, motivated their decision to move to Raleigh, North Carolina, in the early 1990’s.
Data has also shown that inmates reintegrate into society better with a strongly held faith path. While it is not our place to wonder why, we appreciate and encourage anyone supporting that path for our incarcerated population in the United States. It is a huge benefit for our inmates to know that they are not alone.
Most frequently asked questions can be handled below:
Q: What are my rights within the law?
A: Rights vary from state to state, but Wicca is a federally recognized religion for 501(c )3 purposes. You do have a right to limited meditation practice and, depending on your security level, some tools. For more information, encourage your chaplaincy staff to refer to Dettmer v. Landon (617 F.SUPP.592). If a group is entitled to robes and candles or incense, then your study group is entitled to similar privileges.
Q: What materials can I have?
A: Again, depending upon your security level, you may have standard spiritual objects such as a medicine bag or a robe. However, many physical objects have been used in negative ways and we cannot condone their usage.
Q: Can you send somebody to meet with me?
A: Many practicing Wiccans are very private and do not wish the public scrutiny that is required to enter a prison to counsel inmates. Unfortunately, we cannot require anybody to enter a prison on your behalf.
Q: How do I take a course with the Church and School of Wicca?
A: The courses are sold at a base fee of $200, but we have found that it is better to take the course in a study group when incarcerated. If there are others interested in studying with you, they can enroll in your group at a rate of $100 per person, allowing your group one set of study materials and personalized guidance from our teachers for each member.
Q: What can I do if I have no money?
A: Take a look at our library books and see what you might be able to have sent to you by a family member or by a supportive organization.
Q: I have a personal question about Satanism, Zorastrianism, Carribean voodoo, Santeria, spells, etc., that hasn’t been answered here. Can you help me?
A: We do not teach religions that are not based around the tenant of “If it harm none, do what you will.” We would love to answer your questions, but do not feel it is appropriate to speak beyond our experience. Our credibility lies within Wicca and some Paganism. We welcome you to take our courses, but if these are not what you seek, please look elsewhere.
Q: I have so many more questions, what do I do?
A: Please send us a donation, your letter, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to help cover the expense of personally responding to your very important questions. We are not currently sending out materials to prisons due to mailing restrictions that are challenging to navigate when the sole working person for the Church is also working another full-time job.
Blessed be all those who seek, Gavin, Yvonne and Bronwyn Frost