This is the home page of Our Lady of the Prairie Coven, a Wiccan group located in the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinios. We've made this page available so that others of like mind may find it easier to network with us.
Wicca (sometimes called Wicce, the Old Religion, or Witchcraft) is a modern revival of an ancient religion of love for life and nature. Our ancestors saw divinity in the sun and moon, in the Earth, and in all life. The creative energies of the universe became Goddesses and Gods. These were not semi-abstract, superhuman figures set apart from Nature: they were embodied in the earth and sky, women and men, and even plants and animals.
This viewpoint is still central to present-day Wicca. To most Wiccans, everything in Nature -- and all Goddesses and Gods -- are true aspects of Deity. The aspects most often celebrated in the Craft are the Triple Goddess of the Moon (Who is Maiden, Mother, and Crone) and the Horned God of the wilds. These have many names in various cultures.
How do Wiccan folk practice their faith today? There is no central authority or doctrine, and individual covens and solitary Wiccans vary a great deal. But most meet to celebrate on nights of the Full moon, and at eight great festivals or Sabbats throughout the year.
There are many branches or "traditions" of Wicca in the US and elsewhere, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Faery, and many many more. Our Lady of the Prairie (OLP) considers itself a Celtic/Eclectic coven, with our patron Dieties being the Lady of the Prairie, and the Horned One whom we call Plainswalker. We also work with other Dieties as well, and each member has their own patron Gods/Goddesses whom they love.
Coven meetings include ritual, celebrations, and magick (the 'k' is to distinguish it from stage illusions). Wiccan magick is not at all like the 'Hollywood' version, nor is it anything like the 'Dungeons and Dragons' game. In Wicca, magick is used to heal, seek guidance, or improve our lives in specific ways. Positive goals are sought; cursing and 'evil spells' are repugnant to practitioners of the Craft.
Wiccan beliefs do not include such Judaeo-Christian concepts as original sin, vicarious atonement, divine judgement or bodily resurrection. Craft folk believe in a beneficient universe, the laws of Karma and reincarnation, and divinity inherent and immanent in every human being and all of Nature. Laughter and pleasure are part of their spiritual tradition, and they enjoy singing, dancing, feasting, and fellowship.
To most in the Craft, every religion has its own valuable perspective on the nature of Deity and humanity's relationship to it: there is no One True Faith. Religious diversity is necessary in a world of diverse societies and individuals. Because of this belief, Wiccan groups do not actively recruit or proselytize.
Despite the lack of evangelistic zeal, many Wiccans are willing to talk with interested people, and OLP often provides a 'Wicca 101' course to educate and inform our community. There are also online sources to find out more information. Check your local library and bookstore for these titles:
For a more extensive source of information on the Web, go to the Covenant of the Goddess site. COG is a national organization of Wiccan covens and Solitaries who share the worship of the Goddess and God, and provides people of like mind a means to network and share experience, and to make wonderful friendships.
Witchcraft in the Q-C Check out this article written about Our Lady of the Prairie in one of the primary local newspapers.
Wiccans celebrate the phases of the moon, as well as eight major Sabbats. Follow the links to learn how OLP celebrates the seasons and moons.
Beltane
Litha
Lughnassad
Samhain
Yule
Imbolc
Excerpts from OLP's Book of Shadows
OLP's favorite websites on the WebContact Our Lady of the Prairie by EMAIL!
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Last modified Sept 1, 2006