Yesterways Order of WiseCraft
Yesterways Order of WiseCraft ("YOWC" – for
simplicity, pronounced “yowse” as rhyming with house) is a
teaching circle founded by Rayven Michaels of Muskogee, Oklahoma in the
United States. YOWC is designed to train stable adults (Seekers) who have little or no prior experience with the Wiccan faith or Witchcraft, or are unsure whether WiseCraft/Wicca/Witchcraft is truly their path and desire to explore the possibility. Our classes teach Seekers the many aspects of the Wiccan practice and show them how to incorporate their faith into their everyday lives. During the First Degree study, which usually takes about a year to live a full turn of the Wheel of the Year (to align with the traditional "year and a day" period), Seekers learn the fundamentals of WiseCraft Wicca and complete written homework and hands-on assignments. They write and perform rituals, practice meditation and visualization, and create a Book of Mirrors (magical journal) and Book of Shadows (BOS), as well as a personal altar and tools. Our training is for adults. However, teens are welcome if they have parental or guardian permission provided in writing after an interview with the teen and their parent or guardian. Classes and Esbats are for Seekers only. However, celebration of the Sabbats is a family affair and children of all ages are welcomed as long as they are capable of being orderly.
We also strongly honor our ancestors and the local nature spirits.
This tradition holds to certain standards of ethics and maintaining integrity at every level.
Watch for our postings for new classes which begin in February 2013 or contact us to inquire about our classes.
What is WiseCraft Wicca?
WiseCraft is the tradition followed and taught by Yesterways Order of WiseCraft. It is an eclectic blend of Wicca, Witchcraft, Druidism, Shamanism, herbalism, energy healing, Celtic, Fairy, and other paths. Because WiseCraft incorporates “that which feels right” from many different sources, it is an evolving tradition reflecting our belief that there is no one true way and that all paths are valid and lead to the same truths.
About Rayven Michaels
Rayven is a Priestess, Psychic, Clergy and Teacher. Among her many additional skills are Intuitive Advisor, Energy Healer using a variety of modalities including crystals, chakra balancing, EFT, aromatherapy, accupressure, reflexology and more. She is a Dream Interpreter, Tarot/Oracle Card Reader, Akashic Records Consultant, Reiki Master/Teacher, WiseCraft Wicca Teacher and Jewelry Artisan.
Rayven was drawn to witchery as a child and
embraced Wicca in her early adult life, practicing secretly as a
solitary in a predominantly Christian environment in Northeastern
Oklahoma. In early years, her knowledge was acquired primarily
through self study of such authors as Raymond Buckland, Scott
Cunningham, Silver RavenWolf, Raven Grimassi and others. After
the new millenium, Rayven began to make contact with other
pagans and heathens through attending and participating in
renaissance fairs. It was then that she began to study with others.
In 2006, Rayven studied dream interpretation for
a time with the School of Metaphysics of Tulsa but being a follower
of the Goddess path, she moved on in her journey.
In 2009, Rayven attained First Level Reiki
Practitioner through Kristin Swanson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. That
same year, Rayven began the Incan Peru Shaman study of Munay Ki
Medicine Wheel under the tutelage of Jodi Tuttle/Grandmother Raven in
Tulsa who in turn studied under Alberto Villoldo. Rayven attained 5 of the 9 rites from Grandmother Raven and finished the directions
South and West before undergoing a military move with her husband to
New Orleans.
While accompanying her Marine husband to New
Orleans for his pre-retirement duty station at NASJRB, Rayven had
the good fortune to spend three years studying and practicing Wicca
in several covens. She first studied under Anwnn/Debra Jeffreys with
CPWC-ATC and became a CPWC Priestess and teacher. In 2010, Rayven left
CPWC-ATC and helped organize Daughters of the Phoenix, a progressive
study circle in New Orleans specializing in magic and energy workings
which later became Circle of the Rising Phoenix Coven. In 2011,
Rayven helped found Witches of the Grove Coven, also in New Orleans,
of which she remains an honorary member.
Rayven returned to Oklahoma in June 2012 after
her husband’s retirement from the Marine Corps. Finding that
training and resources for Wicca remained scarce in Oklahoma, Rayven founded Yesterways Order of WiseCraft to provide a safe environment
for Seekers to explore and learn Wicca and Magick. She began
conducting online classes in late 2012.
In January 2013, Rayven received Level 1 and Level 2 Tibetan Reiki of William Rand's lineage from Creek Lady Healer of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Rayven is also a Certified Master/Teacher of 1-4 Degrees of Usui Reiki Ryoho, 1-10th Degrees Ascension Reiki and Reiju Reiki.
As a registered Clergy through Universal Life
Church since 2007, Rayven is available to perform Wiccan rites such
as hand fastings, hand partings, Croning, Saging, Wiccanings, baby
blessings, Welcoming/Heralding/Hailing, Initiatory Rites,
Crossing/Requiem, funerals, Esbats, Sabbats etc.
