About TotemGrove
Three of the five people at the core of Totem Grove were members of Wolf Grove at the PVUUC in Garland. When in 2004 one of our members, Running Elk became perilously ill we broke off from Wolf Grove and spent the last year of his life with him. Unable to give up our spirituality we founded Totem Grove (then a private group) and met as often as once a week performing rituals, working magick and supporting Running Elk in his disability and eventually his passing. Since his passing we remained mostly private to “tend our wounds” while trying to learn from the challenges that divinity has sent our way. After years we find that we miss interacting with the Pagan/Wiccan community at large and are back as a public group!
Star Bear began practicing wicca in 2001. In 2003 she was initiated into the Circle of Stargoddess after spending the traditional year and a day. In late 2004 Star Bear was invited to join Totem Grove. Star Bear is currently part of the council of Totem Grove.
Andy has practiced Wicca since Imbolc 2001. For a time he was active at Betwixt and Between (helping to bring AA meetings there) and participated in a local Unitarian Universalist CUUPS group. Andy is a founding member of TotemGrove. Andy blogs as a Wiccan for Street Prophets.
Phoenix has been practicing for over a decade, first as a solitary and then with the Pleasant Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Garland. After visiting the Circle of the Star Goddess in Denton and Corinth she became one of the founding members of WolfGrove the Circle at PVUUC after which she helped to found TotemGrove. She calls herself a Pantheistic Universalist seeing Divine truth in all images of Divinity and Divinity in all things.
MorningStar has been practicing the craft most of her life. She
has studied with several teachers over the years, mostly in the traditions
of her Scottish, Irish, and American Indian heritage.
In addition to teaching, practicing with and helping found several covens, MorningStar
has also practiced as a solitary at times. She was a member of Wolf Grove, and
has participated with a number
of local groups. MorningStar is a founding member of Totem Grove.
Information
Running Elk [1946 - 2005]
A founding member of Totem Grove and a member of Wolf Grove at PVUUC.
He was 59 years old when he crossed into the cosmos. His life was ended by lung cancer. Due of his illness, he became Morning Elk, leaving behind the name Running Elk. He was no longer able to run in the marathons that he loved. But like his totem, he was an inspiration to us all. His attitude, courage, and strength during his illness amazed his caregivers and friends.
His ashes were spread to the wind, at a place of his choosing, on a mountain top in Oklahoma . The ritual was preformed by the remaining members of Totem Grove and select friends.
Running Elk was our friend, companion, circle mate, brother, and our
glue. Our circle suffered when he left us. We spent a long time grieving
over his loss but we are stronger because of it. We will always miss
him and cherish his memory.
Blessed Be!