Ravenwood Church has announced that their founder, Lady Sintana, has passed away. Although her name may not be as familiar to readers as some other Pagan elders, Lady Sintana was instrumental in the movement towards getting Wicca recognized as a legitimate religion. She spent a number of years in court trying to get Ravenwood recognized as a 501(c)3 non-profit church, and worked tirelessly to help bring about public acceptance of modern Pagan religions.
Born Candace Lehrman White in 1937, Lady Sintana started Ravenwood Church and Seminary of Wicca in the 1970s in Atlanta. As you can imagine, this wasn't entirely an easy process. Nonetheless, her perseverance and tenacity allowed her -- and Ravenwood -- to flourish despite constant harassment. Her work years ago paved the way for many groups in today's Atlanta Pagan community.
The Pagan community has lost yet another elder, and my condolences go out to Ravenwood and to Lady Sintana's loved ones. May her crossing be a peaceful one.
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Born Candace Lehrman White in 1937, Lady Sintana started Ravenwood Church and Seminary of Wicca in the 1970s in Atlanta. As you can imagine, this wasn't entirely an easy process. Nonetheless, her perseverance and tenacity allowed her -- and Ravenwood -- to flourish despite constant harassment. Her work years ago paved the way for many groups in today's Atlanta Pagan community.
The Pagan community has lost yet another elder, and my condolences go out to Ravenwood and to Lady Sintana's loved ones. May her crossing be a peaceful one.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
I am a recent First degree initiate in the Ravenwood tradition. I did not have the opportunity to meet Lady Sintana in person but through my Elders, I feel like I did know her to some degree. The news of her passing is spreading quickly and I can feel the grief of my brothers and sisters as we stop to acknowledge this great woman and Priestess. But we cannot grieve for long for there is so much work to do. We need to continue the Lady’s work and keep pushing for acceptance as She did. That is what will keep me focused through this time. Blessed Be to you, Lady Sintana, and safe journey.
Blessed Be! I am just now learning of dearest Lady Sintana’s passing. I met her at Ravenwood in Atlanta just after I had three root canals requiring hospitalization in 1977. I was looking for some advice to relieve extreme pain. Unexpectedly, someone I had known for a long time answered the door. Lady Sintana recommended the Middle Pillar Ritual. Providentially by harmonious coincidence, I had just bought a book teaching the Middle Pillar Ritual (The Miracle of New Avatar Power – by Geoff Gray-Cobb) . I learned it and have used it frequently, often with miraculous results. Although I am not an initiate of Wicca, I always felt welcome and it always felt good to be at Ravenwood. I visited Ravenwood and Lady Sintana many times for rituals, parties and just socially. I was at Ravewnwood the day that Lady Sintana was presented with her charter. She introduced me to some wonderfully powerful persons. She did a hand fasting for my Lady and I. Beautiful memories!
David Eberhardt
david.eberhardt@gmail.com