Greetings,
I'm a new member in Southwest Virginia (New River Valley area), very happy to find OBOD and excited about getting involved - just waiting on the Bard packets to arrive.

I've been studying Earth-centered religions and ceremonial magic/esoteric work for about 25 years, and am a former Priestess in another Western Mystery tradition, gone solo to pursue a different direction. I've been on my own for about 7 years, looking for something more in line with my personal beliefs and practices, and became interested in OBOD after seeing the fine work that the good people in Sintra, Portugal were doing.
My practice centers on internal martial arts and holistic health, though I'm also an artist, musician, writer, and avid collector of gorgeous fabrics which occasionally get turned into regalia. My biological heritage is mixed European and Native American (as my bio father explained it: "Irish, Mnikowoju Lakota, Cherokee and something blonde") and I work with both sides to try to make peace and find common ground. I work in academia (it's become a form of indentured servitude, but I don't mind it because I get to use the library!) and travel frequently to other college towns and the DC/Balt area, so I hope to be able to meet some of the groups outside of my remote area. Tennessee people, I occasionally make it through that way to go visit family in AR, so please feel free to contact. If nothing else, perhaps we can meet up some time and discuss our studies.
I look forward to learning more and meeting new friends and spiritual family!
Peace and health,
Michelangela