http://vinlandsvolva.com/
Yngona Desmond was raised to value both Celtic folklore and Theosophy.  For over 35 years she has lived studied and taught a mystical and spiritual lifestyle.  Independently, she has been a student and practitioner of yogic traditions since childhood.
Her dedication to Heathen esoterica is found among other places, in "Thuleheim: A Knowledge Base," a collection of occult lore from the Northern European, pre-Christian traditions, that she maintains with fellow soulcrafter Garrick  Cartwright, and in her groundbreaking book, "Voluspa: Seidhr as Wyrd Consciousness"  She is also the owner of "Nine Worlds" on y\Yahoo, the oldest, most active and scholar list on Heathen mysticism anywhere on the net.

Rev. Lilith Dorsey BA,MA
http://hometown.aol.com/blackbrigit/index.html
Rev. Lilith Dorsey comes from many different magickal traditions , including Celtic, Voodoo, and Native American spirituality. Her traditional education focused on Plant Science , Anthropology and Fine Art at the University of R.I., New York University and the University of London, and her magickal training includes initiations in Voodoo and Santeria. Lilith Dorsey has been doing successful magick over the past 20 years for patrons of her business Branwen's Pantry, and is editor/publisher of Oshun-African Magickal Quarterly.

Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism provides readers with a comprehensive explanation of each religion, a discussion of the many issues they face today, and an up-to-date list of helpful resources. With a forward by well-known Pagan icon Isaac Bonewits, Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism provides what bookshelves have long needed: a clear road to understanding the rituals, history and the shared beliefs of these religions. Anthropologist, author, and filmmaker, Lilith Dorsey, B.A., M.A., is  an initiate of Santeria, Vodou, and New Orleans Voodoo providing her with a unique insight into the sacred material at hand.

  Arawn Machia

     Arawn Machia is a healer, Strega high priest and elder, psychotherapist, and spiritual counselor.  He is schooled in ancient magickal practices and modern behavior sciences, and has studied with internationally recognized shaman and psychologists in both the United States and Europe.  _Who's Who in the World_ says Dr. Machia's "noteworthy achievements are of lasting value to humankind." He holds degrees in theology, education, and psychology, and has done post-doctoral work in Princeton.

     Arawn has been a presenter at numerous conferences and has been published in numerous pagan and secular journals.  His own journal, "Dragon Whispers", is distributed throughout the U.S. and Europe.

 Rev. Susan Davis
Rev. Susan Davis(Moonsilvered)  was born in Galveston, TX in 1955. Her first book, "Magickal Progressions" was released in 2008. She is a former CPA who began formal training in New Forest Tradition in Houston, TX in 1972.  

In 1983, with two small children, she retired from active coven management and embarked on a solitary magickal journey that focused much more on various forms of healing with sound and visualization, massage, chakra manipulation,  herbs, trance work and Reiki.  She also began serious work with Elemental Magicks during this time and met her lifemate/HP and fellow healer, Rev. Lawrence Harney. They have been teaching students and traveling together since then. 

Rev. Lawrence P. Harney

  Rev. Harney was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1952.  He practices a Wiccan/Egyptian Tradition, and was career USAF, retiring 1995.  Lawrence is trained in several styles of healing, including techniques learned while stationed in the UK and in Japan.  He is a specialist in accupressure and vibrational healing and a teacher both in person and online. He actively performs a variety of Pagan Ministerial work, including funerals, handfastings, wiccanings and covenings along with lifemate/HPS.

Cynthia Edmunds
    Cynthia Edmunds, no magical name, thanks; a witch in the kitchen and everywhere else; HPS of Silver Moon Interwoven Circle of Tides because no one else wants the job; reformed festival organizer and officer for Covenant of the Goddess; possessor of the secrets of the sausage finger trick and other 
stupid human tricks; holder of an honorary cyber degree that looks impressive hanging on the wall; founder of the Lighter Degree System, please don't ask me how my lighter works, that's a third degree secret; credentialed first generation priestess of the Sacred Order of Trickster; owner of thigh high 
black patent leather boots and in my next lifetime, author of thirteen books on various topics yet to be disclosed to me.

Rev. Lilith Dorsey
Rev. Lilith Dorsey comes from many different magickal traditions , including Celtic, Voodoo, and Native American spirituality. Her traditional education focused on Plant Science , Anthropology and Fine Art at the University of R.I., New York University and the University of London, and her magickal training includes initiations in Voodoo and Santeria. Lilith Dorsey has been doing successful magick over the past 13 years for patrons of her business Branwen s Pantry, and is editor/publisher of Oshun-African Magickal Quarterly.

Mateyo Empie ...

http://www.shamaniccenter.org/

The shaman's world consists of energy. Humans, animals, plants, stones -- all weave together in a multidimensional tapestry, conscious and responsive

Awareness, service, and healing exemplify the joy and duty of the shaman. Shamanism carries on traditions millennia-old that enable us, here and now, to experience and embody Universal Truth. It changes our lives by connecting us to our Infinite Source, where we celebrate the play of consciousness. We become aware of our true identity as Beings of Light and children of our loving Mother Earth.

For over forty years Mateyo Empie has added to her inborn gifts by the intensive study of metaphysical disciplines in Peru, India, and the United States. She has taught shamanic techniques of self-development for nearly twenty years, concentrating on the traditions of Peru, especially the esteemed Q'ero of the high Andes.

Dawn Severson

Dawn Severson is an initiate of ”Ile‘ Oxu‘n“, a traditional house of Santo. She is also initiated in La Regla Obasi and an Espiritista with extensive knowledge of ancestral worship. She was also a High Priestess of a local  Eclectic Pagan group for several years. She resides in Southeastern VA with her husband and her daughter.

“I feel it is a great honor and blessing to have the trust and respect of my Godmother to relate the knowledge and beauty of our religion”

Rev Dr. Dawn Hill
Dawn is an ordained Pagan minister, herbalist, and an Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki  Master Teacher and practitioner who employs crystal healing in her practice. Dawn has two certifications in herbal medicine through The Foundations in Herbal Medicine program offered by Tiearona Low Dog, MD & Northwestern University, respectively. Her associations include: membership in The CT Holistic Health Association,The Connecticut Herb Association, The American Herbalists Guild & The International Association for Reiki Professionals. Dawn’s focus in life is to help others achieve peace and balance through healing.

ER-Medth

ER-Medth is an author, healer, teacher, student, and lover of the wise ways.   Nature and Family members have been her mentors.  Companion to all living things, she urges all to become one with the universe.  

There will be special children's activities throughout the event. The traditional potluck dinner is back for Friday night, followed by a bonfire and drumming and a HUGE Bonfire Saturday after the Main Ritual.

To join our Gathering of the Tribes chat group send a blank e-mail message to:
gatheringofthetribes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The Spring and Fall Gathering of the Tribes sponsored by Out of the Dark, Inc. & FCMS Inc., which are held in Virginia are not associated with any other "Gathering of the Tribes" festivals which may be held on occasion in other parts of the country.  Yes, we know there is a small "Gathering of the Tribes" that has stolen copy directly off our website.  We have addressed the issue here 
              http://www.outofthedark.com/Plagiarized/ 
 if anyone is at all interested.  Hopefully this will answer everyone's questions 'cause quite frankly, we are tired of hearing about it :-/ 

Your opinions and ideas are important to us!! It is how we chose this event's path...  PLEASE take the time to give us your comments regarding this Fall's Gathering, as well as your feelings on where we should concentrate future efforts.