Everglades Moon Local Council was formed by a consensual hiving from Dogwood Local Council and action by the National Board during its July 14th, 2002 meeting. Envisioned since the inception of Dogwood, Everglades Moon covers all of Florida, helping provide more local council presence and activities in the southeast for current and prospective members.

Discussions about a Florida local council began in the winter between some South Florida members, tending a small flame of an idea. A later call to the Dogwood First Officer, Hawk, when it was clear that there was sufficient interest and volunteers to try a hive, brought the energies of the rest of Dogwood into play over the next few months, as early spring quickened our excitement and the flame sprung into fire. Across the spring there were broadening efforts to tend the hive, lest it burn as it jumped and danced, being fed by more than one center as both pre-Everglades Moon and Dogwood members offered their thoughts, time, wisdom and sweat to reshape CoG in anticipated birth. We were getting volunteers to stand for office, ideas about the extent of the new local council, and thoughts on when and how this should come into manifestation.

As summer came 'round, the hiving had a spirit of its own, nearly overcoming our ability to clearly hear and understand each other with the momentum and energy really straining as the Wheel turned towards the fullness of Summer. Discussions with the other Dogwood members were held as the flames matched the southeastern Sun - hot truth without the respite of the dreams of winter's goals, whispered to a candle flame. But the Circle had been laid in May by the affected members of the proposed Everglades Moon meeting to set the elements of our new local council. With a new center for the flame, discussions were grounded and gave birth to consensus in Dogwood - Everglades Moon was born just before the fullness of the Summer Solstice.

After the height of the heat had passed and the wheel turned towards harvest, the National Board met and accepted the actions taken to create our new LC. We, with relief, turned to tending a fire a bit smaller, more grounded, with Everglades Moon taking energy, form and direction from our creation that danced the turning Wheel. We look forward to sharing the many harvests to come from this with all of our sister and brother kin of CoG!

Please join me in thanking Dogwood and especially the members of Everglades Moon for this new creation!

As Everglades Moon Local Council continues to thrive and grow, it is our hope that eventually we will have member covens in all areas of Florida. If you are interested in membership, contact our Membership Officer here for more membership information.  If you want to know more about Wicca, see our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and our suggested reading page.