Our History
Black Oak Grove was born out of need - a need for a pagan-focused, legally recognized church and organization that could provide a number of services to the East Tennessee and surrounding regions. Founded by members who led Pagan Pride of East Tennessee for over a decade, it is an extension of those efforts to help create community, meet need, and promote spiritual equality and growth. Work on Black Oak Grove as an organization began in 2019 and was legally incorporated as a church in the state of Tennessee in 2022. We ordained our first wedding officiant in 2024 and hope to have 501c3 status by the end of 2025.
Before you email us or attend a gathering
Please review the Tenets and other statements on this page fully. We want to be clear as to what is, and is not, accepted within our spaces.
Tenets of Belief
The Black Oak Gove Tenets are a set of beliefs from which the church emerged and are used as a guiding doctrine for our work. While some practitioners may embrace many (or even all) of these elements, each spiritual path is unique and immensely personal. There is no single “right way” to practice nature-based spirituality. With that said, there is also little tolerance for hate or injustice and we believe it is impossible to create balance while supporting division and distrust.
Reverence for Nature and the Earth
- We honor and respect the sacredness of nature and the interconnected web of life.
- We strive to live in harmony with the natural world, recognizing our role as stewards of the Earth.
Conservation and Protection of the Planet
- We are dedicated to preserving and safeguarding the environment for present and future generations.
- We actively work towards sustainable practices and ecological awareness.
Self-Direction in Belief and Spirituality
- We embrace individual autonomy in matters of belief, practice, and personal spiritual journeys.
- We support and encourage diverse interpretations and paths within the pagan community.
Recognition of the Realities of Magic and Mysticism
- We acknowledge the existence of magic, both as a mystical force and as a potential within the realms of science and consciousness.
- We believe in the transformative power of magic to effect positive change in ourselves and the world.
Bodily Autonomy and Inclusive Principles
- We affirm the inherent rights of bodily autonomy, encompassing medical decisions, gender and sexual identity, and personal appearance.
- We stand for social justice, equity, and equality for all individuals, including the LGBTQ+ community and marginalized populations.
- We unequivocally denounce hate, discrimination, white nationalism, racism, and any form of prejudice within paganism and the wider community.
- We strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and cultures are respected, valued, and celebrated.
- Love is love, love in all things.
Interconnectedness of All Living Beings
- We recognize and celebrate the interconnectedness of all life forms and acknowledge our place within the greater tapestry of existence.
- We honor the spirits that reside within all things, fostering a deep sense of respect and interconnectedness.
Connection to the Divine
- We embrace a diverse range of beliefs concerning the divine, allowing practitioners to forge personal connections to the divine in whatever form they perceive it.
- We encourage spiritual exploration and the pursuit of a meaningful connection with the divine.
Spirituality, Inclusion, and Justice
At Black Oak Grove, we understand spirituality, inclusion, and justice to be deeply interconnected. For us, creating a safe and welcoming space for all—especially those who have historically been marginalized is not a political stance, but an ethical, moral, and spiritual one.
The tenets of Druidry calls us to right relationships with each other, the Earth, and the communities we build. This includes being actively anti-racist, inclusive of LGBTQIA+ identities, and mindful of the harm caused by ideologies rooted in domination and exclusion, such as those you find within MAGA, anti-immigrant, anti-trans, and white nationalist rhetoric.
These ideologies have no place within our organization and persons who ascribe to them are not welcome. Our boundary around this isn’t about party politics or political action — it’s about protecting the integrity and safety of our sacred space and the people within it, all while following our truths.
