Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
Encyclopedia
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is a co-founder of the Church of All Worlds
, as well as a writer and speaker on the subject of Neopaganism
. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology
from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri
in 1965. In 1967, he received a Doctor of Divinity from Life Science College in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
, then a teaching certificate from Harris Teacher's College in St. Louis in 1968. He also attended graduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis
.
In an interview with Natalie Zaman in 2008, Zell described himself as a "Wizard". Distinguishing his practice from the wizards of fiction, Zell added a "k" to his spelling of "magick
", and claimed that his interest therein began at an early age with the reading of Greek myths and fairy tales. As a child, Zell had visions, which his mother told him were derived from the life of his grandfather.
An early advocate of deep ecology
, Zell-Ravenheart articulated the Gaia Thesis (preferred spelling Gæa or Gaea) in 1970, independently of Dr. James Lovelock
, who is usually credited therewith. Along with his wife Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
and the other members of his group marriage
, he has been influential in the modern polyamory
movement.
Zell-Ravenheart also co-founded the Ecosophical Research Association in 1977, an organization that explores the truth behind myths. This group was known for the "living unicorns" they created by minor surgery to the horn buds of goats. One of their unicorns, Lancelot, toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
.
(CAW) on April 7, 1962, by the ritual of "sharing water". This foundation ritual was practiced by a fictional church of the same name in Robert A. Heinlein
's Stranger in a Strange Land
. Zell-Ravenheart and Christie attributed their inspiration to Heinlein's novel. From the 1960s through the late 1990s, Zell-Ravenheart served as High Priest and Primate
of the church. Zell-Ravenheart returned to lead the Church of All Worlds, Inc. in 2005 and currently serves as First Primate.
in 1968, Zell-Ravenheart was an early popularizer of the term "Neo-Pagan". When Green Egg began publishing as a spirit-duplicated
newsletter
, Zell used the term "Neo-Pagan" to describe the new religious movement
he was helping to create. Green Egg later grew to be a semi-glossy magazine with international distribution and, in an era before the Internet
, its letters column provided a widely distributed public forum for discussion and networking. From 1994 to late 2001, Green Egg was edited by Maerian Morris
, a former High Priestess of the Church of All Worlds.Green Egg is currently published as an e-zine, edited by Ariel Monserrat.
. Its creation was inspired partly by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school in the Harry Potter
novels by author J. K. Rowling
.
events, as well as at science fiction conventions and renaissance fair
s. He and his wife "Morning Glory" Zell-Ravenheart have appeared at over 20 Starwood Festival
s (and a few WinterStar Symposiums) over 25 years, and have maintained Church of All Worlds presence at Starwood, called the CAWmunity, for over a decade.
Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart currently live in Sonoma County, California
, where they are members of the Sonoma County Pagan Network. He is a frequent speaker at the organization's local activities, and has contributed articles to its website.
, doctors found a cancerous growth attached to Zell's colon
, and removed it laparoscopically
at Petaluma Valley Hospital. Following surgery, he underwent a six-month course of chemotherapy
and has continued a reduced schedule of travel and teaching. Another surgery
repaired a hernia
at the cancer surgery incision in August 2009, but was otherwise not cancer-related. Zell regards himself as cured of the cancer.
Television
Radio
Church of All Worlds
The Church of All Worlds is a neopagan religious group whose stated mission is to evolve a network of information, mythology, and experience that provides a context and stimulus for reawakening Gaia and reuniting her children through tribal community dedicated to responsible stewardship and...
, as well as a writer and speaker on the subject of Neopaganism
Neopaganism
Neopaganism is an umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of modern religious movements, particularly those influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various pagan beliefs of pre-modern Europe...
. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri
Fulton, Missouri
Fulton is a city in Callaway County, Missouri, the United States of America. It is part of the Jefferson City, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 12,790 in the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Callaway County...
in 1965. In 1967, he received a Doctor of Divinity from Life Science College in Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Rolling Meadows is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 24,607 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rolling Meadows is located at ....
, then a teaching certificate from Harris Teacher's College in St. Louis in 1968. He also attended graduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
.
In an interview with Natalie Zaman in 2008, Zell described himself as a "Wizard". Distinguishing his practice from the wizards of fiction, Zell added a "k" to his spelling of "magick
Magick
Magick is an Early Modern English spelling for magic, used in works such as the 1651 translation of De Occulta Philosophia, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, or Of Magick...
", and claimed that his interest therein began at an early age with the reading of Greek myths and fairy tales. As a child, Zell had visions, which his mother told him were derived from the life of his grandfather.
An early advocate of deep ecology
Deep ecology
Deep ecology is a contemporary ecological philosophy that recognizes an inherent worth of all living beings, regardless of their instrumental utility to human needs. The philosophy emphasizes the interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and that of ecosystems with each other within the...
, Zell-Ravenheart articulated the Gaia Thesis (preferred spelling Gæa or Gaea) in 1970, independently of Dr. James Lovelock
James Lovelock
James Lovelock, CH, CBE, FRS is an independent scientist, environmentalist and futurologist who lives in Devon, England. He is best known for proposing the Gaia hypothesis, which postulates that the biosphere is a self-regulating entity with the capacity to keep our planet healthy by controlling...
, who is usually credited therewith. Along with his wife Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart is a Neopagan poet, author, lecturer, and priestess. She is of Irish and Choctaw Indian ancestry.-Early Life:...
and the other members of his group marriage
Group marriage
Group marriage, also known as multi-lateral marriage, is a form of polyamory in which more than two persons form a family unit, with all the members of the group marriage being considered to be married to all the other members of the group marriage, and all members of the marriage share parental...
, he has been influential in the modern polyamory
Polyamory
Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved....
movement.
Zell-Ravenheart also co-founded the Ecosophical Research Association in 1977, an organization that explores the truth behind myths. This group was known for the "living unicorns" they created by minor surgery to the horn buds of goats. One of their unicorns, Lancelot, toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American circus company. The company was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses...
.
Church of All Worlds
With R. Lance Christie, Zell-Ravenheart formed the Church of All WorldsChurch of All Worlds
The Church of All Worlds is a neopagan religious group whose stated mission is to evolve a network of information, mythology, and experience that provides a context and stimulus for reawakening Gaia and reuniting her children through tribal community dedicated to responsible stewardship and...
(CAW) on April 7, 1962, by the ritual of "sharing water". This foundation ritual was practiced by a fictional church of the same name in Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre. He set a standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of...
's Stranger in a Strange Land
Stranger in a Strange Land
Stranger in a Strange Land is a 1961 science fiction novel by American author Robert A. Heinlein. It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who comes to Earth in early adulthood after being born on the planet Mars and raised by Martians. The novel explores his interaction with—and...
. Zell-Ravenheart and Christie attributed their inspiration to Heinlein's novel. From the 1960s through the late 1990s, Zell-Ravenheart served as High Priest and Primate
Primate (religion)
Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
of the church. Zell-Ravenheart returned to lead the Church of All Worlds, Inc. in 2005 and currently serves as First Primate.
Role in Neopagan community
A sculptor as well as an author, Zell has created numerous images of Pagan deities—some based upon historical images, others his original creations. With his family, he runs Mythic Images, a business through which his artwork is distributed.Green Egg
As the creator and original editor of the Neopagan magazine Green EggGreen Egg
Green Egg is a Neopagan magazine published by the Church of All Worlds from 1968 through 1976 and 1988 through 2000, and restarted in 2007. It was created and edited for most of its existence by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart....
in 1968, Zell-Ravenheart was an early popularizer of the term "Neo-Pagan". When Green Egg began publishing as a spirit-duplicated
Spirit duplicator
A spirit duplicator was a low-volume printing method used mainly by schools and churches. It was also used by members of science fiction fandom and early comic book fandom to produce fanzines...
newsletter
Newsletter
A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
, Zell used the term "Neo-Pagan" to describe the new religious movement
New religious movement
A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in...
he was helping to create. Green Egg later grew to be a semi-glossy magazine with international distribution and, in an era before the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, its letters column provided a widely distributed public forum for discussion and networking. From 1994 to late 2001, Green Egg was edited by Maerian Morris
Maerian Morris
Maerian Morris is a Neopagan author, scholar, digital and performance artist, editor, and priestess. She edited Green Egg Magazine from 1993 to 2001, is a former High Priestess of The Church of All Worlds, and is the founder of Westernesste, a modern Neopagan church, and The Sidhevairs, a digital...
, a former High Priestess of the Church of All Worlds.Green Egg is currently published as an e-zine, edited by Ariel Monserrat.
Grey School of Wizardry
Zell-Ravenheart is one of the founding faculty members and currently Headmaster of the "Grey School of Wizardry", a nonprofit, on-line school specializing in occultism, incorporated March 14, 2004 as an educational institution in the State of CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Its creation was inspired partly by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school in the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
novels by author J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling
Joanne "Jo" Rowling, OBE , better known as J. K. Rowling, is the British author of the Harry Potter fantasy series...
.
Speaker and teacher
Zell-Ravenheart regularly presents workshops, lectures, and ceremonies at Neopagan and New AgeNew Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
events, as well as at science fiction conventions and renaissance fair
Renaissance Fair
A Renaissance fair, Renaissance faire, or Renaissance festival is an outdoor weekend gathering, usually held in the United States, open to the public and typically commercial in nature, which emulates a historic period for the amusement of its guests. Some are permanent theme parks, others are...
s. He and his wife "Morning Glory" Zell-Ravenheart have appeared at over 20 Starwood Festival
Starwood Festival
The Starwood Festival is a seven-day Neo-Pagan, New Age, multi-cultural and world music festival presented in mid- to late July. Approximately 1,500 people attend including staff, speakers and entertainers. The Starwood Festival is a camping event which holds workshops on a variety of subjects...
s (and a few WinterStar Symposiums) over 25 years, and have maintained Church of All Worlds presence at Starwood, called the CAWmunity, for over a decade.
Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart currently live in Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
, where they are members of the Sonoma County Pagan Network. He is a frequent speaker at the organization's local activities, and has contributed articles to its website.
Health concerns
During a routine colonoscopyColonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It may provide a visual diagnosis and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected...
, doctors found a cancerous growth attached to Zell's colon
Colón
Colón is a Spanish and Portuguese surname, comparable to the Italian and Portuguese Colombo . It may refer to:People:* Cristóbal Colón, the Spanish language name for the explorer Christopher Columbus...
, and removed it laparoscopically
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions with the aid of a camera...
at Petaluma Valley Hospital. Following surgery, he underwent a six-month course of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
and has continued a reduced schedule of travel and teaching. Another surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
repaired a hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
at the cancer surgery incision in August 2009, but was otherwise not cancer-related. Zell regards himself as cured of the cancer.
Discography
- The Church of All Worlds - Lecture on cassette ACEAssociation for Consciousness ExplorationThe Association for Consciousness Exploration LLC is an American organization based in Northeastern Ohio which produces events, books, and recorded media in the fields of "magic, mind-sciences, alternative lifestyles, comparative religion/spirituality, entertainment, holistic healing, and related...
- Men and the Goddess - Lecture (on cassette) ACE
- A Bouquet of Lovers - Lecture with Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart (on CD and cassette) ACE
- Living Your Own Myth - Lecture with Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart (on cassette) ACE
Media appearances
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart has been interviewed on many television and radio shows in the United States, England, and Australia. Some of these include:Television
- The Sunday Show (Australia)
- Channel 4 (England)
- Strange UniverseStrange UniverseStrange Universe was a syndicated daily half-hour program about paranormal phenomena. It was hosted by Emmitt Miller and Dana Adams. In February of 1997 Adams was dropped as co-host and miller became the only host. It was on the air from 1996 to 1998 for a total of 390 episodes.-External links:* ...
- A&EA&E NetworkThe A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
- The Marilyn Kagan Show
- Faith Under Fire with Lee StrobelLee StrobelLee Patrick Strobel is a writer, creationist, former journalist and former megachurch pastor. He is the author of several books, including four which received ECPA Christian Book Awards and a series which addresses challenges to a Biblically inerrant view of Christianity...
- Counter-Culture Hour
- The Witching Hour
- "The Devil's Advocate with Charles Ashman", KPLR-TVKPLR-TVKPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KPLR is owned by the Tribune Company, and is an affiliate of The CW Television Network. The station's studios are located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in Northwest St. Louis County KPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station...
(1974) - Soapbox, KPLR-TVKPLR-TVKPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KPLR is owned by the Tribune Company, and is an affiliate of The CW Television Network. The station's studios are located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in Northwest St. Louis County KPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station...
(1973)
Radio
- “Brother WeaseBrother WeaseBrother Wease is the on-air name of Alan Levin , a radio personality from Rochester, New York. He is currently heard on WFXF 95.1 FM "The Fox" in Brighton, as well as WHTK AM 1280 /FM 107.3 in Rochester and the Finger Lakes...
” WCMF-FM - “Dave Wilson” WIBC-AM
- “Exploring Unknown Phenomena” KZUM 89.3-FM
- “Clear Reception” WTMD-FM (NPR)
- “Allan & Rebecca” WQAL-FM
- “Larry & Sheryl” ALQ
- “Jack Roberts” Cable Radio Network
- “Louie Free” WWOW
- “Bulldog’s Morning Show” PJD5-FM
- "96 Rock Mornings with Salt and Demetri the Greek" (July 24, 2007)
- "Coast to Coast AMCoast to Coast AMCoast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
" (January 13, 2008)
Articles and interviews
- Online Wizardry Recognized with a 501(c)(3) Alternative Approaches article
- Interview With a Living Pagan Icon The Goddess interview by Mabyn Wind
- 10 Questions with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart The Magical Buffet