Who are we?

The Temple of the Hallowed Gods (ToHG) is a progressive, Deity-based Witchcraft community. Progressive Witchcraft is not based on a formal tradition, but rather a philosophy of using whatever methods necessary to best serve the immediate and broader communities. Ancient ways are studied and respected, while evolution is encouraged. Connection with Deity, whomever the individual or group at large communes with is of vital importance and often central to our practice.

Previously, ToHG was known as the Novices of the Old Ways (NOW). The term “Novice,” meaning “new”, did not mean that everyone within NOW was uninitiated or new to Witchcraft. Instead, was meant to remind us that we never stop learning and on the path of the Craft, it is only through the open mind of the Novice that wisdom is truly attained (for we stop learning the moment we believe ourselves to be “masters”).

Novices of the Old Ways originated in NYC in 2007 with Courtney Weber and served that community with members spanning the five boroughs of NYC as well as CT, NJ and Long Island. In 2011, Novices expanded into the Midwest when Tamrha Richardson relocated to the Indianapolis area. In 2017, Elizabeth La Barca branched off into Connecticut with her coven, the Well and Forge. September of 2024 saw Teamhair Stjarnablóð become ordained as a Priestess of An Morrigan and serves her coven in Western Oregan. All branches see people coming together for Sabbats, either public or coven-centered, workshops and community support projects.

Our goal is still to continue to learn about the Craft, ourselves, how we can best aid the health of our community and planet, and to hold this “novice” ideal in our hearts. However, we’ve grown over the years and have outgrown this name.

Enter Temple of the Hallowed Gods!

The Pantheons we work with are primarily European from the Greek, Roman, Irish, Norse and Welsh Pantheons. We frequently utilize Trance Prophecy Regression (Ritual Mediumship) and Astrological influences into our rituals. We are eclectic, but selectively so. We invoke or evoke Deity after careful consideration of the purpose and needs of the invocation or evocation.

In ToHG, we strive to be in constant communication with the Genus Loci, plant and animal spirits of the land we are on. We use magick and ritual to better ourselves and our community.

The Temple of the Hallowed Gods is open to all people, no matter their gender identification,

sexual orientation, race, ability, or background.