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History

In the early 1990s a group of women students came together at Deakin University to explore spirituality. After a few rituals and workshops on the Waurn Ponds Campus, (including on the  Union Green and other parts of the Geelong region) they chose the name Witches Guild  and registered as an official Student's Association club.

In 1991 the National Union of Students held their Annual National Conference on the Waurn Ponds campus and one of the witches gave the opening address and gave this blessing.

          Dear Sun our Mother, nourish us with your warmth.
         Shine on our days and bless us with the green bounty of your energy
         Dear Earth our Mother, support us that we may return to you each night in our dreams.
         Each day renew the life that flows, from you, through us, to you.
         Waters of the Earth, blood and tears of our lives, keep us forever moving.
         Your clouds are our warmth in the dark of night, your sea our coolness in the heat of day.
         Sky our Mother, wrap your calming blanket ‘round us.
         Your breath gives life to all the earth’s beings, from the first gasp to the last cry.

Not long after members of the christian cult The Children of God were appointed as editors of the student newspaper Planet. Those editors took it upon themselves to conduct a wide scale media campaign against the Witches Guild. Planet carried headlines like Deakin Witches Eat Babies and the paper was distributed across Geelong, carrying the full names of the Witches Guild members, much to the distress of their families. Children of the witches were taunted and harassed at school and shunned in their neighborhoods. One member had her tires slashed and garden set on fire. Eventually the editors were sacked and then had their contract paid out to the tune of $20,000. No apology was ever made to the witches or their families.

The members abandoned any relationship with the Student's Association or Deakin and continued their spiritual exploration independent of the University. Over the years since some have moved away and lost touch, new people came and many passed through. Twenty five years after it first came together the Witches Guild has reactivated in the Geelong community. We meet regularly and are planning new events. We're keen to welcome new people , share knowledge and learn.  Please join us.

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Content on this page is written and coordinated by Cara.  Last updated May 2015.