October 5.2001 »
BOOKS
Out of the ashes
ast February a devastating
fire at the We’Moon com
munity land burned the
main structure to the ground.
No one was hurt, but everything
in Hazel 1 louse was lost.
The building was home to the
offices of Mother Tongue Ink,
publisher of the We’Moon datebook and calen
dar. Computer systems, archives and all submis
sions for the 2002 editions were destroyed.
But these 52 acres in rural Clackamas
County have been providing sanctuary, com
munity and a place for healing and learning for
women from around the world for 30 years, so
a fire wasn’t going to halt their
work— or their individual journeys.
“Women’s experiences at
We’Mixm Lind, originally ‘The Farm,’
then ‘Who Farm,’ then ‘Wimmin’s
Healing Ground,’ have not always been
easy, and (they) have sometimes had
intense struggles and deep hurts over the
years,” 10-year resident Beth Freewoman
notes. “Women were attempting to create
ways of living outside of patriarchy—con
fronting, with varying degrees of success,
issues of class, race, sexual identity, ableism,
conflict and communication. We have learned a
lot and, hopefully, come far."
The nonprofit umbrella organization of the
land is We’Mooniversity, a feminist, earth-
based schix>l of life for women and children
fostering learning through experience. It teach
es skills in egalitarian community, sustainable
economics, women’s spirituality and ritual,
healing, arts and natural resource stewardship.
Past resident Marna Hauk explains why
the place is so important to her: “A s a young
assisting with the building. Donations of food
and money are also greatly appreciated.”
Checks can be made out either to
We’Mixm Land or, for a tax-deductible dona
tion, to We’Mooniversity. Send them to
P.O. Box 1395, Estacada, O R 97023, Attention
Fire Fund. The community is immensely grate
ful for the amazing outpouring of support that
already has come.
Women re-create their products,
their lives and now their home
/K \A ,tic [U £
by
O r ia n a G r e e n
T
The namesake tree is all that remains of Hazel House
woman first coming
out, We’Moon nur
tured my curiosity about
women’s culture and women’s ways.
We’Mixm has been a safe haven, a working
university of sorts. With the earth and the
seasons as a teacher, We’Moon is an incuba
tor of women’s culture.”
ow the residents of We’Moon are ready to
begin constructing a permanent main
> building. The beautiful 34-sided circular
wcxxJen yurt will include space for housing,
visitors, We’Mooniversity and the offices of
Mother Tongue Ink.
And your help is needed. Through Oct. 14
all women are invited to join the community
in assembling the building and making it
weather-tight. Camping will be available in the
beautiful forests and meadows of the land, and
delicious vegetarian meals will be provided.
The work party will complete the first phase
of heavy building: assembling the floors, walls,
ceiling and roof. Throughout the fall and win
ter the stmeture will be finished.
“On behalf of the community, all help will
be appreciated!” 10-year resident Lori Katz says.
“We especially need women who are skilled car
penters, who are strong or who can offer other
help needed, like cooking, running errands and
he real miracle of all this is that the dedi
cated team that produces the datebook
every year managed to re-create it from
scratch— at a point when it was nearly done—
and still get it done on time! It certainly helps
that women have been producing this fine
product for 22 years.
We’Moon ’02, G aia Rhythms for Womyn is
now available as a comprehensive datebook,
overflowing with information on astrology as
well as earth and lunar rhythms and herbal
lore. It is also an anthology of women’s art and
writings, this year on the theme of priestessing
the planet.
Women from throughout the world sent
contributions about their lives as they work to
preserve the planet in ways large and small.
They are saving seeds, trees, traditions and
sacred spaces for us all.
Also for sale is a full-color wall calendar
filled with vibrant priestess images. | H
Contact W e ’M oon at 503-630-3628 or
matn'x@aiemoon.tcs to help unth rebuilding. Carpool
ing is available. Learn more about the calendar prod
ucts at www.wemoon.ws.
OR1ANA G reen is the Entertainment Editor of Just
Out and can be reached at oriana@justout.com
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