Hands of Change

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Old Bridge, NJ
Hands of Change

Please join our group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/handsofchange/ for up to date info. We now have 16 coven members.

Hands of Change began from a small group of us who were regularly leading/organizing open full moon circles at a small metaphysical bookstore and outdoor Sabbats. After about a year, four visionary people — Blaze, Crow, Maeve, and Sea — decided to officially form a coven. These four original “Kore” members came from different spiritual backgrounds and training but shared a commitment to spiritual

growth, teaching, healing, and community. They spent the summer of 1997 working out what Hands of Change would be, its structure, its mission, etc. We are a well-established coven, having announced our formation in early Fall 1997. In 2000, HOC became a Church with all rights and privileges afforded by the government. Of those 16, four are in the “Kore” of Elders (leadership). In addition, we are fortunate to have a number of what we call “Seekers,” some who regularly attend our circles, others who pop in and out. Our open circles generally draw 25-50 people. Invitations to closed sabbats are granted to seekers who have attended at least three public HOC circles, attended three HOC classes from the Ninefold Path training program, and who ask to attend. Coven membership is open to those who have attended a minimum of three HOC closed sabbats, completed all nine classes of the Ninefold Path, are willing to commit to their spiritual growth and that of the coven, agree to abide by our charter, are willing to provide some sort of service to the coven, and request membership. Besides open circles and workshops and invitation-only sabbats, coven members meet regularly for social and spiritual reasons. We are working on empowerment, healing, and growth, not on maintaining hierarchies. Seekers and coven members are encouraged to attend our classes/workshops. Coven members are also encouraged to assist Kore members in leading circles and workshops, and eventually, in applying for Kore membership. Both the coven and the Kore make decisions using consensus process. Our open circles are open to all respectful seekers. They are “teaching circles,” where we explain the magic we are creating. (We encourage attending children to be of an age to be respectful of the circle and its energies, and we encourage minors to bring their parents.) We welcome you to join us in building pagan community, growing spiritually, and healing ourselves and the planet.

08/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/19PWGW4thY/

Send a message to learn more

07/31/2026

2026 Annual Pagan Potluck Picnic
Saturday, August 1st, 10:00am–6:00pm

Suggested items to bring with you:

* Dish to share for Potluck Picnic
* Food donation for the food bank
* Donation for the auction if you would like
* A hand-craft or stitchery project if you'd like to participate in the Stitch Witchery hang out
* Bring your own mess kit (mug, plate, silverware) if you would like – paper goods will be available as well

Please bring home whatever you arrive with, including your potluck leftovers!

Please bring a dish to share for Potluck!
If you are not sure what to bring this may help.
If your first name begins with:
A—G – bring a salad
H—M – bring main course
N—S – bring dessert
T—Z – bring drinks

PLEASE mark your dish “Veggie, ” “Vegan, ” or “Meat, ” and make sure you LABEL & LIST all ingredients in your dish so that people who have allergies know what they’re eating.

Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes are greatly appreciated.

07/30/2026

PAGAN PICNIC PRESENTER PREVIEW

Music by Kokopelli

Kokopelli has been involved with the Craft since 1987. He was initiated by Lady Maeve Rhea of MotherChant, Philadelphia, in 1990. He also trained with Lady Marryn and Lord Bear, Kamiyama Coven, Seattle, in 1991-1992. Later, he served as Druid priest in Garran Siorlas (Evergreen Grove), ADF, in Seattle, 1992-1993. He was initiated and elevated to 2nd degree by Lady Zanoni Silverknife, Starseed Cuveen, serving as consort, in Seattle, 1993-1994.

He also trained with Lady Magdalena and Lord Myrddin, Grove of Phoenix Rising, Atlanta, 1994-1995. He was unaffiliated 1995-1999, in Atlanta and Birmingham. Kokopelli performs / sings at festival events around the country (NeoPagan original and other favorite songs) and has recorded several albums.

He’s been involved with Hands of Change, N.J., since 1999; dedicated at Beltane 2000.

07/29/2026

PAGAN PICNIC VENDORS

Come shop with us at this year's pagan picnic!

Check out our vendors:

2026 Pagan Picnic Vendors

The Cunning Crumb - https://www.facebook.com/share/17Xo5fBC43/ - Various sourdough treats and baked goods (loaves, rolls, flatbread, oatmeal bars, brownies, etc), beeswax lined bread bags, and clay sugar bears, wooden spirtles.

Deltastrike Concepts - deltastrike.squarespace.com - Books, Decks, candles, et al

Drawing Down Lore - www.drawingdownlore.com - Original mixed media paintings on canvas and wood, hand-painted watercolor illustrations. Limited edition prints of original work. Bookmarks, stickers, buttons, and other small merch produced in-house in my studio. My artwork mainly features creatures from myth and folklore in a colorful, dynamic style.

Fairy’s Knits Gears - Knitted and Crocheted items

Garb by Gaia - hand made capes and ritual garb

Magic in Your Living Room - www.etsy.com/shop/MagicInLivingRoom - Altar Cloths, Tarot Mats and Bags, Ornaments, Etched Plaques and Wall Art, all with Pagan themes.

Magik & Mimicry - awgwynarts.carrd.co - Crocheted products, ranging from small cats and frogs to handmade Witch hats and bags all with their own unique, cottagecore aesthetic.

The Peace We Crave - https://www.thepeacewecrave.com / https://www.facebook.com/thepeacewecrave - Pranic Healing sessions

Ritual Confection - ritual-confection.square.site - Cake pops, mini cakes, cookies, chocolates

Trinity’s Magickal Intentions - www.trinitysmagick.com - Candles (soy, beeswax, cauldrons), incense, soaps, witchy decor, sprays, beaded gemstone jewelry, pendulums, divining tools, mostly handcrafted

07/27/2026

2026 NJ PAGAN PICNIC

Please bring a canned or dry food donation for the food bank if you would like to help us with our community service.

It's been a long-standing tradition of Hands of Change to have a community service donation or project at every solar holiday. Since Lammas is the first harvest festival, we traditionally collect food for the food pantry.

07/26/2026

PAGAN PICNIC PRESENTER PREVIEW

Introduction To Omnimancy - Robert Cohen - Omnimancy is a non ritual energy based magic system. This workshop will introduce the basics of Omnimancy and what we do.

Robert Cohen is the Head Mage of Omninorth, a chapter of Omnimancy in Roxbury, NJ. He has been a member for 8 years.

07/25/2026

PAGAN PICNIC KIDS TRACK PREVIEW
Games of the World Soul - Zigmund Aquino - The World Soul is constantly moving, shifting, flowing, and so are we! In this series of lively cooperative games, we’ll be learning all about balance, the ebb and flow of forces, and how we are all connected. Bring your energy and your laughter to these teamwork-focused challenges!

Elemental Theater - Zigmund Aquino - Calling all young witches, wizards, and creators! Are you ready to move like a raging fire, flow like the waves of the ocean, speed about like a gust of wind, or stand steadfast as a boulder? In Elemental Theater, we get to be the directors, breaking into small groups to create elemental dances to share with everyone. No acting or dancing experience required! Just bring your imagination!

Heroes vs Monsters: Rock-Paper-Scissors Battle - Zigmund Aquino - Are you on Team Heroes or Team Monsters? Come battle it out in a Rock-Paper-Scissors match-up to see which side will emerge victorious in this turning of the Wheel. Will you help your side achieve ascendancy in this season? Come and be a champion!

Zigmund “Lightning” Aquino is a Q***r Hermetic Mystic, Priest of Mars, and the Religious Education Coordinator at the Unitarian Society of East Brunswick, where he teaches Sunday school to the children of the congregation. He is currently seeking a second bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, and enjoys teaching Pagan and esoteric concepts in a fun and approachable way.

07/24/2026

PAGAN PICNIC PRESENTER PREVIEW
Pagan Iconography Composition - Ren of HoC - Grab a free journal and get sketching, just don't forget to add meaning. Discuss the purpose of condensing images and the power of visual storytelling. Sketching 101.

Ren of HOC is a teacher, illustrator, and Hands of Change Member working within Rodnovery. They aim to educate through illustration both scientifically and magickally.

07/23/2026

PAGAN PICNIC RITUAL PREVIEW

Messages from the Ancestors: A Siberian Shamanic Ritual - Aleksandra Shaman - Do you wish to receive guidance from your ancestors or speak with a beloved departed relative? This powerful ritual comes from traditional Siberian ancestral shamanism and has been preserved for centuries because of its strength and effectiveness. Through drumming and trance, participants will have the opportunity to connect with ancestors, receive insight, guidance, and direction for healing, love, success, and life decisions. The ritual also includes teachings on offerings, respectful spirit communication, and safe ancestral work. This is a deep spiritual experience designed for those seeking real connection and transformation.

Aleksandra Shaman is a practicing pagan witch, mystic, and shaman with more than 30 years of experience. She follows the ancient traditions of Siberian shamanism and the northern peoples of Russia, working deeply with ancestors, spirits, drumming, trance, and throat singing. She is the author of nine books on pagan magic, divination, herbs, stones, and Tarot, and creator of an English-language audio course on practical shamanism. Aleksandra leads public rituals, workshops, and spiritual gatherings across the United States..

Address

Old Bridge, NJ

Website

http://handsofchange.org/

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