BRIAR ARDEA ELVA
(Revised January, 2001)

I am called Briar Ardea Elva. Unlike others who follow the elfin way, I am not one of the high elves; I am not a child of the stars, but a child of the earth itself. I am the descendant, in spirit and in flesh, of the wild women of old who protected the wild places. I perpetuate the spirit of the hagtysja, the hedge fairy, who walks the thorny and tangled hedges and borderlands between wilderness and cultivation. Her name has been passed down to us in many words, not only the hedge, but to the haw and hackberry that grow there. To those who did not understand her connection to wild and fruiting nature, she became the barren old hag, haggard and feared. She was called evil, denounced and pushed, along with her works of protection, entirely out of society. Her works of guardianship of nature were called hexes, and her wisdom ignored, like so many other old ways lost to fear and progress.  I have tried to follow her path, seeking the balance between wild and tame. I try to feel the vibrations of the earth and its seasons. I watch the turning of the leaves and the falling of the snow. I dance with the winds of changing weather. When the first mist of budding leaves blushes across the treetops, I listen for the hum of green returning. I taste the falling rain and follow the course of water as it flows across the earth. The names I have assumed serve as reminders of this pledge. Briar, the quintessential plant of the hedge, living metaphor, its thorns are a dangerous barrier, but they protect the sleeping beauty of rose and berry, bird's nests, the young of fox and rabbit. Ardea is the heron, who in silence, watching and waiting, aware of all around him, but not moving until the moment is right. My surname, Elva, I share with many others, as a reminder of the connection and common heart of all, no matter how varied, who follow the way of the elves.

To this end I will continue to work with the other elves of Lothlorien, protecting and preserving the green heart of this sacred forest. My primary work will continue to be as a keeper or steward, tending to the needs of the land itself. My secondary area will be working with those who wish to barter their labor in exchange for attendance at events on Lothlorien. I also want to begin to turn more of my ability to use words and writing to the service of Lothlorien.

Glorfindel


I am informally known as Stewy or Stew. I am an active Eldar Steward member of the Council within Elvin HOME Inc. Being an Eldar Steward means that I am in dedicated service to this wonderful, evolving organization and my specific volunteer duties include:

*a.) the up keep of community firepits (except for within the Thunder Dome),
*b.) making sure that the fire rakes and shovels are at the fire stations during the camping season,
*c.) growing and maintaining food gardens using organic gardening and terraforming techniques,
*d.) growing and maintaining herb gardens using organic gardening and terraforming techniques,
*e.) growing and maintaining flower gardens using organic gardening and terraforming techniques
f.) posting fliers and other information about us and our events throughout areas of Bloomington, Indiana and other places where I happen to be,
g.) posting information about us and our events on websites other than our own and maintain a database of these sites on the "elfnexus" within "yahoo groups.",
h.) contacting the media about us and our events for community calendars and public service announcements,
i.) creating and sending press/media releases,
j.) answering email Requests For Information.

I intend to consistently perform these tasks as long as the proper tools exist at Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary and that I possess all pertinent information concerning us and our events.

Should I fail to perform my voluntarily contracted duties for Elvin HOME Inc. then my Eldar Steward Contract will become null and void. Furthermore I am not dependent upon this organization for food, shelter nor any other wants and necessities that require anything within and outside of myself meaning that I am fully responsible for myself.

As one who deeply and sincerely cares for and about Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary and Elvin HOME Inc. I promise to continue to work with The Council as best as I can; even striving for improvement; as an individual who recognizes that the council works in a collaborative effort within a cooperative institution. In this same vein I will also continue to communicate with The Council as best as I can and, realizing that I may not always be in agreement with other members of The Council and others members of our organization I will continue to react to such possible disagreement as rationally and diplomatically as I can and whether I am in agreement or not I will continue to listen well. I will continue to not put forth a selfish personal agenda before the positive agenda of The Council as a whole because we project a collective cooperative vision that I am a part of. I continue to be here for the long haul as I continue to offer myself to the ongoing betterment and fruition of our organization and collective vision. As these truths are part of the basic outline concerning my spiritual intent within our organization, such spiritual intent also involves my sight of this organization continuing as far as possible into the unforetellable future bringing forth our humble dreams that include helping to raise the consciousness of all humans whom we reach who welcome it. I see it as my spiritual intent and as part of my patriotic duty to do what I can to help make my country and the Earth an even better place for everyone who wants it beginning with the tiny paradise that we co-create at Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary.

My elfin name is Glorfindel and I am here to help us to continue to do what it takes for Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary and Elvin HOME Inc to survive well and to thrive.

Fimbrethel


I, Fimbrethel, who have walked this middle earth have found my home here in the forests of Lothlorien. Yet it is not only my home that I have found here but the heart of the land itself that draws me. I feel it on every hillock of the land beneath my feet, and in the wind that speaks its sweet words to those who would listen when it blows. 

The ordering of that which is in my keeping is my life’s duty, and so I order and re-order that which has been disturbed, whether by Nature Herself, or by those who walk among us all. I am an Ent Wife, long in search of the home that I have found here within Lothlorien. 

My purpose for being is in ordering not only what exists here within the structure of Lothlorien in the way of its financial accountability to all those concerned, but to also help create a more fertile environment for the next generation of the Dream Flower to reseed in the form of caring for the immense paperwork needed for Federal Non-Profit Status filing.

My Life outside of this most special place, is surrounded by numbers, the ordering of them is apart of that daily livelihood, as well as their accountability to others. I am successful in the outside reality due to hard work and attention to detail, and it is my wish to be able to bring that success to this Dream Flower to help in its continued growth for many years to come.

Call me Tuure Kuruni, Victory, Witch of the Good Magic. I come to you all with respect and my pledge to continue to learn from and love this sacred space called Lothlorien. No matter how long we are here, it is an ongoing journey for all of us. My personal journey continues as I attempt to forge ahead with many works for Lothlorien. I will continue to strive and put forth all effort in the maintaining of esponsibilities I have chose to take on. I pledge to work with others and keep them informed as to what I have done. I pledge to take all opportunities to keep balance and accuracy. I will listen to all sides, ask the necessary questions in order to make fair and deserving decisions. I realize I am never alone in the future of Lothlorien. Please, as I reach out to you, reach out to me. Let us all live and learn together in this pathway we have chosen together. This I pledge before my Elven brothers and sisters of the Glen.

It is I... Nyano Adan (RatMan) the fool front man, greeter of the masses, urban half-elf, joodoo mechanik shaman. Roots at lothlorien, home where' I'm welcome. Never afraid to take a new path. President of the snleper of the colony. 32 of 42. Discordain seeker of troth, beauty and the weirder-the-better freak show. Hail Eris, Kali Loves You. All Rites Reversed!

I, Treebeard, have walked the forests of Lothlorien for many years. I have heard the calling of the trees and to hear them is to know that they are more than just trees; they are my long time friends. Lothlorien talks to me as a whole and as individuals. I have helped but just a few, and yet I hear the call of many more. There are many of the tree folks still calling out, hoping for their chance to be heard. They, the trees, wish to be heard and known by more than just their common names. They are more than just Oak or Holly or Thorn. They have other names, those which they call themselves, names that only few of the forest now have heard them call. I was referred to as ‘the Wizard of the Woods’, but I would prefer to be called by the ancient name “Ent” or “Shepard of the Forest.” I belong here within the many forests of Lothlorien as surely as Fimbrethel is my mate. And may the bright blessings of the Hobbits be of us all.

I swear to uphold the By-Laws of Elvin H.O.M.E., Inc. and be mindful of the duty of care that comes with being one of its Eldar Stewards, It is I, Treebeard, Lothlorien’s faithful caretaker of the orchard, of the trees that bear nuts and the vines that bear fruit, and perhaps in time, several other wild fruit places contained upon this sacred land, that comes here now on this most humble of quests.