Who are the RI Witches Guild?
Who knew that dancing witches could become such a phenomenon?
It seems that now, more than ever, people want to get together safely and have a little fun. And what's more fun then dressing up like a witch (whatever that means to each person) and dancing in a group, just celebrating being alive and well? Women (and a few brave men) all over the world are doing just that.
Are we all witches? No. But many of us are!
Are we a coven? No, but many members belong to one.
We welcome anyone, no matter their gender, ethnicity, politics, or religious beliefs.
We're a group who believes that there's not enough happiness in the world,
and we're here to spread joy throughout our state.
Here in little Rhode Island our 6 Chapters (Providence, Newport, Warwick, Scituate, Coventry and Wickford) are growing on a daily basis. We've even started a new Massachusetts Guild SouthEast Chapter!
Each year we'll be adding more Chapters in more towns around the state.
(If you're interested in starting your own RI Chapter, click on our Chapter News tab).
It takes a lot of work to make all this fun come together, and each member of every Chapter has lent their time, energy, resources and talents to help create the atmosphere
that brings joy to our communities.
Read on to learn a bit more about some of our members.
It seems that now, more than ever, people want to get together safely and have a little fun. And what's more fun then dressing up like a witch (whatever that means to each person) and dancing in a group, just celebrating being alive and well? Women (and a few brave men) all over the world are doing just that.
Are we all witches? No. But many of us are!
Are we a coven? No, but many members belong to one.
We welcome anyone, no matter their gender, ethnicity, politics, or religious beliefs.
We're a group who believes that there's not enough happiness in the world,
and we're here to spread joy throughout our state.
Here in little Rhode Island our 6 Chapters (Providence, Newport, Warwick, Scituate, Coventry and Wickford) are growing on a daily basis. We've even started a new Massachusetts Guild SouthEast Chapter!
Each year we'll be adding more Chapters in more towns around the state.
(If you're interested in starting your own RI Chapter, click on our Chapter News tab).
It takes a lot of work to make all this fun come together, and each member of every Chapter has lent their time, energy, resources and talents to help create the atmosphere
that brings joy to our communities.
Read on to learn a bit more about some of our members.
MEET OUR CHAPTER LEADERS
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Nancy Rafi,
Head Witch, RI Witches Guild + Wickford Chapter Leader Nancy hangs her broom in the little village of Wickford, and has lived in Rhode Island since she was 10 years old. A born organizer, she likes to create spaces and events that encourage women to gather and celebrate their feminine energy. Past adventures have included the New England Quahog Festival + Sea Creature Parade, 20 productions of The Vagina Monologues, State Organizer of the RI Women's March, The Red Tent day for women, and The International Silent Witness Initiative. Having only come out to her community this past year as a practicing witch (which she's been since the age of 15) she's excited to be gathering witches and non-witches together to share in the joy of dancing in public. |
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Jennie Mulholland, Head Witch, Warwick Chapter Jennie lives in West Warwick and is the Head Witch of the Warwick Chapter, along with helping to organize the Wickford Chapter's Halloween celebrations this year. Jennie says "I love being part of the Dancing Witches because having fun and spreading Joy is so important to me." |
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Sandie Gauthier, Head Witch, Providence Chapter Sandie is a lifelong resident of East Providence, and a librarian by day. She is a belly dance performance troupe member of the PSYbels, an herbalist, practicing witch, avid reader, crafter, and animal lover. Her ancestry is Celtic, mainly hailing from Ireland and Scotland. Her practice is that of Irish paganism. She is excited for the opportunity to help bring the history of witches to the forefront through her love of dance. |
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Kerry O'Donnell, Head Witch, Scituate Chapter Kerry hails from Scituate and is just starting to build one of the state's newest Chapters. All are invited to join! Kerry is a mother, grandmother, and word witch, with a background in journalism, film, and marketing. She's also a practicing witch, a second-degree in the Cabot Tradition. Kerry loves the mission of the RI Witches Guild and how they spread joy and fun (and dance!) wherever they go, and is excited about the opportunity of bringing that sense of community and inclusivity to the Scituate area. |
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Cheryl Sulyma-Masson, Head Witch, SE Mass Chapter Cheryl hails from Rehoboth, MA and she was enamored by Wickford's unique history, beauty and energy when she first experienced it. A practicing witch since the 1980s, in the past two years she has formed a Women's Coven that combines her Spiritual path of Witchcraft with her love of Dance, An ER nurse by day, Cheryl considers herself very lucky to have been "adopted" and accepted by her Sister Witches as one of their own. |
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Diane Greenstein, Head Witch, Coventry Chapter Diane is the creator of her own natural, handcrafted bath and body line. She also owns and operates her own bath & gift shop- both named The Bath Witch. The Coventry Chapter of the Guild is just starting to organize so please stay tuned for meetings and events that will be put together soon. |
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MEET JUST A FEW OF OUR 1000+ CHAPTER MEMBERS
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Nancy Hawksley, Wickford Chapter "I’m Nancy Hawksley of North Kingstown and I represent all that glitters and sparkles. Bringing joy to the faces of babies and children is my reason for dancing as part of the Wickford Chapter. I perform in colorful and shiny costumes as a witch or a butterfly or a sea creature or a street performer or a belly dancer, along with amazing dancers and musicians, at every opportunity possible!" |
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Mimi Baez, Wickford Chapter From an early age Mimi found out she was very sensitive to the spirit world, having foretelling dreams, visions and premonitions. Her father practiced Spiritualism and one of her maternal great grandma's was a very well known “Witch Doctor” in her town. "Witches and pagan culture is part of my ancestry. I practice Reiki , meditation and some rituals. My hopes in joining this community is to be able to tap into the practice and learn more from my sisters + perhaps find a mentor. Blessed be." |
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Dianne McGowan, Warwick Chapter Dianne is a lifelong resident of North Kingstown. She saw how much joy the witches brought to the Horribles Parade in 2021 and wanted to get involved. "The participants and the spectators were having so much fun with so much positive energy flying around! I immediately decided I was doing it this year. Isn't that what it's all about. Girls just want to have fun, right?" |
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Mary Baker, Wickford Chapter Mary lives in Glocester, RI. She states: "I am interested in the history of healing and midwifery. Despite the need for their skills, knowledge, and compassion, female practitioners were targeted for accusations of witchcraft. My costume, which is a typical woman's dress and decorated with bags of medicinal herbs, honors these women." Mary has the honor of being a direct descendent of Bridget Bishop, the first woman in Salem that was tortured and hanged in 1692 for witchcraft. |
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Diann Seavey Moore, Warwick Chapter "I grew up in North Kingstown on Stony Lane and graduated from NKHS. Last fall saw the Horribles Parade in Wickford, and thought what a unique idea!! I thought I might like to join in with the fun next year. In May 2022, two of my high school friends contacted me, and asked if I would like to go with them to a meeting for the Witches Guild (Mimi H. and “the other” Dianne). I said yes!!! And the rest is … as they ,say history!!!" |
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Katie Lyn Merolla, Wickford Chapter Katie joined the Wickford Chapter of the RI Witches Guild because she feels it is her idea of a supportive collective of men and women. "There are so many shared ideas that I love and it is open to all ages, all faiths, all demographics - the sense of community is really wonderful." Katie is one of the Wickford Chapter's team leaders for the upcoming Witch's Ball in October and a wonderful organizer who lends her talents to many of our events. |
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Susan Clements, 2022 Best Witch of Wickford Susan has been a practicing herbalist for more than 30 years, and has lived in Wickford almost her entire life. "My hometown is the Lafayette section of North Kingstown. I love being a part of this Wickford Guild where I have spent the best part of my life and felt it was time in my Crone years to let the fun Goddess shine!" |
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Margaret Hahn, Wickford Chapter Margaret is a former nurse and present day Grandma. Blessed with wonderful friends and a loving family, she is now loving the retired lifestyle in Wickford. |
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Janice Demas,
Warwick Chapter "I originally migrated from the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago and moved to RI 38 years ago. I opened and managed a salon in North Kingstown, but unfortunately I had to close the salon because of COVID. I joined this group to be part of the community of amazing women with different backgrounds, cultures and history of witches so we can get together and socialize and tell our stories and learn from each other knowing our voices will be heard. We are creating our own history from past ancestors to present and being happy doing it." |
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Mimi Huszer, Wickford Chapter Mimi has lived in North Kingstown most of her life. A professional craft designer and teacher, she creates her own line of glass beads by melting colored glass rods in the flame of a duel fuel torch. Being a creative person, she watched last year's Horribles Parade in Wickford and just knew she had to get involved! |
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Dee Costa-Quezada Warwick Chapter Dee has worked from home for the past 16 years and loves the sense of community that the Guild provides. "I love the opportunity dancing with the Guild affords me, and the chance to meet so many wonderful people. It's fun to have something special to look forward to and getting out to dance while I'm dressed in my witch-y best always proves to be a great idea. I can't wait for the October parades!" |
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Nancy Landes, Warwick Chapter Nancy loves to dance so the Guild was a perfect fit for her right from the start. "I love how the Guild is such an inclusive community. Everyone has an equal voice and it's really fun to get together on a regular basis. It's great to just spread joy wherever we go!" |
