Events & Celebrations
Bonfires, Story-telling, Music & Dance
Before the idea of the formal nonprofit (Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary) was born, the Cavanaugh family held a monthly Potluck/Bonfire that included music, story-telling and dance. Everyone always had a lot of fun and they continued for about three years.
spiral dance
music at the bonfire
young people’s drama, story-telling and games
Though I’ve had some health issues and life transitions over these last several years, creating the nonprofit has been a worthwhile and rewarding journey thus far. The desire to be part of a thriving and joyful community, taking care of each other and the earth while honoring our ancestral traditions, has only grown stronger and continues to be my motivation.
gathering around the bonfire
All my best,
Jean
Share this article
Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
