Scenic view of Valley of Light with river and lush green hills.

Valley of Light

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2010

What we do

The Valley of Light (“VOL”) is a sustainable, spiritual micro-community located in the rural town of Independence, Virginia. Our 23-acre campus is situated in the Appalachian Mountains and it borders the ancient New River – the oldest river in the Western Hemisphere and possibly the oldest river in the world.
VOL was founded by team members of The Oracle Institute, a 501(c)(3) educational charity and socio-spiritual think tank. Oracle operates an award-winning publishing house, a spirituality school, and a global peace practice. See: www.TheOracleInstitute.org. VOL and Oracle share the campus, and Oracle serves as the community’s tax-exempt teaching vehicle.
VOL Members are aware of what is happening in the world and understand that humanity is on the verge of a major paradigm shift. The global decline of democracy and emerging New Age theosophies are just two indicators of the polarization, confusion, and looming transformation. VOL Members also are cognizant of the many unprecedented factors contributing to this turbulent period, including: global warming, food and water shortages, clean energy delays, pandemics, terrorism, and lack of visionary focus by political and business leaders.
We believe the key to a smooth transition into the 21st Century is the adoption of new ways of living based on an awareness of the interconnectedness of all life. To that end, VOL is seeking committed “Cultural Creatives,” who wish to build a model micro-community that operates in every sector of society (like the Federation of Damanhur in Italy).
The “Peace Pentagon” is the heart of our campus, and it functions as the VOL community center, Oracle’s headquarters, a training center for progressive and pluralistic programs, and a wisdom center that spans cultures and creeds. The interior chapel of the Peace Pentagon is maintained by Oracle Temple, our esoteric and multi-faith church. See: www.PeacePentagon.net.

Our Mission

The Valley of Light is a sustainable, spiritual community dedicated to the Principle of Peace and the Universal Laws of Truth, Love, and Light. We seek social architects in all sectors of society – people who want to build new world and who are in service to humanity.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Coliving
  • Ecovillage
  • Activities
  • Property management
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Networking

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2010
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2015
  • Started living together
  • 8 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
13

How to join

1. After your Valley of Light visit, we will write to invite you to join VOL or provide an explanation as to why we have decided not to extend an invitation. We also may offer you a Non-Resident membership.
2. For Resident Members, there is a 3-month trial period, during which you will live in community housing and get to know us (and vice-versa). If the initial Trial Residency is successful, then you will be invited to complete a full year trial residency.
3. After one year as a Resident Trial Member, we will engage in a series of interviews and evaluations. If it is deemed a good fit by a super-majority vote of the existing Members, then you will be invited to become a Resident Member of VOL.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

1. Potential members should read these informational pages at our website:
www.TheOracleInstitute.org/About-Our-Community
www.TheOracleInstitute.org/Community-Principles
www.TheOracleInstitute.org/Paths-of-Perfection
www.TheOracleInstitute.org/New-Member-Profile
2. If it feels like a good fit to you, then please fill out the Valley of Light Interest Form.
The form can be accessed at our website: www.TheOracleInstitute.org/Valley-of-Light-Visit
Or you can email us to get the form: In**@***********ht.org
3. We will schedule a Zoom interview with you after we receive the completed VOL Interest Form.
4. If it still feels like a good fit, we will schedule your VOL Visit!

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Majority Vote

More than 50% agreement needed.

Governance structure

  • Representative/Democratic

Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.

Conflict resolution approach

VOL has a Constitution and By-Laws, which are reviewed every year during the annual VOL gathering. The VOL governance structure is democratic and includes an elected board of trustees (the “Council of Sages”). Members discuss and agree on day-to-day issues. Large decisions require a super-majority vote of the community and the Council of Sages.
Members select a primary area of focus within the community (their “Path of Perfection”). Currently, there are five paths:
(i) Path of the Native, for those who wish to focus on the grounds, gardens, and livestock;
(ii) Path of the Scientist, for those in technology, energy, and health related fields;
(iii) Path of the Peacemaker, for those passionate about social activism, mediation, and justice;
(iv) Path of the Artisan, for builders, writers, artists, musicians, and performers; and
(v) Path of the Oracle, for those who wish to focus on spiritual growth and oversee our community church, Oracle Temple.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: $5000
Regular fees: $100
Labor: Yes (5 hrs/week)
VOL members are financially sound and contribute to the maintenance of the campus. Members pay dues to support the farm animals and common areas, including: the community garden, internal roads, the Peace Pentagon (our community center), campground (with kitchen pavilion and bathhouse), trails and recreational areas (along the New River and Saddle Creek), outdoor sacred space (medicine wheel, labyrinth, and kiva), our shared farm equipment and tools, and county real estate taxes. All our property is DEBT FREE.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Outdoor Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Waterfront access, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • About once a week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced
  • Livestock / Animal Husbandry

Dietary type

  • Vegetarian Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
  • Organization, Resource, or Network
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure

Gender composition

  • Majority cis (over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Multi-generational (all ages well represented)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By several individuals through an LLC or a Tenancy In Common agreement

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Cohousing

    Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
    interaction while maintaining independence.

  • Coliving

    Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
    kitchens, dining, and social areas.

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

  • Spiritual Retreat Centers

    Residential communities focused on providing space for meditation, spiritual practice, and personal growth retreats.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar
  • Biomass (from wood or other organic materials)

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    23 acres

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • Virginia, United States

Valley of Light

Needs and Offers

Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace

  • Promoted
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
4 days ago

Beautiful 3+ Bed, 2.5 Bath Townhome in Established West Emerald CoHousing, Seattle

A rare home is available at West Emerald Cohousing, an established all-ages intentional community in West Seattle. For those considering a move to the Pacific Northwest—or hoping to join a mature community rather than one still in the forming stages—West Emerald offers decades of community life, beautiful gardens, shared resources and a peaceful setting within the city in a convenient location since 1999. This unit has a unique floor plan that is ideal for co-buying, co-living, or for one household. The home itself offers a flexible 3+ bedroom, 2.5 bath layout: Garden-level room with a separate exterior entrance and half bath—ideal for a home office, studio, guest space or client-facing business Main-level bedroom and full bath, laundry, making one-level living possible Open great room with large windows overlooking gardens filled with birdsong Well-designed kitchen with generous storage and pantry Two additional light-filled spacious bedrooms and a full bath upstairs Thoughtfully maintained and updated Located at the end of a common pathway for added privacy and garden views, Just feet from parking, which is out of view West Emerald community amenities include: Common House with gathering and activity spaces Community meals and events Mature gardens and shared outdoor spaces Workshop/maker spaces and bike barn Exercise room EV charging opportunity Excellent Metro access to Downtown Seattle just minutes away Nestled into a dell, it’s Seattle’s best-kept secret South Seattle College and lifelong learning, NW Wine Academy, the Seattle Chinese Garden are nearby, with easy access to Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, magnet schools, ferries, and the shops and restaurants of the West Seattle Junction. 6000 17th Ave SW, Seattle, WA Is a wonderful opportunity to have your own comfortable, private home while becoming part of a vibrant and well-established Seattle all-ages cohousing community. For more information contact the friendly Realtor at 206-579-9066, or at ki**********@**********te.com who will be happy to meet you there or do a facetime tour.
Offer
Need
  • Communities with Openings
5 days ago

Looking for Founding Members to Join us

We are looking for someone who lives in Oregon or would like to live in Oregon who wants to help us clean up our new far, property and start building some off grid housing, compost toilets, fireplaces for cooking and building the farm out. We have about 10 acres and several barns, power on site for small wall tents for campers, solar panels we can setup and sooo soo much more to do.  Ideally this person would be around our age, late 20’s -early 30’s, family friendly as we have a daughter and family out sometimes. We are not looking for “anarchist” who see the glass half full and wants to ‘burn down the system’ as we farm and sell to the public, we rely on the system to pay our bills… that is really the only caveat. No hard drugs and no hard political opinions as we prefer to focus on our back-to-the-land culture, not the problem we cannot control outside the farm.  You tired of the noise and want some solitude? To get your hands dirty and build a farm from the ground up with a bunch of like minded people. All I want to do is feed people and have fun while we do it. I don’t want to try and fix the world, just rebuild the one directly around us into an oasis that we can enjoy each and everyday while keeping our moral compass pointing north. Some things to know – We do smoke pot. We like electronic and bass music sometimes and organize festivals and renegades, we still like to have fun, but when on farm, you would never know. We are super easy to be around and just want some friends who can enjoy this farm opportunity and make the most of it with us.  Kids are OK! Pets on a per person basis. Rent is negotiable ($100-300/month) with work trade being mandatory at 4 hours per week. Anything beyond that goes towards rent. Please reach out if interested or have any questions.    Kindest Regards, DJ & Reagan 
Need
Offer
  • Professional Services
2 days ago

Community Planning, Facilitation & Coaching for Intentional Communities

Through Radicle Collective, I support intentional communities and the people within them as they navigate the practical and relational work of building life together. My work can include visioning and community planning, facilitated conversations and retreats, decision-making and governance design, conflict transformation, establishing group agreements, culture-building, and individual or group coaching. I work with communities at many stages – whether it’s a few people exploring whether to live together, a fledgling community developing its foundations, or an established community in transition or conflict. I draw from training in psychology, coaching, urban and regional planning, facilitation, Nonviolent Communication, permaculture, and related practices to approach community as a living system – one shaped by individual needs, relationships, shared structures, place, and the connections between them. Rather than bringing a single model for how community should work, I help groups understand what is happening across those different layers, surface what matters, work honestly with difference, and create structures and practices that support connection, agency, belonging, and the values that brought them together in the first place. I’m based in Berlin and available to work online or in person, depending on location and scope. I offer sliding-scale pricing and am open to creative forms of exchange where appropriate. If your community is forming, stuck, changing, or simply wants some skilled outside support for an important conversation, I’d be glad to explore what might be useful. You can learn more about my work and get in touch at radiclecollective.com.
Offer
Need

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