Clans 2004
All of the Clans at Twilight Covening are designed to provide deep and fulfilling
experiences. An asterisk (*) indicates a Clan which requires an application for
admission. These Clans are more likely to induce intense responses. *E
- emotional challenge, *P - physical challenge, *B
- may push personal boundaries , *X - experience with psychic
work required.
If you would like to apply to join one of these Clans, please include in your
statement a description of your training, your skills and practice with these
kind of encounters and a description of the kind of support system you have in
place outside of Twilight Covening (coven, therapist, teacher, etc.).
Bear Clan
As Fall frosts cut a chilling path through the forests, bears feed on the last
nuts and fruits before descending into their caves to sleep. Now is the moment
to feed our spirits to prepare for our own journey into the darkness of Winter.
Drawing on north temperate shamanic traditions we will explore the otherworld
through trance journeys to discover our connections to the worlds mirrored within
and around us. In preparing for these inner journeys we will gather energy from
the earth and sky, fast, and go on a vision quest. In doing so, we may gain new
tools and insight to guide and heal us.
Walter Kittredge, leader
Crane Clan
The body is designed to heal, but it takes time to heal. In our busy lives we
don't often give ourselves the quiet space we need in order for our minds and
bodies to recover. Qigong is a ancient Chinese system of simple, gentle movements
practiced to promote good health, well being and longevity by balancing the 'qi'
of the body. Almost anyone can practice qigong and benefit. During the time of
Twilight Covening we will be focusing on the eight qigong movements known collectively
as the Eight Pieces of Silk, and in doing so, allow ourselves to find the stillness
that we need.
Jonathan Kapsten., leader
Dolphin Clan (*E, P)
Dolphin is the keeper of the sacred breath of life. Breathwork is a tool for manifesting
desires. Movement is integral to every aspect of life; from the beating of your
heart, the movement of your lungs and limbs to the blink of an eye and the smile
on your lips. We will spend the weekend using Breathwork, with some sound and
movement to journey deep within our emotional selves, to align, through breathing,
all of the movements in our life processes; to bring focus and intention to daily
living . This clan will be mentally and emotionally challenging. Some stamina
will be required as Breathwork can be tiring.
Karina Fireheart & Arana Fireheart, leaders
Eagle Clan
If personal power means being so integrated with the flow that what we ask for
and do is good not only for ourselves but for the Earth and all its creatures
-- how do we approach that state of being? In the Eagle Clan, we will explore
ways to expand not power-over but power-from-within and power-with. Supported
by the clan and by the unseen world, we will enter the time-out-of-time and challenge
ourselves to transcend our limitations. Using shamanic drumming, trance, and ritual,
we will connect with our deep sources of personal power and learn ways to draw
upon them to create positive change in our lives, our communities, and our world.
Andrew Arthur & Jane LeCompte, leaders
Fennec Fox Clan
How often do you take the time to really listen? This Clan will focus on listening
in a deep and complete way. To that end, we will spend time outdoors learning
to be still and open ourselves to listening to each other, to the earth and to
beings both seen and unseen -taking this knowledge and wisdom into our core with
our entire minds, bodies and spirits and allowing it to change us.
Kyriel, leader
Honeybee Clan
The rhythmic dance of the honeybee is the ecstatic map to the nectar that sustains
all life. Using the vehicles of rhythm and dance, we will journey together to
the pollen fields between the worlds and delve deeply into the vision, power,
healing, and ecstasy we find there, returning to the hive to cross-pollinate each
other's journeys. We will explore the phenomenon of "hive mind" and
allow the collective wisdom of the hive to emerge through our attention to entrainment,
polyrhythms, ecstatic dance, and trance techniques. The honey we make will nourish
us all through the coming winter.
Morwen Two Feathers , leader
Jaguar Clan
Do you know those whose backs you stand upon? Do you long to create a communion
with those that have gone before you? In Yoruba it is said that to know yourself
you must know the seven generations before you. Through using multi-traditional
techniques of drumming, chanting, trance and sacred art this clan will work to
help each individual connect with their ancestors, genetic or spiritual. The Mayan
culture reveres the Jaguar as the God of the Underworld. It is at home in the
dark, it moves without fear and teaches us how to trust our personal instincts.
This clan is open to everyone and will share a cabin, so be prepared to go deep.
Amanda Brooks, La, Ted Thibodeau, leaders
Mockingbird Clan
Sing out your talents. In this Clan we will work together to find our Sacred Song,
our soul's purpose. We will focus on communication both seen and heard - sharing
songs, exploring the oral tradition, and finding ways to stimulate responses in
others. We will spend our time singing and writing songs and chants. We will explore
"word-weaving", using music for trance, and create beautiful songs using
evocative words and full tones.
Lorelei Greenwood, leader
Moose Clan
We will focus on Norse and Anglo-Saxon lore, folk traditions, healcraft, and herbcraft
including making salves and potions. We will explore, with respect and a sense
of humor, the similarities and connections in these two traditions.
Jane S., leader
Panther Clan
Where does your energy go? What's keeping you from focusing your will and accessing
your deepest knowing? The Panther is a study in intensely contained energy, capable
of appearing completely inactive, but, when ready to strike, a fierce and formidable
predator. In this Clan, we will reach toward our inner core, and seek to identify
some of the forces that strengthen or drain it. We will then learn techniques
of journaling, breathing, movement and ritual that can help us nourish it, protect
it and make it available for us to use with grace and power - like the Panther.
Miriam Klamkin, leader
Phoenix Clan (*E)
Who we are in the world is shaped by our experiences. Some of these events were
powerful, ecstatic and nourishing. Others were grounded in loss, grief and anger.
If a strand of psychic energy still connects us to that event, though we may be
healed from it emotionally, it will deplete our "core" energy and drain
us of vital will. Using a specific Tarot card spread we will recover that lost
energy. The prerequisite for this clan is that you state in a letter what you
have done (therapy, specific magical work, etc.) to heal from the "big"
life event you plan to work with since this is not about healing from the event
itself but detaching from it. You also must have attended Twilight Covening before.
Susan Curewitz Arthen, leader
Red Dragon Clan
The Red Dragon is the symbol of the Cymry, the people of Wales, and stands guard
over the mysteries of these ancient Celts. Focusing on sacred postures and movements
relating to the mythological cycles of ancient Wales, this Clan will utilize shape-shifting
techniques to access transformative powers of birth, life and death as experienced
in the wheel of the year. (Red Dragon is intended to be the first in a series
of three clans which will develop and deepen the use and understanding of ancient
Welsh magical traditions. The postures learned in Red Dragon will be used in all
three clans.)
Juniper Talbot, leader
Reindeer Clan
Our clan will spend the weekend immersing ourselves in the old ways of the Norse.
We will learn the traditional lore and uses of the runes, create and charge personal
talismans using bind-runes and symbols, work with the three elements of the northern
world, trance journey to the rhythm of the shaman's drum, familiarize ourselves
with the plant and animal spirits of the northern climes, and share the rich poetic
history and mythology in the story-telling tradition as we enter the dark time
of the year. Clan members are invited to share a cabin to enhance the experience
of being immersed in our traditional culture.
Ulf and Starwind, leaders
Spider Clan
The mandala of the web is a staging point of transition between life and death,
form and dissolution. The spider weaves in the spaces "between." As
a clan, we will reach into ourselves, the physical, and metaphysical worlds to
access staging points, extract symbols, and collaborate on bringing the essence
of transcendent experience back to others as visual elements of magical ritual.
Experience as a visual artist is welcome but by no means necessary.
Martin Bridge & Kaye Hughes Kittredge, leaders
Turtle Clan (*P, X)
With the discipline and deliberation of Turtle, as well as her ability to retreat
from the world, we will use the body as a pathway to trance in order to further
our individual spiritual work. Several times we will repeat this basic pattern
in different ways: movement to toning to trance. Movement, which loosens the often-tightly-held
body and psyche. Toning, which clears and expands our energy - leading naturally
into Trance, where we may enter, deepen, and go where we will. This clan is for
those who have some experience with, and will relish the opportunity to further,
their own self-directed meditative work. You should also be able to move about
moderately (walking or dancing) for an hour or more.
Sarah Stockwell Arthen, leader
Whippoorwill Clan
The sounds of Nature surround us, and the sounds we make connect us to the rest
of the natural world. In the patterns of those sounds we find meaning, and from
that merging of sounds and meanings we create language. The Whippoorwill Clan
will explore the magic of words: spoken, written, chanted, whispered, shouted,
danced, made-up, babbled in ecstatic cacophony, or shattered like fragile filters
to deepen and expand our experience of the Sacred. As part of our work we will
read poems, charms and invocations --- from Amirghinn, to Yeats, to Robin Williamson
--- and create our own.
Andras Corban-Arthen, leader
Wolf Clan (*B, P, E)
We will focus on the physical body as a magical tool, addressing the tensions
between the individual and the community spiritual practice, and ways of working
with confrontational and aggressive energies. As wolves walk the twilight spaces
of the world, we will seek boundaries and walk the edge. Exploring our fears and
strengths using physical contact, trance dance, night vigil, breath work and energy
sources, we will choose ways to redefine these areas in service of our spiritual
growth. The Clan is not recommended for individuals with physical touch issues;
however, even though we will sometimes be dealing with aggressive energies, this
will not be martial arts training nor will it include physical combat. This Clan
will share a cabin.
Moira Ashleigh and Duncan Eagleson, leaders
Worm Clan (over 18 only)
The topic of death & dying is large and potent. The Worm Clan will begin by
exploring the emotional, cultural and religious sides of death, balanced with
practical - and freeing - aspects of preparing to die. Using Pagan spiritual elements,
the Worm Clan will examine alternatives to mainstream funeral preparations, burial
sites, and end stage care, experience the fun of creatively "giving it all
away", writing an obituary and looking at some legal issues involved. We
will go on a gentle guided journey, create individual interpretive death masks,
and discuss writing and conducting a Passing Ritual.
Lyrion and Raven Aptower, leaders
* Indicates a Clan which requires an application for
admission. These Clans are more likely to induce intense emotional or psychic
experiences that may trigger fear, vulnerability or other unexpected responses.
If you would like to apply to join one of these Clans, please include in your
statement a description of your training, your skills and practice with these
kind of encounters and a description of the kind of support system you have in
place outside of Twilight Covening (coven, therapist, teacher etc.).
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