Clans 2007
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.
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.).
Albatross Clan
In the Heathen and Norse traditions of Northern Europe, the skald (or bard) held an important role, creating and maintaining a vital link between the people and their gods, ancestors, heroes, history, and to the earth itself and the processes of the natural world. In this Heathen/Norse clan, we will explore some of the literature that has come down to us from these original storytellers and shamans, then travel to the rhythm of the drum and reflect upon the natural world around us, coasting like the albatross in search of our own stories and poems of power and inspiration to share with each other and the community. Though the background literature we will be examining is Norse in origin and the practices within clan time are Heathen in nature, followers of any path who wish to explore the vital links forged by our tales and poems are welcome to participate.
Starwind and Ulf, leaders
Camel Clan
Ustrasana or Camel is a backbending posture in yoga that is accessible to any physical capability. It is said to balance all 7 chakras as well as release trapped trauma deep within the chest. This clan will focus on bringing the participants into a yoga practice that can sustain each of us through the winter. Much like the camel who takes and stores what she needs for her long treks across sometimes lonely terrain, we will learn how a yoga practice focused on breath and connection to the earth can sustain us even through the coldest times. Through the backdrop of tantra yoga, we will experience how using the body as a divine tool can also bring us ecstatic experiences, deep release and sometimes previously unattainable healing. This clan will be physically active each clan time. While the clan is open to everyone, even those with physical challenges, you should expect to sweat through physical activity. A note about any previous yoga experience will be helpful.
Amanda Brooks, leader
Catamount Clan *
Solitary, keenly aware, and mobile, the catamount once ranged across our landscape, a silent predator without peer. As mountain lions, we will observe and learn about our surroundings, and use solitary shamanic exercises to open ourselves and experience being a part of nature in a real, not metaphorical, way. We will confront deep instinctive fears, spending most of our days outside away from paths and people, and sleeping one night in the leaves. Our exercises will range from the practical to the magical, sitting silently alone in the woods and building awareness of our inner selves and our place in the world. Practice in concealment and camouflage with natural materials will give us the opportunity to use our senses in new ways, both inward and outward. We will also learn the story of the land on which we live and how we are a part if it. People with health or mobility or physical touch issues should not apply for this clan. It is physically demanding, and we will get dirty and wet at times.
Rowan and Carolyn Hawthorne, leaders
Catbird Clan*
Are you ready to bend your perception of your own self? Each of us walks around in a very specific "shape", an amalgam of environmental factors and our own choices. Despite society's exhortations to "be yourself", too rigid an attachment to that identity can prevent you from fully opening to magical experience. This Clan is an opportunity to experiment with softening the edges of your shape. You will be paired with another Clan member to "change places" and try on someone else's shape for a while. You will need to arrive on time Friday afternoon to allow extra time for this challenging work. This Clan will share a cabin. Please do not choose this Clan if you are not prepared to play with your identity.
Miriam Klamkin, leader
Deer Clan
Come wake up the heart of the forest. Like a herd of Deer using their acute senses, feel the forest come alive as we attune to its subtle energies. Beginning with pranic breath work we will alter our perceptions in order to move fluidly together into the landscape. Using active group exercises, the Deer Clan will engage the spirits of nature directly through their elemental forms, intimately connecting with the beings of tree, of rock, of stream. From this place of deep intimate relationship we will collaborate to seek guidance, find power spots, and generate energy for healing. This Clan will spend extended time outside, but is not otherwise physically challenging.
Walter Kittredge , leader
Eagle Clan
In the Eagle Clan, we will explore ways of shaping our lives to live our heartsâ desires. Entering trance with drum, rattle, and ritual, we will use shamanic techniques of vision crafting, empowerment, and manifestation in a safe and sacred circle to discover our true dreams and bring them into being in this reality. With the support of a personal inner council convened in the unseen realm, we will learn how to connect with core sources of inspiration to energize positive change in our lives and our communities. You are invited to bring drums, rattles, feathers, sacred objects, and a pen and notebook or journal.
Andrew Arthur & Jane LeCompte, leaders
Gryphon Clan*
Explore the dark side of sensuality. As like attracts like sometimes you have to go to the darker depths to release, empower, or learn the hidden truths that lie within. The Gryphon clan explores the techniques of Dark Eros, utilizing guided meditation, breathing, and light S & M work to help you on a journey to find your winter work. The clan is designed to allow you the freedom to push your own boundaries in a safe, sane, consensual and nurturing environment. The clan is advanced, and those with issues with being touched, frank discussion of human sexuality and sensuality, might find the clan too challenging.
Cerillian, leader
Heron Clan
Hot and sweaty
Great Heron flies over,
Lifting off annoyance
We experience many beautiful, poignant, humorous and magical moments in nature and among people. Unfortunately, we often barely notice and soon forget many of them. Come learn how to write Haiku, short poems that are an excellent practice to help notice and then distill these moments into a handful of words that capture the essence. You do not need any experience with poetry.
Eric Leventhal Arthen, leader
Honeybee Clan
The Honeybee spends its life working in the service of the community, turning everything it collects into sweetness by taking it in and transforming it. It is the only bee that makes more honey than it needs, allowing us to share in its abundance. At the same time, the honeybee is a fierce defender of its own home and will sacrifice its life when necessary to protect its clan. During this weekend, we will work with the energy of the Bee: the collective mind, non-verbal communication, transformation and abundance. We will spend time indoors and outdoors exploring vibrational sound (droning/buzzing) meditation, simple movement, and light touch. This is not a specifically music-oriented clan, but if you have an instrument, feel free to bring it along. This clan will share a cabin.
Chris LaFond, leader
Monkey Clan
Rhythm is a gateway to magical transformation, both as a foundation for personal work and as a tool for creating sacred space between the worlds for group ritual. This clan will share skills and develop techniques for creating strong rhythmic/musical containers for magical work. Our focus is both the strengthening of our personal relationship with rhythm, and the service of percussion to our greater community, providing a framework for deep work.
Morwen Two Feathers and Mark Girard, leaders
Panther Clan
Dancing and movement has long been used for journeying. Whether the frantic dancing of whirling dervishes, or the methodical ghost dancers, movement opens psychic doors. In this clan we will open ourselves by dancing, in celebration and ritual, sometimes in body and sometimes out of body, to connect with the sacred. No previous dancing experience is necessary. Come prepared to move energetically and sweetly, to sweat, pray and push your limits, for god/dess is found in the space in between the breaths.
Arana Fireheart & Karina Fireheart, leaders
Phoenix Clan*
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 one of those events, 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 must also have attended Twilight Covening before.
Sue Curewitz Arthen, leader
Ptarmigan Clan
The acrid smoke arising from a small forge and the sound of a smith's hammer beating on orange-hot iron waft through the fall air as the members of Ptarmigan Clan explore ritual smithcraft, including hands-on work at the anvil. We will explore the transformative power of fire and the process of change through the influence of one's will, Voyaging to the hammer's beat, and following the path of the Cosmic Smith. We will kindle sacred/New Fire not only for our Clan use, but also for the Community. Northern European forgecraft traditions and magic will be a part of this weekend, and this clan for the first time will be open to all. Handicap-accessible.
Jane S and Kevin Hall leaders
Raven Clan **
Turn off your inner judge and join a conspiracy of Ravens. Raven has been called the Keeper of Magic and Messenger of Mystery, a channel for magical energy. Using perception exercises, energy shifting and extended time in ritual awareness, open yourself as a conduit for the patterns and rhythms which facilitate deeper transformative experience. This clan will actively participate in the visioning and fire-releasing rituals, and will share a sleeping cabin. Please do not sign up for this clan if you have physical touch issues or mobility challenges.
Moira Ashleigh & Duncan Eagleson, leaders
** Applicants for this clan, must have taken Crow clan with Moira and Duncan, separate application letter required.
Screech Owl Clan
The call of the screech owl in the night is powerfully affecting: disembodied, sweetly mysterious, alluring and eerie. Your voice is a similarly powerful creator of, and gateway to, sacred space. Working with our bodies, we will free our voices so that we can use them in this way. (You will leave with a sheaf of lyrics of useful songs and chants for ritual use.) And we will practice using songs to create community and ritual space. This is for people who love to sing, can hold a harmony, have some experience with trancework or meditation, and want to go further in using their voices for themselves and their community. We will do some moderate hiking..
Sarah Stockwell-Arthen, leader
Spider Clan
Throughout many cultures, the Spider appears in creation myths, a creature able to spin essence into form and then consume it again. She is the totem of artists and diviners, swinging like a pendulum from her thread - - a silvery strand that resembles the shaman's cord for traveling between the worlds. She connects past and future. She has many eyes for deep seeing, and an acute sensitivity for vibrations on the web. The mandala of her web becomes a staging point for the transfer of energies of life to death and death to life as it serves as both trap and nursery. The Spider clan will explore integrating visual artwork into Magic and Ritual. We will observe, feel, interpret and create as a process of weaving energies and intentions into physical images, symbols and forms.
Martin Bridge and Kaye Hughes Kittredge leaders
White Hart Clan*
To the Celts, the White Hart indicates the presence of the Otherworld. The quest for the White Hart is the quest for the entrance to Annwn - the Welsh Underworld. In this Clan we will follow the White Hart into the depths of the invisible realms where we will find ourselves transformed. Experiencing ancient Celtic shape-shifting and trance techniques will allow us to extend ourselves and our awareness beyond the bounds of our known senses. We will also learn to interact with Spirits of Place as portals for shape-shifting and Otherworld experiences. By following the music of the Silver Branch and working with the Coelbren (ancient Celtic tree magic) to dis-member and re-member ourselves, a deeper relationship with All That Is will be discovered. This clan will spend much of its time outdoors.
Juniper Talbot, leader
Wolf Clan *
Explore the dynamic nature of the wolf pack! We are individuals yet we are a community. We will be building on our awareness of the tensions and conflicts between those positions through focused energy work and exploration of the physical and energetic edges all around us. Using physical contact, trance dance, breath work and an all-night outdoor vigil we will work with our fears and strengths and develop tools to aid in times of conflict. Join us to hunt the edges for symbols to carry us into our
winter work. The Clan is not recommended for individuals with mobility challenges or physical touch issues. Even though we will sometimes be dealing with aggressive energies, this will not include physical combat. This Clan will share a cabin.
Jason Sykes and Tracy Hicks, 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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