Twilight Covening
October 7-10, 2022

Twilight Covening 2022 Clan List

Arctic Wolf Clan
The úlfhéðnar were Scandinavian shapeshifters who wore wolf fur into battle, matching their “lich” (flesh or physical body) to their “hame” (shape or skin). While the traditions of these wolf warriors have been lost, we can find the legacy of their deeds and travels in surviving sagas. In the Arctic Wolf Clan we will seek the in-between world that the úlfhéðnar occupied - something not human, but also not entirely “other”. We will ask the questions: What really defines our identity? How do we incorporate deep personal changes and revelations into the self we show to the world? What happens if we allow our “otherness” to become part of who we are in the world everyday? And like the ancient Scandinavians, we will witness each other in Heathen ritual, where our ancestors, the spirits of the land, and the gods are invited to hear our stories and witness our growth. This Clan will include moderate movement over uneven terrain, and some gentle hiking.
Irene Glasse and Nikolas Wolfhame Katrick, leaders

Aurochs Clan
"What then is the root of poetry and every other wisdom? Not hard; three cauldrons are born in every person -- the cauldron of warming, the cauldron of motion and the cauldron of wisdom."

A modern practice based on early Irish thought, the Three Cauldrons is a meditative technique, a self-awareness tool, and an energetic practice focused around the three cauldrons of energy within the self. In Aurochs clan we will seek to stir up the energies of each cauldron, introduce ourselves to it, and move into actively using the energies of each cauldron. Clan members should expect to spend a fair amount of time outside and be comfortable with moderate physical exertion.
Brannen, leader

Blackwitch Moth Clan*
In the natural world, failing to do the work that your Path calls you to can result in dire consequences, even death. Yet we often strive to hide from our Work or excuse ourselves from it due to circumstances. Drawing from a moth’s tenacity in navigating a lifecycle full of travail, travel, change, and transformation, we will utilize the Moth Clan modalities of gratitude, meditation, journey work, movement, and self-adornment to discover and practice holding the Work that we hide from ourselves. We’ll then anchor ourselves in that Work in a way that will support our extended focus on it, even when conditions are not ideal. Clan members will leave with a clearer understanding of the Work they need to be doing, as well as practices to bring home to support it. (*Clan members must have been in a previous Moth Clan OR have significant meditative experience.)
Kelley B, leader

Buffalo Clan
The Buffalo's majesty and sense of purpose as it moves over the land inspires us to hear Spirit’s call and create the path that speaks to our hearts. The buffalo symbolizes manifestation via right intention and right action. In fact, the buffalo’s work is both sacred and practical. In this clan, we will explore magickal techniques to connect with Spirit, define our intention, and manifest our vision. Just as the buffalo travel together over the land, our clan will actively build connections with one another and with the land we inhabit. Using meditation, energy work, movement, deep listening, poetry, and ritual, we will define that which we choose to leave behind, envision the paths forward we want to create, and explore how our work is in service to our community. Our weekend’s work will harness the power of the seen and unseen to bring to life that which calls to us. This clan will encourage participants to spend significant time outdoors in direct connection with the Earth.
Steve Trombulak and Tatiana, leaders

Crane Clan*
When cranes gather in a flock, they gabble and toot in a cacophonous, ever-changing web of harmony. Long ago, the cranes and other waterfowl taught the Lithuanian people to join this web through Sutartinės, a flowing, weaving style of chanting that builds and reinforces a communal connection to the wider tapestry of nature. In Crane clan, we will explore a trance practice based in Sutartinės-singing and lead ourselves towards an experience of the ever-changing harmony between the self, the community, and the world.
This clan will involve a lot of singing, breath work, and some optional gentle movement. If you are confident and comfortable in round-singing, you have the requisite music skills for this clan. Please indicate your level of comfort with singing in the comment box.
Lynn Rowan and Will Rowan, leaders

Cuckoo Bird Clan
While all who present as feminine at an early enough age may be Maiden and who live long enough may be Crone, not all in the middle are Mother. Not all feminine-presenting people take on the role of Mother, through choice or circumstance. Cuckoo birds famously lay their egg in other birds’ nests, leaving the “mothering” to someone else. Through storytelling, guided meditation, gazing, and other exercises,
Cuckoo Bird clan will invite you to explore other feminine archetypes that we may embody beyond Maiden, Mother, Crone, and explore feminine energies that may be less familiar. Light movement will be required.
This clan is open to femme-presenting attendees.
Michelle T B, leader

Gryphon Clan*
What’s holding you back? What frightens you? Do you have triggers? As like attracts like sometimes we must go to our inner darkness to understand the hidden truths that lie within. This allows us to embrace our power and release that which is no longer needed. The Gryphon clan is an introductory clan to the techniques of Dark Eros. We will utilize guided meditation, breathing, and physical sensation work to help us on a journey of empowerment. 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 best for those who have explored the leather/BDSM lifestyle, and more suitable for past Twilight/Rites participants. Those with touch issues, those opposed to frank discussion of human sensuality and those unwilling for deep introspection, might find the clan too challenging.
Cerillian and Dawn, leaders

Heron Clan
With intense awareness and patience, the Great Heron snatches what it needs from the water. By opening to the natural world around us, we find beautiful, poignant, humorous and magical moments every day. We will hunt for such moments in the woods, by the pond, alone and among people. We will observe while being still and while being in motion. Then we will capture the essence of these moments by writing very short poems and concise prose descriptions. We will learn the basics of Haiku and related Japanese poetic techniques that emphasize a focus on nature and human nature. You do not need any experience with poetry and after the clan you can continue the observation practice with or without writing poetry.

open boathouse doors
the crackle of robins
In the rafters
Eric Arthen, leader

Manta Ray Clan*
Our stories hold truths, patterns, dreams and desires. What stories do we share, which do we keep secret? What stories do we whisper to ourselves? In Manta Ray we will explore the magic of story weaving, story-telling, and how our stories can nourish or deprive. We will explore our individual stories, moving softly and gently like the Manta, but with clear purpose and magical intent. We will then create stories for and with each other, weaving tales based in the deeper truths we discover. Manta clan will include walking meditation and periods of silence.
Rose Starwind, leader

Manx Shearwater Clan
The Manx Shearwater is a migratory bird that navigates by the stars. The map above them points them unerringly to their destination. Humans have learned how to use that same star map in their own physical and spiritual travels. In this Clan, we will apply the basic principles of this art, known as astrology, to shaping our own life paths, and begin to read for others as well. We will delve deeply into the essentials in our own birth charts and let that knowledge guide us, focusing primarily on charting this year's Winter work. No prior astrological knowledge required.
Miriam Klamkin, leader

Meerkat Clan
Always looking out for one another, meerkats are highly social creatures. They carry out daily tasks with as little disruption to their peers as possible, taking turns supporting their community’s survival and comfort. Ready to help one another when needed, Meerkat is a service oriented clan designed for people who have attended Twilight Covening for around five years or fewer, and who are interested in taking the first step toward a selfless role in our community. Using exercises in energy awareness, communication, and teamwork we will establish a foundational understanding of how and when to be supportive. Meerkat will lend direct support to community activities and rituals as appropriate throughout the weekend. This clan is open to everyone, but will be very active. We will make use of close physical proximity and spend a majority of our time outdoors. Please note any significant physical strengths and weaknesses on your application form.
This clan will share a cabin.
Dante Savion and Omdog, leaders

Moose Clan
The Moose is both ungainly and magnificent, wandering the northern woods and wetlands; they manage to become the largest of the deer on simple browse. Safe from anything short of a grizzly or pack of wolves, Moose fear nothing, and mind their own business. In this clan we will be exploring herbal medications, especially in Northern European folk practice, but also including our local east coast weeds. The clan will be creating various salves, ointments, potions, syrups and teas, and learn about techniques for foraging, growing, gathering, and preparing useful herbal remedies, as well as learning about charms, energy enhancement of herbal remedies, and communicating with our plant allies.
Tchipakkan, leader

Opossum Clan*
Opossums are considered by some to be living fossils because they have retained traits of their ancestors that existed millions of years ago. They have exceptional night vision and are able to put themselves into an “inactive state” in order to protect themselves from the cold. But perhaps the most well-known trait of the opossum is their ability to feign death when the need arises. Join us in this introductory clan as we sharpen our senses and open to accepting knowledge our ancestors already know. Peek into the quiet and learn how to effectively and compassionately bear witness to the dying. Step into the stillness and examine the fears and uncertainties of our own inevitable decline and deaths. In the end, re-animate with new experiences, changes in perspective and tools to utilize when (not if) the need arises.
(This clan may trigger deep emotions, so please reflect carefully on where you are in your processes in order to get the most out of this experience. Grieving is a natural part of life, but unfortunately we won't have the time to process grief or bereavement during our short clan time.)
Dawn Elizabeth and Chris LaFond, leaders

Pillbug Clan
We have all found ourselves in hard places, where we are exhausted and we cannot take one more step, or do one more thing. But what do we do when we have to? As the pillbug burrows into the earth to find nourishment and restoration, this clan will sink into the layers of the mountain in order to replenish ourselves. We will use guided meditations and gentle movement to discover how we connect with the energies of ancestor, tree, stone, and star. We will explore how to draw extra energy from these elemental relationships during difficult times.
Sarah Lyn, leader

Seagull Clan
The seagull fares far and wide, as did the Norse in their longships along fjord and sea. In this clan, we will delve into one aspect of a far-wandering Tradition, that of runes. From their origins (ca. 50 BCE-50 CE) and early usage through time into Medieval and later times, from common usage, they were the popular way folks wrote in the Northlands. We will explore how they were applied in mundane as well as in magical usage, including divination and secret codes, bind runes, and runiform sigils such as the aegishjalm and vegvisur. Clan members will be able to make their own rune divination tools, using sticks and pebbles collected on site, and learn how to use them. There will be a number of books (in English but at least one in Icelandic) for further research available. If Clan members already have rune divination tools, please bring them.
Jane Sibley, leader

Salamander Clan
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is. (Zen koan).
How do we perceive the world around us? What is real? As a salamander experiences life both in water and on land, moving between the two as needed, reality can also be experienced on different levels, and ritual is a method of moving between them. Beyond engagement with language, symbols, incense and chants is a kind of awareness that enables us to use those tools in a way that both intensifies the experience and makes it more meaningful and able to actually transform us. In this Clan we will work to break out of our preconceptions about reality and practice techniques that will help us achieve and hold onto that alternate awareness.
Andras Corban Arthen and Donovan Arthen, leaders

Sidewinder Snake Clan*
Our shapes slither and we move sideways through the shifting sands of who the world expects us to be.
In this clan we will work with the magical practice of Guising as we begin to soften and shift the way we perceive and are perceived through meditation, breath work, and moving with intention. We will disrupt patterns of our behavior and spend time exploring other ways of being embodied in the world. What assumptions do you have about who you are? What could you be? Shed your skin and move into new shapes with us.
**This clan is open to people who have been to Covening at least three times prior to this year.
Katie LaFond, leader

Snow Leopard Clan*
Snow Leopards are reclusive, mostly living on their own - they are sometimes known as the "ghosts of the mountain.” At Twilight, the Snow Leopard Clan is for artists/creators who are working on single/specific projects and who can flourish in solitary time within the Twilight ritual container to advance their work. How do we create individual space and time that inspires creativity and progress? What rituals, actions, and commitments can we observe that will support a home practice, be it music, art, writing, or other arts? How do we hold ourselves accountable for our creative effort? We will set up our own individual work spaces and use our clan time in both group and individual format so that we are offered both focused, inspired time to work, and also a supportive environment where we can share our process, challenges, hopes, and accomplishments. This clan is limited to returning attendees only, and you must submit a description of the project you would be working on with your Twilight application.
Josselyn Price, leader

White Hart Clan*
For the ancient Celts, the appearance of the White Hart was a sign that the forces of the Otherworld were present and in action. This magical being draws us to embark on a quest into the Unseen Realms, stimulating profound spiritual changes for those who would follow. To quest for the White Hart is to seek entrance to the Otherworld – a realm which the ancient Celts perceived as interwoven with "this world", lying behind a Veil, but still accessible. In this Clan, we will explore different aspects of the Celtic Otherworld and its inhabitants – how it’s perceived and how it functions. We will also learn and engage in ancient magical practices for moving between the worlds and connecting with what we encounter. By adapting these techniques for our modern lives and personal needs, we build a living, potent magical and spiritual practice rooted in ancient Celtic traditions. Participants should have some background in Celtic traditions. We will spend much of our time outdoors, including some walking over uneven terrain.
Juniper Talbot, leader