Choosing your Clan
Make sure that you read over all of the Clan descriptions carefully. There are many wonderful possibilities. On your registration form, you will need to list four Clans as possible choices for the weekend. We will try to give everyone their first or second choice, but it is important that you indicate four preferences since we assign the Clans primarily on a first-come first-served basis and some will fill up quickly.
Number your preferences from 1 to 4, with 1 being your first choice. Registration forms which are filled out incompletely will only delay processing time, making it less likely that first choices will be available.
So that Clan Leaders can best meet the needs of all of the members of their Clan, whatever their level of experience, we ask that everyone answer all of the questions on the registration form.
All of the Clans at Twilight Covening are designed to provide deep and fulfilling experiences. Some Clans, indicated with an asterisk (*), include work that relies on past experience or is especially challenging. If you would like to apply to join one of these Clans, please let us know why and include a description of your training, skills and practice with this kind of work in your application along with information about the kind of support system you have in place outside of Twilight Covening (coven, teacher, therapist, etc.). If you do not include all of this information, we cannot assign you to one of these Clans.
To fully complete the ritual of Twilight Covening, you should arrive by dinner time on Friday and must plan to stay on site until Monday afternoon so that you don't miss your Clan's final meeting or the closing circle.
Clan assignments will be finalized and mailed after the registration deadline of September 20. We will have a master list in the office; please call if you have not received your assignment by October 4.
Clans 2010
Camel Clan
Yogis say that within the human body resides an entire ecosystem holding within in it fire, air, water and earth. Within our body an entire interior landscape exists. As we turn inward for the season of introspection let us delve deeper into our interior and find our own renewable resources within. Camels as a meditative focus provide inspiration for this task. Their ability to store fat in their humps that they can then synthesize into energy during times of scarcity calls to question what can we store? Where do we go in times of scarcity? Where does our joy come from? What do we need to release to be present? Each clan time we will be physically active practicing yoga asanas. Pranayama (breathwork), chakra work, and meditation will also be tools we use to bring us deeper still. Camel is open to every BODY, but you should expect to sweat through physical activity. (To help the Clan run smoothly, please indicate your physical strengths and weaknesses on your application form as well as your experience with meditation.)
Amanda Brooks-Clemeno, leader
Caribou Clan
Run. Feel. Bleed. Dream. Grow your antlers. Coming together as women of magic, the Caribou Clan will focus on women's mysteries- mysteries of bleeding, mysteries of birthing, mysteries of dying and being reborn. Connecting to our goddess archetypes, we will explore our roles as powerful women, women with horns, women who are not male identified, but powerful within our spiraling cyclonic selves. Running with the herd, the drum our beating hearts, we will shape shift, dance with the aurora, and evolve from women of promise into women of power.
Rose Starwind, leader
Chrysalis Clan
The labyrinth is an ancient pattern that when used in a magical context can bring about profound transformation. Often times we pass through stages of transformation where we become "stuck" and need to reach deep within our selves to find the inspiration to move forward. Just as the caterpillar journeys to its own center and emerges transformed, this clan will use the labyrinth as a chrysalis to journey inward and emerge with new insight and wisdom to facilitate change. Using journaling, labyrinth construction and walking, meditation, movement and breathwork; we will journey to the stillness within and emerge with the tools we need to facilitate our own metamorphosis. This clan is for anyone feeling stuck, beginning a cycle of transformation or just wanting to work deeply with the labyrinth. The work will be physically active at times and we will spend most of our time outdoors. You do not need previous experience with the labyrinth to join this clan. Chrysalis clan will share a cabin.
Tracy Andryc, Jason Sykes, leaders
Eagle Clan
In the Eagle Clan, we will explore ways of discovering and energizing our hearts' desires. Entering trance with drum, rattle, and ritual, we will use shamanic techniques to affirm the shapes of our true dreams, then learn how to bring them into this reality through the support of a personal inner council convened in the unseen realm. In a safe and sacred circle, we will connect with our core sources of inspiration to empower positive change in our lives and our communities. You are invited to bring drums, rattles, sacred objects for the altar, and a pen and notebook or journal.
Jane LeCompte and Andrew Arthur, leaders
Fox Clan
What can you see in the dark? What can you hear in the silence? Shutting off the everyday senses sharpens the more subtle ones. In this Clan we will bypass our usual routes to information -- chiefly sight and sound -- and employ all our foxy cunning in pursuit of that other awareness.
Miriam Klamkin, leader
Grouse Clan
Grouse Clan is an invitation to dance, it asks us to look at the way we move in the world. It teaches us to find harmony and balance in ourselves and with the cycles of the Earth. Balance is not merely a physical state. We are constantly tested by situations in life that require us to maintain balance. Balance between our inner and outer selves, action and rest, work and play and the balance of the natural world. When we are out of balance we fall. Together we will dance and move and use our breath to unlock the joy in our bodies and bring balance to our lives. We will learn to be present amidst life's distractions and dance through its challenges. This clan will share a cabin and will be very physically active. No previous dance experience is necessary.
Karina Fireheart and Arana Fireheart, 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
Ibis Clan
Ibises were sacred to the ancient Egyptians, who considered them a manifestation of Thoth, who was credited as the author of all works of astronomy, astrology, the science of numbers, mathematics, geometry, land surveying, and sacred science. In this clan, we will use these same tools to create our own sacred site in relation to the surrounding landscape - infused with the basics of geometry, observational astronomy, and internal / personalized mythology - to assist in generating shifts of personal and group consciousness. We will be spending considerable time outside both day and night, working with the land itself to construct a sacred site using those techniques. This Clan will share a cabin.
Wolf Grathwol, 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.
Mark Girard and Morwen Two Feathers, leaders
Moth Clan
Moth asks you to pay attention to how sensitive you are, or are not, to the world around you. Moths are evolutionary stars, continuously adapting their bodies and lifestyles to enable them to thrive as a species. In Moth Clan the core Work will be energy-work, with a focus on gratitude. The raising, various uses of and grounding of energy are central to many Paths. These skills allow one to continue to magickally learn and grow. Gentle but strong movement, like the beating of a Moth's wings, through both yoga and Tai Chi, will be incorporated daily; we will engage in various breathing, meditative and journeywork methods to support one's personal energy-work goals. The mind-body connection will be central to the Moth's work and the ability to sustain energy-work, without meltdown or burnout, the Moth's goal. Participants should be able to stand comfortably for at least half an hour. Moths will cabin together.
Kelley Braheney, leader
Otter Clan
Otters dive deep into the sea, turning over rocks, digging in the mud, and even using stones as tools to find their food. Following their example, the Otter clan will dive deeply to seek out our own sources of nourishment and renewal, moving away from depletion and towards abundance and joy. Through nature, creativity, and connection, we will build our own deep well of resources and practices for connecting with it, as well as crafting a physical talisman to bring home.
Sarah Twichell, leader
Raccoon Clan
The Raccoon Clan's work is to take in the power of masks by creating and using physical masks in several different ways. We will relinquish the energies that disguise us, release or renew some of the faces we wear, and experiment with visual reminders of how we can put our true selves into the world.
Susan Curewitz Arthen, leader
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. Applicants for this clan, must have taken Crow clan with Moira and Duncan.
Please do not sign up for this clan if you have physical touch issues
or mobility challenges.
Moira Ashleigh and Duncan Eagleson, leaders
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, leader
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. And we will practice using songs to create community and ritual space. This is for people who love to sing, can hold a tune, have some experience with trancework or meditation, and want to go further in using their voices for themselves and their community. (You will leave with a sheaf of lyrics of useful songs and chants for ritual use.) We will do some moderate hiking.
Sarah Stockwell-Arthen, leader
Seal Clan
The Seal dives into the ocean depths to seek out that which sustains her. Like the seal, we live in interrelated, overlapping realms. Some we know well, others remain mysterious. Our dreams connect these worlds, forming a web that links our sleeping and waking landscapes. In Seal Clan, we will dive into our own depths to search the realm of dreams for wisdom and insight. This Clan will share a cabin.
Juniper Talbot, leader
Snowy Owl Clan
In this clan, we will discuss the history of and underlying principles of soothsaying, building on this we'll explore various common methods, practicing and comparing how they work allowing us to develop our own if we need to do so. We'll cover differences and similarities, and common vocabulary. We'll focus on examples of many types of techniques of divination, with hands-on practice of some including astrology, cartomancy (divination using cards), tasseomancy (tea leaf/coffee grounds), physiognomy (palmistry, molography), casting/sortilage (runes, grain, I Ching, salt), numerology, trance work, scrying, psychometry, omens & dream interpretation, dowsing, and a variety of other methods.
Chris LaFond and Tchipakkan, leaders
Spider Clan*
The Spider has lived in myth as the totem of artists and diviners. It has many eyes for deep seeing and can sense the subtlest vibrations on the web it sits upon. The web it spins serves both nursery and death trap a dramatic example of the transfer of energy between these two places of being. This clan will explore the use of visual arts as an active part of ritual and magical practice. We will work through collaborative exercises leading to shaping a work that weaves energies into symbolic physical form.
Martin Bridge and Kaye, leaders
Turtle Clan*
Aquatic, Independent, and Ageless, Turtle and Tortoise species are found all over the earth. On land and in the Ocean, they live solitary lives, never knowing a social group of their own kind, instinctively knowing how to survive. In world mythology, turtle is known for her persistence and endurance. Turtle clan will work with oven building, bread baking, feasting, fasting, skin treatments, and meditation to get into a deep contact with Earth and Water energies. Turtle clan will spend a night keeping the oven lit, and baking.
This clan will work hard together; heavy work, deep work, and, perhaps unseen, service to the community (work!). Together we can do it, for many hands make lighter work. People with health, mobility or physical touch issues should not apply for this clan and Clan members should try to arrive as early as possible on Friday for an additional session. This clan will share a cabin.
Laura Sweet, leader
Walrus Clan
The walrus dives deep and digs for hidden morsels which elude others who seek them. In this Norse clan, we will dive deep to explore both the Hunter/Warrior and Home & Hearth traditions.
The Hunters/Warriors will go on a quest with Ulf to journey within and to confront and conquer their individual beasts and those of the larger group. They should be prepared to spend a night outdoors in the woods, fasting, followed by an extremely physical hunt/battle ritual.
The Home & Hearth folks will prepare the Hunters' ceremonial game feast with Jane, and explore rituals and practices of hand spinning, yarn magic, bread baking, and home warding.
This clan will also do intensive trance Voyaging, with the goal of each member learning from the other participants and from the Otherworld so as to provide reinforcement for further magical pursuits. Walrus clan welcomes all, no matter what your physical abilities may be.
Jane Sibley and Ulf, 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 write something about why you are interested in this Clan at this time and 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, teacher, therapist, etc.).
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