The Coven Gathers
Spells of gratitude
“Once in the month when the moon is full ye shall assemble in some desert place, or in a forest all together join…”
Charles Leland, Aradia
Step through the portal with us…
Last month, Caitlyn Barone and Kristin Lisenby haunted the halls of Tamed Wild’s Samhain retreat. Guided by the spirits of autumn, a coven of wyrd women and forever friends reunited for magic making at Shelby Bundy’s historic manor, the Melange.
It began that first evening, when Word Witch Kate Belew cast a circle to carry us through the weekend together, each day beginning with morning tea and ending with wine and Ouija in the parlor. Paranormal investigator Amanda Paulson hosted a seance for the group and channeled messages from the unseen. Magick with Maria dealt tarot, and Holly Hawkins accessed the Akashic Records for the witches and guests. Jess and Kate gave astrological readings. Kristin crafted an altar to Hecate and a ritual from the goddess’s hymns. On the final night, the coven met beneath the moon, and Ariel invited us to release our wishes into the wild.
“Bear, bear, you who rule the heaven, the stars, and the whole world; you who make the axis turn and control the whole cosmic system by force and compulsion: I appeal to you…”
Bear Charm from the Greek Magical Papyri, 4th century, translated by Hans Deiter Betz
The Melange is a portal. Visitors and guests were ushered back in time as they passed over the cozy threshold. Bursting with antique furniture, oil paintings, and gilded mirrors, the mansion was designed in 1919 by architect Earl Stillwell. Over the years, it has served as both a private home and an inn. Although most of the Melange’s original details have been preserved and restored, Shelby’s influence can be seen via her home office (complete with stunning built-in bookshelves) and an ever-growing oddities room.
“I call Hekate of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one. In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored robes. Funeral Daimon, celebrating among the souls of those who have passed. Persian, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer. Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible queen.”
The Orphic Hymn to Hekate, 3rd century, translated by James Can Kollenburg
The old house was delightfully spooky, wyrd as the witches within, and although most people at the retreat described themselves as solitary practitioners, magick is palpable when the coven gathers.
Amidst the final glimmers of November, Caitlyn and I are casting spells of gratitude for our covens near and far. May our friendships continue to weave and wind as we spiral deeper into the mysteries. As we offer our wishes to the setting sun, cosmic riddles met with laughter and curiosity, may our weirdness be a beacon, a torch that illuminates the wilds of our creative communities.
“O Night, faithful preserver of mysteries, and ye bright stars, whose golden beams with the moon succeed the fires of the day; thou three-formed Hecate, aho knowest our undertakings and comest to the aid of the spells and arts of the magicians; and thou, O Earth, who dost provide the magicans with thy potent herbs; mye breezes and winds, ye mountains and streams and pools; all ye gods of the groves, all with me gods of the night: be with me know.”
Excerpt from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, 1st century, translated by Frank Miller
I love this, thank you for your magic and for putting together these words. The gathering of the Coven was one of my favorite experiences in this house thus far, and I am so glad you made the journey. 🔮