Upcoming Events at HOWL

Saturday, October 25:  Writing Workshop for Women, co-sponsored by HOWL and the Burlington Writers Workshop.  Poetry from 9am to noon and Prose from 1pm to 4pm.  Led by HOWL member Tanya Lyn Willard.

Friday, October 31 through Sunday, November 2:  Ritual space will be maintained for a full 48 hours for the celebration of Samhain, from 2pm Friday until 2pm Sunday.  Join us for the whole weekend or any part of the weekend. If we have enough fire tenders, we will keep a fire going for most of the time. This event is for witches and their allies to celebrate our high holy day Samhain, and to also honor our ancestors on the Day of the Dead, Honoring our witch ancestors who lost their lives during the Burning Times. Some previous knowledge of paganism, earth religions, and/or witchcraft appreciated. Collaborative planning is encouraged, this is a participatory event. Please present suggestions, questions or concerns prior to the event so we can stay in ceremonial space for the weekend. Although there is serious intention, there is always room for gaiety, perhaps we will ride our broomsticks through the fields. This is a great time for future visioning and divination personally, for our communities and Howl, and globally. Perhaps to set deeper the Climate Change march spell begun at the last turning of the seasonal wheel.
 Please bring pictures of those who have passed over, items for the altars, candles, warm clothes, sturdy boots, water, flashlights, divination tools, ritual attire if desired, musical instruments, food and monetary offerings for Howl.

 Sunday, November 9:  Howl in the 21st century discussion meeting at Fletcher Free Library.  Held from 2pm to 4pm.
Saturday, November 15:  Artist's Way workshop from 10am to 4pm, led by Huntington writer and artist Holly McLoughlin.  Only three spaces still open.  Email directly for more details.

Ax Skills for Women at HOWL

Despite the rain today up on Crouching Lion Mountain, several of us hardy souls gather with Mary Murphy of Mountainsong Expeditions to learn basic Ax skills.

Mary covered topics such as ax types, ax handling safety, limbing, bucking, felling, splitting wood, ax blade sharpening, and ax handle replacement.

Some of us tested our skills at limbing, bucking, and splitting. And then we practiced sharpening our blades.

Then we all palavered over a delicious potluck next to the warmth of the wood stove.

Mary Murphy, Mountainsong Expeditions

Lani Ravin

Anya Schwartz

Vanessa & Lani

Sadie with hatchet

Laura bucks up log

Vanessa bucks up log

Laura splits wood

Mary Murphy, Mountainsong Expeditions

Traditional Ax Skills Every Woodswoman Should Know - Free Workshop at HOWL

Traditional Ax Skills Every Woodswoman Should Know - Free Workshop
Saturday April 26th, 2014 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. at HOWL

In these days of power tools ax skills are dying out, but there is no more versatile tool for working with wood in the backcountry. Your ax can help you harvest wood for winter camping, cut poles to erect a wall tent or tipi, create stakes for camp shelters, and keep trails clear of blow-down trees in any season.

In this class we will learn about selection, care, and sharpening of your ax, and then practice the traditional skills of felling, limbing, and bucking up a small tree, plus advice on splitting wood. You will learn proper body mechanics that allow you to use your ax more effectively, using the weight of the ax head and gravity instead of straining your muscles. If there is time we may also demonstrate re-handling an ax.

Mary Murphy

This workshop will be taught by Mary Murphy of Mountainsong Expeditions: Journeys for your Wild Soul. Check out her website www.mountainsongexpeditions.com to get an idea of her prodigious outdoor skills and offerings. Mountainsong Expeditions offers spiritually-based wilderness trips and traditional skill classes in Vermont, New England, and Sweden.

PLEASE RSVP AT THIS EMAIL OR REGISTER ON MARY'S WEBSITE. CALL FOR MORE INFO: 802-598-5868.

Grandmother Tree

Grandmother Tree, HOWL

Over the three decades of HOWL's existence there have been many moments and many events which have contributed to the incredible spiritual energy that many women feel when they step onto this land. For many women, coming here opens that special sense of connection to the Divine Mother, Earth in all her glory.

When the land was first founded by a group of feminist activists in the early 80's, some of the women found Grandmother Tree on the edge of what we call the South Meadow. The South Meadow is an approximately 15 acre section of the property which consists of old growth meadow and new growth forest. It is special as a habitat to white tail deer, bear, coyote, foxes, and all manner of forest creatures. The sweeping view draws the eye all the way to the distant Adirondack mountains of New York, which can be seen from the top of the meadow.

Over the years, as the meadow reverted back to trees, Grandmother Tree receded into the forest.

Today, a group of us walked up to Grandmother Tree to be held in her arms, to revere her wisdom and to know our place with her as we paused to take in her weathered bark, her gnarled limbs and her gracefully sweeping branches lifted to the sun.

The Walk Up to Grandmother Tree

HOWL Winter Festival

HOWL'S Winter Festival
February 9th, 2014 from 10 a.m. til 6 p.m.

Come join us for fun, food and film up in the beautiful hills of HOWL for a day of outdoor and indoor frolic.

Morning activity possibilities include: chatting, skiing, snowshoeing, sitting by the fire, sharing poetry, music, stories, visiting the farm animals, or playing games.

Bring a dish to share for a LUSCIOUS POTLUCK!

At 4:00 pm, There will be a showing of the film Lesbiana: A Parallel Revolution by Myriam Fougere, in which HOWL and some of its founding mothers are featured!

Limited overnight accommodations available on request (unlimited if you like winter camping).

Please RSVP by e-mailing howlvt@gmail.com or call Crow at 598-5868 for more info.

See a trailer for Lesbiana here here: http://www.lesbiana-film.com/en/pages/trailer

Show your support by joining the event on FaceBook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/627446473970105/

Memorial Garden Renewal

Many thanks to Glo, Susan and Nari and all the other beautiful women who contributed their devotion and resources to the renewal of the HOWL Memorial Garden this past fall. It looks beautiful!

HOWL LAND DAY!

 Hello Friends of HOWL

Time for our annual LAND DAY at HOWL on SATURDAY OCTOBER 19th from 9:30 am to 4 pm and beyond if you wish.

Hot lunch provided by HOWL at 1 pm.

Activities include: posting the land, clearing and marking a trail to Grandmother Tree, pulling up invasive species to help our wildlife thrive, doing a dump run to get rid of junk, cut up fallen trees, or whatever you think needs doing as you look around inside or out.

We have a lots of fun practicing our large motor skills, enjoying the gorgeous fall foliage, building community and keeping HOWL alive and well.

Please bring work gloves, clippers, chainsaws, or an apple pie if you have them. Also wear bright red or orange since it is hunting season. (Even though the land is posted and it's not yet deer hunting with rifles season, we don't want to take any chances.)  EVERYONE WELCOME!!!!

Please  visit our FaceBook page and join the event to show your support:

https://www.facebook.com/events/727929980567238/

Contact Laura at HOWL 434-3953 or Crow at 598-5868.