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It started with a Dream...



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To avoid confusion we will state our definitions for a couple of important words to help
you on your journey throughout the website~

*Magic/Magical ~ used in the likeness of Manifestation or to Manifest~
to create something or turn something from an idea or thought into a reality.

** Awen ~ is a Welsh, Cornish and Breton word for "Inspiration" (typically poetic/artistic inspiration). In Welsh mythology, Awen is the inspiration of the poets, or bards; or, in it's personification, Awen is the inspirational muse of creative artists and is often seen as "flowing energy," or "a force that flows with the essence of life. (Druidry) It is also recorded in it's current form in Canu Llywark Hen (possibly 9th or 10th century) where Llywarch says 'I know by my Awen' indicating it as a source of Instinctive Knowledge or Intuition.
It is primarily this definition that we will be using for the general definition.





A brief story of the land and home we call RavenWyck~

Although officially deeded in 1904 on paper, we were told the home was built sometime around 1860. Home to the community Judge, it was also used as a courthouse. Years later it was occupied by the community blacksmith serving the local families and their farmsteads for many years. It was originally part of a larger hundred acre farm that was part orchard with crop fields (we still have old apple and pear trees in the woods). The land was eventually divided and other families had renovated and added onto the original home keeping it restored and preserved until we purchased it in May 2002. We have since added more restoration and love to the cottage and the land making it a truly enchanted place to live.


2002


On May 22nd 2002 we moved into our beautiful old cottage with a few trees surrounding the home, an open glade awaiting the Stone Circle to be built and a small creek running north to south bringing the Living Waters to the land. With my handsome companion Michael, our beautiful faery child Arielle, 8 cats, 3 dogs, a ferret and guinea pig...we were now country dwellers...Home at last in the woods where Nature could nurture our Souls and help us co create something wonderous and inspiring.


We had a vision of a sanctuary filled with trees, herbs, plants and flowers supporting the flora and fauna around us. We planned on organic gardens, greenhouses powered by solar power and a landscape of wildcrafted enchantment. We wanted a place to raise our daughter guiding her and teaching her to not just live off the land but with the land as a companion. We wanted a sacred place for other philosophical, spiritual, ecological and holistic minded people to visit and commune with.


And so the Magic began~ And by Magic, I mean dedication, determination and hard work. For no 'Magic' happens without that commitment and inclination to manifest your life!



2003-2007


We worked very hard for the first year adjusting to our new surroundings. We met many new creatures both furry and feathered. The land was a mere 3 and half acres, but She was brilliant with possibilities and a true companion for all of us. We wasted no time in planting as many trees as we could, making sure to have a large variety of species to bring those Sacred energies into alignment with the land. We Started to build our Earth house down in the glade by the woods. This was built by using as many recycled materials as we could find. The foundation was all new materials with over 85% of the rest being recycled or repurposed. The doors were from my grandparents house and an old farmhouse door from a yard sale. The railing up in the loft was the sides of our daughters crib. Wood siding was from our barn when we made the Cat room larger for the kitties enclosed outside play area. We made windows from convertible tops that Michael had replaced at his job. We used as many items that had a story to tell and could resonate in harmony with us and our values. This little cottage became the meeting place for the students I spiritually mentored through the years. It was a place for a warm cup of tea and a book on a cool autumn day. With a small pot belly antique wood burning stove to keep us warm, we'd sit down in the glade house and celebrate in the calm quiet at the Winter Solstice each year. We also built our Sacred Stone circle. Consisting of small boulders that we found on the land and under the soil planting trees, this 70 ' circle was a welcomed companion to our land and to our path spiritually. The Circle was double having and outer visitors space and the interior circle that was the working center for our spiritual observances and lessons for the students. We began planting trees around the circle to enhance the sacred vibrations; intertwining root and rock. In the center was the hearthfire or the Soul center where Nwyfre and Awen flow freely. The perimeter of the Circle was sacred and no one human was allowed to pass through the boundary unless it was an emergency. All who entered must do so by the portal opening positioned traditionally at the North East alignment. Our dreams of building a sanctuary for those that kept the Old Ways alive was manifesting, slowly, but it was being created by our family and those whom shared their lives and love of Nature with us. We were grateful for such support.



2011 ~ Present Day


We took a few years to heal from my Mothers passing and started refreshed and renewed in the early Spring of 2011. We began to build a community garden on the west side of our property which would include raised gardens for patrons to adopt their own space to plant seeds, plants and vegetables for themselves and to donate to our community charity program. This area eventually became the Spiritual community area where we would welcome visitors to sit in the gardens, meditate, sip on a cup of herbal tea from the Herb House or even read a book under their favorite tree. It has grown through the years to be a space of beauty and protection from the chaos of life and the oppressive people out in the world. We've hosted classes, workshops and spiritual gatherings focusing around the teachings of Spiritual Philosophy, Druidry, Art and Literature, Quantum Energy of Body and Mind, Meditation, Holistic and Herbal healing to name but a few. We honor and tread the Wheel of the Year, flowing in balance with Natures Elements and Her magic shared through the Seasons.


We have added a couple more pavilions, greenhouses and small outbuildings to accommodate our growing vision as well as added the librarium to share knowledge and wisdom with our friends and community patrons. We have a variety of books to share with those that visit Ravenwyck~ from authors like Carl Jung to Robert Greene and their psychological and behavioral works; Ryan Holiday and Epicurus with their contributions on Stoicism; Edgar Allen Poe and Walt Whitman for the beautiful and dark poetry; Philip Carr-Gomm and Deepak Chopra for their works on the deep spiritual mysteries...we have books upon books to journey through while at the Sanctuary in hopes to Awaken Awen within you!


When Covid appeared 2 years ago necessitating the transition of my local retail shop to wholesale production sales, Ravenwyck became the exclusive home to WV Studios ~ my design and production studio where I create and craft hand made fragrances, candles, skin care and other spiritual wares and offerings for individual clients and wholesale sales to other shops. I work with Natures' Elements to design and craft the most spiritually balanced products to help my clients awaken the Awen or inspiration in themselves and utilize the energies to help empower them on their life path. To learn more about my products and services you can visit my host webshop @ CottageHagCurios.com /|\


~ Into the Future ~


To say we are a work in progress is an understatement...we are always working on a new project, always striving to manifest the future here as beautifully and honorably as we can. We now have a new system of solar panels to install for our greenhouses and well pump. We are adding a new raised HearthFire altar in the stone circle made of stones to accommodate the new fire bowl we were recently gifted. We are continuously purchasing books each month to expand the librarium to enrich those minds that visit with us. And there is the launch of our podcast on YouTube in early October for those that can't be our guest in person.


It's a lot of work but it is a blessing that is part of our life path as individuals and as a family. We will continue to dedicate our lives and time to our cause...to live as simple and honorably as we can with integrity, to be dedicated and devoted to our spiritual faith to work in balance with Nature, Her Elements, Her Flora & Fauna and to help others find strength in themselves through the Awakening of Awen.


We hope to continue our education and mentoring to many more people for many many years to come. If you would like more info on our events and lectures click on the button below to take you to that page.


Sanctuary Blog~
Wisdom & Awen Teachings



Columbus, Michigan 48063



Ravenwyck.org