Dreams Do Come True- April 2024
Writer in Residence, The Fool's Calling Tarot Course, Poetry Reading, Writing Update, & so much more!
Writer-in-Residence at Weymouth Center: Dreams Do Come True
You know those times in your life when you’re certain you’ve been touched by magic? When you know an experience, and the people you meet on the journey, leave you a different person? I’ve been blessed by such an experience, and want to share it with you. I hope it encourages you to follow your dreams!
I recently spent a week at Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities in Southern Pines, NC. This huge, beautiful house was home to author James Boyd, host to many famous writers in the early 1900s. It now houses the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame, acts as a cultural center for the community, and offers a Writers-in-Residence program to members of the North Carolina Writers’ Network.
I was lodged in the Paul Green Room on the second floor of this magical rambling home, where I wrote, researched, and daydreamed out my window into a lovely garden just blooming. Paul Green was an author and playwright, most famous for his outdoor dramas The Lost Colony and Unto These Hills.
Magic appeared on the balcony scrollwork outside my window in the wrought iron pattern of the Vesica Pisces. These interlocking circles form the basic building blocks of sacred geometry and remind us that everything is divine and connected.
Equally magical are the grounds and surrounding woods. The Boyd Tract (165 acres of old-growth forest) is part of the 930-acre Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve. Researchers believe that the oldest living longleaf pine in the United States, named Old Tree, estimated to be 470 years old, lives in the Boyd Tract.
I met Angela Gaskell, a writer in Southern Pines, who is a member of the Prescribed Burn Association for that region. This organization works with the Forest Service to conduct controlled burns. To live and thrive, longleaf pines require fire that clears away underbrush and helps release seeds to foster new growth. Click here for some information about the work this organization does: https://sites.cnr.ncsu.edu/southeast-fire-update/prescribed-burn-associations/
Angela treated me to a great coffee at a woman-owned coffee shop, and then showed me some breathtaking pine trees around the area. We’re both enrolled in author Janisse Ray’s year-long writing course, Journey In Place. Angela and I agree that Janisse is a stellar teacher. Here’s her website: https://janisseray.com/
Author Kim Beall, whose room was down the hall, and I discussed all things literary, and explored downtown Southern Pines. On our visit to The Country Bookshop, I found a copy of Janisse’s book, Wild Spectacle, and sent her this picture:
Of course, Weymouth is haunted. There are several hair-raising stories told about it. One story says the Paul Green Room is haunted, and I hoped for a visit from Mr. Green, or perhaps Thomas Wolfe. Other rooms also are said to be haunted. I invited any literary ghost who wished to visit to do so and took lots of late-night photos, but unfortunately, saw nary a ghost.
Kim is a writer of books about ghosts (and much more). Below is the cover of the first book in one of her series. I just finished it, and promise you’ll hear bumps in the night while you read! You can learn more about Kim’s work on her website: https://www.kimbeall.com/
Kim also currently is head of the Editorial Team at County Lines: A Literary Journal. What a small world! This journal published my first creative nonfiction work several years ago.
I’m so happy to connect with you and I’m grateful that you have taken a course with me and subscribe to this newsletter! If you missed my last newsletter, you can read it here.
Anticipation Fools and Coyotes-March 2024
Poetry Open Mic, and More To Come
When poets get together, magic abounds! My friends Kate Carey and Lisa Stice and I hosted an open mic night at Quarter Moon Books, Gifts & Wine on Topsail Beach, NC recently. https://www.quartermoonbooks.com/
We are so excited other poets joined us (including a high school senior who wrote a poem about the Greek goddess Nike!). The store was packed with listeners. We’re planning future events, so watch here for details. Below are links to recent works from Kate and Lisa.
Kate Carey’s most recent work in Panorama Journal
Lisa Stice’s newest book of poetry
The Fool’s Calling: A Self-Paced Tarot Course About You!
Do you seek new ways to learn about yourself and the world around you? For hundreds of years, Tarot symbols have been a gathering place for world beliefs and a source through which we can discover common ground among us and within aspects of ourselves. Tarot offers an exploration of myths and legends, and of cultures and beliefs, that are as old as time and as modern as this moment. For many years, the symbols of Tarot have guided my travel to the world around me, and to myself. Tarot can guide you too on your journey to self.
You can join this course anytime you like. The first lesson is sent to you on the Monday after you register. I hope YOU will join us on this quest! AND deep gratitude to the many of you who are already enrolled!
The Fool's Calling:
Your Personal Myths and Archetypes in Arcane Symbols
THIS is the in-depth, self-paced Tarot course you requested me to create!
NEW to Tarot? No problem! This course lays the foundation for a deep exploration of the knowledge that supports the meaning of Tarot. This course is not a course in divination or using intuitive skills but rather grounds you in the underpinnings of the time-honored meanings of the keys.
Here are some questions this course answers:
Why on some keys do we see Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman symbols? How do they work together?
How does knowing the mythology related to the keys enhance my understanding of symbols on the keys?
Why do some symbols, such as flowers, pillars, and feathers, repeat on various keys?
What do landscapes and buildings tell us about our journey through Tarot?
What do the symbols teach me about myself?
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Details and registration on my website: https://debbowen.com/product/the-fools-calling-your-personal-myths-and-archetypes-in-arcane-symbols/
Cosmic Events Abound!
On Monday, March 25, the Storm Moon was full in the sign of Libra while the Sun was in Aries, calling us to find balance in the energies of our busy lives.
On Monday, April 1, Mercury went retrograde and will remain so until April 25. Mercury retrograde reminds us to be careful and gentle with our communication in all forms.
On Monday, April 8, the Moon is new in the sign of Aries, with a Solar Eclipse that can be seen to some degree in much of the US.
On Tuesday, April 23 the Wind Moon is full in the sign of Scorpio while the Sun is in Taurus, calling us to clear away that which no longer serves us.
Writing Update
Click on the links below to read my most recent works in Salvation South:
NEW!! “The Coyote’s Journey”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/the-coyotes-journey-nature-essay-deb-bowen/
“Takin’ Up a Poundin’”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/takin-up-a-poundin-christmas-story-deb-bowen/
“Tidal Wave Terror”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/ground-truth-from-the-climate-reckoning-janisse-ray/
“Where I’m From: Seven Decades in Seven Scenes”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/where-im-from-seven-decades-in-seven-scenes-deb-bowen-poem/
“Mending Nets”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/mending-nets-north-carolina-barrier-island/?mc_cid=c4bb217ffc&mc_eid=fae2a9a622
“A Talisman for Poseidon”
https://www.salvationsouth.com/a-talisman-from-poseidon-hurricane-donna-1960/
Podcast
Deb’s Facebook Pages
Another way you and I can connect is through my Facebook pages. I’d be honored if you’d follow my pages. They are a great way to see up-to-the-minute news! I so hope you’ll LIKE and FOLLOW and feel free to comment and share posts!
Deb Bowen, Author
PsychicTeachers
Witches of the Shore
Just One More Thing Before You Go
Old Tree lives deep in the woods, away from easily walked paths, so I didn’t get to touch it. However, Kim hiked to it, touched its trunk gently, offered thanks, and took pictures. She brought me this cone that Old Tree dropped onto the forest floor. It’s huge! Isn’t it beautiful?
A gift from Old Tree, deep in the Weymouth Woods, bearing seeds of hope, seeds of promise. Bursting forth in light and heat, life perpetuating itself through the centuries. May we honor this sacred gift, keep it safe from harm, remembering that, without the trees, there is no us. - Deb Bowen, April 2024
Thank you!
The Coyote story hooked me from the beginning and the end had me holding my breath. Oh the torment I feel for all the species to which we are connected, and all the earth cycles. When will we arrest wanting for ourselves alone, and turn the tide to want for the whole? It was a pleasure to meet and be with you.
You are one very blessed soul! Thank you for sharing about your time at Weymouth. Much love!