Anahata's Purpose 2023, Part 1
It's that time of year again! Once again, September rolls around and I head to Pennsylvania for spiritual retreat Anahata's Purpose.
This year I talked to a lot of people I didn't know, several of which were first-timers. I even got to bring my niece along.
Some of the interviews have some bad/glitchy audio. This is due to a failed experiment with some bad microphones. Just know that next year, experimentation is over- it's my H4n (the mic I used for Sarah's interview at the event) from now on!
Be sure to check out this week's sponsor, Jupiter Rituals.
Anahata's Purpose
Jupiter Rituals
Welcome back to Your Average Witch, where every Tuesday we talk about witch life, witch stories and sometimes a little witchcraft. Today's episode of Your Average Witch is brought to you by Jupiter Rituals, a new shop created by Rachel, co-host of Two Geminis And a Leo and the founder of Anahata's Purpose. It's that time again, my annual Anahata's Purpose episodes. In the first episode of this series, I talked to attendees of Anahatas Purpose to find out why they go there, what they like, and why you, dear listener, should come next year. In this episode, you'll meet Allanah, Alyssa, Katie, Kaylee, Jess, Kristalina, Luke, Lindsey, Lyle, Sabrina, and Steffanie. I'd also like to invite you to participate in a 30-day photo challenge over on Instagram. Look for the 30-day challenge graphic or search the hashtag #HivehouseBeeSpooky. I'm giving away your Average Witch merch, a bee box, and a gift certificate to Clever Kim's Curios at the end of the challenge. Before I go into the guest stories, let me talk to you about Jupiter Rituals. Jupiter Rituals specializes in crafting spell candles from mid-century modern, retro, and art nouveau items that blend vintage charm with the power of intention. Each vintage container is handpicked from the past, giving them new life. Each piece adds a touch of nostalgia and class to your space. Vintage charm creates a unique ambience that's both timeless and enchanting. Jupiter Rituals is also great for the planet. There are enough beautiful items out there for us to never buy new again. Do you like options? I know I do because hi, I'm a Taurus. With Jupiter Rituals you have choices aplenty. The signature offering is customized magic. Customize your spell candle. You may find items that don't have a candle in them just yet. Are you called to it? Choose it and make it your own. You are the architect of your own intention and Rachel is here to bring it to life. When selecting the item, put the details in the personalization section. Let her know the specifics of what you want it for and she'll craft a spell candle tailored to your needs. It's a unique and personalized experience that sets your intentions in motion. She also offers small batch enchantments. In addition to customized spell candles, Jupiter Rituals offers small batch and one-off spells. These creations are crafted when the universe calls, infused with the intention received and eagerly awaiting their destined keeper. Each one is a unique masterpiece ready to find its way to a new home. Jupiter Rituals brings you the power of retro and vintage. Their collection features mid-century modern, retro and art nouveau items that have stood the test of time. These vintage treasures are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also hold their own unique energies and stories. When paired with intention, they become vessels for powerful magic. Why Jupiter rituals? Because Jupiter is the best! Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, represents expansion, abundance, and growth. That doesn't solely mean financial abundance, although it can mean that. It means expansion and abundance of what you're looking for to either bring in or push out of your existence. In the same way, Jupiter Rituals spell candles help you expand your intentions, bringing abundance and positive change into your life through the power of ritual. Visit jupiterrituals.com today! Now let's get to the stories!
Kim: Lindsay hello!
Lindsay: Hello!
Kim: It's our last day of Anahata's, if I say that out- never mind I'm going to cry. Can you please introduce yourself and let everybody know who you are and what you do and where you, and where they can find you?
Lindsay: I am Lindsay. I am one half of the Rusted Rabbit. I make all kinds of crazy crystal jewelry with wire and other bits and bobbles.
Kim: Does that sound familiar? Yes, because they've been a sponsor previously. Where can they find you on the internet?
Lindsay: We are on Facebook as the Rusted Rabbit. We are on Instagram as the Real Rusted Rabbit because we got hacked.
Kim: Oh, I wondered about that.
Lindsay: And our website is www.therustedrabbitgr.com.
Kim: How many times have you been to Anahata's?
Lindsay: This is my second year.
Kim: What made you come this time?
Lindsay: Just the magic of last year. Last year I was really guarded and avoided a lot of connection. And I forced myself to do a lot more of that this year. (laughs)
Kim: Yay! I think the first year is for us to see that it's, we're not going to be attacked.
Lindsay: Yes.
Kim: It took me three years to get my top off. We're almost to first base! (both laugh) Thanks Anahata's. What's been your favorite thing this year?
Lindsay: All of the singing, which is really strange for me. I have a lot of throat chakra work to do and I keep on running into Lesley-Ann, who is just a magical woodland fairy. She just keeps leading us in these call and response songs.
Kim: What? I love those.
Lindsay: It's been wonderful. That's actually what we're doing next at the porch. It's been really lovely actually.
Kim: That's awesome! I love it. Would you say that Anahata's has affected your practice, or your life outside of actually being here?
Lindsay: I'd say yes. I feel like I go through periods of just like complete stagnancy, if that's a word. Coming here kind of like reawakens that side of me and just like brings out the magic again. And yeah, it's just a magical place. I don't even know how to describe it.
Kim: Here's an example. I just looked over there and saw mist in the trees and now I'm about to cry because ... (laughs) huge fucking tree. I know I"m laughing but I'm still about to fucking cry.
Lindsay: (laughing) I know, you'd think we're all on shrooms or something. (both laugh)
Kim: All I've had today is my caffeinated kool-aid. And not all of it. Is there anything you would like to see next year that you have not seen here?
Lindsay: Oh, that's difficult. Whew.
Kim: It's hard to think outside here when we're actually here.
Lindsay: Yeah. I can't think of anything.
Kim: Everything's here, what are you talking about? What could be missing?
Lindsay: (laughs) Yeah. Maybe just like... Oh, you stumped me.
Kim: Yeah, because we're still in it.
Lindsay: Yeah, I'm just, when you get here, you have the experience you have and it's hard to think of what you would actually want that isn't here already.
Kim: Yeah. Why should other people come here?
Lindsay: To shake yourself out of your comfort zone and really express yourself. Be the little kid that you once were that you're scared to be now because we a lot of times aren't given that space in our real lives, our default lives.
Kim: Or the kid you weren't allowed to be.
Lindsay: Yeah. Oh, fuck. (laughs)
Kim: Oh you're gonna make me cry again! Dammit! Well thank you for talking to me.
Lindsay: Thank you.
Kim: That's the last question. Bye!
Kim: Hi Alyssa, thanks for talking to me. Would you please introduce yourself and let everybody know who you are and what you do and where they can find you?
Alyssa: Absolutely. So my name is Alyssa. I am here setting up the cereal bar at Anahata's Purpose 2023. So excited to be here. You can find us at stefcerealbar.org. and we are basically just a non-profit who wants to feed people at no cost. Everyone should have access to food.
Kim: Yes, love it. How many times have you been here?
Alyssa: This is my second year.
Kim: What made you come this time?
Alyssa: The response that I got the first time, because the first, last year we did the cereal bar here too. And the outpouring, pun intended, of love and just appreciation for the cereal bar, it was just like, we got to make sure we come back here every year. And thankfully, Rachel, who runs the festival, is just such a big supporter of the cereal bar. And we can't thank them enough for letting me bring this little gem of an idea here for everyone.
Kim: I was really pleased that you were coming back too.
Alyssa: Good, thank you.
Kim: Not that I have anything to do with anything in the running of Anahata's. I was just really happy. What's been your favorite thing so far?
Alyssa: I think just getting to meet everybody. It's such a comfortable energy here. Everyone is just so accepting and it's like you don't even have to think twice about what a mess your hair probably looks like today, or you know...
Kim: Hello!
Alyssa: ...everyone it's just such a community, like the festival community and in general has changed my life. When I started going to festivals um just this this community, it's... I found my tribe, you know?
Kim: How do you think that Anahata's, I know you said festivals plural, but do you think this festival has changed your life at all?
Alyssa: I don't think, not yet, but I definitely can see myself coming back every year. It's such a beautiful atmosphere to be around and the people again. I just love all the people.
Kim: Yay! What is something you might like to see here next year that you didn't find this year?
Alyssa: I don't think that there's anything specific. I think it would be cool if there were more, like, campfire jams. Oh, I know, rain has a lot to do with that. Or maybe even like an open mic type thing, like in some of the downtime for people to take part in.
Kim: That would be neat!
Alyssa: Yeah! I don't know. I'm just a big fan of...
Kim: Like poetry jam stuff.
Alyssa: Yeah, you could do anything! You get up there and do standup.
Kim: You could, you know, like, Oh my god, I can't remember the word. A something act, variety, variety act.
Alyssa: Yeah, that'd be fun.
Kim: Why should people come here?
Alyssa: People should come here because this is such a great atmosphere to really dig deeper, and learn about yourself, and learn about new things, and there are so many great facilitators also that can help you do that. And so many have such a specific niche, and I think that's great. And you know they come from all over the place, so it's it's really such a great way to... to get experience from a lot of different people in a lot of different areas, but all in one place.
Kim: Awesome! Well thank you for talking to me.
Alyssa: Yeah, you're welcome!
Kim: And everybody come eat cereal and help feed everybody else.
Alyssa: Thank you.
Kim: Bye!
Kim: Katie, hello, welcome to Anahata's and this little mini podcast thing!
Katie: Hello Kim! Good to be here.
Kim: How many times have you been to Anahata's?
Katie: THis is my second year here.
Kim: Sweet.
Katie: Yes.
Kim: What made you come this time?
Katie: This time I came because I had an amazing experience last year, a life-changing experience last year, for sure. And this year I wanted to come back to the community, to the classes, to the land.
Kim: Yeah.
Katie: Everything here I was drawn to. And I just know that I'll be here every year that it's available.
Kim: Yay, me too. What has been your favorite thing so far?
Katie: My favorite thing so far was when I got here, and over the past few days, being able to spot people that I know that are just as excited to come up and say hi as I am, and feeling the intense community that has been built here.
Kim: Yes! Would you say that your experience last year has affected your everyday life and or your practice?
Katie: Oh absolutely! (laughs) I took away so much from last year that has helped me to be able to open up my personal self, and to deep dive into hard traumas that I have, and explore community and find peace in community and just love everywhere. It's going to be there forever and I know it. It's amazing. I will be here forever.
Kim: Is there anything that you haven't seen or that you wanted to see? Is there anything that you would like to see next year that you haven't seen here before?
Katie: No, I can't really think of anything yet. I'm so impressed with everything already. It's just, it's amazing. Everything here has been wonderful. All of the staff, the facilitators, all of the attendees, everything has been amazing so far.
Kim: It's been a really good year.
Katie: It has.
Kim: Why should people come here?
Katie: I believe people should come here if they're looking for a sense of purpose, community, healing, this can improve anybody's life. Like, tremendously improve anybody's life. And I recommend coming here even if you already feel like your life is fulfilled, or you don't. There is something here for every single person.
Kim: Even if it's just the food.
Katie: The food! Oh...
Kim: 'cause hello. Today's my favorite day. Today's pita day and I'm so fucking here for it. Well thank you for talking to me, and being on the show! Thanks, bye!
Katie: Bye!
Kim: Kailey, hello! Welcome to Anahata's even though it's the last day. How many times have you been to Anahata's Purpose?
Kailey: This is actually my first time here.
Kim: Yes, I was hoping for firsties. What made you come?
Kailey: I have a good friend named Kayla who co-signed this, when people asked about festivals in a Facebook event. And seeing all of the glowing comments and then looking at the schedule from last year, I was sold immediately.
Kim: Perfect! What's been your favorite thing so far?
Kailey: Healing not good enoughness.
Kim: Oh that's the feeling hurts one. No thank you.
Kailey: It was deeply transformative as a burned out gifted kid. It was a game-changer.
Kim: Preach. Are you a witch?
Kailey: I am, I think.
Kim: That means yes. So do you think you're going to take what you've experienced and learned here back home into your life and your practice, and if so, how will it change it?
Kailey: Absolutely. I have learned a lot of tools and really a furthering of skills I've been trying to learn by myself, but you really need a teacher and a mentor for some of those. So everything from Tarot to knot magic, which was an incredible class, really those daily practice kind of things. But then also just some actual healing and transformation in addition to the metaphysical, just throughout my daily life I think this has made me a better person.
Kim: Yep, that's why I keep coming back. Is there anything you didn't see on the schedule that you'd like to see next year?
Kailey: I would love to learn more about healing touch and healing energy work.
Kim: That would be interesting, like Reiki and sort of sort of massage maybe?
Kailey: Yes, Reiki, there was a body magic class that I wasn't able to make it to, but I also have been reading a lot of Dolores Krieger and her healing touch theories. So in addition to traditional Reiki practices, I'd be really interested in other healing modalities as well.
Kim: Why do you think people should come here?
Kailey: Because community is something that you can't go without. I've never had an experience of being with so many like-minded people.
Kim: You're gonna make me cry and you don't even know me!
Kailey: Even just the dancing at the stage, it's a type of free and seen that I have never felt before. You're gonna make me cry too! (laughs)
Kim: (crying) 'cause I forgot it's the last day, and I have to say goodbye to everybody. Fuck. (laughs) Anyway, that's why you should come.
Kailey: (laughs) Anyway, yes, that's why you should come.
Kim: Well thank you for talking to me, I will let you get back to packing, even though it's a sad thing. Thank you, bye!
Kim: Allanah welcome to Anahata's!
Allanah: Oh hey y'all.
Kim: Please introduce yourself, let everybody know who you are and what you do and where they can find you!
Allanah: I'm Allanah, I am the owner of Green Space Readings. (laughs)
Kim: Yes, you did just come from her. In fact her episode is coming out in... (counts) Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...)
Allanah: (gasps) I'm going to shit my pants.
Kim: Yay! I love that story. The end, bye! (Allanah laughs)
Allanah: Okay, see you guys later! Oh, but you can find me on instagram at greenspacereadings, and the interweb greenspace readings.com.
Kim: How many times have you been to Anahata's?
Allanah: This is my first time!
Kim: What made you come here?
Allanah: Um, you. And all of the Bees.
Kim: Ya dad?
Allanah: Yeah.
Kim: What has been your favorite thing so far?
Allanah: Okay. So my favorite thing so far has been when we got rained in that first night, and we all got to sit on the patio, and we all just laughed, and it was just so nice because it doesn't feel forced. Like you know I don't feel like I'm forced to have conversations, or like have awkward conversations. It was just nice to sit there and laugh and not have to talk to anybody, because everybody's just so much fun. I just-
Kim: Like our Marco group, except we're actually in the same porch?
Allanah: Yes!
Kim: So, do you feel like things that you've learned here so far will affect your life and or practice when you leave?
Allanah: Yes. Okay, so I took the basic Akashic records class and I am a person who falls asleep while meditating because I'm trash, but-
Kim: Don't talk bad about my daughter!
Allanah: (laughing) ...but that meditation blew my dick. It blew my mind. Like, that was the best meditation I've ever had.
Kim: Cool.
Allanah: Like, it was a whole, like, spiritual body experience. I cried. It was amazing. Yeah, it was amazing.
Kim: Awesome.
Allanah: And then your podcast live, that was great too, I loved it.
Kim: Really?
Allanah: Yes.
Kim: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! What are you going to bring home from this experience home to your practice and your life?
I think it's mostly gonna be for my life where, okay, so I also took the lucid dreaming class, and what really hit me was it's okay to be self-centered when it comes to yourself, just a little bit sometimes. It's okay to only worry about yourself.
Kim: Yes.
Allanah: Because, you know, I got three kids. And I'm always-
Kim: I do know.
Allanah: Ugh! And I'm always about my kids, my dude, my dog.
Kim: That's what society expects you to do, everybody before you.
Allanah: So I've been doing this, that job for the past eight years and that's been fun, but I've never taken the time to truly like be selfish about me.
Kim: That's not even selfish!
Allanah: I know it's not, but that's what I'm going to take back. That it's okay to be about me.
Kim: Good! So, what is something that you have not seen here that you would like to see next year?
Allanah: I don't know because I've loved everything I've seen.
Kim: What is something you can bring?
Allanah: Oh, what should I bring next year?
Kim: To the table.
Allanah: Oh, probably more snacks. (laughs)
Kim: No! No. Classes.
Allanah: Oh, classes.
Kim: Or events. Or art or whatever.
Allanah: So because I haven't seen everything, I feel like I can't really give, I can't really give that yet because I haven't seen it all.
Kim: That's fair. Why should other people come here?
Allanah: Because it's awesome and it's great and you get to cry everywhere Why should other people come here? Because it's awesome, and it's great, and you get to cry everywhere and nobody notices you. And you know what else? I found that I could leave my backpack pretty much everywhere, and nobody would steal my shit. Lisa left her shoes by the river for like two days and I'm pretty sure they're still there.
Kim: Lisa, I'm sure someone has your shoes by now.
Allanah: No, but seriously, every time you walk by somebody, Hi, how are you doing? How's your day been? What classes have you done? Are you excited? And I love that.
Kim: Thanks for talking to me again.
Allanah: Okay. Love you, bye!
Kim: Love you, bye!
Kim: Crystalina, hello.
Cristalina: Hi, Kim, how are you?
Kim: Really tired.
Crystalina: Same. Same.
Kim: Can you please introduce yourself and let everybody know who you are and what you do and where they can find you?
Crystalina: Yes! My name is Crystalina Mae, you can find me on my podcast called The Witchy Historian. On most streaming platforms, Spotify is the easiest. I also have a Facebook page, The Witchy Historian Pod Listeners, or Moonlit Shadows. You can search both of those. I am also an admin on the pod listeners page. Yeah, I do stuff on both of those occasionally, but I have a team of admin on Moonlit Shadows, so we have a few more things going on there. I also have an Instagram @witchyhistorian, and a TikTok @thewitchyhistorian. In real life, I'm a graduate worker at the University of Virginia. I am a gender historian and I focus on themes of femininity and queerness and how it intersects with faith practice.
Kim: Cool. How many times have you been to Anahata's Purpose?
Crystalina: This is my second year.
Kim: What made you come this time?
Crytalina: Because I came last year and my life completely changed and I was like, I'm never missing this again. I'm never not coming. So here I am.
Kim: What was your favorite thing this time?
Crystalina: Two things. I think my absolute favorite thing was actually connecting with people who I have built relationships with over the last year, and being able to share cabins with people that I know, and to have conversations and chill time with those people. But I also got to facilitate this year.
Kim: Yay!
Crystalina: Yeah, I facilitated altars and sacred spaces and it was just a really, really great experience to be able to share that with people.
Kim: Cool. How would you say Anahata's has affected your life and practice outside of physically being here?
Crystalina: The tools that I learn and the resources I gain coming here, the friends I make, they are now my chosen family. My family sucks. (laughs) So it helps to have those people that I can go to and that I can rely on. These are people that I talk to and I see, if not every day, close to it. I have gained knowledge about myself. My practice has grown. I've gained confidence in myself. I launched my podcast because I came here last year. So, I mean, this is kind of a trend now. A lot of people have really been able to step into their power and I'm a big testament to that. I was kind of that really strict, like, I'm going to just be a historian. I'm going to be a professor. And now I'm like there's so many ways that I can share my knowledge, and share both my practice and my education with people. I don't have to separate those two parts of my life. And that's something that I had been struggling with before I came here.
Kim: What is something that you haven't seen here that you want to see next year?
Crystalina: Hmmm. That's a good question, because Rachel does a really good job of kind of having a little bit of everything here. I would maybe next year like to see some of the facilitators every year, like the group that does the primal scream and the breathwork journey. Maybe do something, a short workshop that's a little more therapy based. Because I know they do a lot of therapy things. Maybe something a little more like 102 instead of 101 for some of those classes.
Kim: Yeah.
Crystalina: But like, in general, even going back to those kind of back to basics classes, even for those of us who've been practicing for a long time, is still so helpful. So I can't really say that I would definitively change anything that's actually here.
Kim: I feel like we still need the 101, but I would also like to mature past it a little bit.
Crystalina: Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Kim: Why should people come here?
Crystalina: Because this is where you will find your community. If you're having a hard time finding community, or if you're having a hard time finding your spot in your practice, or just connecting with people within your practice, especially if you're a solitary practitioner, this is the place to do it. The vibes are always real. Nobody will ever make you feel bad for crying or for laughing or for screaming, unless it's like two o'clock in the morning, but that's a whole other story. It's because we're sleeping. This is where your body and your mind and your soul come to rest and rejuvenate. And yes, you'll have the post-Anahata's come down, but you will still leave feeling refreshed and rejuvinated and filled up. And even if you don't get to go to every class that you have on your list-
Kim: You won't. Don't do that.
Crystalina: It's just not possible. Lower your expectations of yourself. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace. I think that's the biggest takeaway every year, is that Anahata's gives you room to give yourself grace and this is a space to do that in.
Kim: Well thank you for talking to me.
Crystalina: Thank you for having me.
Kim: Okay, bye!
Crystalina: Okay, bye! See you next year!
Kim: So Luke, hello.
Luke: Hello.
Kim: I found it. (laughs) Would you please introduce yourself, just to let people know who you are and where they can find you and what you do, if you want to tell them that.
Luke: Sure.Yeah, my name is Luke Bonecutter. I am a diviner and spiritual counselor based out of San Antonio, Texas. And yeah, I'm here at Anahata's, a long way away from home because my bestie is a bean. And she brought me after last year having been here, and realized Luke needs to be here. I'm teaching a Tarot reversals class here at Anahata's. My first class was awesome, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's. You can find me at mysticbardlux on Instagram. I also have Linktree. I have Patreon. I would love for you to come be a part of my divination community or just be a resource for you if you have questions about tarot or numerology or astrology or spirituality in general. I was doing my first class, Yoga for Deeper Meditation with Sage, and I'm sitting on my mat. We had already gone through the flow and we're in Savasana and just trying to, you know, relax into being a corpse. And I'm looking up at the sky occasionally because I don't always have to have my eyes closed for that. And I see all these trees facing up in the same direction, and I realize this is just a full picture of the tapestry that I have hanging above my bed. I am looking at the same thing that I'm always looking at when I wake up in the morning.
Kim: So you're home still!
Luke: I'm very much home.
Kim: This is everybody's heart home.
Luke: It's so comfortable here. It's so wonderful. So safe. That was like one of the first things that came to mind.
Kim: Yay!
Luke: Yeah.
Kim: What's been your favorite thing so far?
Luke: Oh my god. I have to say the connections. Everyone I've been meeting is an immediate friend. If not someone, and I can legitimately say I love them. Without it being like fake. You know what I mean?
Kim: Yeah, after my first Anahata's I started telling people I love them more. And meaning it.
Luke: It fills your heart so much. I did that-
Kim: I mean... it is the name! That's what it meant. (both laugh)
Luke: Yeah, exactly. Right. It does fill you up, that sense of compassion, community, and caring for one another. And this land, I mean, whenever we're on the land, I know this because of festivals in general, there's always like clear messages that come through and the land reflects it back for us. And if you don't do it, it's repeated. And yeah, one of those messages I feel like has definitely been like trust, and also removing expectations and assumptions. For me, at least personally. I think it's been amazing to see certain people and connect with them in ways I didn't think I would have.
Kim: Do you think this is going to affect your practice or your life once you leave?
Luke: Also a great question, because that was one of my intentions. In coming here I knew that there was a big focus on the physicality and I've been in very much in a static state, sedentary lifestyle and I wanted to incorporate more yoga for myself, but I'm very bookish about yoga. That's the thing. Like I love the philosophy, I love learning the language, I love learning all eight limbs and I've never had a great time comparing my body to others when it came to asana, so I have a hard time with like you know body dysmorphia and my body can't do that and I have different shapes and and and and and, right? We give ourselves excuses, but part of what me being here was I would like love to kick start my own personal yoga practice that feels right for me. That does things like helps me meditate deeper, helps me feel more balanced, less anxious, etc, so I know that that's already going to happen, that's going to affect my craft for sure. I also did a knot magic class with Margo. It slapped. It was mind-blowing. Like all the different historical contexts and details and things that you can do with knots that we use knots for. I was ready to buy a book after the first ten minutes.
Kim: What's something that you would like to see next year that you didn't see this year?
Luke: This might be weird, but I would love to see like smaller breakout groups. Like the classes that I've attended have been pretty large, which is great, but I think that we really thrive in intimate settings, and we go back and forth between like clique that we're running with, which is small and intimate, to like the workshops, which is large, and then like the large large workshops like the crowds and the rituals and the drum circles. So for me personally I thrive in kind of smaller environments, like a chamber ensemble if you will. Like five to seven groups or like people you know? But like imagine imagine taking like five people and going out and kayaking on the river and like... right? Like small things like that like intimacy intimate moments with nature, I think, in smaller groups. I would love to see more of that.
Kim: I actually like, that's one more reason I like the lodges, is because it's almost like six is the most.
Luke: Yeah.
Kim: And while I did love the cabin, and we did get really close really fast, that's 11 people!
Luke: It's a bunch, it's a bunch. Thankfully in my cabin we only have three... there's only like six of us.
Kim: That's good! Then you have enough room. Then nobody has to get on the bunk they don't want to.
Luke: Yeah and you can take the other pads and double up.
Kim: Oh my god yes, because those little tissue paper pads covered in vinyl.
Luke: I know. That's all it is.
Kim: Why should people come here?
Luke: People should come here for, I think, personal exploration through connection. Through connecting with other people, relationships act as our mirrors, especially in a place like this, where we're allowed to be our authentic selves. And when we show up fully, then we invite others to show up fully. And I feel like a community like this, where we all trust each other and there is safety, it's not common. It's very rare and it's very choice. And I think that this is a specifically curated event, incredibly well may I add, for those relationships, for everyone to be a mirror for each other, to hold one another, to reflect with one another. And there's just so much learning, there's so much love. It's it's always worth it for the learning and for the love.
Kim: It's my favorite thing of the year. More than my birthday.
Luke: Which is when?
Kim: May.
Luke: okay. Taurus or Gemini?
Kim: Taurus.
Luke: Cool.
Kim: Gemini Rising.
Luke: Gemini moon. Hey. My ex-roomie, my just-past roomie was Gemini rising. It's like, ya'll have one of those faces that invites everybody to talk to.
Kim: Is that what the problem is?
Luke: And they think you're friendly, is the thing.
Kim: And I'm also Aries moon.
Luke: Oh, so you're spicy!
Kim: You're right. I'll burn your house down. (both laugh) I will not burn anyone's house down, official declaration. Probably.
Luke: Probably. (both laugh)
Kim: Well thank you for talking to me!
Luke: Thank you, this was really cool.
Kim: I'm gonna go follow you on Instagram now. Okay bye!
Kim: Lyle, hello, welcome to the show and Anahata's! I know you've been here but I'm still saying it so it's Saturday morning would you please introduce yourself let everybody know who you are what you do where they can find you.
Lyle: I'm Lyle. I don't really have a business or anything, but I do like crochet and stuff. I'm just, I think I'm the only Lyle in the WBAH Facebook group. So that's me.
Kim: How many times have you been to Anahata's?
Lyle: This is my second year. Last year was my first.
Kim: What made you come this year?
Lyle: Just last year was so like peaceful and relaxing, and I like actually had fun and like learned things that I'd never thought I would learn. So it was like a very worthwhile experience to come back to.
Kim: What's been your favorite thing so far?
Lyle: Oh, I did the intro to energy class and the ground yo shit class. And I like, like, I always kind of ignore the fact that I'm really bad at those things, because it kind of makes me feel like I'm not a witch. And because like those are the basic things you do to start everything out, you know? Like anything you do you should ground yourself, you know, raise the energy. And I have such a bad time doing it. So like I did the classes and I was still struggling but then I like figured out like, oh everyone like grounds from earth, I ground from water. So like I'm learning things like that, so now I'm like, that's been the best part because it just makes the foundations of like my witchcraft stronger now.
Kim: Do you feel like Anahata's has affected your life, and/or your practice, outside of being here?
Lyle: Yeah, like I focus on like shadow work a lot through the last year and it was solely because I took the befriending the shadow class last year.
Kim: I didn't love that class. I didn't love taking that class.
Lyle: I cried so hard from that class! I still cry when I think about that class.
Kim: I feel that, I feel those feelings! I love when people laugh at my dumb jokes. That and when people say I'm right on the internet are my favorite things in the world. Is there anything that you didn't see in your past experiences that you would like to see next year?
Lyle: Oh, hmmm. That's a hard question.
Kim: It's unexpected, nobody's expecting that one.
Lyle: Wow, how long do I have to think? Can you repeat the question? I was talking to someone about this last night. I Haven't gone to many of the yoga classes, but when I see them, I don't see a lot of big-bodied yoga instructors It's that went to a yoga class and it's not that they don't Involve you, and they're always like oh like just do it to the best of your ability. It would be nice to see some my size doing yoga. Yeah, I still like my getaway and that's belly my boobs. They get in the way.
Kim: Oh, like downward dog, I'm smothering now.
Lyle: Yeah. They get in the way and it would be nice to see a bigger bodied person, like to see where they put their arms or how they position themselves. And I'm not saying anything bad about like the other yoga instructors. They're amazing. They're gentle. They're loving. And I like taking the one class I did take because I've been afraid of it. That's the other thing, you know. So I think that's the one thing.
Kim: Cool.
Lyle: If that's not too intense or rude.
Kim: I don't think it's rude at all, because we ask for what we need.
Lyle: Yeah. I think you'll find some class that surprises you that was, you know, maybe you were just nearby when it was going on so you decided to drop in but like...
Kim: See you later. Bye.
Lyle: Bye.
Kim: Hi Sabrina. Would you please introduce yourself if you want to. Tell people who you are, what you do, and where they can find you.
Sabrina: I am Sabrina Foglio. I am the known Sabrina from Tabitha's podcast, or Two Geminis and a Leo podcast. I'm Tabitha's sister.
Kim: What made you come to Anahata's this time, if it's not your first time?
Sabrina: Well, so, I've been coming for the last like three years. This is my third year. I wasn't... I was thinking about coming. I was also thinking about like not coming but then my sister's like no like you're coming, and She made me come. So I'm happy, I'm happy I'm here, it was definitely, I wish I was here longer. I'm only just only here today and tomorrow, so I'm...
Kim: Oh so that's why they celebrated when they saw you!
Sabrina: Yeah yeah. And honestly the universe was just like you should have gone earlier because everything was just like, so you should have been here before, like everything going on at like home was just like so stressed, it was like the worst week ever, and then I got here was like perfect. I'm like I should have been here sooner But yeah.
Kim: What's been your favorite thing so far even though you've only been here for 20 minutes? (both laugh
Sabrina: Breakfast, breakfast was really good.
Kim: What was it?
Sabrina: It was like eggs with a bunch of stuff in it. There was like mushrooms, beans, green beans. It was so good though. And then there was like strawberry pancakes. Those were so good.
Kim: Awww!
Sabrina: Did you miss breakfast?
Kim: I just... eating this early makes me nauseated.
Sabrina: Oh, okay.
KIm: How has Anahata's over all the times you've been to Anahata's. how has that affected your practice?
Sabrina: It's definitely encouraged me a lot more. And I try to do it at home, but like life kind of gets in the way. But like when I come here, kind of just like restarts it. And like, I will say Tabitha also helps me, kind of like she encouraged me to do it more.
Kim: Yes! We don't have that where I live! I forgot what it's like. Good. Has Anahata's affected your life in ways outside your practice?
Sabrina: Yeah, it's definitely like shown me to do a lot more, and like how to do it a different way. But yeah, it's definitely like, especially like with nature here, and it's definitely like it's shown me to more respect the world, and like Mother Earth, and especially down by the dock. It's just such a magnificent place and I told my sister, I'm like, we have to, I have to go say hello because I haven't.
Kim: You have to greet her!
Sabrina: Yes.
Kim: You have to.
Sabrina: Yes.
Kim: Is there anything that you, we didn't have this year that you would like to see next year?
Sabrina: I don't think so. I mean at least not on the top of my head. I might have to think more about that, maybe I will.
Kim: Why should people come here?
Sabrina: It's definitely a very welcoming area, and no matter what kind of person you are, or what you practice or what, so welcoming. And if you don't feel welcomed in like your community, you come here and it's just like everyone's your your friend and I love it so much. Because like I'll be honest like I don't have many friends like out in like the world like around me...
Kim: That you can touch.
Sabrina: Exactly, and here you can just give everybody a hug.
Kim: Yeah and it's just so nice. Well thanks for talking to me.
Sabrina: You're welcome.
Kim: I'm glad you came this year.
Sabrina: Thank you, me too.
Kim: Bye! Thank you!
Sabrina: Not a problem! Did I do okay?
Kim: You did great!
Kim: Steffanie hello, welcome to Anahata's. (laughs)
Steffanie: Hello!
Kim: How many times have you been to Anahata's?
Steffanie: This is my first time attending.
Kim: What made you come?
Steffanie: Well, a couple years ago I know the WBAG beans went and gave it high praise, and that was just as good as a vet to me. Last year didn't work out I think some job stuff, but this year, as the tree attacks us... what in the world?
Kim: Rude! The tree just shot a bunch of pignuts at us!
Steffanie: How dare they?
Kim: And it touched my boobs.
Steffanie: But yeah, it's my first time.
Kim: What has been your favorite thing so far besides this tree attack?
Steffanie: (laughs) Besides nature really communicating with us. You know, oh god, if I had to pick one, I... That's a hard one.I would say I really like, broadly speaking, I really like just the feel of everybody, the sense of belonging and acceptance.
Kim: Love it.
Steffanie: Yeah, just, I mean, you can tell everyone's definitely coming from different parts of the country, of the world, but also places in their lives as well. And we all kind of just mesh seamlessly. It's actually very nice.
Kim: Do you think that you're going to bring, have you found stuff yet that you will incorporate in your own practice and life after this?
Steffanie: I have. I have. There was a kind of water magic class that I took some lessons on, like whispering your troubles into a seashell and throwing it, chunking it into the water. Very cathartic. A grieving ritual that we learned about and experienced was very intense, but very eye-opening and welcoming. So, there's been a lot of really good classes so far that I'll be able to carry into the normal world once more.
Kim: Is there anything that you don't see on the menu, quote-unquote, that you'd like to see next year? Even if it isn't like a class, something else.
Steffanie: I would like, in terms of just general, I would like maybe a couple more vendors, couple more small businesses to support. I know that can be a very fine line between like, here's just enough, and oh my god, it's suddenly Texas Renaissance Festival, where everyone's selling something. But that would be a nice little push towards small businesses. In terms of the menu, or the classes, we did have that, there was a basics to channeling class. I would like to dive more into how to communicate with spirits and ancestors, or whatever you want to call them.
Kim: Yes.
Steffanie: Especially out in the woods like this, I feel like that is the perfect place.
Kim: (pauses) I don't know that I wanna do it in the woods. (both laugh)
Steffanie: We'll do it in broad daylight, if that helps any.
Kim: Who should come here?
Steffanie: Oh, god. I mean...
Kim: I asked the wrong question. (both laugh)
Steffanie: That's okay.
Kim: Hold on. Why should people come here?
Steffanie: Why should people... ooooo. You know what? If you're like me and you're looking for that sense of belonging and acceptance, this is the perfect taste of that to fill your cup. So, if you live somewhere that keeps making the news and not for the good reasons, you know, you know what I'm talking about? Anybody who wants to broaden their knowledge in this kind of field, in the spiritual field, in the magical field, and just kind of community feel to it. Anybody who likes outdoors. Because let me tell you, I mean this is glamping compared to what I've done, but this is not like we do not have AC up here in the north apparently which is... I'm from Texas. I mean oh up here I'm in Orchard Hills so at night it's in a cabin so it's nice, it's okay.
Kim: Well thank you for talking to me, and for coming.
Steffanie: Of course, thank you for interviewing me.
Kim: Jess, hello, good morning, happy Sunday.
Jess: Happy Sunday.
Kim: Can you please tell people who you are and what you do and where they can find you?
Jess: I am Jessica and with my husband Tim, we run Warpath Archery. We are a small, indigenous-owned, handmade archery business. We make bows, arrows, quivers. We also sell stone knives and work with other local artisans. And we also teach archery. And you can find us on the internet if you look up Warpath Archery.
Kim: Awesome. And how many times have you been to Anahata's Purpose?
Jess: This is year 4 for us.
Kim: That's so cool. What made you come this time?
Jess: Well, other than Rachel always inviting us back, we love it. It's just a very chill event. There are some excellent workshops. The grounds are fantastic, and we get to do what we like to do best, which is share what we make, what we do, and our love for archery.
Kim: And delightful knives.
Jess: And delightful knives, yes.
Kim: The one I bought, and I bought my niece one this year as soon as we got here. That's literally the first thing I did. (both laugh)
Jess: Yes, we are the official vendor of knives for Anahata's practice. (laughs)
Kim: What's been your favorite thing so far here?
Jess: My favorite thing here this year was, I actually got to shoot! Normally I am down in the shop while Tim gets to have all the fun on the range, but Saturday morning, no, Friday morning, Friday morning? Sorry, the days tend to run together.
Kim: I don't know days.
Jess: Friday morning we did a new class, which was an archery 201. So instead of a basics class, for people who have taken our basics classes in previous years, we made a slightly more challenging shooting range. So the targets were arranged a little differently, the angles were different, and it's closer to how we shoot as professionals when we go to tournaments.
Kim: I didn't know you did that as like professionally. That's cool. Also, my niece said this, the archery was her favorite thing this year. Do you feel like Anahata's has affected your life outside being here?
Jess: I have definitely gotten to know more people, so that has affected us in the outside world. Getting to know the locals, and the people who are part of the community that comes to enjoy Anahata's together. We have also been invited to events outside of Anahata's from people who have met us here. So that's always nice, being able to spread out more, do more, meet more people.
Kim: Is there anything that you haven't seen here that you'd like to see next year?
Jess: Oh, I would like to see more, I would like to see more nature work. There's a lot of grounding, there's a lot of spiritual work, there's a lot of emotional work, but with us being outside in this awesome environment with the trails, and the trees, and the stream nearby, doing a little more work on seeing what's directly in front of us. Because I feel like a lot of us get nature blindness, where you're so used to seeing grass on the ground that you don't realize in like a little one-foot square section, there can be like 10 different species. Or like yesterday, I found a salamander when I was fixing my sandal. It just crawled across my foot. I would like to be able to share that with more people.
Kim: Finally, why do you think people should come to Anahata's?
Jess: Oh, I think it is just a multi-sensory experience. There's the opportunity to talk. There's the opportunity to listen. There's the opportunity to be in silence. There's the opportunity to dance, to move, to be. And it's just great. And the community is great, the people are great, and the food is fantastic.
Kim: Absolutely. Well, thanks for talking to me, and everybody go find them on the internet immediately. Ok thanks, bye!
Jess: Bye!
Kim: Thanks for listening to this episode of Your Average Witch. You can find us all around the internet, on Instagram at Your Average Witch Podcast, Facebook groups/hivehouse, at youraveragewitch.com, and at your favorite podcast service. If you'd like to recommend someone for the podcast, like to be on it yourself, or if you'd like to advertise on the podcast, send an email to youraveragewitchpodcast at gmail.com. Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next Tuesday.