The Storyteller's Apothecary
Monthly Stories
Mythopoetic Circles
Folklore Immersions
Winter Storytelling Retreat
In the Storyteller's Apothecary, we gather to reawaken our mythic imagination and deepen into our own journey through poetry, folklore, and storytelling. We share old stories and new stories. We practice the art of mythopoetics. We let stories work on us and inspire us to remember our own magic. We engage in writing as a sacred ritual and as a portal to Soul. In 2025, we will host ongoing virtual circles, seasonal folklore immersions and a winter storytelling retreat.
2025 Stories & Videos
January Story (2025)
Grandmother {Wolf} Spider
Told by Michelle Rigling
Mythopoetics & Storytelling
with Michelle Rigling, PhD
2025 Writing & Story Circles
Virtual Storytelling & Writing Circle
"Of Seal Skins & Fox Fur"
March 18 | 7 - 9pm ET
All Adults Welcome
Access: $20
During March's storytelling circle we will work with the classic myth, Kópakonan (Seal Woman) and look at the ways this timeless archetypal journey of reclaiming and rewilding shows up across the world. We'll open and close with some of these stories and use them as inspiration for writing and telling our own. If you have ever felt the call (or whisper) of the wild, this topic is for you!
Immersions & Retreats
Council of Bones La Loba Glampout
Fall 2025
An immersive and wild dive into the story of La Loba among the unique canyonlands of the Southeast!
The Storyteller's Apothecary Retreat
December 4 - 7, 2025
Join us under December's Storytelling Moon for a weekend of writual, seasonal enchantments, and fireside storytelling.
“If your daily life seems of no account, don’t blame it; blame yourself that you are not poetic enough to call forth its treasures.”
-Rainer Maria Rilke
Questions & Curiosities
Do I need writing experience?
Absolutely not! We are not focused on technique here and we spend a good bit of time breaking the rules. Come stir up some trouble with us!
What is Writual?
Engaging in writing as a ritual = writual. We honor writing and storytelling as a pathway to a more soulful life and as a way to explore the stirrings, callings, and curiosities of heart and soul.
What does mytho-poetic mean?
A mythopoetic approach is about deepening and re-enchanting one's life through poetry, myth, and imagination. Mythopoetic language recognizes that our modern style of communicating lacks the mystical and soulful lexicon of older times and encourages us to engage in a deeper, more ancient way of conversing. Thinking and speaking mythopoetically connects us to the natural world and inspires us to notice the wild and magical invitations already present within our own lives.
What happens at a virtual circle or workshop?
Virtual circles and workshops are typically inspired by a story we have shared, or they focus on a specific mythopoetic technique. The facilitator will offer reflections or a teaching related to the theme and then guide writing and/or storytelling activities. A variety of deepening practices may be weaved into the experience such as visualization, mirroring, active imagination, or song. There is an opportunity to share our own stories and we usually end with a soulful and stirring poem.
What happens at an Immersion?
Immersions are an opportunity to experience and engage with the themes of a myth or story through actively interacting with Nature, Mystery and Soul. Immersions offer a blend of wild wanders in nature, council circles, reflective activities and (of course) storytelling. Immersions are more intense and, well, immersive than a retreat.
What happens at the Storytelling Retreat?
Our annual storytelling retreat will be cozy, restful and enchanting. There will be folklore themed meals, writing circles and other creative activities, plus a Winter Solstice inspired evening of fireside storytelling.