This is a journey for women into a profound relationship with stories, women's stories. This may be a step on your path to becoming a storyteller, or simply a way to come into a deeper connection with the timeless wisdom of myths and folktales. The outcome doesn’t matter. It’s the spell cast by the relationship with a story that is paramount here: being allured by it, dancing with it, allowing it to work its magic and allowing it to story you.

Cyfarwydd, (pronounced: cuv-ahrr-oeth) the title of this course, is the Welsh (Brythonic~old British) word for storyteller. The root of the word means to give guidance. Furthermore, the word is one and the same as the old Welsh (Brythonic) word for magic. Storytelling then, may have been considered a kind of enchantment;  narrative spells that transport the listener to a place where the deep truths of the tale can work magic on listening ears, on an open heart, on the receptive soul.

What past participants have said:

"It is so much more than a storytelling course. It has been a personal and creative odyssey! ~ Carol

"This has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. I found my voice and rediscovered myself too. Thank you. ~ Beth

"I loved this course's way of exploring the medicine of stories. It helped me open a creative door I've held shut for a long time. ~ Anne

"Thank you very much for the beautiful, intriguing, challenging Cyfarwydd storytelling course! I am so very glad that I signed up! ~ Maureen

"There is always a surprise, I think this is one of the most beautiful courses I have been on. ~ Delia

"Absolutely wonderful! I loved this journey. ~ Sharon

The aim is to help you dance with story; to lift a tale from the page, maybe to tell it, maybe to work with it and allow it to work on you. There are many reasons why you might want to tell stories. The process is alchemical. The audience could be family, friends, a community of women, the dog, cat or gerbil, or the land itself as part of deep work re-storying and honouring the landscape. And perhaps you don’t want to tell at all. Perhaps you just want to embody the story, have it live with you, and work its enchantment upon you. But to be clear, this isn't a writing course; we will be following the oral storytelling tradition here - though you may find, as past participants have, that it supports and inspires your writing and other creative endeavours.

These sessions will be held online in a safe, nurturing space, so you can find your voice, kindle your creativity, grow your skills, inspire projects or simply follow your whims into story depths. We will leave judgment at the door, gather over hot brews and herbal drinks, look deep into the story cauldron and taste the inspiration within. There will be laughter. There may be tears. Friendships will kindle and stories will be shared and the heart-hearth will be forever warmer for it. The stories of women will be served and shared and heard in all the worlds.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Six sessions over three months. 2 hours per session, Tuesdays 6.30pm -8.30pm GMT

COST

£190. £90 deposit (non refundable) secures your place, balance to be paid by 29th April.  This covers tutoring for each session, course notes, videos of the sessions for you to watch again or catch up if you miss a session,  and story materials for your use.

SESSION DATES AND THEMES

Session 1. Tuesday 30 April, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Finding the story bones

Session 2. Tuesday 14 May, 6.30 - 8.30pm GMT

Fleshing the bones

Session 3. Tuesday 7 28 May, 6.30pm - 8.30pm GMT

Singing a story into relationship

Session 4. Tuesday 11 June, 6.30pm - 8.30pm GMT 

The Magic of Meaning

Session 5. Tuesday 25 June, 6.30pm - 8.30pm GMT

Weaving ourselves with story

Session 6. Tuesday 9 July 6.30pm - 9pm GMT

In service to story

The tutoring elements of the sessions will be recorded and available to course participants.