LivingLore is rooted

in an animist spirituality that understands folklore as the vibrant, dynamic vernacular of the landscape.

We seek an intentional way of life that comes from a deep and exacting awareness of the land we live in. We refer to this as our ‘field’. Whether this is the field of our ancestors or of our culture & kin, whether it is a landscape we adore or its newly planted inhabitant, we understand that deep kinship with our place aids us in being a force for good in the world. LivingLore offers small, open, experiential online classes in folk magic and seasonal traditions, celebrant consultation and personal divination with cards. Hannah is the founder and visionary for this covenant and she has decades of experience as a teacher, cunning woman, reader and researcher.

To grow a deep connection with our field, we work to live in its history and lore; we gather tools, inspiration and knowledge to make magic with our surroundings.

We work to trust our senses. We are attentive to the 5km radius around our primary place of being – our ‘home field’. Developing intimacy with this area, ensuring that we eat, sleep, live and dream with our hearts fixed to this place, we come to know its natural rhythms. We learn the subtle languages of our field, so that we can better communicate with all those who live there; corporeal and ethereal. And so understanding grows, connections are made, resources are shared. Just as the Oak shades the forest and the blackbird builds its nest, we find what feeds and sustains us. Purpose and magic thrive when we root in place.

We know magic to be poetic techniques and ancient technologies that allow us through the hidden doorways into a land dreaming, full with possibility. When we are aligned with our home field, we live in harmony with the emerging wildflowers or the flocking of birds. This is how we become capable of profound enchantment and personal transformation. Folk customs are magic’s language.

In our work, we uncover new/old touchstones for success. We immerse ourselves in old songs and lore; we learn from our history; looking to ease disharmony between our heritage and the customs of our landscape. Like the hare and deer, they can co-exist in quiet ambivalence or beautiful synchrony. We seek out our neighbours; plants, trees, animals, humans, spirits and others to better understand how our lives intersect.

Any magical attainment is marked by one who knows their home field, one who devotes time, effort and energy to the well-being of their community. We find allies in this practice and together create connected systems that span locales, regions, countries and beyond. We look for that which connects us, practicing deep kindness toward the land and her history. This attitude of kindness is the sustenance of field work.

How you choose to work with ‘the field’ is determined by your strengths and preferences. Some do this through activism and community involvement. Some through devotional practices. Others through foraging, growing and cunningcraft. Some may create great works in their field whilst others draw from the watershed to make a simple life filled with beauty and mystery. ‘Field workers’ live in the magical ecotone – the place between the everyday and the unseen world of the field. Where we live, what we earn, who we love, matters not. We are the edge dwellers and the approach and the work is the same. This is earth sorcery.

Hannah Sanders - June 2022