The Origins of Antlers
A Tale of Two Rabbit Holes
The Spark: Awakening the Talisman
It began with a fascination — how a piece of jewelry can become a talisman. Not just decoration, but a vessel for intention, a keeper of spirit. I wondered: what can we do to awaken that power, to breathe life into metal and stone?
Then came the first rabbit hole. A friend, Jennifer Lutin, sent a link: The Hidden Lore of Ancient Metalsmithing.
Fire roared. Bellows breathed. The molten metal sang with the sound of drumming. In my mind’s eye, I saw dancers moving in rhythm, the air alive with ritual. I imagined a sacred space forming around the forge — energy raised, shaped, and sealed as each talisman was born from the fire. That vision would not leave me. It became a calling.
The Vision of Elen
The second rabbit hole opened with a single question: “Where is the Horned Goddess?”
That question sent me searching, and there she was — Elen of the Ways. At first, she appeared in art — graceful, ancient, guiding through the wild paths. Then she began to visit my dreams, whispering designs and revealing patterns.
For two weeks I created without pause — sketches, symbols, and woven lines. Then came a full week at the bench: fire, metal, breath, offering. Two necklaces emerged, elaborate and alive with her presence.
The Evolution of Antlers: An Eco-Pagan Circle
From that initial spark of artistic devotion, Antlers was born. While Elen remains my deeply personal patron and guiding light as the founder, our tribe has grown and evolved into a broader, shared path.
Today, Antlers is primarily an Eco-Pagan and animistic community. We do not expect or require any member to walk with Elen or follow a specific deity. Instead, our shared focus is on the living land beneath our feet. We are a gathering of artists, ritualists, and seekers united by a mutual commitment to honor the local nature spirits, protect the environment, and give back to the Earth that sustains us all.
