The Cavewoman Way
Michelle Rigling, PhD
Chattanooga, TN
The Storyteller's Apothecary
Poetry & Stories
Mythopoetic Groups
Folklore Immersions
Annual 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.
2025 Writing & Story Events
Recipes, medicines, and cocktails are known to transform with muddling. Stories do too.
~Kris Spisak​​
The Winter Garden
The Storyteller's Apothecary
January 28, 2026
VIRTUAL | 7pm - 9pm ET
“Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots down there are riotous.” ~Rumi​
Winter invites us to tend to the magic and medicine that only grows in the dark. We are asked to trust the path that is unfolding, even if we cannot see the blooms yet. In our January circle, we will weave poetry, story and seasonal lore into writing and group discussion. Have a notebook or journal handy and consider bringing a candle to light with us as an opening ritual.
Investment: $25
Recordings are not provided. However, we will email the writing prompts if you miss the event.
WILD WRITING & PLANT POEMS
FREE WORKSHOP
February 12, 2026
VIRTUAL | 7pm - 9pm ET
This FREE writing workshop is being offered to inspire stories, poems and other works that highlight plants, mushrooms, nature and/or folk medicine traditions.
This workshop is being offered in partnership with The Wild Medicine Conference to support those wanting to submit original writings to The Wild Companion book we are creating this year.
There will be prompts for inspiration, and opportunities for feedback. Bring a piece you have been working on OR bring a blank page and work with one of our wild medicine prompts (or both)!
Open to ANYONE! You do not have to be a conference attendee to join us.
Stories & Videos
I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories from your life—water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom. That is the work. The only work. ~Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Grandmother
{Wolf} Spider
Told by Michelle Rigling
Mythopoetics & Storytelling
with Michelle Rigling, PhD
The Fox Woman
Told by Martin Shaw
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.