About our Logo...
          Since the inception of CraftWise  in 1993, our logo has always featured an Owl. As the event has grown and evolved, so the logo, and the Owl, has grown and evolved.  A few of our more artistically talented Faculty have gifted CraftWise  by creating new logos as our event evolved.  In the beginning, we used the Barred Owl; small, fleet, and silent, but wise in the ways of new beginnings and survival.
         We turned to Robin Wood (The Robin Wood Tarot and Robin Wood Art) for a more refined and elegant representation of  'our owl'. Pictured in profile, carrying a olive branch and with the year  cunningly worked into the leaves on the branch, this design first became a metal-embossed pin and pendant, in gold on a black field.  Then it was cast into silver pendants which were a joint effort between Robin and Kirk McLaren (Amulets by Merlin).
          Along the way, Ted Andrews provided the insight that the Screech Owl is the only Owl that lives in Community---and so we evolved again.
         During the years, we were blessed to have Nybor ( Nybor's Art) design a number of owl designs, featuring different owls, which we had made into stunning t-shirts.   When we looked to differentiate between CraftWise and CraftWise in the Woods, Nybor graciously designed a jaunty heron for the 'Woods', an echo of the 'four o'clock heron' that flies over our campsite in the afternoon.

        In April of  2004, Frank & I met our newest, and probably ultimate, icon---the Eurasian Eagle Owl. The largest owl species in the world, the Eurasian Eagle Owl is a majestic predator with probing, neon orange eyes and claws as large and sharp as an eagle. Silent, focused, and intelligent, it is capable of taking down an antelope. This magnificent owl provides a brilliant mascot and guide for CraftWise College Events, as we move into the realm of advanced energy studies.
           This year, we asked one of our long-time Faculty and talented artist, Grtechen Schork, to put on paper the concept for a CraftWise College crest that the Faculty, and Frank & I, had been discussing. Working closely with Gretchen, using ideas from us and several of our Faculty, the crest on the home page of this web site (and above) is the beautiful result.
         I was informed that it was up to me to come up with the significance of the concept and of the parts of the crest.....saying "because it feels right" or "because I like it that way" just wasn't going to cut it :).  Expressing in words what was felt or intuited was an intriguing journey.....        

A Rationale for the CWC Crest, circa 2006

Banner--

Shades of Blue for Change, Growth, and Clarity- It carries our name proudly and with grace. The Elements are arranged in natural order; in many traditions, the Elements are called in this classic order: East (Air), South (Fire), West( Water), North(Earth), and Spirit (Center). At CWC, however, we usually call Earth (North) first, and then proceed to the other Elements. We do this because we like to establish a solid foundation for ritual work. While CWC is in session, you can expect to see many variations from the “usual” method of doing anything!  Each Diamond is bordered by the colours of all 4 Elements; this represents the prescence of all of the Elements in each Element, with Spirit being implied.

 

Air Diamond-- Sky and Clouds—

 

Mental Clarity, Moving through the Clouds of the Mysteries, appreciation of Light and Shadow (sun & clouds), as in the Sword suit of the Classic Tarot, moving through the clouds also represents moving through difficulties and obstacles. We seek Illumination, the Path of Golden Light.

 

Fire Diamond— Flames--

 

Passion for Knowledge, passion for Learning, passion to pursue Wisdom. Fire also represents the Light of Service to Community, the Flame which burns continuosly, symbolizing steadfast and selfless sacrifice for the betterment of the Community first, and then for the betterment of Self. To gain access to the path of the Mysteries we must relinquish selfish pettiness and burn away trivial concerns. In surrendering our Self, we gain our Self—and more.

 

Water Diamond—The Lotus-

 

Symbol of Spiritual Attainment and Serenity, Water represents Change and growth, inexorable as the waves eroding the shore. Diving to the depths, we push ourselves beyond our perceived limits to confront our most secret fears and cherished dreams. We become more flexible, facing challenges. To gain true understanding of the Mysteries, we must release our fears and our hopes----for our own plans often fall short of the wonders the Universe actually holds in readiness for us at the end of each Journey.

 

Earth Diamond-- The Lion in the Forest--

 

The Earth is our laboratory, our Foundation, our Strength. The Lion is the Symbol of Strength, of Courage, and a fierce and Ancient protector of Knowledge, as evidenced by the Sphinx. The Lion is the personal guardian of Frank & myself; as well as an ideal to which we aspire. We are the facilitators of this concept, and of this event; it is a responsibility we take very seriously.

 

Spirit Diamond -- The Candle and the Scroll—

 

Knowledge produces questions, which produces knowledge, which produces more questions. It is an endless spiral, a Quest which leads us ever on….. The Candle both illuminates our path and is itself Enlightenment, drawing us closer to our goal, and allowing us glimpses of the Mysteries beyond our present grasp. It is the hope of further, future Enlightenment.

 

The Owl--

 

From the Barred Owl of our beginnings, to the Screech Owl ( the only owl that lives in Community), to our current Owl, The Eurasian Eagle Owl: the Owl has always been a creature charged with mythos and meaning. In some cultures, the Owl was seen a messenger of Death (which can be Change), in some cultures the Keeper of Wisdom and Guide on the Path of Knowledge. For us, it is both a Messenger and a Guide. From its perch, it warns us of the perils and sacrifices; and it beckons us to Enlightment……

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Organizer  Bios

Cate Dalton

            Cate has been a Respiratory Therapist for almost 29 years…….,.She completed a university course of study in Polysomnography (sleep studies), designed to augment her 2 years of on-the-job training in the Greenwich Hospital Sleep Center.

          Cate has been CraftWise and CraftWise College Events co-coordinator, with her husband, Frank, since the beginning of CraftWise in 1994. She does the scheduling of lectures, engaging  Speakers/Faculty, and putting together The CraftWise College Events Program.

           She has lost faith, lost heart and even lost control, but she is fortunate enough to have a husband who bolsters her resolve, and friends-who-are-family who keep her on the straight-and-narrow. She has worked officially (and unofficially) in first aid and safety at Brushwood for 14 years, and has done similiar work and lectured at other events in the Pagan/Wiccan/Metaphysical Community.  She sings for her own pleasure and everyone else’s amusement (usually country music), and has recently begun to learn to drum, which she bangs on for stress relief and to make a loud noise. Her Native American name is “Wades-Through-Cats”; the reason is obvious to many of her friends and family.  The most important lesson she has learned from CraftWise and CraftWise College Events is that Grey Hair makes people think they should listen, and bestows upon the owner of the Grey Hair “intestinal fortitude”. She loves her Family, Friends-Who-Are-Family, and her Cats to distraction, and eats mint chocolate chip ice cream because she can.

 

Frank Dalton III

Frank Dalton, known as “Mr. D” to the members of the Jonathan Law High School marching and concert bands for 8 years, has been the primary Organizer of all CraftWise and CraftWise College Events since we began planning the first CraftWise in 1993. Frank has done much of the work, helping to oversee all aspects of these events. In July of 1999, after a successful CraftWise in the Woods, Frank had a severe hemorrhagic stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his right side, and severely affecting his ability to communicate. Over the past seven years, he has worked very hard  to walk again, use his right arm and hand, and learn to communicate his ideas and dreams for us all. His magical ability has not wavered, and he now continues energy work in Service to Deity and our Community. Frank has fine-tuned the newest incarnation of CraftWise, CraftWise College, has helped to plan the program, choose Faculty, caught mistakes, reminded us of how things should be done, and he will continue to oversee our work. He has always been the driving force behind this event; even when our hearts faltered and our dreams seemed impossible, Frank has been our abiding Flame, lighting the way through some of our darkest moments.

He has kept the CraftWise dream alive; the dream of a place where everyone lays aside their differences,  comes together to learn and share, acheiving growth through the conquering of personal challenges,  so we may all grow in Spirit.