Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaewyn & Jory Dragonsong.
Hi Kaewyn & Jory, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story begins in Denver where we fell in love. Jory & I met at my shop Herbs & Arts in 2003. Over the next 2 years we became the best of friends. In July of 2005 we had our first kiss and have been together ever since. ( That love story is another interview unto and of itself)
In 2012 our beautiful son was born. I spent 18 months being immersed in his rhythms, slowing down and learning how to be fully present with another human in a way I had never experienced. .It was a Blessing to have that time with him and I knew I wanted a life where we could be engaged in that way more often than not. We had always dreamed of raising him in a multi generational community closer to Nature and now it was time. We began looking for our new home,searching all over the country. No matter where we went, how beautiful it was or how kind the people, Colorado kept calling us back.
A lot happened in those years, a housing crisis, a crazy election, a pandemic, and the city changed dramatically.
The shop was the center of our community and the place where I felt like I was truly living my purpose in service to Spirit. Nothing was wrong, we had a beautiful life .We had spent two decades in full service to our community providing herbal and wellness consultations, spiritual counseling, and teaching everything from esoteric wisdom to healing arts. We sponsored festivals, taught at herbal conferences, and travelled to extraordinary magickal places to do ceremony. They were amazing years that we will both be forever grateful for, but we knew we had more to do out in the world. We knew we needed to find a place where we could slow down and deepen our connection to Spirit while creating sacred space for ceremony, healing and celebration . A place where everyone was welcome. A place where we cultivated the same energies that were present in our community in Denver; safety, love, and belonging.
We thought we would end up on the Front Range closer to the life we had built, but Spirit had other plans for us. We were called to the Western Slope of Colorado and for the past 5 years we have been living on the South facing slope of the Grand Mesa. Our home is called Dragonsong Sanctuary and it is pure magick. We are on 40 acres of old growth Juniper, Pine, and gambel Oak trees at 7000ft above sea level. Our views past the wildflower filled meadow and forests are of the San Juan and West Elk mountain ranges. Delta and Montrose sparkle in the distance like tiny faerie lights while the Milky Way shows off all summer directly above us. The forest brings a deep and profound peace to our days and nights chitter with the sounds of owls, foxes, and the whispers of larger creatures prowling their territories. It is a place of healing, a place of beauty, and a place worth sharing. This is why we decided to open Dragonsong to the greater community. We wanted a place for healers and practitioners to come and heal as well. The world is asking so much of all of us right now, those doing the work need a place to stop, connect to the earth, be nourished and nurtured, and refill their wells. We run intimate retreats that focus on individual needs and make sure they are accessible and affordable. Having a shop on Colfax for 20 years and working with low income and at risk populations helped us to fully understand that the work we do NEEDS to be accessible. Those that often need these retreats most cannot afford them. Everyone deserves a chance to rest, heal, and reset. EVERYONE.
We have been keeping ourselves busy honing our vision.We helped start a School of Magick in Paonia. Jory is teaching Taiji, Qi Gong, meditation, and Taoist alchemy from Cedaredge, to Paonia ,and over the mountain to Carbondale. He also goes back to Denver every other month to teach workshops at our wonderful friend’s community accupuncture clinic. We have fully commited to being the caretakers of the forest and all the Beings who call it home. To nourish and nurture all who find their way to this magickal place. We are enjoying all of the spectacular art, music and natural beauty of Western Colorado.
We started a non-profit called Opening the Way, from Seed to Spirit, that focuses on regenerative agriculture, education, and empowerment. We received our first grant this summer and are on the way to becoming a demonstartion site for high desert food forest cultivation. I am still doing herbal and wellness consultations, and we have our apothecary, Mamabear Medicinals, in our home now. So instead of a shop I help folks at Farmer’s Markets, coffee shops and drop into deep conversations at local events that inevitably end up with me delivering teas or salves to someone the next day.
When we’re not helping out in the world we spend our days lifeschooling our son, caring for our beloved elders, and welcoming those who find their way to us.
We have had beautiful people come and be here for a month to over a year. We had a lovely family with us for 14 months and the brave and beautiful mama birthed their 3rd incredible child here. A little girl named Juniper. Now that house has been renamed Juniper House and is ready for travelers and retreats.
Morning are my favorite. We sit on the porch with our coffee looking out over the mountains, forest, and our StarLily Temple tent. We discuss plans for the future site of the permanent Goddess temple, calling it into reality. It love that it feels closer to it’s manifestation every day. Deer and wild turkeys wander through the meadow as hummingbirds take turns claiming the feeders as their own. Our wild forest cat stalks grasshoppers and the breeze plays our chimes, sometimes as sweet as a lullabye and other days the wind rolls in like thunder making it sounds like a full orchestra. Sunsets are equally gorgeous, the light showing the layers of dessert and canyons and the Alpen Glow radiating off the snow covered peaks of the San Juans.
It took us a long time to finally make our way here, but we never stopped moving toward our dream. I am proud of us for that. We are creating a beautiful life here on the side of this mountain. Life is sweet and we are grateful everyday.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am still learning the art of slowing down.. I went from 110 miles an hour to 15mph. That has been quite an adjustment for someone who is used to being engaged most of the time! I knew leaving the shop and our community would be a difficult transition for me. While I lovelovelove Nature I am an extrovert who adores other humans and was raised in urban areas and the excitement of the city. Jory grew up in wild places and has always loved being immersed in the peace of the forests and traveling to sacred sites across the globe. There are still days where I miss my Front Range community, the diversity, the abundant food choices and excitement. When we first arrived I definitely felt isolated. I would say that we lived in the middle of nowhere. I don’t drive and our town is 15 min away while many of the events we go to are in Paonia, which is an hour drive. Now, 5 years later, I say that we live in the middle of everywhere.
It has been an wonderful shift in perspective for me. Spirit is still helping people find me who need me, just at a much slower pace and with more time to really drop in and go deeper. Denver is only a quick and beautiful 4 1/2 hour drive over mountains and across rivers. We have done it so often, that it goes by with ease now. I also find that after a few days in the hustle and bustle of the city and traffic I am ready to be home!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We have unique jobs.
Jory has been teaching Taiji, Qi Gong, Taoist Alchemy, meditation and esoteric wisdom for over 25 years. He is a teacher that is fully living his practices as part of his spiritual path. Jory is devoted to his family and his students. When he is with you , he is fully present and you can feel it. It is one of his many gifts. Jory also shares his wisdom through rune readings, medicine making ,spiritual counseling and ceremonial arts.
I have spent the last 25 years honoring the Goddess and celebrating nature based traditions, practicing herbalism, medicine making, creating magickal aromatherapy blends, doing spiritual & wellness counseling, and sharing ceremonial arts.
Together we teach, host retreats, support, nourish and nurture our clients (friends) and create a space for people to connect deeply with the heart of Nature and with themselves. The journey within can feel overwhelming on your own. Having a safe, sacred, and supportive space to do your inner work is vital.
What are we most proud of?
We are most proud of our continued commitment to nurture love and understanding in this world. To do it with kindness, compassion, and joyful hearts. To share the best parts of ourselves with our community and to continue to grow as individuals and as a family. We also feel blessed to have helped thousands of people find hope, inspiration, healing, and move forward in their lives with confidence. Every person we connect with helps us to grow as well. It is a beautiful circle of healing reciprosity.
What sets us apart?
I think it is who we are and how we show up. We believe in fully celebrating life, finding the balance between mirth and reverence. You will recive our years of wisdom and then we may recommend a spontaneous dance party.
We also don’t candy wrap our reflections. We are honest and kind, but we are direct. That is also part of our Gen X nature. Don’t ask us if you don’t want to know what we’re really thinking.
We don’t feel the need to try package what we do in fancy marketing. We are actually pretty terrible at marketing, lol. Our sweet millenial friends cringe when we say that and try to help, but I guess we’re a bit old fashioned that way. One day I will update our website….oneday.
We believe that the people who are meant to find us will and we open ourselves to those experiences. Check out the website, ( www.dragonsongsanctuary.com) call and talk to us, and, if it feels right make your way to the forest. It is our deepest desire to provide a sense of safety, love and belonging for everyone who arrives at Dragonsong. We joke that we’re the island of misifit toys, but for people. So please, come just as you are. There’s no judgement here. Everyone is welcome.
We are all healing.learning, and growing. Let’s do it together.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one to answer. I feel like I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I love something I am certainly going to be excited and share it with you. Sharing is one of my absolute favorite things to do!
Oh! I know. I was in the world’s absolute worst dinner theater production in my early 20’s in Gatlinburg Tennessee. I did musical theater for years because I love to make people laugh and smile, but they weren’t all great shows. lol
In my mid 20’s to 30’s we had a music production company called Eclectic Groove Therapy. I moved into the back end of production work, making venues beautiful, supporting artists, sponsoring festivals & non profits and sharing our love of ceremony with our arts communities. We were part of the Peak Experience production crew for the String Cheese Incidents festivals in North Plains Oregon at Horning’s Hideout for many years. MOST FUN EVER. It was one of my favorite chapters our life. We are still festivarians at heart and we get out to see live music whenever we can.
As for Jory, I would say something people might not know is how silly he is. The work he does in the world is transformative, but at home and with friends he is super silly. We are also part of the PBS children’s show Enchanted Planet. We are blessed to be the puppeteers for their Forest Friends segment and he loves it! It is something we do as a family. This year I’m excited to be able to write the scripts for our roles. Season 3 should be super fun!
Pricing:
- Jory rune reading $75 for 90 min
- consultations with Kaewyn are by donation, suggestion $50-150 for 2-3hrs
- Dragonsong Sanctuary retreats are individually priced and we will ALWAYS find a way to make it affordable for you. call for details.
- Jory’s Taiji & Qi Gong classes are $10-$30 sliding scale
- Jory’s Qi Gong 2 day retreats are $150-$300 sliding scale
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dragonsongsanctuary.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555175086838
