Wild Women & The Hunter Turned to Stone with Katy Cawkwell
Guest: Katy Cawkwell - Professional storyteller, host of Artemis Storytelling events
Episode Summary
Sarah opens with a vulnerable prayer about abundance and visibility, inspired by the fruiting trees of autumn - sharing bruised gifts without hesitation. Through a series of funny mishaps (including being caught naked on her landing by Avalon Cloaks’ founder Susie), she weaves toward deeper questions about women, power, and age.
The episode centers on a backstage conversation with touring storyteller Katy Cawkwell, who shares the haunting Dartmoor legend of Bowerman and the Wild Hunt - a tale of hubris, mysterious women, and a man turned to stone for disrespecting the sacred. It’s a perfect threshold story for the thinning of the veil as we approach Samhain.
Key Themes
Seasonal Abundance & Vulnerability Sarah reflects on the trees’ generous giving - sharing all their fruit, bruised or perfect - and her own prayer to do the same with her work and gifts.
Lilith & Untamed Feminine Power Brief mention of Katy’s solo show about Lilith - Adam’s first wife who refused to submit - connecting to the episode’s theme of powerful women who won’t be tamed.
Finding Your Storytelling Voice Katy shares how she moved from nervously following traditional versions to confidently adapting stories, trusting that “the story is stronger than all of us.”
The Sacred Feminine & Wild Women The Bowerman tale features mysterious women performing rituals in the woods - a powerful image of feminine power that punishes masculine arrogance and disrespect.
Threshold Time & Stones That Move Sarah adds her own reflection after the story: at this threshold time approaching Samhain, “the very rocks under our feet can come alive and very places within us can turn to stone.” Everything has magical resonance when the veil is thin.
The Story: Bowerman and the Wild Hunt
Katy beautifully tells this Dartmoor legend about a boastful hunter who disturbs a coven of women performing rituals around a fire while chasing a hare. The hare-woman leads him on an exhausting night-long chase across the moors until dawn, when the mysterious women turn both Bowerman and his dogs to stone. The rocks still stand on Hayne Down and Hound Tor - and some say they move on autumn nights.
Locations mentioned: Hayne Down, Hound Tor, Dartmoor (Devon)
Katy Cawkwell’s Work
Current Tour: “Wild Visions, Untamed Myth” with Lucy Lill
* Greek mythology double bill
* Katy’s half centers on Artemis
* Lucy’s half features Cassandra
* Derby (next week from recording)
* Rural Northumberland (mid-October)
Solo Show: “The Story of Lilith”
* Exploring the first wife of Adam who refused to submit
Background:
* Host of Artemis Storytelling events in Exeter for 5 years
* Featured on Radio 3 and Radio 4
* Performed at festivals across Iceland and Europe
* Developed lockdown work through outdoor storytelling in Devon parks
Resources Mentioned
* Folkloric Map of Dartmoor by Ethan Pennel- search it out!
* Women Who Gave No Fucks - Lucy Lill’s show that brought Katie and Lucy together
Sponsor
Avalon Cloaks - Handmade ritual cloaks from Glastonbury
* Featured in Netflix’s “Wednesday”
* Worn by Glastonbury’s Bard and May Queen
* “When you need a cloak worthy of your magic”
Sarah’s Upcoming Events
FREE Online Taster Session - This Thursday Morning Try out Sarah’s teaching style before committing to the winter series - storytelling, journaling, and experiencing how she works with Women Who Run With The Wolves.
Women Who Run With The Wolves - Winter Series Online course starting in November for those who love the Thursday session
Next Week: Rob Bray from Maythorne joins to discuss the Waning Moon celebration (October 20th at 777, Glastonbury) - a night of music, poetry, and storytelling as we approach Samhain
Musical Note
The episode opens and closes with Queen Space Baroque’s “Ritual Door 1” - Sarah describes it as “like a big musical podcast hug around my world.”
“If I can just soften enough, if I can breathe and relax enough, then like the trees, I can let go of my dry leaves and open and share myself like the apple trees are doing, like the chestnut trees are doing... they are just so abundant this year and they’re sharing and sharing and sharing their gifts, their bruised gifts.”
