Deep within the roots of our psyches live the ancient archetypes that embody our most intimate feelings and hopes. From this fertile wellspring shoot the stems of the mystical, spiritual, and religious traditions, the buds of which break into flowering gods and goddesses whose fruit delivers solace to the spirits of the creatures that climb the twisting and turning branches of the mind.
One such deity sits at the entrance of CovenTree Olde World Market in Santa Maria, wreathed in flowering greenery. She’s a lunar goddess, explained co-owner Elizabeth Acosta. The impressive though unobtrusive sculpture represents a number of spiritual traditions as well as the elements recognized by the ancients: earth, air, fire, and water, Acosta explained.
“She’s just one of those all-encompassing kind of pieces; she is cross-cultural and going across religions,” Acosta said. “There is always a female figure somewhere in a religion, so she could be Mary, or Quan Yin, or any of the ladies in religion who deal with compassion.”
The statuette welcomes and heralds newcomers to CovenTree’s new digs in the La Brea Plaza on Main Street, a long, shotgun-style shop with smaller rooms running along its left side. Each room is a semi separate space that features a variety of art, literature, clothing, and jewelry, much of which is crafted by local artists. There are rooms for local authors, artisans, painters, and sculptors, as well as spaces for classes, workshops, and gatherings.
Acosta and co-owner Darren Colton have been in the business for years, renting a seasonal space in the Santa Maria Town Center and showing up at local festivals and events across the state. Their longtime desire for a permanent brick-and-mortar location was realized this year when they opened at the current location on Jan. 5 in an effort to provide a place to showcase books, art, and the variety of gifts and goods CovenTree has to offer, but also to act as a safe space for members of the community to meet and discuss ideas and traditions from across the centuries.
“We’ve grown up with different backgrounds and interests; he loves history and studying multiple ancient religions and cultures, and I love the books,” Acosta said. “I’ve always wanted to bring in what I like and share that with other people, share knowledge.”
The several rooms along the open main space of CovenTree have afforded Acosta and Colton the chance to be creative with what the business can offer. Several rooms include closing doors, so they can be used for several different classes, including yoga, Reiki, and meditation, Acosta explained. Tarot card readings are available on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m., and a Tarot discussion is set for March 6.
The versatile space can also house events that support local artists and create a community dialogue, such as the upcoming author panel discussion on March 7, which will include writers whose books are sold at CovenTree. A recent chain-mail class allowed attendees to leave with colorful chain-mail bracelets they made themselves. Acosta and Colton are a welcoming pair, offering a variety of options for locals hoping to utilize their space. There’s even a space with reference books that have been studied by curious shoppers and Allan Hancock College students.
“We are attempting to be a safe and open space for anybody of any religious, philosophical, or nonreligious background to come together,” Colton said. “Otherwise, someone is left out, and there are some of us freaks and geeks who spent enough time on the side of the playground as kids, and now we need our own playground.”
Arts Editor Joe Payne always asks, “What would Gandalf do?” Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 5-12, 2015.
