A Full Week of Rich Nourishment and Healing...
Friday (March 15th)
Make Yourself at Home!
Make Yourself at Home!
Fellowship: Orientation Potluck, 3-5 pm
Let’s get acquainted! We will provide vegan chili (halal beef on the side for our omnivores) and apple cake. Participants are welcome to bring (or prepare in the on site kitchen) a dish to share. Orientation includes finding and settling into your room, a look at the schedule, information on the local area, guidelines on etiquette for sharing cabin space, and meeting all the facilitators to get any questions you have answered. We’re here to help! This is where you learn who to go to if there’s a problem, and what support is built into the program. Participants are encouraged to state their intentions for the weekend and ask any housekeeping questions they may have. Presentation: Trauma and Ancestral Work, 6:30-7:30pm What role does ancestral energy have in our daily life? How is trauma passed through lineages? How can we connect to and assist in healing the ancestors and thus ourselves? What’s the difference between the dead and the ancestors? What can we do to feel family support when our living family are jerks (or even abusive)? How can we do this safely? This presentation will look at some of the science behind ancestral healing as well as provide culturally informed examples of how some people do ancestral healing. |
We Must Align the Past
To Enable the Week's Healing |
Ritual: Building Reflective Space and Ancestral Healing Exercise 8-10pm
We will build a community altar for ancestral healing which will accompany us through our ceremonies this week as a witness to our efforts and experiences. By altar, we mean a designated space where meditation, reflection, and spiritual practices can occur, not a designated religious space. The origins of the type of reflective space will be explained, as well as the metaphysical principals behind it’s working and how to build a personal one at home. Participants are welcome to bring any item from deceased members of their spiritual, cultural, professional or blood family for the altar. Participants are also invited to bring a stick or small staff for placing on the altar to take their experience home with them (24” or smaller, please).
We will build a community altar for ancestral healing which will accompany us through our ceremonies this week as a witness to our efforts and experiences. By altar, we mean a designated space where meditation, reflection, and spiritual practices can occur, not a designated religious space. The origins of the type of reflective space will be explained, as well as the metaphysical principals behind it’s working and how to build a personal one at home. Participants are welcome to bring any item from deceased members of their spiritual, cultural, professional or blood family for the altar. Participants are also invited to bring a stick or small staff for placing on the altar to take their experience home with them (24” or smaller, please).
Saturday (March 16th)
Oh, to Be Known and Accepted!
Oh, to Be Known and Accepted!
Presentation and Connection: Folk Stories and Discussion, 1-3 pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
This weekend’s content is inspired by stories and traditions from Ireland, Britain, and parts of mainland Europe. This interactive discussion and visual presentation is an introduction to these concepts and draws from these traditions. This presentation also provides a culturally and historically informed view on sex and gender, both within a binary and beyond it. Our unique discussion this year will be about the different traumas inherent in these experiences of self and societal roles and how we may be able to move beyond them. We’ll discuss what could be challenging content through story in a way that helps you expand and deepen your understanding and self-expression rather than have it threatened. How can we reconnect to the damaged places in our hearts and be at home in self? How can we connect? Come to this presentation for personal clarity, direction, and learning from our untold history so you can avoid repeating the damage of the past.
This weekend’s content is inspired by stories and traditions from Ireland, Britain, and parts of mainland Europe. This interactive discussion and visual presentation is an introduction to these concepts and draws from these traditions. This presentation also provides a culturally and historically informed view on sex and gender, both within a binary and beyond it. Our unique discussion this year will be about the different traumas inherent in these experiences of self and societal roles and how we may be able to move beyond them. We’ll discuss what could be challenging content through story in a way that helps you expand and deepen your understanding and self-expression rather than have it threatened. How can we reconnect to the damaged places in our hearts and be at home in self? How can we connect? Come to this presentation for personal clarity, direction, and learning from our untold history so you can avoid repeating the damage of the past.
Men and Women Need to Heal Different Parts
of the Same Issues, but Have Such Different Needs! We Solve this by Bringing them Together, Separating the Groups for Processing and Healing, and Bringing them Back Together for a Final, Deeper Healing. Non-Binary, Trans, and Other Genders Welcome! |
Presentation and Connection: Healing Shame Together, 5-7pm, Cabin 13 Family Room, Circles TBA
In facilitating men’s and women's healing circles, we find that pretty much everyone has shame, but they usually don’t recognize what it is, how it’s impacting their lives, or what to do to be freed from it’s grip. More than likely, the earlier presentation will have shook some of this loose for you, but one of the beautiful things about healing shame is that often when it’s shared and related to it disappears like mist. This gathering will open with information that enables awareness of shame in our lives, followed by breaking the group into two groups to share together, finally coming together again in the end to process as one group. The two groups will split into two locations which will be decided at the retreat when we see how many people are present and what the weather’s like. We do this because we find that more open communication is enabled when the opposite gender isn’t present. All genders and sexes welcome; the groups are based on if people identify primarily in a feminine or masculine role in life. |
Wednesday (April 6th)
Becoming Companions
Becoming Companions
Fellowship: Morning Movement, 10 am, Cabin 13
Ever sensitive to the needs of a group, Liz will create a custom program each morning combining movement, mindfulness, and presence. This may include yoga, walking, or any variety of other body-centered techniques according to the needs and abilities of the group that shows up.
Ever sensitive to the needs of a group, Liz will create a custom program each morning combining movement, mindfulness, and presence. This may include yoga, walking, or any variety of other body-centered techniques according to the needs and abilities of the group that shows up.
Optional Outing: Fieldtrip!, 1-3pm, Pale Whale Canoe Fleet Time on the land and water is important and this space is reserved for that exact thing. The Pale Whale Canoe Fleet shares a property with the cabins, and we will gather there to go canoeing. The Pale Whale doesn’t do reservations, so if they are not available or if the weather isn’t appropriate for the water, we will go on a hike to a part of the old growth forest known as The Cathedral. Ride sharing will be needed to access The Cathedral, but don’t worry, we’ll make sure you don’t get lost! Presentation: Anatomy, Physiology, and Healing, 5-7 pm, Cabin 13 Family Room This presentation offers information on the female and male physical organs as concerns structure, function and energetic pattern. The purpose is to help participants get to know their bodies better as well as understand how to find ‘feel good spots’ on their own or with a partner. This is a useful material for self-development, improving self-care and sexual pleasure on one’s own or with a partner or partners, and for understanding how to honor energetics manifested in physical organs. The genitals aren’t just for the obvious! They’re also key to brain and nervous system function. Most psychological experiences reflect in their function. There’s lots to learn about how to help them function better, and learning these skills can help you improve quality of life in every aspect. Half of the presentation time will be providing information (and visual materials via a hand out!) and the other half will be allowed for questions and discussion. |
Physical Movement in Nature
is Vital to Integrate Healing. We Plan to Spend Time Over Land and Water to Help. |
Thursday (April 7th)
Honor One Another
Honor One Another
Fellowship: Morning Movement, 10 am, Cabin 13
Ever sensitive to the needs of a group, Liz will create a custom program each morning combining movement, mindfulness, and presence. This may include yoga, walking, or any variety of other body-centered techniques according to the needs and abilities of the group that shows up.
Presentation: Offering Honoring Touch™ and Consent, 1-3pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
This is a required presentation for those partaking in the Honoring Touch™ ceremony. It will cover the steps in the ceremony we’re about to perform as well as provide a thorough discussion on consent, trauma awareness, and supporting trauma survivors. We almost always end up doing demonstrations to make sure things are clear.
Ritual: Setting Sacred Space, 3:30-4pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
Here we build sacred space to anchor our ceremony, explaining each part and honoring the spiritual supports we have. This provides a sacred space which participants can set aside from the rest of the retreat as well as to provide spiritual connections and support. You’re invited to bring a small item (please keep it to the size of your palm) as an altar piece to honor spirituality you have a supportive relationship with.
Ritual: All Anatomically Inclusive Connection Ritual and Honoring Touch™ Ceremony, 8-9:30pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
The highlight of the retreat! Our ceremony begins with a brief connection ritual to open our hearts to one another and focus our attention on our partner, followed by our highlighted ceremony of Offering Honoring Touch™.
Fellowship: Bardic Circle (weather permitting), 8-10pm, Fire Circle Cabin 20
This is an optional circle for fun and relaxation. Bring a poem, story, song, anything you’d like to share! A fire is provided in the yard (weather permitting) to relax and connect around.
Ever sensitive to the needs of a group, Liz will create a custom program each morning combining movement, mindfulness, and presence. This may include yoga, walking, or any variety of other body-centered techniques according to the needs and abilities of the group that shows up.
Presentation: Offering Honoring Touch™ and Consent, 1-3pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
This is a required presentation for those partaking in the Honoring Touch™ ceremony. It will cover the steps in the ceremony we’re about to perform as well as provide a thorough discussion on consent, trauma awareness, and supporting trauma survivors. We almost always end up doing demonstrations to make sure things are clear.
Ritual: Setting Sacred Space, 3:30-4pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
Here we build sacred space to anchor our ceremony, explaining each part and honoring the spiritual supports we have. This provides a sacred space which participants can set aside from the rest of the retreat as well as to provide spiritual connections and support. You’re invited to bring a small item (please keep it to the size of your palm) as an altar piece to honor spirituality you have a supportive relationship with.
Ritual: All Anatomically Inclusive Connection Ritual and Honoring Touch™ Ceremony, 8-9:30pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
The highlight of the retreat! Our ceremony begins with a brief connection ritual to open our hearts to one another and focus our attention on our partner, followed by our highlighted ceremony of Offering Honoring Touch™.
Fellowship: Bardic Circle (weather permitting), 8-10pm, Fire Circle Cabin 20
This is an optional circle for fun and relaxation. Bring a poem, story, song, anything you’d like to share! A fire is provided in the yard (weather permitting) to relax and connect around.
Friday (April 8th)
Remember One Another
Remember One Another
Fellowship: Morning Movement, 10 am, Cabin 13
Ever sensitive to the needs of a group, Liz will create a custom program each morning combining movement, mindfulness, and presence. This may include yoga, walking, or any variety of other body-centered techniques according to the needs and abilities of the group that shows up.
Fellowship and Connection: Group Needs Circle, 1-3pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
The group needs circle serves two purposes. First, practical needs. Is your cabin low on toilet paper? Is your notebook out of pages? After anyone not at the first ceremony leaves, the second purpose is processing the previous night’s ceremony. We ask that for a continued sense of safety, please only attend the sharing circle if you attended the first ceremony.
Ritual: Female Only Connection Ritual and Honoring Touch™ Ceremony, 8-9:30pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
Anatomically female people often need to be in a space where male anatomy isn’t present in order to be able to be vulnerable enough to heal. This space is for enabling that. Ceremony begins with a brief ritual to open our hearts to one another and focus our attention, followed by our highlighted ceremony of Offering Honoring Touch™.
Fellowship: Bardic Circle (weather permitting), 8-10pm, Fire Circle Cabin 20
This is an optional circle for fun and relaxation. Bring a poem, story, song, instrument, anything you’d like to share! A fire is provided in the yard (weather permitting) and we’ll chat and rejoice in the glow of our day.
Ever sensitive to the needs of a group, Liz will create a custom program each morning combining movement, mindfulness, and presence. This may include yoga, walking, or any variety of other body-centered techniques according to the needs and abilities of the group that shows up.
Fellowship and Connection: Group Needs Circle, 1-3pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
The group needs circle serves two purposes. First, practical needs. Is your cabin low on toilet paper? Is your notebook out of pages? After anyone not at the first ceremony leaves, the second purpose is processing the previous night’s ceremony. We ask that for a continued sense of safety, please only attend the sharing circle if you attended the first ceremony.
Ritual: Female Only Connection Ritual and Honoring Touch™ Ceremony, 8-9:30pm, Cabin 13 Family Room
Anatomically female people often need to be in a space where male anatomy isn’t present in order to be able to be vulnerable enough to heal. This space is for enabling that. Ceremony begins with a brief ritual to open our hearts to one another and focus our attention, followed by our highlighted ceremony of Offering Honoring Touch™.
Fellowship: Bardic Circle (weather permitting), 8-10pm, Fire Circle Cabin 20
This is an optional circle for fun and relaxation. Bring a poem, story, song, instrument, anything you’d like to share! A fire is provided in the yard (weather permitting) and we’ll chat and rejoice in the glow of our day.
Saturday (April 9th)
Be Well ‘Til Next Time!
Be Well ‘Til Next Time!
Presentation: Taking it Home, 11am-12:30, Cabin 13 Family Room
First, those in the ceremony last night get a chance to talk about their experiences, and now that everyone has done the ceremony we can talk openly together. You’ve had a fantastic week, but now you have to go back to the mundane. How can you continue the energy of the retreat and keep making strides with self-growth and personal healing? This presentation introduces you to practices and community resources that can support you. Gifts from your facilitators will be distributed!
Ritual and Fellowship: Closing Ceremony and Celebration, Noon-Whenever, Cabin 13 Family Room
We encourage you to share something meaningful to you from the week. This is often the most emotional, healing, and rewarding of the entire weekend. In closing, we deconstruct the central and ancestral altars and build a ritual healing fire in which participants can offer their residual energy from the weekend as a sacred offering. A light-hearted celebratory circle follows as the energy dissipates and folks returning home early begin to leave.
First, those in the ceremony last night get a chance to talk about their experiences, and now that everyone has done the ceremony we can talk openly together. You’ve had a fantastic week, but now you have to go back to the mundane. How can you continue the energy of the retreat and keep making strides with self-growth and personal healing? This presentation introduces you to practices and community resources that can support you. Gifts from your facilitators will be distributed!
Ritual and Fellowship: Closing Ceremony and Celebration, Noon-Whenever, Cabin 13 Family Room
We encourage you to share something meaningful to you from the week. This is often the most emotional, healing, and rewarding of the entire weekend. In closing, we deconstruct the central and ancestral altars and build a ritual healing fire in which participants can offer their residual energy from the weekend as a sacred offering. A light-hearted celebratory circle follows as the energy dissipates and folks returning home early begin to leave.
Optional Outing: Fieldtrip!, Whenever feels right, The Cathedral Old Growth Forest
Every year the group has the urge to go to the forest one last time after the closing circle, so we scheduled one last outing this year. We’ll go to the sacred, ancient old growth forest portion of Cooks Forest called The Cathedral. Here, you will have the precious and sacred privilege of experiencing 400-year-old trees, even older stones and ever-cycling waters. If you think you’d like to get in the water, we suggest water shoes! We have old friends here and will be happy to point out places of spiritual significance to us and to passed Honoring Touch™ Retreats. You’re part of the family now, and this protected forest will be here should you ever need to come back to this place and remember all that has happened, all you’ve learned, or if you just need held. |