Autumn Equinox Temple Retreat

Sep 26 Fri 26th Sep 2025
11am – Sun 28th Sep 2025, 3pm BST (UTC +01:00)
 
Coed Hills Rural art Space, Cowbridge, UK
 
https://dandelion.events/e/a7omu
Hosted by Temple Nights
Facilitators
Attending
10+ people
Enquiries to shantitemplenights@gmail.com
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You DO need to have PRIOR EXPERIENCE of sacred Temple space. 

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE CONTACT US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

 

AUTUMN EQUINOX TEMPLE RETREAT

A 3-day emersion into temple community, in the sacred landscape of Wales (near Cardiff). 

We invite you to drop deeply into a retreat space of Tantric teachings and temple time. The retreat happens at autumn Equinox, the balance point of light and dark; the turning of the tides. A time of transition, celebrating as the seasons switch over from the sensual summer sun, to the soothing embrace of autumn’s arms. 

All held in the bosom of nature, on the beautiful land of Coed Hills (Coed means ‘trees’ in Welsh). This land is very sacred, lovingly lived upon by community members, in prayer and ceremony for over 20 years. The trees, waters and soil have been blessed by hundreds of hearts. In return, the land offers rebalance, nourishment and connection in community.

This will be a time of:

Deep ritual, dance and dreaming together

Stone circle ceremony 

Woodland water, swimming in the lake 

Soaking in the heat of the sauna 

Basking by the flames of the fire

Morning meditations, movement & Yoga

Candle lit Temple with Cello and Concert violin 

An inner polarity/cross dressing Temple

Community connection care, vulnerability, love and laughter  

Sharing hearty healthy yummy food 

Cakes & chai cafe

Dorm space

 

A RETREAT - MEDITATING ON POLARITY, THE ALCHEMICAL UNION

Harnessing the energy of Equinox, we will explore the tantric teachings on polarity – the opposites of light and the dark, masculine and feminine, conscious and unconscious awareness, and the transformation into union, Oneness. 

Tantra does not shy away from polarity - it embraces it fully, only to lead you into its source. 

Polarity is creative, sexual, sensual, and transcendent. Polarity awakens bio-energetic life force (plus and minus), it is a dynamic interplay - a flowing dance of archetypal forces like:

  • Stillness & movement
  • Penetration & receptivity
  • Solar & lunar
  • Order & chaos

Tantric meditations on polarity explore the dynamic interplay between opposing, but complementary forces - most commonly described as Shiva (consciousness, stillness, masculine principle) and Shakti (energy, movement, feminine principle). These are not oppositional categories like “male vs. female” or “masculine vs. feminine; they are complementarity. The union of Shiva and Shakti, within a single body, or being, is a living form of the Divine Hermaphrodite (this could be one expression of non-binary). The Divine Hermaphrodite is symbolic of wholeness, cosmic integration, and the reconciliation of opposites, uniting male and female energies into one transcendent form. 

Exploring the union of opposites does not negate gender. The necessary part is the charge, the bio-magnetic charge - electrical energy. On this retreat we will explore creating this charge, within ourselves, or with another/others, no matter who takes what role. Recognizing the polarity between two beings, allows the dance of opposites to create deeper intimacy. These practices aim to awaken awareness of these energies, within the self and in relation to others - often leading to expanded states of presence, union, and transcendence.

Main Temple space

 

STRUCTURE OF THE RETREAT

Friday - We are aware that some people will not be arriving until evening Temple. We encourage you to take Friday off your life and embrace the full journey.

You can arrive from 11am to settle in.

 Lunch 

First phase - Polarity play: Introducing and playing within the energies of polarity, inner and outer.

Afternoon, opening circle & Tantric practices

Dinner

Evening -  Welcoming everyone & Temple - Inner polarity/non polarity

Sauna, fire & cafe

 

Saturday

Early morning meditation

Breakfast

Morning: Explorations in Polarity.

Lunch

Second phase - Integration: The integration of aspects of the self - light/dark, reason/intuition, spirit/body.

Afternoon  - Meditations

Dinner

Evening Temple - Candle lit Concert

“Brought together in Summer 2024 Katie and Hugh offer immersive experiences exploring the edges of embodying the musical expression of Eros…

Where the breath leaves the body and transforms into sound…  

Come and soak up the aliveness of sensuality expressed through graceful tones of the violin (Hugh), intertwining with soaring vocal melodies delicately floating over deep delicious grooves from the earthy resonance of the cello (Katie). Sensitively responding in real time whilst held by the expansive container of live electronic looping.”

 

Sauna, Cafe, Chill and cuddle by the fire, with live music and singing

 

Sunday

Sunday snoozing, followed by breakfast.

Third phase - Sacred union: The inner “marriage” (called Hieros Gamos or sacred marriage) that brings about spiritual awakening and realization of the Self as One.

Sunday morning, Union meditations

Lunch

Closing ritual & circle

3pm Say our goodbyes & homeward bound

 

Sauna time

 

TICKET PRICES 

MEALS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE

ACCOMMODATION IS TO BE PAID SEPARATLY 

 

CANCELLATION

We have a no refund policy for the Temple. 

However, you are welcome to sell your ticket on to a friend. 

If you do so, please do let us know and send us their email so we can give the info about the temple. 

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

You DO need to have PRIOR EXPERIENCE of sacred Temple space. 

- IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE CONTACT US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

 

 A certain level of awareness, openness and willingness to explore is essential for your own self care and synergy of the group. If you’re not sure if your eligible, please get in touch with us to have a conversation.

We invite you to come, just as you are and feel. We know that being in these environments can bring up a lot of emotions.  This is a safe space to welcome them and work with them in an embodied, held and ritual temple space. The retreat will be held throughout however, although this space can be theraputic, It is not a therapy workshop. 

FOR COUPLES: Please make your agreements together before you arrive at Temple. It is totally fine if you wish to stay purely with each other during the night.

All genders are welcome and celebrated, however, we will be working with the energies of polarity – male female and the union (the Sacred hermaphrodite/world soul). You are welcome to relate with this, as you find works for you.

We aim for a Male/Female balance.

 

THINGS TO BRING 

An offering/flower for the shrine

A yoga/camping/roll matt if you have one

A cushion to sit upon

Water bottle

Shower and sauna towels

TORCH

Camping gear  (if camping)

Sheets, pillows and dovay (if sleeping in dorm)

Cash to buy cakes and chai

Musical instrument/Songs/Stories for round the fire

Comfy relaxed clothes for sessions

Something you feel sensual and beautiful to wear in for Temple

Slippers or indoor wooly socks

Alarm clock

 

 

HEALTHY BALANCED VEGETARIAN FOOD 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included  - Hearty healthy food by ‘Miss Daisy’ (Becky Koos) 

https://www.instagram.com/miss_daisys_?igsh=dmwyMzZ2aGhwajFu&utm_source=qr

For Vegan/gluten free or other dietary requirements, please inform us before hand.

 

 

 

There will be a second cooking space with two camping gas stoves availible if you have special dietary requirements and need to feed yourself. You would need to bring a cold box. Please email us to discuss.

 

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

Accommodation needs to be booked separately, alongside the ticket. 

The price is for whole weekend.

 

Communal space

 Mattresses provided in dorm - £20pp

Shared huts & shacks 

The Railway carriage with a wood burner to keep you warm,                                                      1 double - £60 BOOKED, a bunk bed 2 singles - £40 PP.
The cheerful McGhee Mansion has a wood burner and a fully equipped kitchenette.1 double in a loft - £70,  BOOKED  2 singles - £50 PP 

Shared yurt

The red Anastasia Yurt has a wood burner and lots of space.
5 Single Beds in a circle - £22pp

 Couples cabins

The romantic Dragon Wagon has a double, a wood burner and incredible views over the fields - £140  BOOKED
The cosy Woody has a double, a wood burner and feels very protective with a huge window to dream away - £120 

Main farm house

The Grand Room has incredible views and two big single beds moveable to/from
one another - £120 BOOKED
Rawley’s old room - £100
The small back room - £80 Booked

All Pods are identical stand in semi circle and have their own little benches outside
from where you can enjoy the sunrises over the labyrinth.

Shared single pods

The Ball of String Pod has 1 double and electric blankets - £90 - BOOKED

Own single pods

On the other side of the labyrinth we have 3 pods, each with twin beds (making it 6
single beds.) The wall between is solid, but you might hear some movements from your neighbour. 

These rooms are compact with a single bed and an electric heater. 

The 4 funky Rock, Bull, Crane and Black Sail pods all have 2 singles and electric
blankets - 60pp
Dawn & Dusk, Ying & Yang and Sol & Luna - £80

Living vans

Own camper van park-up (No electric hook-up. Compost toilets & water tap nearby) - £30

Camping

Free!

Compost toilets and water points.

 

GETTING THERE

Coed Hills Rural Arts space, Unnamed Road, 7DR, Cowbridge, Wales

Google maps gets you right here if you use the following searches: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/J1mdH6F7KrQUDoqm9 

There will be a parking field for your car. There is no option to park elsewhere. The lower car park will be kept free for disabled, loading/unloading and emergency vehicle access

If you don’t have google maps, then its still easy.

From the M4 east: follow to junction 33. take A4323 to culverhouse cross roundabout (1st main sliproad off. From culverhouse cross, take the A48, and follow A48 for about 6 miles, till you get to the St Hilary turning on your left hand side, (after you pass a tall radio mast on your right).

As you enter the village fork left, and then imediately left again at the red phone box (on your left). Follow this road out of the village which runs straight along out of the village. You will pass a private entrance to Coed on your right. Continue on as the road rises up a little and its the next turning on your Right with a big sign saying COED.

From the M4 West: The best turning to take is Junction 35 to Pencoed. Come off at 35. Take the A473 first exit, and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit to Felindre. Follow this road straight for about 5 minutes as it passes through a number of villages. At the end of this road it meets the A48. Take a left onto the A48. Follow A48 until you get to the St Hilary turning on the Right. (just after the road has gone over Cowbridge bypass, and then up the hill with the garage on your left). Take the road to St Hilary.

As you enter the village fork left, and then imediately left again at the red phone box (on your left). Follow this road out of the village which runs straight along out of the village. You will pass a private entrance to Coed on your right. Continue on as the road rises up a little and its the next turning on your Right with a big sign saying COED.

Parking: You will meet stewards at the gate who will check your name to our register and direct you to where to park.

 

Any questions please contact:

Shanti: 07875 151582

shantitemplenights@gmail.com 

Hugs: Connectwithhugs@gmail.com

Welcoming you with open hearts,

Shanti & Hugs.

 

ABOUT US

Hugs:

Hugs brings heartfelt holding and teachings to the team. He is a certified Sexological Bodyworker and Sacred sexual practitioner. His passion is supporting others to deepen their pleasure capacity and widen their orgasmic expansion. Through body based learning, insight medibation and self love practices he guides you through deeper layers of your pleasure patterns, using discussion, demonstration and embodied exercises.

https://www.orgasmicexpansion.com/

Shanti:

Shanti has been practising Tantra for 25 years.
She is Mama, Healer, Mover, Somatic Educator, Artist and a Creative.
She is intuitive, playful, a tribal gatherer and a little bit witchy.

https://www.templenights.co.uk/

Musicians - Hugh & Katie

Hugh is a professional freelance violinist performing regularly in Bristol and across the South West. He trained classically in renowned conservatoires in London, Strasbourg and Manchester. He is particularly passionate about small string ensembles immersing in the unique vibrational quality of the string family. Across the years he has enjoyed exploring performances that invite collaboration and co-creation such as improvisation, unique compositions and interactive art installations. He featured in the 2024 Triple Album Selected Worlds launched by Daniel Inzani and the upcoming docufilm Our Land inspired by the Right 2 Roam movement.

Katie's melding of music, movement and energetic sensitivity began aged 5 when she learnt how to create sound with graceful movements on the cello, alongside learning ballet.  She's since journeyed through worlds of folk, flamenco, jazz, neo-soul and sound healing, and has been aired on BBC 6 Music and Jazz FM, as well as being featured on a global compilation album sampling sounds from nature in a collaboration with Greenpeace to raise funds to help fight climate change.

Select tickets

Women's ticket £300
Men's ticket £300
Non-Binary ticket £300
3 left
Women's Concession £280
3 left
Men's Concession £280
1 left
Non-Binary Concession £280
1 left
Abundant supporter £320
1 left
Couples ticket £580
Communal dorm - With a mattress. Bring your own bedding, pillows and sheets £20
Live-in van park up £30
Anastasia Red Yurt - 5 Single beds £22
3 left

£22 pp - whole weekend price

4 Shared single bed pods £60

£60 pp - Whole weekend price

The ball of string - Double bed pod £90 Sold out

£90 pp - whole weekend price

6 Solo single bed pods £80

£80 per pod - whole weekend price

Grand room - (double bed) - main farm house £120 Sold out
Rawley's old room - (double bed) £100
1 left
The small back room - (double bed) £80 Sold out
The railway carriage - Double bed £60 Sold out
The railway carriage - Single bed £40
2 left
The Mcgee mansion - double bed - with kitchenette £70 Sold out
The Mcgee mansion - Single beds -with kitchenette £50
2 left
Woody - Double bed with wood burner £120
1 left
Dragon waggon - Double with wood burner £140 Sold out
Helpers ticket £130
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