Elemental Being: Hearth & Hollow

THE INVITATION

Join us for the Heart & Hollow Winter edition of the Elemental Being Retreat for a tender-brave exploration of our interbeing with all that is. As we move towards the solstice, we will explore the cycles and spirals of this being human, weaving together therapeutic practices, embodiment, deep rest, ceremony in candlelight, silence, song, elemental connection and more.

As the wheel turns past Samhain and the nights grow longest, we arrive in the darkness - the stretch of year before the solstice tips us back towards the light. 

This is the season of the hearth and the hollow bone. 

The hearth is what we gather around when the dark presses in, bringing warmth and connection. The fire has transformed humanity in profound ways, and gathering around it brings us back to our primal roots. Here we will meet the archetype of the alchemist, transmuting suffering into aliveness, and finding the gift in the challenge. The alchemist embraces change and paradox.

The hollow bone is the clear channel that opens up inside us when we become fully alive to the present moment and the separate self dissolves. In the deepest stillness, silence and darkness of the Winter months we have an opportunity to pause the relentless flood of information coming in, and instead to empty ourselves out, to become free-flowing vessels for the unfolding of life. Here we will encounter the archetype of the crone, the wise old woman, offering us a bone-deep wisdom that shines a light on our shadows with clarity and love.

We come together to befriend the dark, to gather at the hearth, and to hollow ourselves a little to welcome life more fully. 

“The support was incredible. I felt so comfortable being myself fully - tears and all! Thank you for providing a space that is so freeing. The world needs more of this love, safety & compassion.”

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each day will follow a similar rhythm, which every session being optional, although full participation reveals the richness of this carefully curated experience. The schedule is still being refined, so expect changes! We start at 5pm on Friday and finish at 3pm Monday.

Example Timetable for Sat & Sun
07.30 - Meditation, breath & dance - meeting the themes for this day
08.30 - Breakfast
10.00 - Movement session & group process
13.00 - Lunch & free time
16.00 - Afternoon workshop & elemental connection ceremony
19.00 - Dinner
20.00 - Evening workshop

EARTH - Embracing Darkness

• opening, meeting the cycles and spirals of life, death & dormancy
• group connection + personal reflection practices
• making the altar
• yoga nidra for deep rest

WATER -  Courting the Crone (finding the hollow bone)

• crone meditation
• group's choice - e.g. mischief making, grief tending, crafting, IFS workshops
• water ceremony (with optional cold dip!)
• deepening into darkness - a short vigil on the land, apprenticing the darkness
• prayerful mantra to honour death (and with death, also life)

FIRE - Awakening the Alchemist (gathering at the hearth)

• alchemist meditation
• transmutation ceremony & psychology workshop (including how to avoid the extremes of wallowing/stagnation and avoidance/bypassing)
• dancing the elements with cacao & chilli
• fire ceremony - song, voice, story-telling & music

AIR - Turning Towards the Light

• integration ceremony
• sun-seed meditation - honouring the light that follows the darkness
• final celebration and close

“I can say whole heartedly that I have come away a better person and it has catapulted me into improving and changing my life even more than before. Becoming better for myself and those that I love. Going on this retreat is one of the best decisions I have ever made.” - SARAH, LONDON

WHO IS THIS FOR?

The group is open to everyone who feels a calling to connect more deeply to themselves, community, the natural world and the mysteries of life. It would particularly suit those who are yearning for a deeper connection to the wider web of life, or who already feel this in their bones and would like to be with likeminded souls. Regretfully, due to workshops out on the uneven terrain, the site is not accessible for wheelchairs and those with limited mobility - please contact Megan to discuss further. Toilets are unisex and this is an LGBTQIA+ affirmative space.

This will be a gentle yet brave, welcoming yet challenging, soft yet strong space for you to be held and from that loving place, explore your edges. Taking part in this retreat requires adequate mental and physical health to be self-responsible within group processes; we are all facing the horrors and joys of life and your whole self is fully welcome, but do get in touch if you have any concerns or questions.

WHY COME?

“Where to begin!! The retreat was so rich, soulful & at times incredibly confronting. I felt a deep connection to myself that I truly thought I'd lost. I also worked through some personal shadows that needed releasing, to do that with the support from this group was so powerful. Also the final practices I found particularly moving. What a beautiful exercise in expressing self love. Megan's knowledge always blows me away, and Bendy's kind heart kept the space so soft & nourishing. Grateful is too small of a word” - CHELSEA, BRISTOL

​To remember ourselves as nature, interbeing with all that is; to expand around our small stories to find greater freedom, support and a sense of our common humanity; to meet our different parts with curiosity and compassion; to connect to the richness of our bodies and the deep wisdom that can be found there; to unlearn the bullshit and remember our truths; to touch into our unique gifts and the profound power of community; to offer ourselves the simple pleasure and profound healing of space and time away from the every day, attuning ourselves to the subtle mysteries that are unfolding in every moment.

WHO ARE THE FACILITATORS?

Megan (she/her) - I will be leaning into my experience of holding space for people for over 15 years, including working with people experiencing the effects of complex trauma in the NHS and privately as a senior clinical psychologist, running workshops and retreats, delivering training & supervision, directing the Bristol Yoga Roots Project, and teaching yoga.

Zak Avery (he/him) - Avery will be assisting Megan on this retreat - they have previously run Journeys of Belonging retreat together. Avery has been running Menspedition as as rites of passage for the last four years. He is also a founding director of Medicine Festival, a non-profit organisation exploring how we can support people and planet to thrive. Alongside this, he is cultural director of &Soul, a community project that seeks to bring heart-centered co-living and event spaces into London.

Grace (she/her) will be serving up three delicious meals a day. Expect to have your taste buds dazzled - especially byb Grace's speciality in baking and desserts! There will be hot drinks available throughout the day too.

“There are so many things to say about this retreat, it operates on so many levels – but it’s one word, transformative, that runs through my thoughts.  Megan creates a space that feels so safe you can allow yourself that act of freedom, to see what will happen, what could transform, to commit a radical act of being” - GILL , CHESTER

ANYTHING ELSE?

When not in the yoga space you can enjoy the chill out areas, peaceful gardens or the sauna. Only a short trip away is the colourful town of Totnes and the River Dart, ideal for wild swimming. The retreat space is surrounded by the glorious Yeoland, with altars to the different elements across the landscape. In the free time in the afternoon there will be craft activities and trips to the river or coast that are optional. Grace will be serving up three delicious meals a day, plus snacks and hot drinks. If you haven’t eaten Graces’s food before, you're in for a treat!

“This retreat was more than I ever imagined it could be. I felt I touched into my core, remembered who I really was and what was important in life. Megan holds every single person with her seemingly tireless attention and weaves them together to love and hold each other, giving the group hope in our increasingly dark world. She encourages you to remember the positive and work with the negative. I emerged a more whole and joyful person.”- JANE, WARE 

A webpage with images and links to videos can be found here.

Are you feeling the call? We would LOVE to welcome you in to this circle of love, empowerment, vulnerability, strength, mystery and playfulness. You are so welcome, as you are. Reach out with any questions to elementalbeingretreats@gmail.com 

With love and power
Megan and the team 
🖤

(The beautiful cover image is Mycellium Dreaming by Autumn Skye)

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations refunded (minus £50 deposit) up to 60 days before the retreat or at any time if you can fill your space. Deposits are non-refundable to cover admin time.