{ WHY WE GATHER }
For over a decade, the two of us, Lindsey Mullen and Lydia Atkins, have been so fortunate to have many teachers who have guided us in the art of inner work, ritual creation, and earth-based healing. It’s been a dream of ours to create a space where we can share this learning with women we love in Alabama--a space where we can gather our wisdom and energy together with a spirit of openness and mutually inclusive support.
In August of 2016, we invited 12 of our soul sisters to experiment with us as we facilitated our first women’s retreat together. The theme named “Let the Way Be Open” guided our time together as we celebrated deep connection. Our conversations, walks, swims, meals and sharings of ideas & gifts were held in a container of soft energy that each of us contributed to with care & creativity.
In July 2018, we are opened the circle again.
Below is the story & details of this magical gathering...
...and a preview of what will be offered in 2019.
In August of 2016, we invited 12 of our soul sisters to experiment with us as we facilitated our first women’s retreat together. The theme named “Let the Way Be Open” guided our time together as we celebrated deep connection. Our conversations, walks, swims, meals and sharings of ideas & gifts were held in a container of soft energy that each of us contributed to with care & creativity.
In July 2018, we are opened the circle again.
Below is the story & details of this magical gathering...
...and a preview of what will be offered in 2019.
{ The Retreat }
How do you tell the story of you?
How do you tell the story of you?
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The story of the mother who gave everything.
The story of the woman who lost everything. They story you remembered after I forgot. The story you accidentally told me twice. The story I would prefer we stop telling. The story I tell my grandma at Easter. The story they posted on Facebook. The story you posted on Snapchat. The funny version of my sad story. The story that covered your truth. The story she's not ready to tell. The story they're aching to tell. The story you never told me. The story that I tell myself. The story I'll tell my boss. The I just met you story. The story I try to forget. The story I can't recall. The redemption story. The cautionary story. The exemplar story. The failure story. Her joyful story. My sad story. Their story. Your story. Her story. My story. |
We are shaped by stories. We have, within us and around us, the story of what makes a good woman; the story of what it means to be successful; the story of where we should be in our lives at any given moment. These are stories we've been told and stories we've made for ourselves; stories we repeat and stories we reject.
We carry our stories in our posture and on our skin; we share them in our media and in what we tell about our lives. Stories liberate and confine us; relationships are defined by what we tell and how we tell it. At this retreat, we'll spend intentional time exploring the stories we inhabit through art, body work, group time, journaling, and more. What's your story? How does it define you? How does it not? How do we find the courage to share our lives with authenticity? How can we listen deeply to the stories of the people around us? How might changing your story change your life? |
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{ Cost }
We will start accepting payments at the close of the retreat. If you need to pay with cash or checks, bring this with you to the retreat. Paypal can be used afterward
A payment of $100 will contribute funding towards: -staffing, admin & maintenance costs -five delicious meals Any other contribution over that amount will be received in the spirit of Gift Economy in which the giver gives within their means what they believe the experience is worth to them. We will talk together about Gift Economy during the retreat and share stories of what our vision is for bringing our abundance into more spaces. |
{ What To Bring }
Clothes you feel beautiful in
Bathing suit & towel Comfy shoes for walking Snacks to share Food for special dietary needs Journal, pens Art & books that inspire you Flashlight, bug spray, sun screen Rain gear Favorite coffee/tea mug (optional) { Accommodation }
Sleeping at Wild Hydrangea in groups is a design challenge in the works! The indoor space available to us is our main meeting house, Hickory Hall. There will be some beds and plenty of floor space for pallets, but private space is tight. We encourage camping, especially if you never have before! Any items needed can be provided. |
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{ Children }
Babies are welcome to be with their mothers all weekend. We will also have eager babysitters to hold & watch over them if need be. Little ones that need running around attention will need to stay home this time. |
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{ Pets }
There a handful of friendly dogs on property that roam and so we ask that you keep your pets at home to minimize having to manage them all. There will be felines among us. If you are allergic, bring allergy meds! |
{ Meals }
{ Meals }
All meals vegetarian w/ gluten & dairy free options.
Friday
Come well fed! Snacks abundant
Saturday
Breakfast
Muffins (Gluten free), granola, homemade yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea
Lunch
Homemade tamales by Anna Self, quinoa salad, black beans, tomato & cucumber salad
Dinner - Goddess Feast
Vegetable Curry, rice, fresh salad, taziki...and blueberry inspired dessert <3
Sunday
Breakfast
Muffins (Gluten free), Granola, yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea
Lunch
Garden Soup & Cornbread
{ Meals }
All meals vegetarian w/ gluten & dairy free options.
Friday
Come well fed! Snacks abundant
Saturday
Breakfast
Muffins (Gluten free), granola, homemade yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea
Lunch
Homemade tamales by Anna Self, quinoa salad, black beans, tomato & cucumber salad
Dinner - Goddess Feast
Vegetable Curry, rice, fresh salad, taziki...and blueberry inspired dessert <3
Sunday
Breakfast
Muffins (Gluten free), Granola, yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea
Lunch
Garden Soup & Cornbread
{ Directions }
The address is 249 Taylor Bottoms, Blountsville, AL 35031. Google maps brings you right to us.
If you have AT&T, you should have pretty good cell service all around. If you have Verizon, you might be ok, and any other provider you are likely to lose service as you approach, so please plan accordingly. The cabin does not have wifi, but we do have wifi next door if you have a pressing need while you are here.
The address is 249 Taylor Bottoms, Blountsville, AL 35031. Google maps brings you right to us.
If you have AT&T, you should have pretty good cell service all around. If you have Verizon, you might be ok, and any other provider you are likely to lose service as you approach, so please plan accordingly. The cabin does not have wifi, but we do have wifi next door if you have a pressing need while you are here.
Deadline for registration June 30, 2018
{ A note about inclusivity and cultural sensitivity }
Though there are MANY common experiences we women share, we are each uniquely different in bodies, race, color, religion (creed), age, ancestry, physical ability, marital status, sexual orientation, profession and education. All these difference will be respected and celebrated during this event.
We consciously chose to organize a young women's retreat to share in our generation's common experiences unique to those much younger or older in age to us. As we grow, we aim to widen and diversify our circles.
Though there are MANY common experiences we women share, we are each uniquely different in bodies, race, color, religion (creed), age, ancestry, physical ability, marital status, sexual orientation, profession and education. All these difference will be respected and celebrated during this event.
We consciously chose to organize a young women's retreat to share in our generation's common experiences unique to those much younger or older in age to us. As we grow, we aim to widen and diversify our circles.
{ Blessings to you, Sister }
