* INTENTION
Solo time alone in non-human spaces, in what we might call nature, is a healing gift that we offer to ourselves, the Earth, and the World. There are very few opportunities in our life today where we can sit quietly on the Earth, free from obligations and distractions, and allow what is inside us to flow out, and what is outside us to flow in. This time without distractions can be an experience of deep and nourishing reciprocity with the world. It can be a chance for us to tell the world all the things that are sitting on our heart and mind. We can offer our unending gratitude for the bounty that surrounds us. We can unburden ourselves of secrets and yearnings. We can empty ourselves of expectations and obligations. And we can settle into the peace of wild things.
Finding ourselves alone on the Earth, we can discover that we are never really alone, that we are always in relationship with the Other-Than-Human and with the greater whole. We might find that we are surrounded by the wonder and beauty of a world that loves and supports us truly, madly, deeply. That there is support for us in the small life of the mosses, and the big life of the sky. We might discover the friendship of spiderwebs, and the encouragement of ants. Sitting by ourselves on the Earth, we might uncover a knowing in the feel of wind in our hair, a kindness in the warmth of sun on our skin, and perhaps even a message in the solidity of rock and stone.
This might also be a time where parts of ourselves, pushed down and silenced in the noise and bustle of the city, rise up and ask for attention and acknowledgment. Parts of ourselves, that we might refer to us our shadow, might come forward in this time, asking for our wise compassion, our non-judgmental love and undivided attention. This is an invaluable gift if we can be in our courage and gentleness. In the same way that we might have a fear of fire until we know its warmth and creativity, we might have a fear of our shadow until we can be still enough to hear the power and presence, the medicine and the magic, contained in our beings and bodies.
Time by ourselves sitting on the Earth is a time to open our hearts, minds and bodies to the Great Mystery at the centre of Creation, and to come to know that we are that Mystery, beautiful and fierce, wild and gentle, brave and strong, to our core.
The whole ceremony will be held in a ritual container. Recalling ancient ways and listening to the words of our Ancestors and Other-Than-Human Kin, we will co-create a space of deep magic, wise play and kind curiosity.
*DATES & TIMES
There will be a day circle on the Land on Saturday March 21st from 10am - 6pm.
The purpose of this circle is to get to know one another, and to introduce ourselves to the Land and the Others that inhabit it. You must come to this circle if you wish to participate in the Wilderness Solo.
We will meet again in Franklinford on Thursday April 8th at 10 am.
We will finish our gathering on Sunday April 11th at 12pm.
Exact location to be provided with payment.
* ARRANGEMENTS
After our day circle on March 21st, we will meet again in Franklinford on Thursday 8th April at 10am and begin our ritual together.
We will sleep in the house in separate beds on Thursday night.
On Thursday during the day, you will be guided to choose a spot for your time alone overnight on Friday night.
On Friday morning, you will leave for your spot and you will spend the night there on Friday night.
You will be collected from your spot on Saturday.
Saturday night will be spent in the house again.
Our time on the Land will end on Sunday 11th April before lunch.
Nothing to achieve, nowhere to go. This is simply an offering to be alone for a night on the Earth.
* FOOD
The cost of the Wilderness Solo includes the following meals that we will eat together over the weekend:
Thursday lunch, Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast. (Then you leave for your spot).
Saturday supper, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast.
There will be no food provided for your time alone on the Land. I encourage you to fast from food and only drink water during this time, but it is entirely up to you.
These meals will not be provided:
Friday lunch, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday lunch.
You must have at least 5 litres of water with you during your solo time.
You will need either a large container of water to have with you, or a couple of big water bottles.
Just to make it clear, the offering is to refrain from food from Friday after breakfast until Saturday afternoon.
You must drink water during this time, and you can have snacks if you wish, but no food will be provided in this time.
The reason for this is to give time for stillness, quietude, peace and reflection to settle into the mind and body without the distraction of preparing and eating, digesting and processing food. If you spend your whole solo time thinking about food, that is perfectly fine, and perhaps it might be interesting to consider what food means to you in this time.
* SAFETY
All covid-safe precautions will be in place as required at the time of meeting.
I will provide more information about this closer to the time.
I am 1st aid trained and there will be some 1st aid equipment provided but you will need to bring your own small 1st aid kit for solo time. You can buy these online or just make it up yourself. It must include the following:
Band aids
Disinfectant and/or alcohol swabs
At least 1 long bandage
Antihistamines if you require these
Anti-inflammatory tablets
Sunscreen
Insect Repellant
You also must bring a whistle. This is what we will use for emergencies. You can buy these at camping shops or toy shops or maybe even $2 shops. We will go through how to use this when we are together on March 21st.
A camping list will be provided before the weekend.
* Something About Me
I am an intuitive healer, medicine weaver, witch. I have been training and working in the field of alchemical healing for about 25 years. I have participated in two 4-day long wilderness solos, and have run an overnight Solo on the Land I tend in Franklinford.
I am passionately committed to reweaving the relationship between Humans and Others. I am dedicated to reclaiming the power of the interconnectedness of all Life. I know from personal experience the inexpressible value of simply spending time sitting and listening to the World. It is my pleasure and honour to hold a secure, inclusive and respectful space for magic to occur.
* Inclusivity Policy
My commitment to inclusion across race, sex, gender, age, religion, class, identity and experience means bringing the the whole world home.
I create spaces that reflect the diversity and uniqueness of life. In this way, we empower ourselves and each other to be our most wonderous, authentic selves. Resilience, adaptability, strength and integrity are the core values that enable real, lasting transformation to occur.
All genders are welcome.
All people of any background are welcome in this space of care, concern and compassion.
* Payment/ Financial Exchange
The cost of the Wilderness Solo is $600.
This includes:
Day Circle on March 21st with lunch provided.
All meals on April 8th-11th as listed above.
Accomodation on the night of April 8th and April 10th.
Rituals, teaching and associated materials.
What is not included:
Camping gear for the night of April 9th.
Meals on solo night.
Personal 1st aid kit.
* Cancellation Policy
A complete refund minus 5% admin fee will be refunded if the event is cancelled due to Covid.
A 50% refund is offered up to 2 weeks before the event.
After that, there are no refunds available.
* Contact and more information
For more information, to enrol or to ask any questions, please feel free to get in touch:
m: 0448 828 121
e: melissa@sunmoonhealing.com
With wild love,
Melissa Bee xox