Wild Woman’s Way
5th - 12th OCTOBER 2023
WEEKLONG INITIATION
DARTMOOR
Initiation | Archetypes | Shadow Work | Nature Connection
KEY THEMES
KEY THEMES
Initiation
Archetypes
Shadow Work
Nature Connection
An initiation into the sacred arts of the feminine
This rite of passage will challenge you to hunt down your shadows, and then make love to them, as you shake free the shackles that keep you small, and step into your full radiance.
If you are longing to connect more deeply with your innate power, the wisdom of nature, and feel the full support of other women, this is for you.
What you get:
Reclaiming your cycles and your blood as sacred
Saying NO and setting your boundaries
Soothing your inner child
Saying F*ck YES to your pleasure and sexuality
Juicy cacao ecstatic dance
Creating deep and lasting sisterhood friendships
Releasing deep seated shame
Creating a healthy relationship with rage
Breaking out of negative thought patterns and beliefs
Connecting to the earth and her cycles
Powerful rituals and rites of passage
Tantric practices for intimacy
Sex magic manifestation
Dedicating yourself to your soul purpose
Expect lots of nature, dancing, singing, laughter, tears, ritual, music, releasing, playing and praying.
“Alana and Gaia are incredibly talented at being able to create, hold and support transformative spaces. This weekend retreat was truly a life changing moment and I am so grateful to them for crafting this moment for us. Thank you.”
- AMY L
Working With Archetype
The Mythopoetic Language of the Soul
Archetypes represent different facets of our psyche. They are a personification of certain qualities and behaviours that can be recognised in the human experience throughout all time, and across all cultures. We see this manifested in the similarities between the deities, and myths around the world.
Each archetype contains light and shadow qualities, healthy and unhealthy expressions. It is likely you will resonate strongly with some archetypes, and others may feel underdeveloped or even estranged.
This work is about deep self enquiry to understand our way of being in the world, so that we can notice where our shadows are playing out, and bring awareness to how we need to grow, in order to become whole.
Archetypes work together. They become your allies. When we can identify a shadow pattern or behaviour, we can call upon another archetype to support us in stepping out of the unhelpful behaviour, and into a more empowering story.
Check out Gaia’s free lecture on the archetypes to get a deeper understanding of this work.
What to Expect
Our approach is highly embodied and utilises many modalities to fully explore the themes.
As artists and magpies of inner work we offer: sharing circles, meditation, voice work, dance, embodied ritual, grief tending, nature connection, play, theatre and magic as methods to connect with our inner feral and wide-eyed one, who listens to the pulse of nature all around.
Nature Connection
Supporting seeing the natural world as alive and animate helps us connect to something bigger than ourselves as well as supporting our mental and physical wellbeing
Voice Work and Singing
By working to free the voice it can helps us develop the ability to clearly express ourselves and bring our truth to the world.
Movement and Dance
Learning to connect with the sensations and desires of the body, moving for our own pleasure, listening deeply to the wisdom of the body, and unblocking stuck energy
Sharing circles
Through authenticity and vulnerability we build deep intimacy and a safe container where we can learn the power of compassion for ourselves and others.
Play
Weaving together theatre games and tantric techniques to help us connect to our child-like playfulness, breaking down barriers and connecting deeply with each other
Ceremony & Ritual
These helps us create containers for us to discover our own flavour spirituality whilst holding spaces for deep transformation
“This was everything I expected and more, it was so well organised and flowed from one beautiful ceremony to the next. It was facilitated in a way that was deeply healing and felt like the most open and wonderful space to share without judgment. I'm so grateful to have been able to take part in this retreat so thank you again for creating such a magical space for women to come together and heal. Such a powerful community.”
- ELLIS O
The Journey
Day 1 : Maiden - She who Bleeds
Youth, energy, new beginnings, innocence, joy, surrender, blossoming.
We begin our journey with an initiation into maidenhood, the threshold moment from child to woman, first blood, and learning to honour and live in accordance with our cycles.
We’ll make contact with our younger selves that were so desperately in need of initiation, to reclaim our blood as primal and sacred and co-create a retrospective initiation to welcome ourselves into Menarchy.
We’ll introduce some basic neurobiology and frameworks from the Relational Life Institute, and learn how our inner children get in the way when we feel activated, and what we can do to cultivate autonomy and get back into the driving seat of our lives.
Day 2: Warrior - She who Battles
Boundaries, healthy expression of anger, will power, clear communication, justice.
In day 3 we will explore how to tune in to our YES and our NO. How to get what we do want, and how to communicate what we don't want. We'll look at what happens when our boundaries are crossed, and what blocks us from feeling empowered to express ourselves. This will be done with lots of partner work, charging up our solar plexus and unblocking our throat chakras.
In order to fully connect with our NO we have to tune in to our anger, something that many of us have kept suppressed for a loooong time, which either turns inward into depression or leaks out in damaging ways.
Learning to express anger is an essential component of being able to trust yourself to set clear and firm boundaries.
Day 3: Lover - She who Blossoms
Pleasure, sensuality, beauty, creativity, alchemy, ecstasy, playfulness, and surrender.
In day 4 we'll explore our relationship to sex and sensuality.
In order to fully own our desires and our pleasure we must confront the biggest block - SHAME. This day sets us up for some potent work to unearth and release shame and guilt from our bodies.
By bringing these stories into the open, we realise we are not alone in our experiences. Shame cannot stand exposure, and once released into the open, it loosens its grip over us.
The evening will be a super yummy dive into exploring sacred sensuality with your own body by activating all the senses, slowing down, and re-sensitising yourself to what you ACTUALLY want. This is all about saying a big fat YES to yourself and your worthiness for full body pleasure, abundance and manifestation.
Day 4: Queen - She who Believes
Sovereignty, responsibility, commitment, self-worth, self-belief and service.
The sacred task of the queen is to discover what and who she is in service to. This is an exploration of your soul purpose and breaking through fears that prevent you from owning and going for what your heart truly longs for, what it is that sets you on fire.
This archetype helps us to take full responsibility for our experiences, and challenges us to step up. Through self responsibility, comes sovereignty. Through sovereignty comes true freedom.
We'll also investigate the ‘Sister Wound’, which festers in our psyches as the part that feels jealous or threatened by other women. It is the Queen Bee energy that seeks to be above other women and creates competition and bitchiness. This will be a day of celebrating each other, and lifting each other up. In sisterhood we are SO MUCH STRONGER.
Day 5: Priestess - She who Bows
Connection to spirit, honouring life, stillness, prayer, love, wisdom.
The priestess is the guide between the realms, she teaches us to tend to our inner flame, and find stillness and peace within.
We’ll explore what it means to hold deep ritual space. Learning to honour each other as we set our intentions and dedications for the future, and the magic that happens when we hold ourselves and each other in that place.
We’ll also learn about Celtic Mythology and the ancient traditions of this land.
This is for you if:
You are ready to do deep shadow work, and reclaim your sovereignty
You want to feel more connected to your body and your pleasure
You want to learn tools for feeling and dealing with your emotions
You want to learn tools to deepen intimacy
You want to unlock your voice
You’re fed up of negative self talk and want to
elevate your sense of self worth
You want more meaning and purpose in your life
You want to make friends with women who want to connect in authenticity and honesty.
The Schedule at a Glance:
Day 1: Arrival and Opening Ceremony
Day 2: Maiden:
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and Menstrual Magic
Afternoon (Body): Embracing your inner child through play
Evening (Soul): Maiden Initiation - Menarche - Rite of Passage Ceremony
Day 3: Warrior
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry, Communication and boundary setting
Afternoon (Body): Dance of the Archetypes (Embodying rage)
Evening (Soul): Warrior Initiation
Day 4: Lover
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and Tantric techniques for intimacy
Afternoon (Body): The Wheel of Consent
Evening (Soul): Lover - Pleasure Initiation
Day 5: Queen
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and shadow work
Afternoon (Body): Hike to the tor (Soul Walk)
Evening (Soul): Queen Initiation (Fire Council)
Day 6: Priestess
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and Celtic Wisdom
Afternoon (Body): Self Dedication Ceremony
Evening (Soul): Feast
Day 7: Integration
Morning: Free time for rest and reflection
Afternoon: Free time for rest and reflection
Evening: Closing Ceremony
Day 8: Departure
The Schedule at a Glance:
Day 1: Arrival and Opening Ceremony
Day 2: Maiden:
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and Menstrual Magic
Afternoon (Body): Embracing your inner child through play
Evening (Soul): Maiden Initiation - Menarche - Rite of Passage Ceremony
Day 3: Warrior
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry, Communication and boundary setting
Afternoon (Body): Dance of the Archetypes (Embodying rage)
Evening (Soul): Warrior Initiation
Day 4: Lover
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and Tantric techniques for intimacy
Afternoon (Body): The Wheel of Consent
Evening (Soul): Lover - Pleasure Initiation
Day 5: Queen
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and shadow work
Afternoon (Body): Hike to the tor (Soul Walk)
Evening (Soul): Queen Initiation (Fire Council)
Day 6: Priestess
Morning (Mind): Group Enquiry and Celtic Wisdom
Afternoon (Body): Self Dedication Ceremony
Evening (Soul): Feast
Day 7: Integration
Morning: Free time for rest and reflection
Afternoon: Free time for rest and reflection
Evening: Closing Ceremony
Day 8: Departure
This is for you if:
You are ready to do deep shadow work, and reclaim your sovereignty
You want to feel more connected to your body and your pleasure
You want to learn tools for feeling and dealing with your emotions
You want to learn tools to deepen intimacy
You want to unlock your voice
You’re fed up of negative self talk and want to
elevate your sense of self worth
You want more meaning and purpose in your life
You want to make friends with women who want to connect in authenticity and honesty.
“This was everything I expected and more, it was so well organised and flowed from one beautiful ceremony to the next. It was facilitated in a way that was deeply healing and felt like the most open and wonderful space to share without judgment. I'm so grateful to have been able to take part in this retreat so thank you again for creating such a magical space for women to come together and heal. Such a powerful community.”
- JADE S
Venue
Brimpts Farm lies literally at the heart of Dartmoor.
It is surrounded by both farmland and wilderness, with ancient monuments and river spots right on the doorstep, camping hot tubs and sauna and a large hall space.
We love a morning stroll down to the river Dart for a cold water dip or a silent walk through the local forest and up to the nearby Tor. This location is ideal for this retreat with the land supporting participants to deepen and integrate the insights that emerge through the work.
Travel
Lift shares
We create a whatsapp group in advance of the retreat so that you can arrange a lift share or taxi share with other women on the retreat.
Public Transport
Train or bus to Newton Abbot (30 mins away) then taxi or car share.
Driving
From London Go to Exeter, then follow directions.
From Exeter (40 minutes) take the A38 towards Plymouth:
Take 2nd Ashburton turn off onto the B3357 to Two Bridges/ Princetown. Follow the road for 7 miles, past Dartmeet, up the hill, we are the 1st drive on the right.
From Plymouth (40 minutes) take the A386 towards Tavistock:
Take B3212 at Yelverton to Two Bridges (via Princetown). At Two Bridges turn right onto the B3357 towards Dartmeet. Follow the road for 5 miles, turn left immediately after the Hexworthy turning.
Is This Right For You?
Important - Please Read Carefully
While this work may have therapeutic benefits, this is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. If you are experiencing significant mental health challenges we strongly encourage you to seek 1-1 support from a qualified psychotherapist.
During this weekend there may be invitations to explore and express emotions such as anger and grief, as well as invitations to explore nudity and sexuality. Everything is optional and will be made explicitly so throughout the weekend.
Some of the content shared by participants in sharing circles may of a triggering or traumatic nature. This retreat is designed to create a space for us to be open and honest with each other about experiences, and through this healing is possible.
While we do our best to create an environment that feels safe and inclusive, it is your responsibility to look after your own needs and boundaries. If this is something you struggle with, or you are concerned about any element of this retreat please contact us in advance. We are very willing to chat on the phone and check in about whether this retreat is right for you at this time.
Investment
Payment Options
Single Room - You will have a room to yourself - £1600
Twin Room - You will be sharing with one other - £1300
Dorm Room - You will be sharing with three others £1000
Camping - You will have your own tent £900
Bursary* - You will be sharing with three others - £600
We also have payment plans available where we spread ticket
price across three instalments made payable before the retreat.
Alumni - If you've already attended one of our retreats you can
enjoy the benefits of 10% discount. Get in touch with us for the discount code
Your Booking Includes
7 nights accommodation
6 days of workshops and ritual
Breakfast, lunch, dinner + snacks
Access to hot tub and sauna
Access to wild nature
Sustainable Cacao from Cacao Amor
(Does not include travel to and from site)
*We have a limited number of reduced bursary places for Black or Women of Colour, LGBTQ+, and folks with disabilities from marginalised communities or challenging socio-economic backgrounds.
We are in a process of learning and unlearning how to make our space equitable, diverse and inclusive of the multitudes of experiences of women, trans women, femme and non-binary folk. Creating scholarship and bursary places for those who might struggle to access or participate in events like this is part of our approach. For further information please read our inclusion statement.
Please fill out this form to apply for a scholarship place. If you have any questions or concerns please email alana@truenature.org.uk
The Facilitators
Alana Bloom is an artist, facilitator and activist. Her work is focused on stewarding an eco-centric culture and she guides experiences for people to cultivate their relationship with the more-than-humans and their inner wild one. She works with ritual, embodiment and many practices inspired by her theatre & dance training. With her background and interests in deep nature connection, grief, archetypes and rites of passage, she supports people to remember our innate belonging, wildness and wholeness. She currently offers women’s immersions and retreats, grief rituals, courses and eco-centric mentoring.
"She lives and breathes what she teaches, she shares from her inner well of lived experience" - Emma Ashru Jones, Coach and Facilitator
‘Her mixture of skill, authentic expression, intuition and pure feminine power as a facilitator, ritualist and artist have empowered, inspired and catalysed my own authentic creative expression.’ - Julianne Mueller, Founder Sex Club
Gaia Harvey Jackson is a workshop facilitator and artist creating spaces for deep transformation and specialising in women's empowerment. She runs the courses, retreats and training programmes for women.
Gaia is passionate about the revival of ritual and works with communities to co-create ceremonies around the world, helping people to mark significant moments, move through challenges, and celebrate life. Her work combines elements of theatre games, voice work, meditation, dance and ritual, creating safe and playful environments where people can authentically connect and release.
“Gaia always holds a safe and loving space to explore the depths of our souls. It's one of the only places I have in my life to truly be myself - no expectations, limitations or judgement.”
Ticket Policy
£200 of your ticket is non-refundable. This is to cover any admin costs if you choose to cancel and to support participants to be sure they can attend before purchasing a ticket. If we manage to find someone to fill your spot we can transfer your ticket to another retreat.
We do not offer the 10% membership discount on our retreats. This is because our overheads are so high, and a 10% discount on an event with a high ticket value has a huge affect on our overall budget.
We cannot offer any refunds if you decide not to attend within 10 days of the retreat start date. With such short notice we are usually unable to fill your spot. If we (or you) do manage to find someone to fill your spot we can transfer your ticket to another retreat.
Please be sure that you are able to attend the whole retreat before booking. We request that participants join with the intention of staying until the end of the retreat unless this has been discussed and arranged with us before booking your ticket and prior to the start of the retreat.
BOOK NOW
If you’re feeling the call, apply to join the retreat on the link below.