SOUL IN NATURE RETREAT

This retreat offers an opportunity to take time to experience how we can bring our Soul to Nature and let Soul in Nature touch us. Although this is a personal process, we will also open to it together in Circle so we can learn from each other.

We will explore questions such as:

• What happens to our Soul when we connect with both Nature around us and Nature inside us?
• How can we meet Soul in Nature and learn to work together?
• What does more-than-human Nature want us to know at this time?
• What does it mean to be part of a whole and learn to live this way?

By working with Spirits of Nature and with animism as a guiding concept, we can find support and inspiration and learn to listen more deeply to the Living World. 

We will also ask for help to take this knowledge and way of sensing with us back into our everyday lives, and find ways to stay connected in cities and built up areas.

This retreat offers you space to spend time with Nature and go deeper into your relation with the world.

We will work together in mornings and evenings, leaving afternoons for personal work, reflection or guidance. The silence and space helps you to come closer to yourself and to the Spirits. We will work with shamanic journeys, medicine walks, talking piece and ceremony, embracing and bringing our attention to what we are shown. 

Although each person will receive personal guidance, we will also connect together as a Circle. Experiencing what it means to be part of a community; listening and learning from each other; and discovering about the many ways to live more deeply connected with Soul in Nature. 

This residential retreat is taught in English, by Jonathan Horwitz & Zara Waldebäck 

We will work in a small group of max 15 participants.  

Each participant will be asked to write a letter as preparation.

Special Opportunity: the course also offers a possibility to do a traditional ceremonial Sitting-Out at night (Utiseta) for those who wish. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:
If you are interested in the course, please begin by signing up to the interested list via the button above. Then fill in the application form. Make sure to take your time and write your answers as fully and honestly as possible. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive a response (after 15 January). Please be aware that filling in the form does not mean you will automatically be offered a place. 

PREREQUISITES:
Participants must have completed introductory training "The Shaman's Journey" or agreed equivalent. You must have experience of shamanic journeying in a tradition similar to ours and have good contact with at least two Spirit Helpers. Working together in this way ensures we share a common ground and language for the connection to the Spirits. 

** If you are not familiar with our way of teaching, find out more here:
• Journey practice https://www.shamanism.dk/shamanic-journeying
• Working with Intention https://www.shamanism.dk/formulating-intention
• Introduction to Shamanism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Zr-pxhx_A&t=23s

PRICE & BOOKING:
The total price for the course is 12 500 SEK / 11 500 SEK, which includes:
• Teaching Fee: 5500 SEK (standard price) or 4500 SEK (discount price) 
• Food & Accommodation: 7000 SEK

The teaching fee is paid in full before 1 May, either as one payment or in  instalments. The price includes 25% moms/vat/sales tax and you will receive a receipt upon booking. The standard price for teaching is 5500 SEK. If you are on a low income, you can choose a discount price of 4500 SEK. 

Food & accommodation is paid via a separate booking form, in full by 1 May, either as one payment or instalments. More information will be sent in March. All participants must pay the food and accommodation and live onsite.

TENTING -
If you prefer to tent, you will receive a discount of 700 SEK (in total, not per night). Make sure to click this option on the accommodation booking form. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

• If the course is cancelled at short notice, your payment is refunded in full.
• If the course is cancelled at short notice, we do not cover any travel expenses. All travel costs are your own responsibility and choice.
• If you cancel your place before 1 April, your payment will be fully refunded.
• If you cancel your place between 1 April-1 May, you will be refunded 100% of the teaching fee ONLY IF we find someone to take your place. If no one takes your place, your payment is not refunded.
  
• If you cancel your place after 1 May, you will be refunded 50% of the teaching fee ONLY IF we find someone to take your place. If no one takes your place, your payment is not refunded.
• If you become ill in the days before the course, contact Zara immediately and stay at home. Please respect the health of others and do not come if you have any symptoms.
  
  

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
The course is fully residential. It includes 3 meals each full day, of delicious fresh vegetarian/vegan food. Gluten-free options available. The venue offers simple accommodation, mainly in shared rooms. Tenting is possible at a small discount. 

Please note, that we cannot welcome animals or family members. This is an intensive course that needs your full attention. We ask you not to consume any alcohol or drugs while on the course, beyond prescribed medicine. 

TIMES:
We begin on Monday at 17.00 and end on Saturday at 15.00.

Participants must arrive between 14.30 - 16.00 and stay til the end of the course.

** IMPORTANT: Please do not arrive late or leave early

Make sure to check with Zara before organising any travel tickets.

Circle time: On this retreat we will meet in Circle for morning or evening sessions. Most afternoons will be spent on personal reflection, work in nature or 1-2-1 sessions with Jonathan or Zara. There may also be pair work or small group work. 

Sessions have short toilet breaks but no coffee/tea breaks - this allows us to go deeper into the work without interruptions. Lunch and dinner breaks are longer.

PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are compulsory - all participants are expected to take part in all sessions unless there is an emergency. Working in Circle and participating fully in all aspects of the course is an essential part of the learning experience. On this course we hold silence in the mornings. 

VENUE:
Åsbacka is a small intimate venue in a peaceful forest setting. The simple accommodation is mainly shared. There are 2 semi-single rooms, with a curtain separating it from a room with 2 people in (no sound proofing). Most rooms are 2-3 people sharing. There are 2 shower bathrooms and 3 toilets.

There is a long hiking trail right outside the center, and a short drive away is a wild lake for walks and swimming. The nearest shops are about a 20 min drive away. 

More information: https://www.asbacka.org/

TRAVEL:
Nearest airport: Copenhagen, Denmark (2-3 hrs away by train&bus). It is possible to fly to Gothenburg but it is further away. Stockholm is not close by. 

Nearest train stations: Ängelholm or Hässleholm. After this, take bus 511 to Lärkeröd where you can be picked up, if arranged ahead of time. More detailed travel information will be sent after booking.

Sometimes it is possible to lift-share with other participants - please ask if interested.

If you are coming by car and can offer lifts to others, this is very much appreciated.

Travel information for bus and trains: https://www.skanetrafiken.se/