Venus Rose Autumn Retreat
Beautiful things happen when women come together, when we nourish, respect and celebrate one another, when we let go of the societal pressures and just be. When we gather in a sacred container as our most authentic selves, we uplift, support and inspire each other, and as a sisterhood we rise together.
The Rose calls us to awaken the divine feminine within, symbolising love, beauty, and spiritual transformation, much like Venus, the goddess who embodies these qualities. The Rose invites us to explore her symbolic significance and unlock the profound wisdom she holds, guiding us on a heart-centred path and fostering a sacred relationship with our hearts, wombs, the earth and the mystery of life.
By engaging with the Rose's energy through different ways of imbibing her through oils, incense, teas and tinctures, we can awaken our inner Rose Priestess, and step into a journey of deep connection and transformation.
Glastonbury is considered by many as the heart chakra of the earth. It is known as the mystical Isle of Avalon where the legendary King Arthur was said to have been buried, and also visited by Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathea. It is without a doubt one of the most powerful sacred sites in the UK.
You may have read (or may like to read) the book "The Mists of Avalon" a novel describing Morgaine, the Priestess of Avalon, Lady of the Lake, half-sister to King Arthur, who was on the same path with Merlin, and was the Priestess who held the power of Excalibur. She was the only one able to lift the mists to cross the lake to Avalon.
This special land will be our venue for our Autumn Retreat, a unique and enriching experience designed to empower and inspire. Hosted by our well-seasoned guide, Erika, this retreat will take place from 3pm on Friday October 18, 2024, to 5pm on Sunday 20th October, at the serene and beautiful Apothecary Garden, nestled in the heart of Butleigh, Glastonbury in Somerset.
Nestled amidst organically cultivated gardens and carefully preserved wild-crafted areas, the landscape serves as the backdrop to our exquisite collection of bespoke-built cabins and meticulously renovated barns, all nestled in close proximity to a timeless stone circle.
In this haven, our gardens and surroundings are not just a place to seek solace but a space to unite. Here, we come together to nurture not only ourselves but also the intricate, interwoven systems of nature. We embrace the profound connection between the well-being of the land and the well-being of all who tread upon it. It is a sanctuary for the soul and a sanctuary for the earth, where we find that nurturing one inevitably nurtures the other in a beautiful, harmonious dance of life.
In these tranquil surroundings Erika will guide you through a series of embodiment rituals, practices, activities and special ceremonies aimed at fostering self-awareness, personal growth, transformation and a deeper connection to nature and the goddess within.
Autumn is the beginning of the descent into Winter. We can sense the coming darkness. There may be a sense of melancholy as we wave goodbye to the summer with her long, light-filled days. The leaves are changing colour and falling from the trees. It’s a time of release and letting go. We have passed the Autumn Equinox and are preparing to meet Samhain, the beginning of the Celtic New Year, and is the special time of honouring and thanking our Ancestors.
This is when we see the results of how we have tended to our ‘gardens’ and the cycle of our growth for the year. We take note of the the fruits of our labour, what we will be carrying forward with us and what will need to be put to death and composted.
Autumn corresponds to the Disseminating Moon to the Third Quarter Moon, and week three of the menstrual cycle.
In “The Women’s Wheel of Life” Elizabeth Davis and Carol Leonard describe this season of a woman’s life with the archetypes of the the Matriarch and the Priestess - the Wise Woman.
Keywords and phrases for the Maga, or Wise Woman are: harvesting one’s life skills and talents, confidence, competence, assimilation, integration, power, giving back, contributing, community-mindedness, maturity, presence, security, abundance, sharing, storing for the future, and the archetypes of Grandmother, Harvest Queen, Sovereign Self and Enchantress.
It corresponds to the season of womanhood we know as meno(or moon-o-)pause. The definition of a woman in menopause is one that has not bled for two years. She is the woman who knows and is 'in her power'.
This Native American quote sums up the Rites of Passage for Womankind -
In menarche a woman enters her power.
In her menstruating years she practices her power.
At menopause she becomes her power.
As Dr. Christiane Northrup says: “Menopause is designed to heal all the unhealed parts of you, that is the wisdom of menopause.”
In her book “The Wisdom of Menopause,” Dr. Northrup says that the symptoms of peri-menopause can be likened to the labour of childbirth – with the birth this time being giving birth to yourself.
She calls menopause “the Mother of all wake up calls.” Everything that you have ‘swept under the carpet’ comes up during menopause, for you to deal with, to face, to heal, to let go of and to learn from as you become the next version of you. Whatever needs to come up for you to be this next, healed version of you, will show itself as physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms.
This Autumn life season is probably the least honoured and least understood by our culture.
We will gather a group of women of mixed ages to bear witness to the crowning of the Autumn Queens - the women that have crossed the threshold from peri-menopause to menopause.
We will honour the Wise Women's harvest of wisdom and knowledge that has been collected through their life journeys to offer back to their communities.
It's helpful for younger women to witness and prepare for this stage of life, and to not fear it, but actually look forward to it. When we celebrate together in these kinds of gatherings sharing the love of wisdom and reverence for the Earth's cycles, we honour all seasons of womanhood.
By recognising and valuing women at all stages of life, we can create a more mature and inclusive society. Elder women offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that can enrich our communities and guide us toward a balanced and wise future.
Throughout the weekend, you'll have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, participate in meditative practices, explore the beautiful garden that serves as our sanctuary, as well as visiting the exquisite and magical Chalice Well Gardens with the red spring waters running through and The White Spring. We will climb the gentle hill up to the famous Glastonbury Tor.
Whether you're looking to gain new insights, meet like-minded women, or simply take a moment for yourself, this retreat offers the perfect setting.
We believe that every woman carries a wellspring of wisdom within her, and this retreat is designed to help you tap into that inner resource.
Erika's gentle and supportive approach ensures that each participant feels valued and heard, creating a nurturing environment where you can truly flourish.
Schedule
Friday
2pm Arrivals and settling in
4pm Opening Circle and Restorative Yoga
6.30pm Welcome Dinner
8.00pm Spinning Wheel Talk and Sweet Dreaming Yoga Nidra
Saturday
7.30-7.45am Tea / Chia Pot
8am Somatic Exploration (yoga, meditation, breath work, dance, voice activation / chanting)
12pm Lunch
2pm Venus Rose Releasing Ritual & Cha Dao Tea Ceremony with Amie Roberts
7.00pm Autumn Feast
8pm Fire Ceremony, singing, hot-tub.
Sunday
8am Tea / Chia Pot
8.30am Somatic Exploration
10.30am Closing Circle
12pm Lunch
Check out
Group excursion to Glastonbury - Chalice Well Gardens & The Tor (& High St if desired)
The Sunrise Cabin
Food
We have the amazing Chippy (AKA Peter Grant of Trewhitts) cooking for us which will be such a treat! I am so looking forward to enjoying his artistry again. Check him out on IG @Trewhitts for some inspirational recipes and food porn.
In his words -
"At the core of my work lies a deep and unwavering passion for championing local, organic food, cultivating a vibrant and wholesome lifestyle, and immersing in the captivating realms of foraging, herbalism, and fermenting. By embracing the principles of sustainable living and forging meaningful connections between individuals and the natural world, I am committed to crafting an extraordinary culinary journey that nourishes and enriches the lives of all."
Exchange (per person)
Big Barn
Sharing triple or double room - (one double bed and one single bed) £595 (or £495 if you don't mind sharing the double bed with a friend) or £795 single occupancy
Bedroom Two (double bed) £795.00
Starlight Cabin
Double Bed £595.00
Double Sofa bed £545.00
Single Occupancy £795.00
Sunrise Cabin
Double Bed £595.00
Double Sofa bed £545.00
Single Occupancy £795.00
Private Cottage
Double room £750.00
Cancellation Policy
Sorry, no refunds but your place may be transferred to a friend, or may be passed to someone if there is a waitlist. Please ensure you take our your own insurance in case of need to cancel for ill-health / emergencies.
Please send an email to erikatourellcoaching@gmail.com to book your place.
If you have not attended one of Erika’s retreats before, we will set up a zoom call so we can get to know each other a bit and make sure there is a good fit.
About Erika
Currently residing in West London with her husband of thirty years and their two grown up daughters, Erika continues to dedicate her life to personal and collective healing and earth-based spirituality in devotion to the goddess and the cycles of life. She guides individuals, couples and groups as a relational life coach, bodyworker, tantra yoga and meditation teacher, sacred sexuality and intimacy guide, circle holder and fervent ritualist devoted to reviving life's sacred essence. Her mission is to create inclusive spaces that foster reconnection and liberation for all.
Erika seamlessly integrates the celebration of beauty, gratitude, and awe with the essential work of addressing grief and trauma resolution. Her practice offers a sanctuary for both personal, ancestral, intergenerational and cultural healing as she explores the intricate layers at the intersections of the human and other-than-human bodies, souls, and spirits.
Erika's approach leads individuals back to their hearts, their authentic radiant selves, embodied wisdom and joyful living. By embodying her own truth, she unlocks the sovereignty within others.
This is the only opportunity for the rest of this year to work with Erika in-person at this depth. She will work with you at the deepest level, on both your body and mind, to dissolve deep energetic blocks so a new possibility of peace, purpose, aliveness and joy can become available for your life.
Come as you are, and leave feeling more connected, inspired, and empowered.
If you have any questions or concerns, please drop me a line.