Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Planet

June 8th – June 10th, 2007
Chinook Center at Whidbey Island, Washington

Thank you for your interest in our June 2007 retreat, “Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Planet.” We at Raven Song Retreats are excited to be sharing our passion in caring for the Earth by offering an opportunity to join in discussion and activities exploring facts and feelings surrounding the climate changes occurring in our world today. We will also take part in healing rituals for Mother Earth and for us, her children.

This women-only retreat will take place on June 8th – June 10th at the Chinook Center at Whidbey Island, in the Puget Sound waters just Northwest of Seattle, Washington. In looking for a location for this retreat we knew we had found perfect partners in an institute that is a place designed for “spiritual renewal, learning from the natural world, and convening diverse conversations on behalf of the common good” with a purpose to “cultivate ecological and spiritual consciousness, nourish a new social and economic imagination, actively promote cross sector collaboration and encourage creative, adaptive leadership, on behalf of the common good.”

In safe and sacred space we will engage in activities and meditative reflection created to help each of us explore our personal feelings and fears surrounding climate change, environmental and social challenges. We will also engage in guided meditation and Shamanic journeying to strengthen and support our common desire and commitment to bring healing to the Earth when we return to our daily lives. In the company of other women we will explore, as a community, the challenges of environmental commitment and celebrate the Earth and support one another as partners in the healing that must take place in what deep ecology experts term “The Great Turning.”

During personal time, participants will have the opportunity to explore Mother Nature ’s magnificence on the trails of the Whidbey Institute. They will also have the opportunity to walk a sacred labyrinth and join with others in ritual at the Institute ’s Sanctuary, a truly warm and peaceful site within easy walking distance of the Farmhouse where we will be housed.

In addition to other activities, Friday night will provide an opportunity to “sweat ” in a Finnish sauna, just a few steps from the Farmhouse. Saturday will bring a wealth of activities including sharing and movement exercises and meditative, Shamanic journeying, and a Peruvian release ceremony. As a giveback to the land we will be doing hands-on gardening in the Institute’s amazing gardens. Sunday will include a number of supportive and celebratory activities.

For those wanting to join others after the retreat for a bit more Earth connection, there will be an opportunity to meet at the Earth Sanctuary, just a few minutes from the Whidbey Institute.

Three healthy and delicious meals a day will be provided, along with snacks. Meals incorporate organic and local products to a large degree and lean toward but are not exclusively vegetarian unless requested.

Retreat fees: $425*

* A “bring a friend discount” of $50 is available. For details, please contact us.
* A $25 discount is available if paid in full by May 1st.

In order for us to finalize meal planning and ensure space availability, please register no later than June 1, 2007.

For more information on the Whidbey Institute, and for directions to the Chinook Center, please see: http://www.whidbeyinstitute.org/index.html

For more information on the Earth Sanctuary please visit: http://www.earthsanctuary.org/