Join us for a very special Autumn Equinox Day Retreat - connecting to nature, ourselves and each other, through harnessing all the elements – earth, fire, water and air. Connecting to the grounding earth through Mama Cacao, clay, ritual and submergence in a stunning nature reserve location. Connecting with transformation and power through fire with the deep heat from a cosy cabin sauna. Connecting to emotional flow through water with a serene natural plunge lake. Connecting to divinity and movement through air with the sound waves of the crystal harp, the intention of spaciousness, and co-created love.

We are Jasmine (she/they) and Jess (she/her) - a couple who share a passion for craft and healing. Jasmine is a clay artist and tutor, and Jess is a plant medicine woman / facilitator. When we fell in love our two worlds naturally intertwined creating something very healing for the mind, body and soul. We shared this for the first time in our last ‘Clay and Cacao’ event in May, and by popular demand we are back. We will be co-facilitating an intimate and nourishing Day Retreat just after Equinox, at Westbury Wildlife Park in Bristol. This event is queer run, queer centred, for queer folks AND their allies! If you don't identify as queer but actively love and support the queer community then you are welcome too.

WHAT IS EQUINOX?:

Equinox marks the beginning of a new season and the harmony between light and dark. This is a powerful time for growth, reflection and new beginnings. It's a time to slow down, nourish yourself, conserve your energy, and let go, as the trees begin to do the same. While we make this huge transition from summer energy to Autumn energy, we need to hold each other through ritual, gratitude, creativity and community. To feel grounded and joyful in seasonal transitions we need to give reverence and acknowledgment to the transitions within the nature that supports us, and that is what we intend to do on this retreat.

WHAT THE DAY WILL LOOK LIKE:

10am-12pm: Cacao ceremony, healing song / icaros, guided heart opening meditation, sound healing with crystal harp, opening sharing circle.

From a beautiful yurt, nestled within the nature reserve, Jess will be serving you a cup of ceremonial grade, ethically sourced, organic, Peruvian Cacao. Jess will guide you through a heart opening meditation, channel healing songs / Icaros, and bring sound healing using a crystal harp to help you connect deeply to your heart, those around you, and the Cacao plant. You will be invited to set a personal intention before drinking the Cacao. We will have an opportunity to share our experiences in the opening sharing circle after the ceremony.

12-1pm: Provided shared lunch in beautiful nature surroundings.

A delicious homemade, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, lunch will be provided. We will sit among the trees while we natter, connect and nourish our bodies together. You are welcome to bring your own food if you are particular about what you wish to eat.

1-3:30pm: Pottery workshop

Jasmine will demonstrate and guide you through the making of your own ceremonial cup. You will learn how to pinch, coil and sculpt with clay. You will have an opportunity to have a quick go on a pottery wheel if you’d like to. You will have a range of colourful glazes to choose from for your cup. Your cup will be fired and glazed by Jasmine and be ready for collection from the Bristol Folk House Pottery Studio a few weeks after the retreat.

4-5pm: Sauna and lake plunge pool

A time to relax and let go in the heat of the sauna and cleansing of the plunge lake. You will have an hour. If you don't wish to partake in this, you are welcome to continue working on your cup instead.

5:30-6pm: Closing sharing circle

We will close the retreat with a sharing circle and give thanks before we part ways.

MORE ABOUT JESS:

Jess is a Plant Medicine Facilitator and a dedicated student of Curanderismo (the ancient practice of traditional healing rooted in Indigenous wisdom). She spends time in the Amazon Jungle every year, learning directly from indigenous Curanderas about plant medicines and holding space for people to benefit from their healing wisdoms and qualities. She also works as an engagement worker for a mental health charity.

MORE ABOUT CAOCAO:

Cacao beans are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Cacao beans are harvested from pods on trees that grow in Africa, The Caribbean and Central / South America. The spiritual and emotionally healing offerings from Cacao can be the promotion of feelings of love, compassion, and unity, allowing us to release emotional blockages and cultivate a sense of inner peace. The physically healing offerings from Cacao are the abundance of vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidants which together promote healthy brain function, gut health, protection from disease and good mental health.

MORE ABOUT JASMINE:

Jasmine is a ceramic artist and pottery tutor. She has been making pottery professionally for a decade and teaching pottery classes for 5 years. Jasmine has a background in Psychotherapy and with this she can hold a safe(r) space for you to express yourself through clay and use it as a tool to become more embodied.

TICKETS:

The workshop has been made as affordable as possible, whilst still covering expenses and paying the facilitators a fair wage. Ticket options are tiered - please select an option you can comfortably afford.

If you'd like to know more about Jasmine and the pottery she makes, check out @jasmine.maier.ceramics and @bristol.queer.pottery

If you'd like to know more about Jess and the healing therapies she offers, check out www.medicunamamahealing.com

FAQs:

How many people are in this retreat?

8 person maximum capacity.

When can I take my pottery home?

Your pottery will be ready to collect up to 4 weeks after the workshop. Your pottery needs time to completely dry out before being bisque fired, glazed, and stoneware fired. You will need to collect it from the Bristol Folk House Pottery Studio. You will receive a text when your pottery is ready to collect.

Can I use my pottery for serving food and drink?

Yes. Everything you make will be food safe, dishwasher and microwave safe, unless otherwise stated. All pottery will be fired to stoneware temperature, which means it will be durable and suitable for everyday use.

Is there parking?

Yes, there is free car park on site.

What do I wear?

Wear something comfortable and that you don't mind getting a little dirty. You are welcome to bring an apron. Bring your swim wear and a towel.

Is there disability access?

The site is wheelchair accessible but there are two low steps at the entrance of the yurt and the sauna is not wheelchair accessible. If you have any access needs or requirements, please let us know in advance so we can discuss ways to try to accommodate you as much as possible.

Entry requirements: 18+

Clay & Cacao Ceremony - An Autumn Equinox Day Retreat