Earth Listening: Day Retreat

Join Magic Trio Silvija, Verity, and Garwyn for Earth Listening - a series of day  retreats that will transport you to wild places, reminding you of the unhurried rhythm of nature. 

In this autumn-tide, our Earth Listening Retreat offers a space to be held and replenished.

We will prepare with nourishing rituals and gather the endurance needed for the darker half of the year, rooting deeply into the Earth — and in doing so, into ourselves.

Guided by Oak, we find strength, protection, and a steady presence to carry us through all storms.

What to Expect

• Open Circle  - A guided arrival, with feet on the earth, around the central fire. 
• Gentle Qigong – Opening the body’s energy pathways, attuning us to the harmonious flow of the natural world. 
• Forest Bathing -A sensory immersion and guided meditation inviting us meet the spirit of Oak. 
• Lunch – A locally sourced and lovingly prepared meal. With foraged teas throughout the day, connecting us to the land’s abundant gifts.
• Sound Interwoven – A Sound Journey weaving the ripeness of harvest, inviting the plants to sing through us. Experience the healing resonance of voice, cello, crystal alchemy bowls, flute, and shamanic drum.
• Lithuanian Sauna Ritual – A sauna ritual rooted in Baltic traditions using Oak whisks and herbal scrubs to further connect to the medicine of Oak, to warm your bones and clean the body and spirit. 
• Closing Circle - Space for sharing, reflections and integration to close.

Getting There

For guests coming from London, the nearest connection to Hackhurst is London Victoria to Polegate. From there it is a 10 minute taxi ride to the venue. 

Your Guides 

Meet Silvija, Verity, and Garwyn

Silvija Šuliokaitė – Pirtis Host & Founder of Birch House Rituals

Silvija is a Lithuanian pirtis host, herbalist and the founder of Birch House Rituals, where she weaves together ancestral traditions, plant medicine and sauna rituals to create spaces of restoration and connection. Rooted in the wisdom of her heritage, she carries forward the folklore and practices of pirtis—the Lithuanian sauna—as a place of deep renewal, working with heat, herbal aromatherapy, and the rhythmic touch of whisks to guide the body into balance.

At Earth Listening, Silvija will lead a Pirtis Ritual. Through scent, movement and warmth, you’ll experience how the elements of pirtis come together to awaken the senses, release tension, and bring you back to yourself...just as generations before us have done.

Garwyn Linnell  - Cellist, Holistic Therapist & Co-Founder of Magic Tree Collective 

Garwyn Linnell is a cellist, artist, energy and sound healer, and somatic therapist. He was originally born in Canada and now based in London, UK. He is one of the founders of the Magic Tree Collective and is involved with a wide range of sonic collaborations. You can find him playing in a variety of festivals and performances of all different styles and genres, he is also involved in facilitating sound baths, tea ceremonies, and retreats, doing 1-2-1 holistic therapy work, or connecting with nature spirits in the forest.

Verity Megan - Holistic Therapist, Founder of Sound & Sōma 

Verity is a senior Yoga Teacher, Somatic Practitioner, and Sound Therapist dedicated to helping others reconnect with their bodies and befriend their nervous systems amidst the sensory overwhelm of modern life. 

Drawing from extensive training in Yoga, Ayurveda, Somatic Therapy, Yoga Therapy for Women, Reiki, Sound Healing, and Herbalism, she seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with contemporary healing practices. Rooted in the rhythms of nature, her approach honours the body as a vital expression of the living Earth, harmonising with the shifting seasons to live in relationship with nature's cycles.

Verity creates intentional healing spaces inviting individuals to cultivate sensitivity and deep listening within their bodies to promote health, healing, resilience and self-regulation.

Retreat Venue

Taking its name from the Old English' Hackhyrst’, meaning a gateway to the wooded hill, Hackhurst Farm honours the land's ancient roots and natural rhythms. This connection to the land lives on through those who steward it today, working in respectful relationship with nature to shape a more regenerative future.

In the heart of Sussex, Hackhurst Farm is a sanctuary for healing, growth, and belonging. The sensitively restored Barn, surrounded by wildflower-rich grasslands and peaceful woodlands, offers a serene and immersive space just a short journey from Brighton or London. With the addition of the Latvian sauna and the nourishing energy of the landscape, it provides a nurturing environment for personal restoration and community connection.

Hackhurst Farm is more than a retreat venue - it is a living vision of shared land, where collaborative projects and meaningful gatherings are helping to reweave a sense of belonging. Here, the land itself becomes part of the healing journey.