REFLECT & RELEASE - A DAY RETREAT

Western society would have us believe that New Year is a time for setting new intentions & making resolutions. When we look closer to nature, we see that this is not the way of the natural world. Instead, we see that the trees relinquish their leaves which fall like tears to the earth. The trees give up all their labours of the past seasons and the leaves turn to mulch which nourishes the land. In spite of the earth's appearance being black and 'dead,' its roots work tirelessly in the darkness to prepare the ground for the new life that will surely blossom in the warmer months ahead. We can learn from these natural ways.

In this day retreat we will individually and collectively reflect on the year that has passed. Our achievements, successes, trials, tribulations, and wounds.

The workshop will be divided into 2 parts. There will be practices such as:

Part 1. Ground & Reflect 

•    Opening Ceremony.
•    Mix sharing circle (this means all humans are welcome).
•    Journaling prompts and writing exercises to reflect on the year passed.
•    Guided yogic movement.
•    Identifying our joys & our wounding from the past cycle and see what are we ready to let go of.
•    A creative exercise where we will express our wounding, the heavy parts, the things that are tired and no longer serve us using trees and nature as inspiration and metaphor.

BREAK Herbal and afternoon tea will be provided and delicious handmade, plant-based chocolate from Oh My Choc. 

If members of the circle wish to bring a small food dish to share you are welcome to (but there is no obligation).

Part 2. Rejuvenation & Release 

•  Re-write the story- what lessons have we learned from the woundings, the tired parts of 2023, the leaves we are ready to relinquish? Creative exercise using compassionate words as medicine.
•  Feel. Move. Express. Embodied movement for self-discovery.  Allowing the parts we release from the past cycle to move through the tissues of our body. We offer it back to Gaia Mother Earth.
•  Opportunity for sharing our reflections in circles (sharing is encouraged but completely optional).
•  Closing ceremony.

"Stella led a Spring Equinox ceremony which was a beautiful space that made vulnerability possible and helped me access a feeling of connectedness and groundedness. Stella's practice is compassionate and deeply thoughtful, and her warm sense of humour reminds us all to relax and be human. Very grateful for her work." - Sian Robins-Grace

"Attended the POWER & ABUNDANCE Summer Solstice Ceremony & mixed circle,  for the first time. Did not know what to expect but left enlightened and reflective of what power and gratitude of abundance meant for me. Highly recommend attendance at a ceremony in the future" - Timmy Griffith

"I have attended a number of Stella's events now, including her ceremony and mixed circle for winter solstice and spring equinox, and couldn't recommend them more. Stella has a rare ability to create a safe and welcoming space for personal and collective exploration and self-care using her warmth, humour and sharp intelligence. She has helped me enormously" - Mary Robertson 

"I went to Stella's spring equinox ceremony and it was truly beautiful. Everything down to the venue, space,.yoga, meditation and Stella's guidance was right on point. It was a really well thought through ceremony with space for thought, sharing (only if you wanted to), movement and rest. Stella is a fantastic teacher and sets the tone well for the whole session. What I really love about her is how authentic she is. She brings her whole self to the sessions which makes you feel relaxed. The meditation was really beautiful and the poems shared too. Came out of the session feeling revitalised and energised and slept like a baby after. Would recommend to anyone." - Tanya White

Terms and Conditions

1. Please bring your own mat and blanket.
2. Ceremonies and mixed circles are non-refundable.
3. We know that life happens, in the event that something comes up and you can not attend you are required to give a minimum of 24 hour notice to transfer to a future event.
4. Please arrive 15-20 mins before class starts so that we can start promptly late comers disrupt the continuity of the group.
5. If you are more than 10 mins late for a ceremony and mixed circle unfortunately you will not be able to enter. There is no reception at the Friends Meeting House and latecomers disrupt the continuity of the group.
6. In the event that there are unforeseen circumstances that require the event to be cancelled, you will receive a full refund.
7. Etiquette inside the Friends Meeting House. We are guests inside this beautiful space. Please be mindful that you turn off all taps and lights, remove shoes before entering the rooms, wash up your mugs, throw away your rubbish and double-check that you have all of your belongings before you leave.
8. In Reflect and Release, we will be focusing on acknowledging the outgrown, or no longer useful parts of 2023. A lot can happen in a year! I know that at times it has been lonely even painful. If you have had a particularly challenging year, if you're still in the emotional trenches and are still processing I would gently remind you this circle is not a place to process deeper rooted or very raw trauma. While I am a therapist this space is not group therapy and I am not your therapist. Please act with the deepest regard for yourself and the collective.