Great Bear and the Golden Wreath – Winter Solstice Story Retreat

IN THE ANCIENT NORDIC TALE OF VALEMON – A WOMAN YEARNS FOR A GOLDEN WREATH SO DESPERATELY AND DEEPLY SHE IS PREPARED TO MARRY A BEAR…

IN YOUR LIFE AND THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE OR SOULFUL YEARNINGS AND OFFERINGS – WHAT MIGHT YOUR OWN GOLDEN WREATH BE?

Stories are profound soul medicine. This winter solstice, you are invited to celebrate with a unique and beautiful one-off occasion for deep diving into the story of Great Bear and the Golden Wreath. Anticipate being cast under the spell of a traditionally told oral story, snug in a circle of women in the beautiful glowing timber ark of the 100-year-old Uki Trinity Church. Throughout our afternoon together we will explore this story’s personal meaning for us and where and how its ancient folk wisdom plays out through our lives through conversation, journalling, and deeper imaginative activities for entering into the story.

CELEBRATE this WINTER SOLSTICE with a SOUL RETREAT like no other… 

IMMERSE in a live oral storytelling of the wild and wonderful, the haunting and dauntless tale of Valemon.

CONNECT with the deeper folk wisdom residing in your soul

HEAL with story medicine

SHARE what’s special with other women

DREAM the story DEEP into your BONES

WANDER the enchanted forest and into the heart of a labyrinth 

DECORATE your own candle to light your way through the winter darkness

WELCOMING women from all walks, ages, & abilities 

PLEASE BRING: A journal and pen, any coloured pencils or pastels, warm shawl, wrap or scarf, cushion to sit on, drink bottle. Chai and herbal teas will be provided but please bring personal snacks.

PLEASE DRESS IN RED, BLACK OR WHITE or a combination of these three ancient initiatory fairytale colours. 

TO KEEP THIS EVENT INTIMATE, NUMBERS ARE STRICTLY LIMITED. 

GREAT BEAR AND THE GOLDEN WREATH SOUL STORY RETREAT IS BEING HELD FROM 12.30-4.30PM SATURDAY THE 20TH OF JUNE AT UKI HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. PLEASE ARRIVE ANY TIME FROM MIDDAY ON FOR A 12.30PM SHARP START.

ABOUT YOUR STORY GUIDE…

MELAINA FARANDA has facilitated sacred women’s circles, ceremonies, rites of passage, as well as delivering numerous workshops, and sharing stories across Australia and the UK for decades. The author of seventy books published nationally and internationally, Melaina is a lover of the mythopoetic and feels that to speak and listen to certain stories is to be breathed through with silver and gold. She has attended England’s premier storytelling course, the Emerson College residential – Storytelling Beyond Words, along with additional in-person training with Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Dr Martin Shaw, Dr Sharon Blackie, Roi Gal-Or, Karmit Evenzur, Ashley Ramsden, Shonaleigh Cumbers, Hugh Lupton, Angharad Wynne, Colin Campbell, and many storytelling luminaries in the UK and USA.