-Discovering your place in the natural world-
Oregon 2024
We invite you to join us for 1 or two of our - Four-day immersive retreats, exploring Earth Wisdom Medicine. These small-group experiential learning immersion retreats are open to a maximum of 10 people; this is so everyone can be fully engaged, creating a family-like connection with the plants and each other.
These retreats are not simply herbal educational trips – these events will focus on allowing the land and the plants to lead the way – providing space for healing, personal growth, discovery and community bonding, by tapping into the intuitive and synchronistic practices of “discovering new” scents, aromas, tastes, sounds and energies of our surroundings.
What to Expect:
During our time together we will focus on the subtle energies of the plants and the land we will be inhabiting. We will be sitting directly with the plants in their natural habitat, embracing all they have to teach us. We will listen deeply and tune into the subtle world of plant spirit medicine. This will be done through: group plant meditations, sitting directly with the plants, tea circles, dream journey work, or other inspired insightful experiments guided by the plants. This is a form of surrendering to the flow, allowing mother earth, nature, and the elements to work their magic.
These trips can be very transformative and healing, bringing each of us closer to ourselves and each other. That being said we will intentionally be in situations that are out of our normal comfort zones (meaning, we will be camping without the normal comforts of life including using a pit toilet and bathing in rivers and lakes, along with dealing with things like bugs and getting dirty – this is all a part of the process of connecting with nature). This helps to loosen up stuck energies allowing for a deeper transformation to take place. Working in this way creates an imprint of the teaching upon our being, allowing us to have a deeper understanding of the way “medicinal” plants work. By spending quality, focused time in the natural world we are able to witness these subtle energies and ways of healing.
These retreats are also a lesson in living and working together in community. Our hope is to grow our herbal community. It is important to create meaningful relationships and connections that will continue to grow after the retreat is finished.
DETAILS:
2 weekends: We will meet up in different wild areas throughout the beautiful state of Oregon, where we will be setting up our own little camping paradise. We will meet Wednesday evening and depart on Sunday early afternoon.
Intentions: We ask that everyone sets an intention for what they seek for themselves during our time together. Having an intention allows for one to have a compass to find their way throughout the retreat. Bringing focus to what it is you are striving to achieve.
Plant spirit medicine/meditation: A potent way to connect with the energetic essence of plants, we will do this through: group plant meditations, sitting directly with the plants, tea circles, dream journey work, or other inspired insightful experiments guided by the plants.
Hikes: Hiking or sauntering is a part of this journey (Although not super strenuous, we expect participants to be able to hike at least 3-5 miles mostly on trails with some off trail travel to get to the plants we are going to be working with.) There is something about walking through the forest, soaking in the sounds, smells, and energy. It is a form of walking meditation and a great way to set the stage for working with our plant friends.
Sharing circle: Sharing is an intimate and sacred way of expressing our experiences. It is a way for us all to support each other as this work can be really moving. Sharing with each other allows us to develop a sense of community, practicing being vulnerable in a supportive setting, and being witnessed by our fellow plant warriors. It is also a great way for us all to learn from each other.
Respectful Wildcrafting: We will learn the proper ways to respectfully harvest medicine from the land, along with the best way to go about harvesting different plants, during what times of year, best locations, plant identification, and logistics about where you can/cannot, or should/should not, wildcraft. This is one of my favorite ways to connect with and learn from the plants. We will only be harvesting from large stands of plants on these trips, just enough to learn and make a small amount of medicine as a group.
Medicine Making: We’ll learn about different ways of using the plants from creating different extracts, oils, teas, making poultices, and more
Materia Medica: For every plant we work with we will discuss it in great detail. We’ll learn about its history, including folklore and myth, exploring the traditional and medicinal qualities, touch on indigenous uses, learn the botany and ecosystems in which they grow, the best ways to make medicine, and any other uses or stories to be shared.
Herbal First Aid: Knowing what plants and extracts to have with you at all times in the forest or traveling is important. We will explore what it is that we bring with us and also what plants we can use in the wild in the case of an emergency.
Forest bathing, Community connection, Times of Silence, & much much more...
For those who are coming to more than one retreat –
Monthly Plant Diets: Everyone will choose one plant to work with in-between our gatherings. We will then share our experiences with each other in the next gathering. I’ve found that this is one of the best ways to really get to know and befriend a plant ally. This practice is done in many different traditions, especially in the Amazon. There really isn't a better way to learn than to learn from the plants themselves and then share those experiences with each other.
And much much more...
Cost: We are offering a pay what you can sliding scale, starting at $450 per event, or $800 for both immersions
Cost includes: Campsite fees, Materia Medica monographs, herbal tinctures, recipes and other notes.
Food: We will be doing potluck style meals. The idea is to focus on pure clean food with limited spice. As fatty, spicy, and rich food dull our senses which in turn make it harder for us to connect with the subtle energies of the forest and the plants. You will receive more information on this as we get closer to our departure date.
Packing list: You will receive a detailed list on what to and not to bring with you.
Caveats: We will not be allowing people to bring dogs or friends with them. Also we request no use of alcohol, marijuana, or any other substances while you are with us.
You will be asked to sign a liability waiver and a wildcrafting agreement.
2024 Event Dates & Locations:
June 27- 30: Ochoco NF/ or Mt. Hood/ or Three Sisters
July 18-21: Mt Hood/ Ochoco NF/ or Three Sisters
**All locations may change depending on fire season or weather**
Any questions please send me an email: jameskeskimaki@gmail.com