There’s a nature writing & wellbeing retreat happening in Liverpool

You can take part in a midsummer-themed nature writing and wellbeing retreat in south Liverpool on Friday 21^st June. 

Harness the powers and energies of the turning seasons whilst taking a moment to stop and reflect as ‘the sun stands still’ for solstice, also referred to as midsummer.

Following on from their creative weekend event celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Emily Brontë back in September 2018 in Yorkshire, Karen Podesta and Bernadette McBride are keeping things very much local this weekend.

For their next event, there’s a creative nod from Shakespeare with an ethereal midsummer dream theme, set amid the beauty of nature in an enchanted secluded woodland garden in the city. After a botanical arrival drink and introduction, everyone can celebrate both the seasonal transition and International Day of Yoga with a Summer Solstice flow led by Karen. Participants will embrace the sun’s healing energy and perform salutations as it reaches its northernmost position in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 16:54. BST.

Then the group will weave a woodland crown or tiara with abundant natural materials using traditional willow weaving, led by Bernadette, a qualified expressive arts therapist who has training in weaving stories through natural craft. This part of the event is about blending as one with the environment, and becoming at one with nature. Participants will then break for a plentiful vegan, GF buffet in the garden and have the option to engage in some maypole dancing to midsummer music before the next session!

For the second half of the session, author of ROOTS: THE ECO-JOURNAL Bernadette will lead into a deep ecology nature writing session exploring how we can guide our own stories, which are deeply rooted in nature, to live in balance and harmony with the planet. Bernadette will draw on a wealth of materials: from spiritual practises to indigenous stories and traditions, to mythology and classic literature such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to help us relate our stories to landscape and place.

What’s included:

The retreat ticket price of £20 covers all activities, materials, food and drinks.

Location:

Fulwood Community Garden, Fulwood Drive, Liverpool, L17 9QU

The gardens are easy to access, and off-road parking is available nearby as well as the 82-bus stop (a few mins walk) and St. Michaels train station (15 mins walk).

Costume:

Feel free to dress up as Oberon and Titania, the fairy king and queen, or in any woodland-themed outfit that you can move freely in! Alternatively, comfy yoga wear will be perfect.

Book your tickets here.