EARTH & SOUL MEDICINE ~ BOWEN ISLAND
“Retreat is for those who desire to deeply realize the truth of their being and the essence of existence. Retreat offers time to step back from the course of daily life and enter into the Unknown, in an environment that provides both structure and support. ”
Earth & Soul Medicine Retreat ~
Bowen Island
Beginning Friday, July 30th @ 5pm
Ending Monday, August 2nd @ 2pm
2021
You are invited to step out of your everyday life.... immersing yourself in nature and connecting in sisterhood for 4 days and 3 nights. There will be plenty of time to heal, connect, relax, recharge and create.
Included:
~ Moonlight Labyrinth Walk
~ Time in Nature
~ Sacred Circle & Sharing
~ Deep Journey Work
~ Cacao Ceremony
~ Sound Healing
~ Sacred Art Creation
~ Movement (Dancing, Yoga, Nature Walks)
~ Catered Vegetarian Meals
~ Special Surprises
~ More details to come
Location
Xenia is a 38-acre Sanctuary in the heart of Bowen Island. Bowen Island is a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, one hour from downtown Vancouver and 90 minutes from our international airport. It is also surrounded by hundreds of acres of protected government forests and lakes. It is a place of safety and beauty. It is a place to heal, to rest, to play and to discover one’s true nature and inherent gifts. One guest explained the essence of Xenia so eloquently:
“I thought this miraculous, spiritual experience was in the land – and it is. But I have walked many lands, in India, Africa, Europe, Canada and the U.S. – and have not experienced it before. And then I thought it must come from the structures and holy places like Opa and the Sanctuary – and it does. But I have been in many structures and holy places around the world and have not felt this before. And then I thought it must come from the spirituality of the people there, those dedicated, that enliven the Creative Force – and it does. But I have been with many people in many structures in many lands and have never experienced this kind of spirituality before.” ~ Joan O’Flynn
“Xenia on Bowen Island, British Columbia, was created out of a vision for children to feel safe to be creative. All children, including the magical child within you. We are born into this world with a seed, a gift awaiting expression. If given the right environment it will flourish and fulfill its destiny.”
~ Angelyn (Founder of Xenia)
A Short History of Bowen Island
Squamish Nation
The Squamish are a coast Salish people whose traditional territory stretches from Point Grey in Vancouver to Roberts Creek, encompassing all of the islands in Howe Sound, including Bowen Island. The Squamish name for the Island is Xwlíl’xhwm, meaning “Fast Drumming Ground”. Some authors attribute the name to the sound made by the ocean as it passes through the tiny pass between the Island’s northern point and Finisterre Island.
In the Squamish creation story, Xwlíl’xhwm is often referred to as the place where the deer were created. On Xwlíl’xhwm, the Squamish established a tiny village called Qole’laqom and
here they hunted, fished or stopped over during long voyages up and down the coast. While there remains no trace of the village, archaeological surveys conducted by Dr. Charles Borden and a team of students from the University of British Columbia in the 1970’s discovered clam middens at the perimeter of the Island. More recently, a developer’s survey unearthed a fire pit and arrow head. The whole Island is thought to have high potential for such sites.
(From Xenia's Website)
“Look deep into nature & then you will understand everything better. ”
Our time together will begin Friday evening. We will share dinner together, create sacred space and end our evening with a Moonlight Labyrinth Ceremony.
Saturday and Sunday will begin with a nourishing breakfast, Sacred Circle and time to spend in nature. We will then enjoy lunch together followed by Sacred Art Workshops.
Saturday evenings offering will be a beautiful Cacao & Sound Ceremony and Sunday evenings offering will be a Sacred Ceremony and Celebration.
We will begin Monday with breakfast and then a Closing Circle. We will enjoy lunch together before everyone departs.
Here are a few of the beautiful and cozy Accommodations
Staying at Xenia (20 spots)
Investment: $750 CAD.
Includes:
3 nights in a shared accommodation in your own bed.
All materials and supplies for the Sacred Art Workshops.
A beautiful offering of a Cacao Ceremony
All Meals and Snacks.
Staying elsewhere on Bowen or Bowen Residents (4 spots)
Investment: $ 400 CAD.
Includes:
All materials and supplies for the Sacred Art Workshops.
A beautiful offering of a Cacao Ceremony
All Meals and Snacks.
Registration will open February 1st for those who are on the INTERESTED email list and February 3rd for the general public.
Registration requires a $300 deposit with the remaining $450 due by July 1st.
Earth & Soul Medicine Guide
Melanie O'Leary is a Shamanic Practitioner, Sacred Ceremony Facilitator and Creative Visionary. She is the owner of Soul Sanctuary and co-creator of Alder & Birch Creations.
Melanie has over 10 years of intensive study and immersion into shamanic healing arts and energy medicine and over 15 years of experience working in the health & birth industry. Combining contemporary and traditional wisdom, Melanie remains committed to preserving ancestral wisdom traditions by restoring myth, creativity, storytelling, ritual, rites of passage and shamanic medicine within her healing practice.
Melanie resides in beautiful North Vancouver with her husband Aza and 7 year old Daughter Maya.