MagiCraft: Autumnal Equinox Gathering
With Iquwah Bezuyen
September 21 - 25, 2023
This seasonal gathering will weave concepts from magic, herbalism, and ceremony/celebration into a balanced, creative, and receptive expression of our humanness as nature itself. Menla’s powerful lead gardener, Iquwah, will share her deep wisdom and unique expression, born of a lifetime spent with nature. Participants will craft their own personally informed expressions of connection with nature as well as co-create with the group a reborn celebration of the Goddess.
In the deep beauty, quiet, and abundance of the Catskills, participants will make medicines of their intention, words, community, and gifts from the Earth. Crafting inspired infusions, learn how to create bundles for personal magical use, interwoven with discussions and reflections on nature and our connection with Gaia.
This retreat is available to participants age 15 and above.
Schedule
Thursday, September 21
- 3 – 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 – 8:30 pm Opening circle
Friday, September 22
- 7 :30- 8 am Creek Gazing/ offerings to mother water
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast
- 9:30 am – 12 pm Sweat Lodge
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm lunch
- 2 – 4:30 pm Seasonal Release: Tying Bundles
- 4:30 – 6 pm Journaling, Reflection & Sharing
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 – 10 pm Fire
Saturday, September 23
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast
- 9 – 11 am Hike
- 11 am – 12 pm Garden Grazing, Intention Setting & Talking to Plants
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
- 2 – 4 pm Found Item Mandala and Photos
- 4 – 6 pm Discussing Ritual & 15 Minute Journaling
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 8 – 10:30 pm Dance
Sunday, September 24
- 7:30 – 8 am Morning Embodiment Practice
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast
- 9:30 am – 12 pm Garden & Herbalism Time
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
- 2 – 4 pm Maker Space: Health and Beauty Aids – Herbal Infused Oils for Food & Body Care
- 4 – 6 pm Ecology Walk
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Evening for Relaxation & Contemplation
Monday, September 25
- 7 – 11 am Check-out of Rooms
- 7 :30- 8 am Nature Based Chi Gung
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast
- 9:30 – 10:30 am Closing Circle
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Free Time for Relaxation and Spa
- 12:30 – 1:30 Lunch and Departure
*Please note that schedule is subject to change.
Leader
Iquwah Bezuyen is a naturalist, herbalist, Master Gardener, long time community builder, and equal housing activist. She’s been caring for plants and animals her whole life. Iquwah has been running greenhouses for 20 plus years. She was an outdoor education and farm specialist at Camp Oh-Neh-tah in Windham NY, where she maintained and planted a biodynamic education garden, taught camping, hiking, foraging skills was the leadership trainer for 150 participants, parents, and staff, and created the camp’s farm program. She is a ginseng, native ephemerals, and food forest grower and was a farm manager at the American Ginseng Pharm. She…
Learn more about Iquwah Bezuyen
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