An invitation into a time of change and alchemy
birthing new consciousness
Forest Therapy Immersions
Our immersions are in beautiful forests and retreat centers especially chosen for their unique capacity to bring us close to nature and to each other. They are for anyone who is interested:
- People interested in directly experiencing the healing power of nature.
- People who are considering becoming forest therapy guides and want an in-depth experience of the practice.
- Forest therapy guides seeking advanced training, renewal of their own practice, or an advanced certification in forest therapy.
We welcome everyone who is interested in the embodied and contemplative practices of forest therapy. The transformative experiences of relationship with the natural world await.
Liminal Earth
We are experiencing the Earth as being in a liminal time, where crisis and opportunity are both alive and where the future holds great but as yet unknown possibility. Liminality invites us into the wildly creative spaces of our imaginative intelligence. Our Liminal Earth series of immersions do the same. They are the same immersions that we offered through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs in 2018 and 2019, with some additional topics. Together, the Liminal Earth immersions comprise a comprehensive advanced forest therapy program of skills and knowledge, providing an option for those who are .
The Liminal Earth Immersion Series
These are the same immersions offered by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs in 2018 and 2019, with the same facilitators (Amos Clifford and Christy Thomson). Some new topics have been added for 2020.
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In Houses of the Heart we explore the linked properties of power and beauty as they uniquely live within each of us. We work extensively with mandalas, symbols of wholeness that bring forward the power of our imaginations to reveal our hearts and help heal and develop our capacity for wellness. We've pioneered a very powerful approach in which we build a mandala outdoors large enough for embodied experiences of our deepest and most ecological intelligence. This can be a truly magical experience that moves us beyond our conceptions of what is possible.
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Council of Waters and TreesCouncil of Waters and Trees focuses on the imaginal realm. We use forest therapy and council to invite you into relationship the natural world, allowing the inhabitants to speak to us. The immersion culminates in a final council where their voices are heard and embodied.
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Language of InvitationThe sensuous world of nature offers an unending stream of invitations. When we listen and respond with the whole of who we are, these invitations guide us into deeper connection with self, others, and nature, and the divine. In Language of Invitation, we will develop our capacity for awareness of these invitations. We will develop our skills as guides to offer this language to others, supporting participants and ourselves to experience the healing of the forest. Much of our time will be spent on the land, listening to the messages it has for us.
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Alchemy of Forest TherapyAlchemy of the Forest is offered just one time in 2020. This will be a 7 night event at Hollyhock Leadership Center on Cortes Island. We will be immersing ourselves in the topic of the transformations that occur when we come into connection with the natural world. Alchemy is an authentic Western spiritual tradition with a long history that is re-emerging through depth psychology and nature based practices. This course will link the ancient practices of the alchemists with the modern practices of forest therapy. Be prepared to be surprised at the many parallels and at how the forest itself becomes a potent alchemical reactor when combined with the focused intentions and a few specific forest therapy practices.
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Way of the Guide | Way of the GuidedWe will explore the work of guiding from the perspectives of Guide as an archetype that is particularly relevant for these times, Guide as a Way of mastery of Self, and Guide as a cultural healer. This will include advanced explorations of the framework of the liminal journey that opens the doors of the creative imagination and self-development, and the skills that guides use as they support each step of those on the journey.
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Special Events
In addition to our scheduled immersions, we work with groups, businesses and organizations. We will work with you to create customized forest therapy immersion experiences tailored to your groups needs. We have had many fabulous experiences working in many countries, cultures and forests in many parts of the world. For more information contact christy@wildcommunion.org.
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This event is focused is exclusively focused on the needs of the Chicago-land area. In partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, we will be exploring Forest Therapy with our own guides and guests of the Forest Preserves. This event is open to invited guests of Cook County Forest Preserves and to Chicago area Forest Therapy Guides, who will meet additional participants registered through Cook County Parks. A great opportunity for partnership building.
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Wild Communion Events and Immersions
Our vision of Wild Communion grew out of the forest therapy movement at the intriguing intersection where forest therapy meets spirituality. Wild Communion is our program of education for lay and church leaders who are called to nature-based practices such as forest therapy as pathways to support the spiritual growth of their participants, congregations and communities. These leaders understand how our encounters with creation can bring us to a different level of understanding of our lives, our place in the communities of all beings, and of self. We bring no dogma, prescribe no path, preach no religion. We simply invite others into the experience of how nature connection using the methods of forest therapy can feed our entire selves: body, mind, psyche, spirit. The Wild Communion program invites you to a series of immersions, with choice of several practicum pathways for those who wish to deepen their practice and pathway of service in bringing their work to their people.
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Encountering the Wild DivineMany of us are experiencing a yearning that we refer to as a call "rewilding." In this immersion we explore the idea of encountering the untamed depths within us by entering the Wild Mind of the Divine-in-Nature. It is the source from which we are born and to which our deepest longings call us to return.
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All courses are co-facilitated by Christy Thomson, founder of Wild Communion with special guests who are experts in their fields. Registration, Tuition, Lodging and Food costs vary for each event. Please visit the "Learn More" links for specific information.