In these times of a sorrowful world and all that we love simultaneously aching through our bones, it is a good time to come together to be witnessed in our grief. This is a confirmation for your place in our retreat. Please read the following when you have time and space for it to prepare yourself for our week together.
What to Expect:
This is a 7 day event. We will be on ritual time, meaning time is left at the door once you enter.
Our time together will be a combination of singing, poetry, movement, practice in sacred listening, witnessing and being witnessed and sharing with the whole group and in smaller groups.
This space is an opportunity to share what is moving through us in whatever shape or form it comes in - perhaps numbness, shame, rage, trembling, stillness, wailing or something else.
The vision for this week is that Linda will share experiential exercises from the world of the somatics of early human development, psychodrama and Pesso-Boyden techniques, in order to support container-building and our time at the grief altar, as well as to help us to ripen the fruit of grief. Two or three individuals to be centered in doing their own deep work, in service of funneling the group deeper towards grief.
We will then shift towards two communal grief rituals - the legacy of the late Sobonfu and Malidoma Somé - within which each individual can lean into the exquisitely excruciating and excruciatingly exquisite wild edge of sorrow.
There will be spaciousness for integration throughout the week, as well as on the fifth full day of our time together.
What else you need to know:
The grief ritual itself involves the creation of a loud soundscape via drumming and singing within which the sounds of healing may emerge. These sounds of healing can look like: crying, weeping, sobbing, wailing, screaming, cussing. There will be an adjacent space, designated as the sacred rage altar, where foam bats and foam pads are available for the expression of sacred outrage.
ahlay blakely, Linda Thai, with two assistants Rain Webbert and Dawn Scott.
Plus 26 soulful humans who are called to come together to do this work.
3PM Saturday January 30th to 1PM Friday February 5th, 2027
Wellspring is a woodland retreat nestled in the forest at the base of Mount Rainier in Ashford, Washington, just minutes from the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park and approximately two hours from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
A spreadsheet will be organized, so that – if you wish - you can choose to organize a car pool.
The first half of February will see exquisite winter wonderland vibes: perfect grieving weather and perfect hot tub weather.
Expect a min / max of 30F - 45F with 55% likelihood of precipitation (rain or snow) on any given day. Tires chains are recommended.
Wellspring is a woodland retreat at the base of Mount Rainier, with a collection of private cabins, cottages, and lodge-style accommodations tucked throughout the forest.
You can view accommodations here.
Accommodations will be allocated based on each participant’s needs and preferences, rather than how much they pay. ahlay and Linda wish to move away from the capitalistic model that says paying more means you should get more or receive “better” accommodations.
Room options include single, double, and triple occupancy, as well as a summer-camp-style option. The summer-camp accommodation is a large room divided into four separate sleeping areas, with two people in each area. There are no bunk beds.
We will do our best to match everyone with an accommodation that feels supportive and meets their needs.
Meals
Lunches and dinners will be catered from a local, farm-to-table, mostly vegan, mostly organic caterer.
Please bring your own breakfasts, snacks to share, and a box of tea to share.
The forest setting and natural terrain, getting between accommodations and the retreat space may involve walking on uneven or unpaved paths.
For folks with limited mobility, please let Linda know, and she will allocate you a cabin that is closer to the workshop space.
Wellspring has two miles of beautiful forest trails with cascades and creeks to explore, the Forest Sanctuary to visit, and the Woodland Labyrinth for walking meditation.
It has been a hallmark feature of Wellspring to be “unplugged,” and yet there may be times while you are with us that communication must take place via electronics.
Wellspring offers a very low key network that is accessible in our covered open air Gazebo, but not guaranteed to reach inside cabins. Depending upon your cellular provider, you may have adequate cell reception to receive calls. Alternatively, W-Fi calling is also an option.
18 spots available.
We are going through the pre-registration list - the first 26 individuals - and then, we will then continue down the pre-registration list until all spots are filled.
If you are interested in attending this retreat, please fill out the pre-registration form.
Tickets options are available on a sliding scale: $800 to $2,250.
At this point in time, the work-trade positions have already been filled.
—————————
This sliding scale framework is adapted from the green bottle model and developed by Siena Tenisci of Northwest Grief Tending (northwestgrieftending.com), designed to make programs more accessible and support economic justice.
ASAP: $350 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
November 30, 2026: First 50% of your balance.
December 30, 2026: Second 50% of your balance.
Things do happen.
If you are unable to make it:
• Prior to November 30th, 2026 we will retain the $350 non-refundable deposit.
• Prior to December 15th, 2026: 50% refund of the balance.
• Prior to January 15th, 2027: 25% refund of the balance.
I don't believe in impoverishing people through "rules", but would rather engage in reciprocity, mutuality and long-term community-based relationality. If we are able to swing someone in off the waitlist at your ticket tier commitment and room option (irrespective of the date of retreat withdrawal), then all we ask is to hold on to your non-refundable deposit of $350.
Sign up with your email to receive news and updates.
