t a l i s m a n
we invite you to gather with us in these darkening days of autumn for a ceremonial day of retreat and craft
we begin our journey with the ancient practice of
cha dao tea ceremony as a holy entrance into
stillness, sensuous presence & peace
then commences our ritual of talisman creation-
combining artistry and prayer, weaving, braiding, stitching the seeds of our dreams into cloth
with thread and bead, with feather and fabric,
we will lace protection and power into tapestries which will become treasure of sacred adornment
together, we will individually create an amulet
to hold within it the preciousness of both prayer and offering
we will gather for our final moments together in the sauna,
where each of our talisman will be blessed and initiated by
sweat, song, and steam
we invite you…
Deep into the days of dreaming we enter. The long nights are upon us, the colder winds blow, and the fires of our inner realms beckon us forth. The seeds have been collected, the dreams which have been grown in the heat of the summer sun, the fragrance of their flowers have all but faded back to the earth and rooted themselves into deeper being. The time now is to hold those precious seeds and dreams close to the heart, to find warmth for the prayers that lay within us, to offer ourselves to the coming winter months in honor, in holiness, in homecoming.
In this way, we invite you— from the tenderness of our hearts, to join us in a simple and rather special day of retreat. We gather to weave not only metaphorically but literally, a space to hold the coming dreams of our lives. Talisman came to us as a call from the ancestral lines in which we sing from, to gather amongst women to do what we have been doing for ages, to gather in a way that is innate within our bones. We will sit in circle and let the creative and ceremonial artist and devotee within each of us emerge. To create a talisman is the invitation. And there are many things that could look like. Perhaps it is a small satchel that is strung around the neck and hangs at the heart for the dreams and visions and seeds to rest within. Perhaps it is a small bag which travels in your purse that carries offerings and prayers. Maybe it is a token that will live amongst your altar. Whatever you feel called to create will be the perfect talisman for your journey forth.
You are probably thinking, “oooh I can’t sew, I don’t know how to do this, I wouldn’t know what to make…”
We hear those inner thoughts and invite you to lay them to rest. This day devoted to crafting your talisman is a prayer, it is an alchemical divination, it is a relationship. And the beauty of doing such an act in a circle of other women is that we get to help one another, let your stitches and weavings be shared. We will get to share the process, but also stretch our own self if this is an edge that is inviting you to meet it.
our flow
10:45am - arrival and settle
11:00am - cha dao tea ceremony
12pm - potluck lunch
1pm - talisman creation
4pm - sacred sauna to bless our creations
what to bring
cozy cushion/blanket to sit on
nourishing potluck food item
towel & sauna gear
any materials you wish to use for your talisman, we will have LOTS so if you don’t have anything don’t worry, but if you have any beautiful fabric, beads, stones, leather, feathers, string, sewing kit, sissors, etc etc feel free to bring.
your talisman is a deeply personalized creation so think of special items you wish to weave onto itbowl/plate & cutlery for lunch
wear something that is comfortable and makes you feel divine
exchange
$122
Spaces are limited for this offering, if you would like more info please reach out. Otherwise you can register via the link below.
Kensington, PEI (address given upon registration)