Spinning Moon Silk

This 6-day immersive journey together and alone on wild Dartmoor is a chance to listen to your own wildling voice and those in circle with you, to spin our stories together and make silk from the experiences of our lives. In this programme we will use the old and simple practices of going out alone on the land with an intention and following the conversation that arises there, before being welcomed and mirrored in circle on return. And yet, it is not simple, it is deep, profound, psyche-shifting, culturally revolutionary and very much needed in the times we are collectively living.

Sometimes we need the simplicity of silence, to empty ourselves of food, company and comfort so that we can fall and in falling be caught by something greater than ourselves. The wildling voice is yours alone, but it speaks to the rest of the earth and each of us on the earth. It behoves us to make time for the earth to hear us and to hear what may be spoken back, it behoves us to sit together and share the places we have found so that we can all grow deeper, stronger, softer.

We believe that sitting in a circle of women of all ages and phases of life offers a richness that our souls crave. What have we forgotten as we age that the voice of the maiden still speaks strongly? How do we mother in this world that so desperately needs mothering and simultaneously pushes it aside? What guidance do we yearn for in our younger days that those who have travelled further in their years hold? How can we weave this together to support ourselves and the collective? How do we claim our places in the journey of womanhood; maiden, mother, crone. Those who have, or will,mother and those who won’t, or have not, those who cycle and those who have crossed the threshold into menopause, those who now identify beyond the body of woman. This is an opportunity to listen and share, to find that which is ours to carry and live into the blessings that our lives hold.

Over the six days we spend together, we will be sitting in circle with each other, clarifying our reason for questing at this time, setting our intentions, camping, cooking and eating together, singing by the fire and co creating an appropriate self initiated ceremony and two day fast with solo time in wilderness settings. We will then come back to the village community we have created to tell our stories, receive reflection, feast and celebrate our return.
You are invited to attend a 1 hour individual meeting prior to the start date to help hone your intention and make clear why you are called to undertake a solo fast and there will be a group integration zoom one month after the camp.
We will also encourage you to invite a trusted adult to support you over the time before and after. They can act as anchor and witness to your journey, hear your stories from it and perhaps share insights with you. They might welcome you on your return and support your integration afterwards. If that's not feasible or does not feel right for you, we still welcome your joining us.

The cost is on a sliding scale from £550-£650 with possibility of subsidised and bursary places. For more information please contact Circlewise [email protected] or Rebeh [email protected]

Testimonials

“……perfect location and great experience, brilliant event , beautifully held......”

".......I loved the ceremonial wisdom and the holding, the play and joy, the celebrating and seeing each other for our gifts. Such, such a beautiful space that was co-created. Thank you"

"Giving & receiving time from others with open hearts ready to listen to your story was a beautiful experience. Also forming & watching relationships grow throughout the 4 days was very fun......also to have full freedom & a chance to just be without worrying about life back home!"

"I seriously can't thank Heidi enough. The experience was life changing to all of us. Being given time, energy, love, support, respect, healing, I could go on, was an extremely beautiful thing to be a part of. I have made life long friends & now have a much deeper understanding on where I'd like to take the next chapter of my life. P.S. food was amazing! "

"The camp was a life-changing experience that I will carry with me forever. Heidi and Sam were amazing guides —I felt safe, held and honoured. It was a profound journey and I feel deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to participate alongside some incredibly powerful individuals, immersed in the beautiful land."

"I feel I've crossed over a potent threshold into my adult life through having the gift of a dedicated, safe container to continue processing my childhood/adolescence. I communed with the Earth in a profound way, confidently tapped into my intuition and feel I've made a significant step on a gradual, sacred journey of reconnection.......The learnings I've gained feel wordless—it's like the vibration of my body has changed and my ability to relate with life has widened. I feel strongly that this experience will ripple out into the rest of life in unimaginable ways... this is only the beginning!"

"I had such a beautiful and nourishing time these four days. Each facilitator brought their own much needed gifts and presence, and the land also offered so so much. I loved feeling the holding offered by land and people; it was truly a very meaningful and healing experience. I think it's an incredibly important experience for all people, especially those who haven't had opportunity or access to nature, ceremony and deep listening before. It's a deeply supportive and transformational practice, and I believe it can bring out the best in us all, provide a deeper sense of meaningful direction, compassion and contentment, all of which is so crucial at this time. Thank you."

“The facilitators for the quest held and tended to a space with such kindness and precision. They created a safe space for me to explore my relationships with myself and the people around me. Those relationships have changed on a deep level and my friendships will show evidence of this incredible process for years and years to come.......This has truly been an experience that is unique and off the radar for many people but has aided a huge amount of development and room for processing that I would love to see spread and made accessible in the world, particularly amongst young adults experiencing transition periods in their lives as it creates opportunity to come to terms with our stages of life.”

'The Quest was something that I didn't know would be right for me at the time of committing to it, but as it got closer it truly felt like the time had come to throw myself into something new and slightly daunting for me. I went into it with a feeling of being a little behind on things… and that is okay. I truly feel like the quest has opened up my mind about the possibilities in life, not for the physical things I can achieve, but how to slow down my mind and sit with myself, which was something that I had needed to do for a long time. It felt like a work of magic, which towards the end of my time there, it felt like everyone felt the same way. It was an unforgettable experience, strengthening my relationship with the flame, myself, and my ability to naturally integrate myself into nature, and new groups of people. “

“What a profoundly moving and beautifully vital rite of passage the quest was for our daughter, and also for us parents too. How blessed we were to be able to ground a profound moment of change this way, through finding community, family and self-rooted in deep nature connection. Thank you to all who worked so passionately to make this ceremonial space for our children and hold the process, I am so grateful to you all.”

“I feel so grateful for the opportunity to be able to Quest and have time to reflect in a conscious way about this important threshold...... It has helped me so much to spend time with myself, with the land and the fire to make this transition as clean and clear as it can be to honour my own life moving forward......"

“I really enjoyed meeting the others around the fire in the woods, it was beautiful. I felt safe and relaxed and able to open up to the group despite not knowing people well. It was my first experience of this way of council and yet it felt so right, so natural. It was very well held space and wonderful to share a few hours with complete strangers, yet feel community and connection with them.”

“This work is vital at this time. Please do more, it is needed.”

The ancient tradition of fasting for vision has been passed down through generations of indegiounous peoples, in particular for this ceremony, the Lacota people in North America.

In the spirit of honoring these traditions, while adapting to our present needs and times, we will be hosting this experience, not strictly adhering to the cultural intricacies, however we aim to capture its raw, elemental essence.

Drawing from teachings rooted in preserved lineages, as well as insights from the School of Lost Boarders and the Ojai Foundation, we have crafted a ceremony designed to resonate with our modern lives. Additionally, we've integrated wisdom gleaned directly from our connection with this land and the unique needs of its people.

It's essential to acknowledge and express our deepest respect and gratitude to the indigenous communities who have safeguarded these sacred ceremonies throughout the ages, as well as those who facilitate the bridging of worlds.

Our intention in offering this fast is to provide a space for reflection and transition, serving as a beacon of support as we navigate life's ever-changing currents. We hope that by participating in this rite of passage, we may find clarity and strength to navigate our personal transitions and contribute positively to the collective transitions of our time.

We warmly welcome you to join us in this timeless tradition, as we gather around the fire to seek guidance and unity.

Practical’s:

Location: Wild location on Dartmoor National Park

Guides: Heidi Rose and Rebeh Salisbury

Dates: July 21-26 2025

Arrival: 2pm 21st July

Departure: 3pm 26th July

Cost: £550-£650 sliding scale to include all meals, land fees, tuition and guidance.

We want this to be accessible to everyone and do not want money to be what prevents anyone from participating . For that reason we have applied for Circlewise funding to offer some bursary and subsidised places for those who need it. However we also want to continue offering this to others in a sustainable way, so for those who can, we appreciate you considering what feels right for you and if you would like to apply for a supported place please do be in touch about it.

You will need to provide your own personal camping gear -full kit list and directions will be sent on booking.

To secure your place we ask that everyone pay £200 deposit.

For further information and to book please contact Heidi [email protected] or Rebeh [email protected]

Circlewise is a service that provides facilitated listening circles, the way of council training and rites of passage ceremonies to community members, organisation's and those working in education. They are committed to supporting individuals, groups and the community by building life skills in communication and empathy through circle practices.

Circlewise offers facilitated circles and ceremonies, support, training and resources to promote:

- Excellence in compassionate communication

- Social, spiritual, emotional, mental well-being

- Empowered and relational learning

- Nature inspired ways of relating

https://www.circlewise.co

For the past 15 years Rebeh Sailsbury has been pursuing a friendship with the river dart and beautiful Devon with her young family. She has an eclectic handful of interests and is a perpetual learner, delving into holistic science, social ecology, permaculture, eco facilitation, mythology, playback theatre, kinesiology and women’s menstrual mentoring and currently studying naturopathic nutrition. All with the intention of supporting the beautiful, fragile and vitally important relationship between the human soul and the phenomenal wild earth for the deeper wellbeing of both. She also assists on WildWises ‘Bringing the Bones’ threshold crossing yearlong training course.

Heidi Rose is a founding director of Circlewise CIC. She has been facilitating the Way of Council listening circles for over 25 years. Heidi is also a qualified Psychospiritual Counsellor, Eco Therapist, and Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide.

Over the years she has brought hundreds of deep listening circles to a variety of settings on many subjects and has a passion and devotion to the power, wisdom and simplicity held in the ancient practice of sitting in a circle, listening and sharing from our hearts.

Heidi's life has been profoundly impacted and informed by her own initiations and so wants to give back by facilitating these initiations through wilderness rites of passage experiences for others.

See more information on Circlewise facilitators here:

https://www.circlewise.co/people

Host or Publisher Heidi Rose