The Art of the Spiral

Many of us may be experiencing feelings of grief, anger, overwhelm, or even hopelessness about the state of the world today.

What is your most cherished vision for our world? How can you work to create a more beautiful, life-affirming future for generations to come?

Although you might not “know” just yet, these answers reside within you and in Mother Nature herself.

Join us in a full-day exploration of Joanna Macy's "Work That Reconnects"

Let us guide you on a journey of rooting deeper into the wisdom of the collective.

Our day will be spent together traversing a group experience known as The Work that Reconnects. Created by activist, deep ecologist, and respected Buddhist elder, Joanna Macy, the framework she affectionately calls “The Spiral” will invite us to tap into the deep well of our gratitude, honour our pain for the world, to see with new eyes, and to go forth with newfound clarity, conviction, and courage.

Although we tend to avoid that which causes discomfort, when held with reverence and sacred intention, pain can be transmuted and used as kindling to fuel our work in the world, empowering us to step into our unique gifts to contribute to what Joanna names “The Great Turning” - a collective reorienting towards a life-affirming future of well-being for all species on Earth.

Together we will create a container to bear witness to our shared and individual experiences.

Be open to magic, prepare to notice synchronicities, and ready yourself for unexpected insights as we weave practices and rituals of The Work That Reconnects with grounding breath, connection to body, authentic expression, and creative play with natural elements.

The experience is sure to take us into some deep places, but the Spiral works to leave us feeling energised as we sense our belonging and place within the web of life.

We go forth motivated to work in solidarity for the protection of our world.

“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear.”

-Joanna Macy

This event will be facilitated by the Earth Weavers Collective, a nature-focused education and community project for Earth-lovers yearning for a deeper sense of connection and belonging for future generations. Weaving topics such as Earth reconnection, Permaculture, herbal medicine making, ancestral ways of being, processing grief, and more.

The facilitators for this gathering will be Esmé, a mindfulness and Work That Reconnects facilitator, Anna Maria, a Permaculture educator and community organizer, and Natasha, an end-of-life care nurse focused on art therapy and plant medicine.

Our shared passion for Earth healing, collective liberation, and community empowerment is woven throughout our work in the world.

The Community Farm is a not-for-profit working farm and social enterprise based in the Chew Valley just outside Bristol and Bath.

As part of a network of local farmers, the Farm supplies fresh produce to hundreds of families in the local area each week. The Farm has become a hub for growing community as much as growing food, and it is an inspiring setting for wellbeing courses, social events and training.

Our session will be held in the Farm’s bright and airy Yurt - with plenty of time outdoors for nature connection and reflection.

In terms of venue accessibility, please be aware that The Community Farm is a working farm - with all that comes with that. The Yurt where we will hold our workshop is accessed via a gravel pathway which can get muddy after rainy days. The rest of the farm and fields are totally unpaved, grassy trails.

At the moment, the pathways are not ideal for wheelchair users or people with significantly impaired mobility.

Two composting toilets are available for our use, located just 20m from the Yurt. Handwashing facilities and drinking water are also located here as well as next to the Yurt.

We will have breaks throughout the day, including solo time to connect to the natural beings around us.

If there is anything else we can do to make this experience as supportive as possible for you, please don't hesitate to reach out to us and we will do our best within our capacity to support!

Please bring with you:

• Your own lunch and snacks for the day and everything you need to eat it
• A cushion or blanket if you wish
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking the land on the farm
• Rain gear and outerwear as needed - we'll be spending a lot of time outside, including sitting on the ground
• A notebook + pen for journaling
• Water bottle
• A sense of curiosity and open-mindedness

Host or Publisher Earth Weavers Collective