Group Programs
Outdoor and hybrid programs merge the transformative power of group dynamics with the healing rhythms of the natural world. These experiences invite you to step outside and join others on a collective journey of discovery, growth, and connection.
Wild Woman Council
Fall 2024 - 4 week Online Support Group and In-Person Day Long Rite of Passage
A sanctuary for female-identifying* folks moving through life transitions and/or seeking deeper connection with themselves.
About:
There are moments when a threshold must be crossed in life, when we can’t go back to who we’ve been. It is a necessary, vulnerable shedding, a kind of death, to allow for the next turning of Life’s wheel. In our culture’s rapid pace of endless progress, these crucial moments often go unnoticed. Wild Woman Council offers a sanctuary for those navigating and plunging into these significant moments of change. Drawing inspiration from pan-cultural, age-old rites of passage, this council group charts a ritual through three phases:
Preparation
Ceremony
Integration
Begin the journey by connecting with a supportive community, sharing intentions, and preparing mentally and emotionally for the transformative path ahead.
The heart of the experience is a 1- day retreat, including community time and a wilderness solo sit for several hours. Embrace simplicity and self-reflection through solitude in nature. Removed from daily distractions, listen intently to your inner voice and the whispers of the wild. We will come together as a group before and after the solo time, process together in council circle, cleanse in a sauna, move, reflect, and be witnessed.
Culminate the journey by sharing insights and experiences from your time in the wilderness as they weave into your everyday life. Move forward with renewed purpose and wisdom.
"Simone and Maggie are truly artful facilitators; they are meant for this work. I wasn't sure what I might receive from this group and I left the rite of passage experience feeling a sense of increased embodiment, empowerment and connection to self and others in the group. I felt so held, so seen, and so well cared for. And, don't be fooled, the journey never stops though this was a holistic, intentional experience that will stick with me for decades to come and forever be a part of my healing, seeking and self love journey. Thank you!"- Previous Participant
Who:
This will be a small group (maximum 8 female-identifying folks)*, ages 18+, facilitated by Simone Isadora Levine and Magnolia Medlin. We welcome folks from all walks of life who are ready for a deep dive with themselves, willing and open to share in community, and with courage and curiosity for what mother nature has to reveal. This could be for you if you've recently or are about to experience:
-A change in career or retirement
-The loss of a loved one
-The ending or beginning of a relationship
-A significant shift in personal identity or spiritual beliefs
-Becoming a parent or experiencing an "empty nest"
-Major health changes or diagnosis
-A newfound sense of purpose
... or any other significant life event, this group is designed to hold space for your journey, ensuring you're not alone in this transformative period.
*We acknowledge the rich and complex history of how identities are expressed, reclaimed, and included through language. Our aim is to foster a space that embraces the full spectrum of womanhood. We invite cis and trans women, femmes, and genderqueer people to join us. As facilitators, we are dedicated to ongoing learning and growth in gender diversity and trans inclusion, and we welcome any inquiries or requests from those considering participation.
Where:
This is a hybrid program, consisting of 4 virtual sessions, and one full day retreat in the beautiful forest of Dancing Tree Sanctuary in Corbett, Oregon (about a 30 minute drive form Portland), set in the Columbia Gorge.
When:
Virtual Sessions: Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9
In-Person Retreat: October 5th, 2024 from 10am - 6pm
What's Included:
-Guided group sessions by trained professionals
-Full day retreat with indoor and outdoor spaces
-Group sauna sessions
-Delicious & nourishing dinner on retreat *Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice.
-A variety of nature connection & mindfulness activities
-Sacred land to explore, wander, and be
-Opportunities for personal growth and reconnection to community and mother nature.
-Individual support as needed
Cost:
$450 total. The fee covers all components of the program as described above. Payment plans and scholarships are available. If funds are a barrier to participation, please contact us to discuss possible ways to support you, as we are committed to inclusivity and collective growth. To learn more, please read our commitment here.
Simone Levine is a somatic therapist specializing in eco-psychology, a yoga and meditation teacher, and an experiential educator. She has been co-leading the Portland Waldorf School wilderness rite of passage for several years. Magnolia Medlin is a somatic therapist with training in Council Facilitation from the School of Lost Borders and Voice Dialogue parts work. She trained for two years in a Buddhist monastery and is a student of the Diamond Approach inquiry method. They collectively offer a balanced blend of therapeutic, spiritual, and somatic experiences designed to support you as you journey within.
How previous participants have described their experiences:
"I went into this opportunity with a vague sense of what I was after and a hopefulness that I could get what I needed. I only had to trust the process and participate in my personal work, as I was skillfully guided and encouraged in community toward ripening and harvesting the insights I was seeking. This has been a watershed experience at this phase of my living that I feel certain will stay with me and continue to influence my choices as I launch off into my next chapter. A very worthwhile adventure indeed, with generous facilitation and empowering female energy."
"Maggie and Simone are skilled facilitators dedicated to creating a nurturing space where participants can explore new, unknown, or intimidating experiences. If you are considering trying one of their programs, I highly recommend their spaces as a step toward deepening your connection with psyche, the land, and the relationship between the two."
"Wow!! Better than I expected. A very meaningful part of my transitional space and such a gift to share with others and have beautiful facilitation to accompany and expedite my healing."
"Moving, powerful, inspirational, profound."
"Deep and meaningful."