A day retreat for honouring and witnessing your grief process

How we navigate our relationship with sorrow profoundly affects how we live after and during loss, with our rebirth tied intimately with the threads of gratitude and reverence.

You are warmly invited to share in a grief ritual in honour of this delicate weaving - a ceremonial sharing circle for the community to gather and be witnessed in your grief story.

Held in a serene bush setting in the Blue Mountains, this day retreat offers a safe place for men and women of all ages and backgrounds to share experiences, emotions and any processes that need to be unearthed, shifting grief into a force that transforms life into purpose and meaning.

With the sacred altars of fire and water supporting our process, we will honour the five doorways of grief taught within psychotherapist Francis Weller’s book, The Wild Edge of Sorrow.

(1) Everything we love, we will ultimately grieve - immediate losses (2) The places that have not known love - the parts within ourselves that we have neglected or shamed (3) The sorrows of the world - grief over the state of world affairs (4) What we expected and did not receive - unfulfilled hopes dreams (5) Ancestral grief - grief passed onto us from former generations.

This is an inclusive all genders event that has been intentionally kept small to retain the potency of our gathering. No counselling or therapy will be offered; but rather a safe, village space to be witnessed and supported through your experience, paving the way to navigating your grief journey with a new lens.

In addition to the sharing circle you will be guided through a grounding cacao ceremony to arrive into presence, concluding the ritual with a one hour sound journey, followed by a wholesome vegetarian dinner.

"Grief ripens us, pulls us from the depths of our souls what is most authentic in our beings. In truth, without some familiarity with sorrow, we do not nature as men and women. It is the broken heart, the part that knows sorrow, that is capable of genuine love" - Francis Weller

WHEN: Saturday May 24, 2025 1:00pm-7:00pm

WHERE: Springwood-Winmalee Girl Guides Camp 233-243 Singles Ridge Road, Yellow Rock (3kms from Hawkesbury Road, Winmalee turn off)

EXCHANGE: $88 with $30 deposit, with balance to be paid via bank deposit 2 weeks before event date. Limited financial hardship tickets available on sliding scale payment.

Ticket includes:
Cacao ceremony
Sharing circle
Somatic connection ritual
Refreshments/afternoon tea
Nourishing vegetarian dinner

Places are limited and pre-booking is essential.

ENQUIRIES: Vanessa – 0401261237 or private message on Instagram to @pathofinnerlight_

YOUR FACILITATORS

Vanessa Fang – Vanessa is a transformational coach and ceremonialist specialising in grief and personal reclamation. Her own experience with the unexpected death of her parents has led her to providing this sacred container to guide others back to their remembrance.

Alaina Scutts - Alaina is a teacher of somatic embodiment and nude women's circle facilitator. Having overcome major personal challenges between anxiety disorders to body dysmorphia, she is now helping others to reconnect to self and soul. Find her on Instagram @dj.lains