The Gathering - Live
A 3-day retreat for 10 women who want to gather to make, create and share the inside of our hearts with each other.
2-4 July 2024 at Ridge Farm in the Surrey Hills.
“To create is to say: I am willing to give the gift of myself to the world. Not because I am perfect, but because my existence is precious. I contain myriad beauty and wild possibilities. And I dare to be here as fully as I can. I dedicate myself to this life.”
— Lucy H Pearce
Does this sound like you?
You know you want to find more time to express yourself creatively…but you never seem to be able to get enough time to really feel complete. You want to write or paint or read or dream but there’s never enough space to do so.
You might not think of yourself as creative, but you want a break from the monotony of everyday routines of life to find out. To step off the treadmill and remember who you are, and what lights you up. And learn how not to hold yourself back when there is something that pulls at your heart.
You’ve had enough of zoom and you’d like to meet some actual living breathing women and connect in real life. but you don’t want a big conference with thousands of people, you want something personal and intimate.
You want someone to look after YOU for a change; to cook you wonderful meals, give you the space to breathe and make sure you are the priority.
You want to remove yourself from the screens and phones and emails and social media and reconnect back with the natural world. To hear what really calls to your soul.
“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner – continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you – is a fine art, in and of itself.”
— Elizabeth Gilbert
Imagine This…
You wake up with a leisurely stretch and perhaps a quick dip in the swimming pool, followed by a relaxed breakfast around the large kitchen table where you also find a personal prompt for the day to muse upon. Perhaps a little journalling in your room as you ready yourself for the day.
After breakfast, you gather in the beautiful garden with the other women sharing your journey, and listen as I speak with you about connecting more deeply with the uniquely feminine creative energy. The rest of the morning is spent with the creative activity that you want to dedicate time to over these 3 days. You might paint, write, read, walk or rest - either with the other women around the kitchen table, or in your own room or nook of the garden as solo time - BOTH are welcome.
“This ability to move with the creative impulse without trying to force it is an aspect of the feminine that I am only now beginning to learn.”
— Maureen Murdock - The Heroine’s Journey.
Shortly after midday, you stop for a simple home-cooked lunch that has been made for you and then afternoon brings more time for creation. You have a designated private coaching appointment with me on one of the afternoons but aside from that the time is your own and it feels decadent; luxurious and spacious. You want to remember how good this feels.
Around 5 we break and come together for a circle where each woman will have the chance to share and be heard. This is such a powerful experience and your bones remember how your ancestors used to honour the necessity of such sisterhood.
Later, we gather once more for dinner and wine around the table, moving on to relax around the inglenook fireplace or under the stars around the fire if the weather is in our favour.
This isn’t a boys-rowdy-party-night-type-of-affair so there’s no pressure to stay up and drink shots (!) and you head off to bed as soon as you’re tired to get a good night of rest.
“For there is no safer space for a woman than a space held by the sacredness of the circle. A space for you to remember who you really are.”
— Anoushka Florence
Who Am I To Run This Retreat?
My name is Nicola Bird and I am a Master Transformational Coach, author, entrepreneur, flower-grower and trained in human design. I’m 52 and a wife, mother, daughter and sister.
I’m also a Creatrix - my superpower is bringing the formless into form. And one thing I knew I need to bring into form was an integration of everything I have been learning and studying over the past few years.
From a spiritual understanding about how life works, to the lessons we can learn in the garden. From the beautiful wisdom of Human Design to the many teachings around the embodiment of the feminine. From creativity, art, writing and story-telling.
I have been on my own journey of intense personal disruption, waking up to my womanhood and making a shift from living in my head to living from my heart. And other women have been of immense help to me on my journey.
Now it’s my turn to pass on what I have learned to you.
“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.”
— Diane Mariechild
Super Early Bird Offer
Your investment in The Gathering is £1,995 and runs from 10am on Tuesday 2nd July to 4pm on Thursday 4th July. This includes accommodation at Ridge Farm for two nights and all meals.
You will also have the opportunity to book a 1:1 call with me shortly before the retreat takes place; I like to do this so I can make sure to build the event around the needs of the each women coming.
Book Your Spot
I’m sorry, The July 2024 Gathering is now sold out.
Please leave your details below if you would like to be added to the waitlist or be informed of future retreat dates.
How Will This Change You?
The importance of prioritising yourself and your needs will no longer be a ‘good idea' on your to-do list but a realised truth.
You’ll see what happens to your nervous system, ,your creativity and your clarity of mind over the space of these 3 days and as a result when you get home its as if you have been picked up and put back down again in the same place, but different.
Refreshed, renewed, lit up, inspired.
To have experienced the power of truly listening and being listened too. And hopefully belly-laughed a whole heap too - who doesn’t need more of that??!
With new friendships and a sense of belonging.
And a bag full of writing/painting/books with their corners folded down a little further through and inspired about the life you’re going back to.
“When I have been stuck, cocooned in this life, it was women who came to free me. Women who reminded me what I am made of and what I am becoming. Women, who broke my shell, reached for my hands and pulled me out. Not just to fly again, but fly higher than ever before. There is much beauty, much ancient history in the intuitive network of strength, support and silent sisterhood. Treasure it, as you would a very special gift because that’s what it is, my sisters, that is what it is.”
— Donna Ashworth, Sisterhood