“Trust Joanna to hold the space, to hold the sacred, and yourself; then trust yourself to hold the possibility that you can enter the space, touch the sacred, and know yourself better than you did before.“

- Christina Baldwin, author of “The Circle Way,” “Storycatcher,” and “The Seven Whispers.”

“I have been to many retreats in my life, and for me the Gaian Soul retreats have been by far the best. I love that it consists of  art, tarot, nature and honor to the Goddess. The land there is magic. 

The schedule was perfect, I never felt rushed, time even seemed to slow down. And the food! — to have our very own chef whipping up taste treat after treat was pure bliss. I feel so loved and pampered and at peace when I’m there. The camaraderie between the women is an awesome thing to behold.”

- Karen Karlovich, Everett, WA 

“I love the authentic connections that are made possible in the safety of Aldermarsh.  I love crossing the magical bridge that makes me feel I am a priestess of Avalon. I love hearing each other’s truths and stories within the comfort of the Marsh House — those walls hold many secrets. When I left, I felt energized and connected with a powerful group of women. A treasure, a filling of the well, and done so consciously, and with great love.”

- Michele M., Lummi Island, WA

“Joanna comes through so authentically in her tarot deck, artwork & writing, that meeting her in person was exactly what I was hoping for, and more. What an amazing place Aldermarsh is! What amazing women Joanna gathers in her magical web! I’m definitely coming back. The Spirit house is calling me . . .”

 - Michelle H., Escondido, California

“Even though I attended Joanna’s Gaian Soul retreat last fall where I had a lot of doubts and concerns, I was so gratified to find them to be totally unwarranted. I was a bit intimidated by the idea of a retreat centered around Brigid’s Feast this time. I did not know how Brigid’s Feast would or could turn into a meaningful retreat. 

However, I love Marsh House, the grounds, the quiet and the richness of this special place and this is what calls me back. And I trust Joanna’s ability to hold the space, create the environment of intimacy and caring while providing just the right activity and the timing that makes her retreats soul-full and soul-fulfilling.

I stayed at the North House with women I had never met before, a very intimidating concept for me, and loved it. The women were so fantastic, interesting and open. It was great! Then, there is an abundance of healthy, beautifully prepared food by the wonderful Elaine that is shared with community and conversation.”

- Trish Morris, Colorado

“Come to this retreat to learn how to love yourself better.”
– Debbie O., Seattle

“Delight and surprise accompanied my every moment at the retreat. In awed gratitude, I joined and participated in a powerful circle of women who listened to each other and their deepest intuitions while drawing on their wisdom with the intercession of Joanna’s exquisite tarot cards.”

- Dr. Ali Edwards, Bellingham, WA

“The retreat surpassed my expectations because of your gently loving warmth, Joanna.  The singing, the joint musical instrument play gave me a childlike feeling of letting go and just being free. I loved that moment when we gathered in the courtyard after dinner and looked at the moon and you started to sing. It was magical.“

- Diana D., California

What will we be doing?

One of the days may look something like this:

• A yummy breakfast.
• Morning circle, a teaching by Joanna, and tarot play.
• A scrumptious, nourishing lunch.
• Sacred art play (fun!!).
• Time on your own, or with others as the spirit leads.
• A delectable dinner. With dessert!
• Ceremony or socializing or a massage!
• Sauna, hot tub, time together, or time alone.
• Dreamtime.

Of course, we can’t plan the magic — all the synchronistic things that happen, the moments of insight and healing, and the bonds that form as the days and nights unfold.

I can promise you that I know how to hold the container for the retreat in sacred space, in such a way that encourages these magical things to happen!

I invite you to connect with your inner guidance, and see if coming to this retreat for replenishment and connection, is right for you. (I know that the just-right women will be signing up!)

Brightest Blessings,

P.S. The Retreat will begin with dinner on Thursday, September 12th (although you can arrive as early as noon) and finish up after lunch on Sunday, September 15th.

About Joanna . . .

Joanna Powell Colbert is an artist, author, and teacher of tarot and earth-centered spirituality. The Gaian Tarot, nine years in the making, combines her love of archetypal art with the mysteries of Mama Gaia, the natural world. A Collector’s Edition is nearly sold out, and a mass market edition was published by Llewellyn Worldwide in September 2011.

Joanna teaches online courses and workshops around the country on the tarot, earth-centered spirituality, manifesting your dreams, and connecting with the natural world. She also hosts an engaging membership site, the Gaian Tarot Circle, which is a community for lovers of the Gaian Tarot. Joanna regularly shows her artwork and teaches workshops at tarot conferences and other events around the country. She blogs at GaianSoul.com.

The Gaian Tarot was created during the decade Joanna lived on a small island near Bellingham, Washington. Today she lives in the woods outside town, where daily encounters with the mysteries of the natural world continue to inspire and inform her work.

Gaian Soul Retreats are held twice a year, just before the Equinoxes in March and September.

About Elaine . . .

Elaine Nichols, our culinary wizard for the retreat, is Joanna’s longtime friend and sister priestess. She is a mother, a fiber artist, a crafter, a photographer, an earth steward, a food alchemist, a wellness coach, a practitioner of radical gratitude and a lover of all things bohemian. Her life is centered around creativity, food, family and community; and living, breathing, and eating consciously. Elaine created the gorgeous hand-dyed bags for the Gaian Tarot Limited Edition. She blogs at www.radicalrollingpin.com.