In the Celtic tradition, Awen refers to inspiration or divine spark. This weekend retreat aligns with the Celtic Holiday of Samhain (pronounced “sow-wen”), which became popularized as Halloween. In Ireland, wood is gathered, and fires lit to mark the end of harvest and the approach of winter. A time when the veils between the Otherworld is thin, we take a few days to honor our forebears, and offer their stories of wisdom and hope to the next generation.

 This retreat will be the perfect moment to turn within and give thanks to the ancestors that brought us life, to forgive any lingering issues, and to connect with our ancient ancestors who can give us renewed strength and courage. This retreat will involve Storytelling from the Irish & British traditions. We will also explore the Divine Feminine in Celtic Spirituality, particularly the many faces of St. Brigit/Bride/Brighid and the Cailleach. We will use meditation, self-inquiry and visualization techniques for personal reflection in a framework based on the open embrace of Celtic Spirituality. All are welcome.

The Awen Retreat is designed and led by Ayn Cates Sullivan, who attended Hollins University and then went on to earn a MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, a Masters in Spiritual Psychology (USM), as well as a doctorate degree in Anglo-Irish Literature from King’s College London. She combined these degrees to create her “Awen” workshops, which help people develop poetic, creative, intuitive and mystical skillsets. Ayn Cates Sullivan makes an annual pilgrimage to Britain, where she often meets with her mentor, author Caitlin Matthews. Dr. Sullivan has written twenty-four books and has won over sixty literary awards.

Meals and overnight accommodations are available at the retreat. The fees are $333 for residents of the retreat, and $222 for non-residents. To register or for more information, please contact Debbie@mountainlightretreatva.com by October 17.