St Wites Way - Time at the Wellspring

Guided Retreat 9th - 11th October 2024

Facilitated by Chris, Karen and Ginny 

St Wite’s Way - Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and the surrounding area, West Dorset, UK.

Arrival from 2pm 9th October, depart after lunch 11th October 2024. All meals and accommodation included,  £350 per pilgrim, £550 for couples sharing.

Autumn sunrise over Marshwood Vale, West Dorset

Time at the Wellspring

“Let all who are thirsty come, receive the free gift of the water of life”

A two night/three day retreat in the Presence of Healing

For centuries the shrine and well of St Wite in Dorset have been a place of healing. Not only the shrine but the landscape itself has an extraordinary vibrant energy with its gentle rolling hills, streams and valleys folding into the sea on the Jurassic coast. It is little wonder that it has been a draw for pilgrims in search of restoration and renewal for over a thousand years.

We are therefore delighted to be able to host a three day retreat there to give a small group of people the opportunity to come together and simply to be in the presence of healing, receiving and contributing together to the subtle process of physical, emotional and spiritual renewal – wherever we are in our own life situations. Not only will we benefit from the dedicated time together on the retreat but we will also explore the nature and mystery of the healing charism – and how we can nurture and sustain its presence in our own lives going forwards.

As well as time and space to be in our own healing, we will introduce practical resources for the ‘inner work’ of opening ourselves to the presence of healing – such as techniques for stilling, meditation, prayer, breath-work, body-work, presencing and grounding. We will also find as we engage together that the group itself becomes a powerful channel for healing to flow naturally between us. 

Who is the retreat for?

The retreat is for anyone who would like to explore the inner process of healing. St Wite’s shrine is a site of Christian pilgrimage so we will be drawing upon the wisdom of Christian spirituality, but we will also draw from a wealth of spiritual practice from other traditions. It is not a 'religious' retreat and it is open to people of all faiths and none. 

Where we are staying: At beautiful Rushay in Wootton Fitzpaine

We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Rushay and staying in the magnificent Edwardian Arts and Crafts house, with a tennis court and grounds. Accommodation will be allocated on a first come first served basis by the retreat guides. All meals will be provided.

The Programme

Day 1

• Arrive at Rushay for tea and cake and settle into your room from 2pm.

• We gather for our first welcome session at 3pm. Drawing on wisdom from spirituality and psychology and our own inner knowing and experience, we begin with a discussion about the nature of healing, what it really means to be healed and how different healing processes work within and between us.

• Before supper there will then be a time of reflection on where we are in our own healing journeys and the chance to find ways to sense into and express this - in more than just words.

• After supper, we will gather for the close of the day together with some shared reflections, finishing with a candle meditation to ‘melt into the dark’

Day 2

• We begin the day with a time of quiet meditation and prayer

• After breakfast we have a brief time to share and gently explore what has been arising for us and to begin to notice what it is like to be receptive to the spiritual and physical presence of healing around us.

• We will then take a short car journey to the Shrine of St Wite to connect with the healing charism and presence and then enjoy a country walk together, sensing into the beautiful natural environment culminating in some time together at the wellspring of St Wite, again a place renowned for its healing qualities.

• We return to the Shrine and then to the house for a late lunch. After which we have some free time to spend as we wish, with the opportunity also to have a 1:1 conversation with one of the retreat guides to explore any particular themes or questions that may be arising.

• In the late afternoon we will gather together under the theme of ‘don’t be afraid of the dark’  to explore some of the more challenging aspects of healing.

• After supper,  we regather for our evening session  just allowing ourselves to enjoy and explore what is present.

Day 3

• The morning of the third day is often the time when the fruits of our time together start to reveal themselves and so we will spend some time this morning simply gathering these and noticing where the invitation is for each of us to live our lives from a different place, a richer source.

• After coffee we will then make our way back to St Wite’s Shrine for some time together there, to be blessed and to consolidate all we have received. We will also think about what kind of practices we may wish to remember from this time together and how to incorporate these in our lives going forwards, so that we wellspring may continue to flow freely within us.

• Packed lunch will be available at the church, after which we depart.

About St Wite

St Wite was a Christian martyr and is the patron saint of Dorset. Known as a healer and wise woman, she walked the Marshwood Vale over a thousand years ago. Very little is known of her history, but her extraordinary tradition has been kept alive through the stories told by locals and pilgrims alike throughout the centuries. She is the inspiration for St Wite’s Way.

Advice and recommendations for the healing retreat

St Wite’s Way is open to everyone, from whatever background. All are welcome.

St Wite’s Way visits sacred sites with a deep history of spiritual pilgrimage and worship, which will be the foundation for our exercises, reflections and discussion. Please engage however you feel comfortable.

West Dorset is stunningly beautiful and the retreat takes place in an area of outstanding natural beauty with designated dark skies. It can be hilly terrain and very dark at night. Good for star gazing but please bring a torch!

Please be aware that walking in some places may be a little challenging. Some of our walking is on country lanes and at a couple of points we cross the A35 at traffic light controlled crossings on foot. Please be aware of traffic and wear suitable clothing so you can be seen. Please come prepared for rain and mud with suitable footwear and waterproof clothing for the countryside. Bring a torch, water bottle and a bag to carry your things, when we are away from the house.

You are encouraged to bring notebooks, drawing, painting or writing equipment, cameras and phones to record the experience. Please ask permission of those involved if you plan to use the photos or videos for anything other than personal use. Thank you

How to get to Whitchurch Canonicorum and Wootton Fitzpaine

Pilgrims have travelled to the Whitchurch Canonicorum for over 1,000 years, so you will be joining many others who over the centuries will have journeyed to the Shrine. Both villages are deep the rural West Dorset countryside at the heart of Marshwood Vale. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty with several protected dark skies for star gazing. Details of how to get to Rushay, will be sent with your confirmed booking. 

Despite the ancient history of pilgrimage, the area is still accessed by narrow country lanes and the best way to get to us is by car. However, there is public transport. The Jurassic Coaster bus goes along the A35 and the closest train station is Axminster, which is on the train line to Clapham Junction, Waterloo and Exeter.  There is also good local taxi services. If you plan to come on the pilgrimage by public transport, please email us for advice and help. ask@stwitesway

Your booking

All meals and accommodation are included in the price of £350 per pilgrim or £550 for a couple sharing the same room. Please book through the booking button on this page. Thank you. 

Your booking includes a non-refundable £50 per person to cover costs. Please complete the Guest Inquiry form as you book and pay through online banking. Thanks you so much. 

If you want to know more about any aspect of the retreat, before you book, please ask@stwitesway.

Cancellations

Should you wish to cancel a refund of £300 per person ie full cost less £50 or £ 500 for a couples booking is only available should you cancel in writing by the 14th AUGUST 2024. If you cancel on or after 15th AUGUST 2024, unfortunately, there is no refund, unless we can refill your place.