Midsummer Magdalene, A Solstice Retreat (£UK)
8 DAYS of HEART OPENING in a CIRCLE of JOY and LIGHT
Journey through
ANCIENT SACRED SITES
and inner landscapes
COMMUNITY - CREATIVITY - DEPTH - BEAUTY
with Fay Barratt, Jo Blake and David Curtis
Summer Solstice
We gather at the time of the Summer Solstice, when the expansive growth period of spring has reached its zenith. When the Dorset fields, woodlands and hedgerows are overflowing with a sense of abundance. This is also the peak of our expressive and outward selves - a time to celebrate who we are. The longest day and the shortest night. Traditionally this is a time to mark the wheel of the year turning, honouring the light and all that is manifest, and the return of the dark, connecting us once again to the inner world, the annual cycle of rebirth and descent into the mysteries. We rise early on solstice morning to watch the sunrise, with a choice of joining the larger festive gathering at Stonehenge,or the more intimate Druid Circle at Stanton Drew.
Photo by Niklas Weiss on Unsplash
Mary Magdalene
A focus on Mary Magdalene is at the heart of our retreat, bringing us together, and guiding our reflections. Mornings will start with some gentle Qi Gong and breath work to awaken our energies for the day. Evenings will conclude with letting go into the effortless still quieting of yoga nidra. Threads of study and reflection on The Gospel of Mary Magdalene will be woven throughout the days . Reading and group study, sacred chant, sharing circles and embodied practices to help us engage fully with heart and soul. Fay will lead us in soul-inquiry through drawing and painting, helping us to engage with felt sense. David's holistic approach to translation will guide us in our ruminations on Mary's Gospel, feeling into those passages and insights which speak to each of us individually and collectively. Jo brings in an understanding of the mythic, the archetypal and the imaginal, and how we might explore these through the body, through the imagination and through narrative.
photo David Curtis, The Magdalene Chapel, Glastonbury
Just a short walk from the friary, about one and a half miles stroll along quiet country lanes, can be found the nearby church of St Mary Magdalene. This grade 1 listed church dates back to the 14th century, and is known for its simplicity, its sense of timelessness and of history, and its peaceful atmosphere. We will also have our very own special evening of chanting, song and story in the famous Magdalene Chapel at Glastonbury.
Hosting the Retreat
The retreat is led by Fay Barratt, David Curtis and Jo Blake.
Fay Barratt is an artist and an Interfaith Minister. For many years Fay held workshops and retreats on the Divine Feminine. In 2011 she had a profound awakening to the teachings of Mary Magdalene and was soon unearthing the other women disciples around Jesus. Fay went on to found the Mary Magdalene School of Wisdom which she led until 2022, and has recently published a set of cards and book - Mary Magdalene and the Women Disciples . Fay can be found at The Monastery Manchester, UK, holding silent meditation and Sacred Art workshops. Her art work and online teaching can be found on: https://fay-barratt-sacred-art.mailchimpsites.com/ “No matter what our spiritual path or outlook there lies within us a force beyond our comprehension, it can only be known through direct experience. I hope that we can access that creative force together. I am really excited to see how your individual creative journey emerges.”
David Curtis is author of The Gospel of Mary website , and Associate Tutor at Woodbrooke Quaker College. He leads Friendly Study Groups on The Gospel of Mary using a non-hierarchical Quaker study method, and his growing understanding of the text is continually informed by such diverse tools as pilgrimage, playful inquiry, non-violent communication, IFS, yoga nidra and meditation. David is an active Quaker, but also has a long background in Tibetan Buddhism as a student of Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. His approach to group work is based on the principle of ‘holding difference’ – of seeing our diversity of human perspectives as complementary and constructive, rather than competitive and contradictory.
Jo Blake is well known in Magdalene circles as creator and performer of The Witness. As well as her on-going relationship with Magdalene, Jo brings with her 25 years of experience as a professional storyteller. Storytelling is a foundational, performative form that can lead us into non-ordinary and potent states of attention and energy. For Jo, it is exhilaratingly paradoxical in the way that it both enchants and disenchants at the same time; disenchanting us from the spell of our fleeting concerns and contemporary culture, through the means of a deeper enchantment with mythic images, vocal cadence, rhythm, and often, firelight. Storytelling can re-root us in the deeper soil.
Costs & Accommodation
The standard cost is £1,850 including food, excursions and accommodation.
We are inviting 2 participants to pay the slightly higher cost of £2,220 for a larger bedroom with en-suite bathroom - and this will enable us to offer 2 subsidised places at £1,480 for those on a lower income. Standard accommodation is in individual single rooms with shared bathroom facilities (except for the two subsidised places, who will be sharing a twin room). There is one double room available if you are a couple who wish to share. This is charmingly simple retreat accommodation in a working Franciscan friary, which is reflected in the price, so please don't expect 5 star hotel luxury. All meals will be vegetarian, please let us know in advance if you have any allergies or specific dietary requirements. Dining out on excursions is not included in the price.
We ask for a £450 non-returnable deposit with the balance payable on or by 3rd May 2026. Numbers are limited to 12 and our last retreat sold out, so do please book early to avoid disappointment.
photo Kerry Canepa, Hilfield Friary Guest House
Itinerary
- June 16th Arrivals, Introductions, Opening the Circle, Building the Shrine.
- June 17th A short midsummer pilgrimage walk to the Church of Mary Magdalene. Awakening the imaginal through art and story.
- June 18th Visit to Glastonbury Tor, The White Springs, and Abbey, followed by an evening of chanting, music and story in Glastonbury's Magdalene Chapel
- June 19th Working with story, myth and archetype, Jo leads us in an exploration of the Divine Feminine, followed by a special evening performance by Jo & David
- June 20th Visit to Cerne Abbas, with its ancient fertility symbols and healing waters. A relaxing day and early to bed, to be ready for .....
- June 21st Solstice sunrise - options to either join the large gathering at Stonehenge, or the more intimate druid ceremony at Stanton Drew stone circle
- June 22nd A day of workshops at the friary, culminating in an evening of story-telling and singing around the traditional midsummer 'bonne fire'
- June 23rd Closing the Circle with thanks and celebrations, what do we need to take away with us for the months ahead? Departures and Farewells.
Photo by Dyana Wing So on Unsplash
photo David Curtis, Druid Circle at Stanton Drew Stones
photo Fay Barratt, from one of Fay's art retreats
photo Fay Barratt, Chalice Well, Glastonbury
Arrivals, Departures and Transfers
Arrivals are from 3pm on Tuesday 16th June , with our first introductory activities from 5pm . The nearest train station is Sherborne, there are frequent trains direct from London Waterloo, with a journey time of two and a half hours, and we can collect you from the station. Alternatively, if you would prefer a direct transfer from Heathrow Airport, we can recommend suitable taxi companies for the drive (also around two and a half hours).
Our closing circle on Tuesday 23rd June will finish by 3pm & again there will be the offer of a lift to the station if required.
photo Kerry Canepa, Hilfield Friary
"A wonderful place to visit, a real spiritual tonic."
"I would say it's hard to put my finger on why I liked it so much but I did! Fay and David brought a beautiful energy and presence to the retreat. I loved sitting in a circle and sharing again after many years of not doing so."
"A refreshing break from the consumer society"
"Very nourishing with a great variety of activities. I loved the sessions for study/discussion of the Gospel of Mary, workshops, physical activities: they made a great balance. The food was delicious."
photo Kerry Canepa, Hilfield Friary Guest House
Terms and Conditions
1. Booking
Your booking is not considered definite, and no contract will exist until we receive your deposit of £450. By booking this retreat you are accepting these terms and conditions.
2. Payment
(a) The price is the exact amount to be received in full by us in £UK
(b) The full payment amount is due 45 days or more before the first day of the retreat and can be paid by bank transfer or Paypal to the account specified in your original confirmation email sent out after your booking is confirmed and your deposit has been received. If full payment is not made 45 days or more prior to the start date of our retreat it will be assumed that you wish to cancel your booking without refund of your original deposit.
3. Your Travel Arrangements
All travel arrangements are your responsibility and at your own cost. We shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from delays or cancellations in any of the companies you may have made arrangements with, or for any irregularities in your documentation required for travel. Transfers to/from the retreat are at your own cost. There is a direct train from London to Sherborne, we can collect you (at no additional cost) from Sherborne, or we can recommend taxi service for direct transfers from Heathrow or other airports.
4. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended, please ensure that your travel insurance covers the unexpected cancellation, sickness, losses and all other risks associated with traveling and taking part in the retreat.
5. Your Health
Please advise us of any mental or physical health conditions, allergies and dietary requirements before you book, so we know how best to cater for your needs.
6. Cancellation by you
(a) You (or any member of your party) may cancel your booking at any time by notifying us in writing. Cancellation will take effect the day such notification is received by us. If such cancellation is made within less than 120 days before the start of the retreat, we will retain the deposit of the retreat. If cancellation is made within 30 days of the start of the retreat we will retain the full amount paid by you.
(b) Bookings are for the stated period of the retreat. There are no refunds for an unused portion of the retreat. If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your Insurance Policy, you may be able to make a claim on your own insurance.
7. Amendments by us
Occasionally, changes may have to be made (which we reserve the right to do at any time.) If a significant change becomes necessary, we will inform you as soon as possible.
8. Cancellation by us
We reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel the retreat. In particular, we require a minimum number of at least 75% of the participants to have booked by 30 days before the start date. If this minimum number is not reached by that date we may cancel and refund payment to you.
10. Group Bookings
Where a booking is made on behalf of several individuals the booking is conditional on the person(s) paying having authorization from all the individuals named on the booking form to enter into this contract. The terms of this contract will apply to each member of the group as though they had paid for their own retreat individually and directly to us.
11. No Liability for possessions
It is your responsibility to ensure that your possessions are kept safe at all times. This includes hire cars or other hired equipment. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings during the retreat.
12. Complaints
If you have a problem during your retreat, please inform Fay, David or Jo immediately and we will endeavour to put things right. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the individual behaviour of any group member or other guest sharing your accommodation.
13. Privacy Policy
We do not share customer details with any 3rd parties. Any personal information that you provide to us will be used only for the organisation of this retreat, unless otherwise agreed by your written consent.
14. Image consent
All photography and sharing of images whether by ourselves or group members must be by individual consent, and we respect each individual’s right to choose.
Location
Hilfield Friary, Dorset, DT2 7BE