Sacred Grief, Sacred Rage, Sacred Play

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain”

-Khalil Gibran

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This spring, we invite 22 participants to gather on sacred land along the Haw River in Brown Summit, North Carolina, to be held by blooming Magnolias, Dogwoods, and Honeysuckle, as we honor what lives in the shadows.

There is much weighing on our hearts as we move into 2026: upheaval and turmoil in the political sphere, deepening social divisions, feelings of uncertainty and disconnection, and a continued struggle to find collective ground. We carry the lingering grief of the pandemic, the weight of unfolding global injustices rooted in centuries of oppression, and the many personal losses and tragedies that shape our days. Grieving in community, through ritual, ceremony, and witnessing, was a component of our human experience in villages and tribes for millennia, but is arguably absent from our modern culture of busyness and individualism. In this practice-centered retreat, participants will be immersed in the lost art and practice of “communal grief-tending.”

Over our three days together, we will make sacred again the expression of grief, to unburden our hearts and create more spaciousness within our bodies and souls. Knowing that disavowed anger often lives underneath our hurt and our sadness, in community, we will offer one another a refuge safe enough to coax rage out of the shadows and into the arms of the sacred, where it can be validated and honored. We will also consecrate a space for play and imagination, to rebuild our resilience and provide a salve to our wounds.

The weekend will include:
• Breathwork and body-centered practices to deepen our trust in our emotional and body wisdom
• Therapeutic writing, inquiry, and small group work to assist in opening to our stories of loss and to give voice to our grief and rage over personal injustices and world events
• Mindfulness and earth-based practices to connect with the land
• Expressive arts practices to open ourselves to the power of play and imagination
• Personal and community ritual

As we practice the courage to be with the authenticity of our hearts, we enhance our capacity to embody a vibrant sense of aliveness and compassion. The beauty of this work is its capacity to expand into our communities and the world. This is a form of soul activism and what we are called to embody in this critical time.

We will begin at 4:30pm on Friday, April 17 and conclude at 4pm on Sunday, April 19. To cultivate trust and containment, participation for the entire weekend is essential.

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"Grief and rage are kindred spirits,
both born of love violated."
~ Francis Weller

What's included
• Two highly trained trauma-informed facilitators, and two assistants/spaceholders
• Accomplished world percussionist for our grief ritual
• 2 nights lodging in single or double occupancy motel-style rooms
• Locally-sourced meals: dinner on Friday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday; breakfast and lunch on Sunday, plus tea and light snacks throughout the weekend.
• For commuters: all meals are included except breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

For those local to Greensboro, North Carolina, we highly recommend giving yourself the space to stay on location, to be more deeply held within the container we create in our "pop-up village."

Pricing
$725 single-occupancy / $625 double-occupancy* / $525 commuter
Only one registration can be purchased at a time, given the personalized information we need from each participant.
*Double occupancy is available only for those attending with a pre-arranged roommate (such as a spouse or friend). Please ensure you have a confirmed roommate before selecting this option, as we are unable to pair individuals. Be prepared to supply your roommate’s name at check-out, and have them do the same for you.

Scholarships: If attending this retreat creates a significant financial hardship and you seek a scholarship or work-study exchange, please fill out this form. There are a few scholarship opportunities available at 25-50% of tuition. For scholarships, we prioritize applicants from historically marginalized communities, first responders, veterans, those in the helping professions, and students. Scholarship applications are due by February 10.

On cultural appropriation and ritual work
In our work, we approach any rituals, songs, or practices from non-dominant cultures with deep respect and gratitude. They have been shared and gifted with blessings to aid in our collective healing. We are committed to acknowledging and honoring the sources of these practices, recognizing the responsibility that comes with engaging with them.

Cancellation policy
When registering, we ask that you are crystal clear on your intentions and commitment and consider your reservation and payment as a wholehearted YES to being here. We understand that things can come up that interrupt plans and schedules, but we also know from experience that when we prioritize this sacred work, we will move heaven and earth to honor our grief’s calling. Spaces to work with grief in community through ritual are rare in modern western culture. In our retreats, we seek to create a community of shared values and embodied respect for the preciousness of this work. We do, however, understand that some things fall outside of our control, and to this end we offer the following:

• A 50% refund if you need to cancel before February 28 (minus registration fees).
• A 25% refund if you need to cancel before March 31 (minus registration fees).
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds after March 31

Due to the sheer number of cancellations and requests to move retreats as of late, we can no longer offer the option of forwarding tuition to a future retreat. This updated cancellation policy serves you, as participants in this sacred work, by honoring the time, heart, and soul that we, as facilitators, put into creating supportive and transformative spaces for deep connection and healing.

Important Note on Timing and Readiness
If you’ve experienced a significant loss or trauma within the past six months, we invite you to reach out to the facilitators before registering. Community grief retreats can be deeply meaningful, but they often require a certain level of emotional stability to be beneficial. For some, especially in the immediate aftermath of a profound loss, it may feel too soon. As a general guideline, attending a retreat like this is often most supportive six months to a year after a major loss. We’re happy to talk with you and help discern whether this experience feels right for you at this time.

About the location
This event is located at the beautiful Haw River State Park Summit Conference Center, in Brown Summit, North Carolina. When we are not meeting in the lovely Heron’s Roost or Fox Den for our group time, there are many beautiful trails to explore.

The closest airport to us is Greensboro (GSO). Participants flying in can also look into Charlotte or Raleigh airports. We are happy to help connect folks who might be interested in carpooling from an airport or somewhere else in the region.

Contact your facilitators
Samantha DiRosa
Summer Estes

More information about the retreat, including bios of your facilitators, can be found here.
More information on Summer can be found here.
More information on Samantha can be found here.

Registration closes March 27 or when the retreat hits capacity. However, we will have a wait list in the event of a cancellation.