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Join me in 2013 for a Journey to Ireland!

 

The sacred land of Ireland calls to us to connect to our ancestors, our spiritual selves, to the oceans that spiral within us.  She beckons me back again and again, is a part of my blood and my body, my heart and my soul.  I am honored to share with you what She has shared with me.

 

Three trips are offered in 2013:

 

Beltane Pilgrimage: Awakenings

April 27- May 4

 

Journey to Ireland: Herbcraft

September 1-8

 

Journey to Ireland: Healing Herbs and Sacred Sites

September 18-28

 

Tour price includes all lodging, admission fees, transportation within Ireland and 2 meals per day.  Does not include airfare to Ireland, alcohol or one meal per day.  Note: for the September pilgrimage, flights arrive into Shannon and depart Dublin.  For Beltane and Herbcraft, flights arrive into and depart from Shannon.

 

Beltane Pilgrimage: Awakenings

April 27- May 4

 

Join us during this most fertile, fecund, awakening time of the year in Ireland.  The hedgerows are bursting with hawthorn flowers and the humble herbs are abundant throughout the land, inviting us to make intentional medicines for body and spirit.  We will connect to sacred places associated with this time of the year, we will indulge in seaweed therapies and spend a day with a potter to create our own mortar and pestle in sacred circle.   We will celebrate in ritual on this land, encouraging her fertility as she encourages ours.

$1,850

 

Daily itinerary for Beltane Pilgrimage: Awakenings (subject to change):

 

Day 1: April 27. Kinvara.  You will be met at Shannon Airport for your morning arrival into the magical isle of Ireland!   To get grounded in this land, we will take a gentle, spirit-awakening walk in a mystical wood and explore an ancient castle ruin.  We will get settled into our home for a week and have time for a rest, a walk to the bay or a stroll along the beach.   In the liminal light, we will have our opening ritual at a sacred well tucked into the mystical hazel groves of the Burren and collect holy spring water to bless our awakening journey.

 

Day 2: April 28. Kinvara.  After a hearty and restorative Irish breakfast we will be inspired by the mystical land of Coole Park.  Enjoy a gentle walk, sit along the lake and watch the swans and connect with this land through literature and journaling.   We will explore the hidden herbs in the limestone pavers of the Burren and wildcraft from the overflowing hedges to create a healing herbal tea.  At sunset, we will visit Flaggy Shore on Galway Bay and collect seaweed for foot and body soaks before supping seaside at Linnane’s Lobster Bar, where we will enjoy just-caught seafood and lots of Irish craic!

 

Day 3: April 29. Kinvara.  Just as the Irish have done for millennia and still do to this day at this time of this year, we will climb the sacred hill of Uisneach to connect with the sensual, unfurling hawthorn trees, experience the navel of Ireland and wash our faces in the liminal dew.  From there we will visit a heart-shaped Brighid’s well to receive the blessing of the waters and the ash, then stop at my teacher’s house to experience her healing herbs and enjoy a cup of tea.  We will have dinner in Galway at one of my favorite restaurants in Ireland!

 

Day 4: April 30. Kinvara.   We travel the short distance to Brighid’s Garden to explore the amazing Celtic Festival-themed gardens dedicated to this Goddess and Saint of Healing.  From there we will head north into the blue mists, bogs and stark beauty of Connemara.  We will seek healing from the sea and perhaps take a baptismal dip into one of her waters.   We will be transported by the white sands (which we will collect to create luscious foot scrubs!) and turquoise waters and the fertile possibility of this land and sea, within and without us.  At dusk we will build a Beltane fire as our ancestors have done for thousands of years.  Perhaps the fairy host will join us!

 

Day 5:  May 1. Kinvara.   We will begin Beltane day with a seaside ritual and meditation on beautiful Traught Beach and traverse the countryside from there, seeking out fairy forts, ivy-covered abbey ruins, castles and Sheela na Gig.    We will sit in circle and create medicines in the wilds of the Burren and in the cozy kitten of my Irish cottage.   We will visit an herb garden and be inspired by locally handcrafted herbal products.   We will prepare a feast together, celebrating the awakening bounty of this land.

 

Day 6: May 2. Kinvara.   We will greet the new day with gentle yoga and meditation before we traverse into the lush midlands to join a local potter for a day of ritual, intention and creativity.   In her pink cottage and beautiful workshop, serenaded by her clucking hens and a haughty peacock,  we will create our own mortar and pestle to use in our medicine making and to pass on to our children.    

 

Day 7: May 3. Kinvara: We will enjoy a picnic along the coast road to Doolin, traditional music capital of Ireland, and visit the Cliffs of Moher.   We will connect with the ancient wisdom of land’s end known as Hag’s Head and spend time at Brighid’s Well in Liscannor for a ritual and to learn about the healing waters taken there for thousands of years.    We will take a cliff side herb walk and harvest rushes to make Brighid’s crosses.   We will invoke Brighid, Goddess of healing, to guide our hands and our hearts as we create healing salves and infused oils.  We will return home for a closing feast!

 

 

Day 8: May 4. Kinvara.   Departure from Shannon Airport.

 

Optional Extension: Stay an additional night and take in the festivities of Kinvara’s most popular festival, the Cuckoo Fleadh, highlighting some of Ireland’s most talented traditional musicians, storytellers and more!  On your own for meals (except breakfast) and no formal itinerary, just a bonus day for you to enjoy this place!  We will transport you to Shannon for departing flights on Sunday May 5.  $85 includes lodging, breakfast on Sunday and transport to Shannon Airport.

 

 

 

Journey to Ireland: Herbcraft

September 1-8

 

Make your home for 7 nights in the mystical Burren in County Clare!  We will spiral outward from there to experience Celtic and pre-Celtic sacred sites, seashores of County Galway, Connemara and the stunning beauty that the West has to offer.   We will connect to the land and the wild plants that flourish so abundantly there.  Each day we will create medicines, teas, salves and potions in addition to journeying through the inspiration of Ireland!   $1,850.

 

Daily itinerary for Journey to Ireland: Herbcraft (subject to change):

 

Day 1: Sept 1. Kinvara.  You will be met at Shannon Airport for your morning arrival into the magical isle of Ireland!   To get grounded in this land, we will take a gentle, spirit-awakening walk in a mystical wood and explore an ancient castle ruin.  We will get settled into our home for a week and have time for a rest, a walk to the bay or a stroll along the beach.   In the evening mists, we will have our opening ritual and create a gem essence at a sacred spring hidden in the limestone landscape of the Burren. 

 

 Day 2: Sept 2. Kinvara.  After a hearty and restorative Irish breakfast we will be inspired by the mystical land of Coole Park.  Enjoy a gentle walk, sit along the lake and watch the swans and connect with this land through literature and journaling.   We will explore the hidden herbs in the limestone pavers of the Burren and wildcraft from the overflowing hedges to create herbal tinctures and teas.  At sunset, we will visit Flaggy Shore on Galway Bay and collect seaweed for foot and body soaks before supping seaside at Linnane’s Lobster Bar, where we will enjoy just-caught seafood and lots of Irish craic!

 

 Day 3: Sept 3. Kinvara.   We travel the short distance to Brighid’s Garden to explore the amazing Celtic Festival-themed gardens and enjoy a guided meditation.  There will be time for shopping and exploring Galway, one of Ireland’s most vibrant cities.  We will return home and spend an evening experiencing Irish hospitality including a session of traditional Irish music, if you please. Slainte!

 

 Day 4: Sept 4. Kinvara.  We will begin the day with a seaside ritual and meditation on beautiful Traught Beach and traverse the countryside from there, seeking out fairy forts, ivy-covered abbey ruins, castles and Sheela na Gig.    We will sit in circle and create medicines in the wilds of the Burren and in the cozy kitten of my Irish cottage.   We will prepare a feast together, celebrating the seasonal bounty of this land.

 

Day 5: Sept 5. Kinvara: We will enjoy a picnic along the coast road to Doolin, traditional music capital of Ireland, and visit the Cliffs of Moher.  We will spend time at Brighid’s Well in Liscannor for a ritual and to learn about the healing waters taken there for thousands of years.    We will take a cliff side herb walk and harvest rushes to make Brighid’s crosses.   We will invoke Brighid, goddess of healing, to guide our hands and our hearts as we create healing salves.

 

 Day 6: Sept 6. Kinvara.  We will head north into the blue mists, bogs and stark beauty of Connemara.  We will seek out stone circles,  indigenous craft shops and healing from the sea.  We will sip tea overlooking seaweed swept beaches.  The bays of Connemara will beckon and we will be transported by the white sands (which we will collect to create luscious foot scrubs!) and turquoise waters.

 

 Day 7: Sept 7. Kinvara.   We will begin the day with gentle yoga and meditation before we traverse into the lush midlands and join a local potter for a day of ritual, intention and creativity.   We will spend the day in her pink cottage and beautiful workshop creating our own mortar and pestle to use in our medicine making and to pass on to our children.  We will return home for our closing feast and ritual.

 

 Day 8: Sept 8. Kinvara.   Departure from Shannon Airport.

 

 

 

Journey to Ireland: Healing Herbs and Sacred Sites

September 18-28

 

Join us on a  pilgrimmage to this sacred land- a journey of connection: connecting to ourselves by opening up to the mysteries of the sacred sites of the Burren, Sligo and Bru na Boinne, connecting to spirit through meditation, journaling and ritual, and connecting to nature by pampering ourselves with pure products and learning about the bountiful and wild herbs.  $2,400.

 

 

Daily itinerary for Journey to Ireland: Healing Herbs and Sacred Sites (subject to change):

 

Day 1: Sept 18. Wednesday: Kinvara.  You will be met at Shannon Airport for your morning arrival into the magical isle of Ireland!   To get grounded in this land, we will take a gentle, spirit-awakening walk in a mystical wood  and explore an ancient castle ruin.  We will get settled into our home for a week and have time for a rest, a walk to the bay or a stroll along the beach.   In the evening mists, we will have our opening ritual at a sacred spring hidden in the limestone landscape of the Burren.

 

 Day 2: Sept 19. Thursday: Kinvara.  After a hearty and restorative Irish breakfast we will be inspired by the fairy land of Coole Park.  Enjoy a gentle walk, sit along the lake and watch the swans and connect with this land through literature and journaling.   At sunset, we will visit Flaggy Shore on Galway Bay for an ocean-inspired ritual before supping seaside at Linnane’s Lobster Bar, where we will enjoy just-caught seafood and lots of Irish craic!

 

 Day 3: Sept 20. Friday: Kinvara.   To begin the day, we will each receive a luxurious and relaxing seaweed wrap including reflexology, with plenty of time to explore Kinvara’s picturesque Dunguaire castle and quay and their local, vibrant farmer's market.   Tea will be taken at the Burren Perfumery and we will walk in their magical herb garden and experience many of their natural bath and body products.  In the liminal twilight we will stand upon the sacred ground of Poulnabroune Dolmen.

 

Day 4: Sept 21. Saturday: Kinvara.  We travel the short distance to Brighid’s Garden to explore the amazing Celtic Festival-themed gardens and enjoy a guided meditation.  There will be time for shopping and exploring Galway, one of Ireland’s most vibrant cities.  We will return home and spend an evening experiencing Irish hospitality including a session of traditional Irish music, if you please. Slainte!

 

 Day 5: Sept 22. Sunday: Kinvara.  We will enjoy a picnic along the coast road to Doolin, traditional music capital of Ireland, and visit the Cliffs of Moher, stopping at craft shops along the way.  We will visit Brighid’s Well at Liscannor and take a cliffside herb walk and harvest rushes to make a Brighid’s cross. 

 

Day 6: Sept 23. Monday: Kinvara.   We will begin the day with a seaside ritual and meditation on beautiful Traught Beach and traverse the countryside from there, seeking out fairy forts, ivy-covered abbey ruins, castles and Sheela na Gig.  Sunset dinner will be served at a Burren landmark overlooking the mysterious turlough.

 

 Day 7: Sept 24. Tuesday: Sligo.  Traveling north to the land of Knocknarea and Benbulben, we will visit the Neolithic site of Carrowmore with its many stone circles and dolmens.   Some of us may decide to hike up Knocknarea, Maeve’s Cairn and receive the blessing of this feisty, sovereign goddess and others may enjoy a day of shopping in Sligo.   To complete the day, a luxurious seaweed bath awaits at the famous Strandhill seaweed bath.

 

 Day 8: Sept 25. Wednesday: Sligo.   We will have a relaxing morning enjoying the farm where we are residing and its many residents including ponies, goats, sheep, cows, ducks, bunnies, wild goats and rescued dogs!  We will walk a labyrinth and be carried away to another time in our own private harp concert held in a restored thatched roof cottage.  We will enjoy an organic dinner at our farm lodge as we celebrate the autumn equinox with a group ritual.

 

Day 9: Sept 26. Thursday: Slane.  The air will seem to change as we near the sacred center of Ireland, the Boyne River Valley.  Home of Bru na Boinne- Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth- ritual centers built over 5,000 years ago, filledwith astrological significance and Neolithic art.  We will reside at a working farm near Slane Castle and within walking distance to the Hill of Slane (through an enchanted forest which we were warned not to walk through after dark!).

 

Day 10: Sept 27. Friday: Slane.  Today will be spent exploring, experiencing and opening ourselves to the joy of Tara, seat of the ancient high kings of Ireland as well as many myths and legends of the gods and goddesses. We will stand at the Stone of Destiny and hear it sing to us.  The afternoon will lead us to Lough Crew, Slieve na Caillegh, for a ceremony at the Hag’s Chair and plenty of time to explore the stone circles and Neolithic art.  Return to Slane for a farewell feast and closing circle.

 

Day 11: Sept 28. Dublin: Farewell from Dublin Airport.

 

 

Tonja Reichley, herbalist, ritualist and owner of MoonDance

Botanicals, will lead your journey through Ireland.  Tonja has spent

many days of learning, reflection and joy on the sacred soil of this

magical land.  She studies there with a traditional Celtic

herbalist and has immersed herself in the sacredness of that land many

times over the past 12 years.  Tonja owns a herbal

boutique, celebrating the power of the humble herbs, in Denver

Colorado.

 

For more information please call 303-263-7275 or email

moondancebotanicals@gmail.com.

 

 

 


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