Mythic & Marvelous
a transformational writing retreat
A writing retreat for women and non-binary folk
who want to write, connect and deepen into the mythic and the marvelous.
October 1-6, 2019
North Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
5 days and 5 nights in the woodlands of Canada’s wine country.
Our time together will be an immersive experience of writing, storytelling and workshopping our writing. We’ll nourish our deepest self, fill our inner well of inspiration and tap into creativity and joy.
The entire experience will be anchored with an exploration of the Celtic Selkie Folk fairytale.
This writing retreat is limited to 12 participants.
This is a Time for Mythic and Marvelous Reclamations
Let’s gather together to reclaim ourselves by writing, playing, eating and relaxing.
Let’s do this in-person, because nothing quite beats the real life experience of stepping away from the everyday distractions, showing up, turning off our devices and settling in to be present, share stories and be brave and courageous in our creative work.
This is a Time for Writing
Because by writing we tap into deeper forms of knowing that clear the way for wisdom and insight, rising up and out of ourselves, through the pen and onto the paper.
Because by writing we cultivate curiosity, deep listening, and a refinement of our use of language, communication and storytelling skills.
This is a Time for Creation, Connection and Community
Because writing, especially writing big projects like memoirs and novels, can get lonely.
And because connecting online is wonderful but can only go so far. And because sharing space on a retreat, hanging out and eating amazing food, and having structured as well as unstructured time is so highly underrated, yet so immensely valuable.
Because this is the kind of magic that fills the well. The kind of magic that taps us back into our own divine source of inspiration and fuels new and abiding friendships.
For all of these reasons, this writing retreat is all about writing, personal transformation, amazing food, wonderful surroundings, and one specific fairytale.
This is a Time for Story Medicine
Our transformational writing retreat will be anchored by an exploration of the Celtic story of the Seal Woman and her journey of self-reclamation. In addition to time for writing and workshopping, we’ll enjoy storytime, settling in to receive the good medicine of a story, spun like yarn, beside a woodfire.
Storytime to simmer in our bones as we work on our writing. Storytime to inspire our final evening’s celebratory dinner party. Storytime with the Selkie Folk.
Faroe Islands’ Selkie Folk stamp collection, designed by artist Edward Fuglo
Sample Schedule
Tuesday April 1st
- 3pm onwards – arrival
- 6:30pm – Welcome Dinner
Wednesday-Friday
- 8-9am – breakfast
- 9-12am – opening circle/writing/workshopping
- 12:15pm – lunch then free time in the afternoon for writing, walking, exploring, resting
- 5:30pm – dinner
- 7-9pm – storytime/workshopping
- 9-10ish – readings, hanging out, resting, etc
Saturday
- 8-9am – breakfast
- 9-12am – morning circle/workshopping/writing
- 12:15pm – lunch then free time in the afternoon for writing, walking, exploring, resting
- 5:30-6:30pm- closing circle
- 6:45pm – celebratory dinner
Sunday April 6th
- 8-9am – breakfast
- 10am – goodbyes
YOUR GUIDES
Janelle Hardy
Janelle Hardy is a transformational memoir-writing guide living in the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada.
Twice a year she takes people through her signature 5 month memoir-writing course The Art of Personal Mythmaking, while also running weekly writing circles and retreats such as this one.
Her current work teaching transformational writing has evolved out of lifelong pursuits in writing, painting and dance, as well as 12+ years of hands-on healing work (Hellerwork Structural Integration,) a deep love of anthropology and a fascination with fairytales, folktales and mythology.
Janelle believes that our relationship with our bodies, our lifestories, our cultural and ancestral lineages and our creative life force are worthy of attention. She also believes that courageous, creative folks, coming together in courses and retreats, willing to listen, to share, and create and write, are pure and utter magic.
Our Personal Chef Cecile Legaré
Chef Cécile Légaré has always cooked – memories of childhood meals inspiring her to cook with friends and cater music shows. She then decided to learn more cooking formally. After earning her Chef’s diploma at the Culinary Arts School in Orléans, France she immediately started working at the Loire Valley’s best fine dining restaurant.
Since leaving France for the far north of Canada 8 years ago, she’s also learned classical North American recipes and techniques and has cooked in fine dining restaurants as well as remote bush camps. Highlights in her cooking career include cooking classical French recipes in the bush, dealing with helicopter deliveries, bad weather and broken eggs.
Her favourite moment is when people sit down around a table to enjoy delicious food with each other.
Louise Hardy
Louise Hardy is a counsellor and art therapist, fiber and food artist, storyteller, mother and grandmother living in the Yukon Territory of Canada, in Whitehorse.
She’s also Janelle’s mother.
Louise’s work and studies have spanned being a homemaker, social worker, politician, art therapist and exhibiting artist. She specializes in trauma and soul work and has a passion for storytelling, fine food, loose leaf tea, ceremony, ancestors and beauty.
Louise will provide a grounding yet playful presence at the retreat, participating alongside everyone.
Pricing and Booking
Your spot in the retreat is reserved with a $200 Canadian non-refundable deposit which you can purchase using the paypal button below.
Prices start at 1,950 Canadian.
The exact price depends on the room you choose (see options below.)
Fees include lodging, all meals and retreat workshops.
Fees do not include transportation to and from the Tin Poppy Retreat Centre.
Once you’ve paid your deposit (Canadians, feel free to e-transfer me your deposit/payments) let me know which room you’ve chosen, and we’ll arrange either a full payment or a payment plan.
THIS RETREAT IS FOR…
Women and non-binary folks. People that are interested in the intersections of writing, transformation and a playful mix of storytelling will find themselves completely at home in this retreat.
This retreat cannot accommodate children, partners or pets.
TIN POPPY RETREAT CENTRE
The writing retreat will be held at the Tin Poppy Retreat, an eco-friendly centre run on solar power.
Tin Poppy Retreat is located in the Larch Hills, 25 minutes south of the town of Salmon Arm, and 40 minutes north of the town of Vernon, in the North Okanagan Valley. The retreat is in the wooded countryside, filled with trees, sun, stunning views and extensive walking/hiking trails.
The Retreat itself is made up of 4 very unique and separate accommodations, which have their own special characteristics and amenities, all of which are within easy walking distance of the main lodge, the Lavender House, hub of the writing retreat.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared by our chef Cecile, and enjoyed in community. The food will be, as much as possible, locally sourced and organic, and without exception, delicious.
Within reason, food allergies/restrictions can be accommodated. If you’ve got specific needs, please get in touch to see what is possible.
Guests staying in the Tin Poppy and Cabins will also have kitchenettes and room to store snacks, if desired.
Accommodation
There are a variety of sleeping options at different price points.
Regardless of whether you choose a room in the Lavender House or a cabin, all participants will have access to the showers and tub in the Lavender House.
The Wild Rose Cabin and the Tin Poppy House are equipped with outdoor showers, the Lavender House and Tin Poppy also have saunas and the Wild Rose Cabin has an outhouse.
LAVENDER HOUSE
The Lavender House is a spacious timber frame lodge perched on the edge of the Larch Hills. The house has breathtaking views of the Enderby Cliffs and the Shuswap River below. This will be the main workshop/gathering space for the writing retreat.
It has a large gourmet style country kitchen and BBQ, spacious living room with fireplace, 2 full bathrooms (with locally made beer soap for hair and body), an outdoor shower, one large screened-in deck with a rock fireplace and a wood-burning sauna.
Lavender Bed #1 + #2
Lavender bed #3 + #4
Lavender bed #5
Rooms available in the Lavender House are:
- Lavender Bed #1 + #2 – Semi-private shared room, off to the side of the living room, 2 futon beds: $1,950 Canadian each.
- Lavender Bed #3 + #4 – Shared private bedroom with 2 sets of bunkbeds – 2 people max. $2,050 Canadian each.
- Lavender Bed #5 – Private screened-in deck/bedroom with futon bed: $2,100 Canadian.
TIN POPPY HOUSE
The Tin Poppy is a very unique modern/retro 1200 square foot screened-in post and beam structure built around a 32 foot 1953 General Couch Caravan. It has a private outdoor shower, wood burning sauna, water closet (flush toilet and sink) and full kitchen.
There is a spacious living area and top floor aerie perfect for writing. These spaces will be available to retreat participants in search of inspiring writing space.
Tin Poppy 2nd floor Aerie
Tin Poppy Bed #1
Tin Poppy Bed #2
Tin Poppy Bed #3
Rooms available in the Tin Poppy are:
- Tin Poppy Bed #1 – Private queen size bed and bedroom: $2,200 Canadian.
- Tin Poppy Bed #2 – Private twin size bed in a tiny cosy bedroom (access via room #3): $2,050 Canadian.
- Tin Poppy Bed #3 – Private queen size bed (the dinette converts into the bed) and bedroom (Room #2 accessed through this room): $2,100 Canadian.
WILD ROSE CABIN
The Wild Rose Cabin sits among the large fir and ponderosa pines and has a splendid view of the North Okanagan Valley below. Although there is no running water or electricity, plenty of fresh cleaning and drinking water is provided, as well as propane lights and kitchen appliances, a kitchenette and BBQ. It’s got a dining area, living room, large screened-in deck and sitting area, and outdoor shower.
This cabin is exquisitely quiet and peaceful.
Wild Rose Cabin Bed #1
Wild Rose Cabin Bed #2
Shared accommodations in the Wild Rose Cabin are:
- Wild Rose Bed #1 – Upstairs loft bedroom with king size bed: $2,300 Canadian.
- Wild Rose Bed #2 – Futon bed in the cosy living room on the main floor : $2,200 Canadian.
Pricing, Booking and Cancellation Policies
Your spot in the retreat is reserved with a $200 Canadian non-refundable deposit which you can pay using the paypal button below.
Prices start at 1,950 Canadian. The exact price depends on the room you choose.
Fees include lodging, meals, the workshop. The fees do not include transportation to and from the Tin Poppy Retreat Centre.
Once you’ve paid your deposit (Canadians, feel free to e-transfer me your deposit/payments) let me know which room you’ve chosen, and we’ll arrange either a full payment or a payment plan.
This retreat is limited to 12 women and non-binary folk.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The $200 deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellations made before June 19th will receive a full refund of money paid (excluding non-refundable deposit).
Cancellations made after June 19th will receive no refund and all money paid is forfeit.
** Only if the retreat is full and there is a waitlist, and that spot can be filled by someone else, will you will get a refund of money paid (excluding non-refundable deposit).
Why such a strict cancellation policy?
There are many moving parts involved in coordinating a retreat, including booking travel for our personal chef, paying contractors and support staff, booking and paying for lodgings, and more. These costs cannot be recouped if folks cancel.
Travel
Participants are responsible for their own travel and getting to the Retreat Centre.
The nearest airport is the Kelowna Airport. From the Kelowna Airport to the Tin Poppy Retreat Centre is an approximately 1 hour 15 minute drive.
You can also drive from Vancouver, which is an approximately 5 hour, 15 minute drive. You can also catch a bus from Vancouver or a rideshare via Poparide. If you’re driving, it’s possible to offer rides and cover the cost of gas via Poparide.
You’re welcome to arrive with your vehicle and/or rent a vehicle.
If you’re looking for someone to share the cost of a care rental/travel, get in touch and I can help.
Retreat Extension
If you’d like to treat yourself to your own personal writing retreat to begin immediately after the Mythic and Marvelous retreat completes, this is an option.
You can either extend your stay at the Tin Poppy Retreat in one of the cabins, or arrange to share the Tin Poppy House or Lavender House with someone.
You also have the option of booking a writing retreat at the Caetani Cultural Centre in Vernon (45 minutes away from the retreat) for a minimum 2 week / maximum 3 months stay (at exceptionally affordable rates ($15-$30/night depending on the room.)
Janelle can help you arrange these retreat extensions. Just inquire with her after booking your spot in Mythic and Marvelous.
Healing Bodywork
It may be possible to book a healing bodywork session with Janelle.
Once you’ve reserved your spot in the retreat, get in touch to discuss.