Eequ · After school. In place of school. Beyond school.

Nature and fire quest

An ancient journey for modern times

Your mentors

Phil

Leo Rutherford

Organisation links
Location address: Heathfield, TN21 9HJ
Chosen age group:

For ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Standard £395Concession £345
Next date: None - message Mentor to express interest
A SUMMARY
Join our shamanic experts for a profound and moving experience in the beautiful wild surroundings of Sacred Earth, where we have 40 acres of private woodland, lakes and meadows. This five day (four night) camp will include your own overnight vigil (quest), working with the energy of a sacred fire, where you stay up from dusk till dawn. This will support you on your own personal journey, where you can learn the tools of self leadership and self actualisation. The rest of the camp will include teachings on shamanism, divination, wild medicine and indigenous ceremonies and there will be many opportunities connect with nature on a deep level. This journey will support you to acknowledge, mourn, release, welcome and celebrate life transitions of any kind. It can be a deeply cathartic experience. Especially in challenging times, these ceremonies give us the opportunities to turn challenges into initiations - empowering, humbling, strengthening and enlightening us. Your overnight vigil will be a solo experience. Your facilitators will prepare you for this, ensure that you are safe and have everything you need. Co-host is Leo Rutherford, our resident shamanic expert. He has been practicing for over 40 years and runs his own shamanic practice called Eagle's Wing. A few words from Leo: “We are now in such need of personal and planetary healing that we find more and more people are coming back to the path of shamanism, rediscovering their roots and their way back home. Shamanic practices and healing enable you to have powers over your own life and to help others. In addition to this, shamanic ways show you how to connect with all of creation." Participants will be wild camping onsite (please bring your own tent and sleeping bag if you don't want to sleep under the stars), we also have a couple of shared indoor lodge accommodation still available for £15 a night, get in touch quickly if you want to discuss this option. We will provide tasty, healthy food throughout.
About your mentors
Phil
Nature educator & environmentalist
Hi, I'm Phil. I am a group facilitator, a teacher, a nature guide, a change agent, an outdoor education specialist and a naturalist. More recently I've become an Earth and Culture Restoration Specialist and a Connection Coach with the 8Shields global mentoring network. I lead on education at the Sacred Earth Community Benefit Society but I'm also the land manager. I've studied Permaculture, Arboriculture and Biodynamic farming and I'm proud to say that since we took over management of our beautiful 40-acre site in 2011 we've significantly increased its biodiversity. I have spent over 20 years working with people in nature. I have studied, practiced and taught the core routines of nature connection, as well as advanced shamanic practices from indigenous cultures around the world. I've led many forms of nature and vision quest. I've learned from other cultures including the San Bushmen, Apache, Lakota, Haudosaunee, Coastal Salish and our own Celtic ancestors, through the Bardic traditions. I spent my young adulthood as a Royal Marine Commando, working as a wilderness guide in Canada and various conservation expeditions. By experiencing much of the world through travel, I understand what we need to do to create a healthy human culture. I am also currently a steering group member of the UK Nature Culture Network and I work with the Helpers Mentoring Society in the USA.
Leo Rutherford
Shamanic guide
Previously an engineer - C.Eng.M.I.Mech.E. After Mid-life Crisis - MA Holistic Psychology. Learned from shamans and incorporated what I learned into my therapy practice which transformed into shamanism. Now Practitioner of shamanism for 35 years www.eagleswing.co.uk
What is a quest?
• A quest is a time of sacrifice. As a quester you traditionally give up shelter, the companionship of other humans, food, and physical comforts (please note: these are optional for you at Sacred Earth). You do this for two reasons: first, to demonstrate to all those who live in the spirit world that you are sincere in your desire to serve the people and to be guided in your search for good ways to serve the more-than-human. Second, to rid yourself of many of the distractions that comfort brings with it and in doing so to get closer to nature and the spirits from whom you ask guidance. • This is also a time of solitude, of going within.You won't look to other humans for truth, but deep inside yourself. You will ask for universal truth to be made known, as it applies to you and as you are capable of understanding it, and which many people have largely lost. • It is a time of prayer, of asking for a vision. As continuously as possible, you pray, asking the spirits - the creator (whatever you believe that to be), the grandmothers and grandfathers - for a vision that will guide your life. You may dance, write, reflect, pray silently or aloud – whatever you need to do to help you stay in the consciousness of the quest. Some people choose to make their quest physically arduous, others wish to have sufficient comfort that they do not have to be concerned about physical survival. This decision is yours alone; keep in mind that the weather can be constantly changing, keep in mind that you may be called to do a quest at this time for a reason. In a quest, as in many spiritual activities, things happen for a reason more than in many other areas of our lives.
Learning aims
Aim 1
Inner confidence
Aim 3
A new sense of purpose in life
Aim 5
Understanding of animal behaviour
Aim 7
A greater sense of connection to self, others and nature
Aim 2
Self awareness
Aim 4
Ecological awareness
Aim 6
A greater sense of morality
Pricing information
Ticket nameStandard
Price£395
InformationPlease contact us to discuss eligibility for the concession price.
Ticket nameConcession
Price£345
InformationThere are limited concession tickets please get in touch with us for this option.
PHOTO GALLERY
Where we'll be
Tiny entrance lane opposite Cowden Hall Lane, Off Horebeech Lane, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 9HJ
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Snacks
Meals
Safety
Basic DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
I am not able to offer refunds in general but may be able to if there is good notice.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.