WOMEN AS
LAND
There was a time when women dreamed the dream of Earth.
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When they were the voice of the Forests,
and sang the song of the Rivers,
and kept the wisdom of Mountains.
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There was a time, not long ago, when birth and death, and joy and grief were equally honored and celebrated in the Great cycle of Life.
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There was a time.
​And this time was, and is and will always be. ​Because this is our nature and essence - as women, and mammals, and animals and Earth herself.
It is time to reclaim our history, our bodies and our wisdom as women. To allow a revolution to blossom in our personal stories and beliefs, bringing transformation and restoration to our Lives. It is time to embrace our responsibility as women. To recognize our essence and remember our purpose in the eyes of each other.
This transformation is needed here and now. Personal as well as collective. It´s in our bodies and in the body of the Earth.
We welcome you to a 3 day immersion of leaving behind a lot that does not serve us anymore, welcoming the remembrance of who we are and reclaiming our paths as women.
PROGRAM
PELVIS WISDOM
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The pelvis as a center of power and memory
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Eco-bio-mythologic perspectives of the pelvis
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Tools and exercises to release & reconnect with our pelvis
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Reclaiming pleasure in our lives
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CARE AND SELF-CARE
Concepts and Tools from Traditional Midwifery in Mexico and Perú for care and self-care for women.
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Body and herbs energetics
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Self womb massage
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Fertility, a wider and deeper perspective
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The portal of Birth
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GRIEF
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Tools for tending, releasing & transforming
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Resignifying grief
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Navigating grief individually and collectively
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Deep ecology perspectives of grief
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HERBALISM
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Herbs for the womb and female health
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Herbalism to honor grief
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Herbs to work with sexuality and sensuality
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Herbalism & mythology
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CYCLES
The earth cycles, the menstrual cycles and the female life-cycles
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Nutrition, herbalism and self-care throughout the cycles
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Female wisdom
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Our cycles as a way to reconnect with Earth and life
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EUROPEAN MYTHOLOGY & ANIMISM
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Remembering matrilineal societies
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Embodying female archetypes and essences
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Storytelling for exploration of our own psyche
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The gifts of our ancestors
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Schedule
Thursday, 8 October
Arrival and welcome between 16:00 and 18:00.
We serve you a light dinner. In the evening, we will open the retreat and enjoy a hot drink by the fire.
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Friday and Saturday, 9 and 10 October
We start the day with breakfast at around 9:00.
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There will be gatherings and teachings in the morning (10:00-13:00) and afternoon (15:00-17:30).
During the lunch break, you will have some free time for yourself and the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding nature.
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After dinner, there will be time for a walk, sauna, hot tub, or other relaxing activities.
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The program is fluid and will respond to the needs of the group. We will move between talks and sharing circles, group practices, collective rituals and moments of self-reflection. Please see above for a description of the topics covered.​​
Sunday, 11 October
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The last day of our retreat, we plan to conclude around 16:00. Lunch will be served in good time so you won't be hungry on your journey home. ​
A COURSE FOR WOMEN
All women that feel called to this retreat are welcome!
This retreat is for you if you desire to:
~ Deepen your relation with your body and the body of the Earth.
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~ Honor, integrate and alchemize grief.
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~ Invite the gifts of healing herbs into your daily life.
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~ Explore the myths, medicine and symbols of the pre-patriarchal pagan European cultures.
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~ Be part of a female community and experience the building of sisterhood connections.
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~ Learn and remember traditional tools and wisdom to deepen your work as a therapist, doula, midwife or in any other role in which you support women.
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WORTH
In our work, we often see women struggle to invest time and money in themselves- to make a commitment and follow through.
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Underlying this (often unconsciously) are thoughts like:
I am not worth three full days to myself.
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I am not worth spending this kind of money on myself.
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I should be able to grow and develop without help.
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I haven't earned this yet.
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It would be selfish.
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We want to ask you: Are these thoughts really true?​​​​
TEACHER
Catarina Soares is a medical doctor (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), folk herbalist, and doula with over a decade of experience working alongside traditional and Western midwives across diverse communities.
She trained with traditional parteras and herbalists in Mexico, where she lived for 12 years, and later in Guatemala, Belize, and Peru. Gathering new perspectives and tools for supporting women across every dimension of their health.
Today, she weaves together clinical medicine, traditional midwifery wisdom, and herbalism to accompany women through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, fertility, and experiences of loss and grief.
She travels internationally to teach courses, give talks, and trains groups in the art of tending to women’s bodies, cycles, and life transitions. Alongside this, Catarina is co-founder of Orada, an apothecary that provides herbal remedies made from high quality sources of medicinal plants. Orada is also a school that creates spaces of learning and reconnection to medicinal plants and the body.
ACCOMODATION
SOLKRO
We welcome you at Solkro, a beautiful house at Tjørhom, Sirdal where historic character meets modern comfort. Upon arrival, your luggage will be carried up the mountain on a charming old fashion cable car. Let your journey begin.
SAUNAS
There are two saunas with a spectacular view. Usage of these saunas is included.
SPACE
The house offers several inviting spaces where we gather and hold our workshops. Warm your soul by one of the five wood stoves, and feel supported by the Earth, carried by the Mountain. You can also step outside onto the wooden terrace and take in the sweeping views of the mountains and valley.
ROOMS
You'll sleep in a cozy shared room with two or three other women. Single room options are available at an extra charge for early bookings.
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Showers and toilets are in the shared facilities.
FOOD
We will serve you nourishing meals that we'll enjoy together in the dinning room.
HOT
TUB
Let the hot water of this tub with beautiful nature view help you relax your body and your mind during your retreat.
INVESTMENT
6000 kr early bird price applicable until 16 August.
7000 kr regular price.
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When booking with a friend, we offer 10% discount to both of you.
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Additional charge for single room 1500 kr. Limited availability, don't postpone!
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​Please do not hesitate to contact us about payment schedule options.
Included is:
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Three nights accommodation in shared rooms (likely 3, maximum 4 women per room).
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Nine nourishing, healthy meals, plus snacks, tea and other hot drinks during the retreat.
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Access to the saunas and hot tub.
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Ongoing connection through a group chat for sharing experiences, perspectives and questions after the retreat.
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Not included:
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Travel to the venue. We're happy to help arrange carpooling options on request.​
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Bed linnen and towels. If you'd prefer not to bring your own, these can be provided for an additional charge of NOK 200.
REGISTRATION
You can register for the retreat by writing an email to info@natalwisdom.org.
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Please include your name and phone number.
Food allergies or preferences.
Single room or shared room preferences.
If you are joining with a friend, please let us know.
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Your registration for the retreat is final when we have received your non-refundable payment.
You will receive a full refund, should there be a circumstance that leads us to cancelling the retreat.
CONTACT
If you have any questions about the retreat please contact us. We are happy to hear from you!
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Phone: +47 40902179 (Susanne)
Email: info@natalwisdom.org
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ORGANIZERS
This retreat is a cocreation between Catarina Soaras, Susanne Jager and Monika Mila.
Susanne is a certified birth educator, postnatal care provider, and the founder of NatalWisdom, based in Stavanger. Rooted in a profound belief in the power of women to support one another, her work spans birth preparation, postnatal treatments, cesarean scar care and women's circles. All guided by a commitment to women-centered care and the reclaiming of embodied feminine wisdom.
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Susanne is grounded in the practical and the everyday, yet she moves through life with an openness to what cannot always be explained. The sacred, the cyclical, the deeply felt. She believes the Women as Land retreat is needed, and she is honored to help bring it to life.
Monika, passionate about growth and self-development, has been organizing retreats and gatherings over 13 years. Guided by her heart, she invites everyone to explore the lesser-known aspects of themselves as a means to transform their perception of both themselves and the world around them. She created Uplift, as a platform to introduce a diverse range of tools and perspectives to the community, empowering individuals to become better humans.
This is the third time she is bringing Catarina to Stavanger, grateful to deepen the connections and the work.