Wellbeing

In July, a group of 10 women headed out onto Dartmoor for a wilderness fast hosted by Circlewise.

Entitled Spinning Moon Silk, the week-long vision quest prepared each woman to journey onto the land alone for two days without food and with only the most basic form of shelter. By setting a clear intention and inviting whatever wanted to be revealed to show itself, they met their edges out in the wild.

After solo time in the wilderness, the women were welcomed back into the group. They sat in a circle around the fire sharing their experiences, insights and stories. The group listened and reflected back what they heard. Finally, they were supported to integrate what they’d experienced before returning to their everyday lives.

Circlewise believes the ancient practice of immersive soul journeying allows us to listen to our own ‘wilding’ voice and gain greater insights into ourselves. Christine Jensen, one of the participants in Spinning Moon Silk, said:

“It was a beautiful place and the quest was so well held, with great care given to our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. There was a gravitas about what we were doing – a sense that we were going out to meet ourselves – and an honouring of the process. Heidi, Rebeh, Xanthe and Francesca danced well together as our facilitators, bringing their expertise, humility and groundedness and honouring each other’s gifts. I felt they elevated me and brought out the best in me in a very natural way, which is a rare gift.”

She found the experience opened her up to an awareness of being held by “something far bigger than us”.  Christine commented:

“Whatever came up for us was met with love and attention and this made me want to go deep and be vulnerable. We were a varied and eclectic group and there was space and acceptance for all of us, which created a natural flow of intimacy. The aliveness of nature all around us stirred a deep knowing in me that this is how we should live – in tribes, closer to nature, being there for each other. I returned feeling that something precious had happened, something had deepened and changed. I have an awareness that the simpler life is the better life.”

Heidi Rose, who co-facilitated the vision quest said:

“I loved dropping into this depth of connection with a group of women over a prolonged period of time and the wisdom that came back from people’s solo time on the land was so special. For me, always, the highlight is both the moment when people step over the threshold and we smudge them out and sing to them as they walk out onto the moor – these brave women not knowing what they’re going to meet outside themselves and within – and when they come back several days later with empty bellies and full hearts and this wild, connected depth in their eyes.”

Circlewise is hosting a second Spinning Moon Silk wilderness fast on Dartmoor from 6-12 July 2026. 

https://www.circlewise.co/whats-on