The Vision Quest
The Vision Quest is a self-generated ceremony that offers you the opportunity to step out of ordinary time and into the living map of human nature, held for four days and nights by the natural forces of the land, spirits, and ancestors.
Throughout history, people from all cultures have spent time fasting in nature. Jesus went to the wilderness for 40 days and nights, Buddha fasted under the Bodhi tree, Moses went up the mountain, and Odin hung by one foot in the tree of life, fasted for 9 days and nights. It is in our human nature to seek time alone in the natural world to gain clarity.
The Vision Quest is designed to facilitate change and support transitions from one life stage to another, opening us up to new possibilities.
Rooted in ancient rites of passage, the quest invites deep personal transformation through fasting, solitude, and connection with the natural and supernatural worlds. It is a retreat away from the distractions of the manmade world of technology, of food, work, and relationships, where you can delve into the support that’s available from the more-than-human world. Without the distraction of food, enclosed shelter, or company, space and time become liminal. A deeper relationship with the earth occurs, where Mother Earth becomes your guide, and mirrors back to you the deeper layers of your mythical self. The quest allows you to step out of ordinary time and into a deeper conversation with the mystery. Held by the forces of nature, you can slow down, listen intently, tend to the unresolved parts of you, as well as nurture your creativity.
An expansion of consciousness into a greater whole can take place as you step into ‘spirit time’, where you can hear the whispers of the natural world, who is supporting your journey forward.
The Vision Quest unfolds in 3 stages:
Severance:
Begins as soon as you commit to going on the journey. You may have sensed this stage for months or even years. In this stage of the sequence, a severing from old roles begins to take place, untangling you from any holding patterns, unresolved life material, and old ways of being that are keeping you from stepping into your full potential. When you arrive at base camp, there will be teachings on the four shields, an ancient map of the human experience that provides a framework for your own lived story.
Threshold:
In the middle of the sequence, 4 days and 4 nights of solo time in the natural world take place, and is a liminal space between the old you and the you who is yet to emerge. This time is a retreat, away from the demands and distractions of technology, family, friends, work, and the man-made world. This time opens you to the support of the natural and supernatural worlds that are always available. Consciousness can expand beyond the body into the larger living world of the earth, who becomes your guide and mirrors back to you your story. You might encounter spirits, animals, and weather elements that show you the way. We become receptive to something much bigger than the self as we extend into the natural world. An emptying out on all levels occurs, which helps you to refill and renew with nature.
Incorporation:
Back at base camp, the body is replenished with food, which helps to ground the expansion that has occurred in the threshold time. You are given the time and space needed to settle and arrive, and then over two days, share your story with the group and listen to others. Your story will be mirrored back to you by me, which helps you to integrate your experience. You gain a clearer vision of what new role you might assume, and what it is you are taking to your life back home, as well as your people.
Who is this journey for?
Everybody is on their own unique journey and will experience the call to quest in their own way. Some of the ways this calling may emerge could be whilst moving from one life stage to another, such as coming of age, menopause, moving into or moving out of a relationship with another. Perhaps there is a longing, whether for a new job, relationship, or new way of living. Perhaps to mark the birth or death of a loved one. Maybe grief needs to be held by something more than human.
Perhaps there is a longing for answers to questions that can't be answered in ordinary time.
A quest could be sought to build strength and courage, and get to know the part of yourself that is being held back in fear. Maybe there is a hidden creative talent that wants to be explored before it can more fully develop. There might be a longing to deepen your relationship to the natural world.
A desire to empty yourself might be required to make space for what wants to emerge.
Whatever the calling, you can be assured that life will change after you have quested, sometimes taking you in directions you couldn’t have imagined beforehand, and can take many years to unfold.
The structure of the journey:
- 11 days. Arriving to set up on Friday afternoon. Leaving on Monday morning of the 11th day.
- 1 day to arrive, 3 days of preparation at base camp, including earth awareness practices, somatic meditations, and teachings of the four directions, 1-1 council sessions, alone time seeking your solo spot, and more. 4 days and nights solo fast, 2 days of integration and mirroring of your story. Monday morning is spent clearing the land and saying our goodbyes.
Your guide:
I, Cat, bring over 10 years of working 1-1 with individuals and couples in a therapeutic setting, including Craniosacral Therapy, Shamanic Healing, and Somatic Trauma Integration. I have helped facilitate plant medicine ceremonies, having trained in the Amazon jungle. I’ve worked extensively with the Q’ero people in the mountains of Peru, who are keeping the spiritual tradition of the Inka alive. I’ve apprenticed and co-guided Vision Quests here in the UK with David Wendl-Berry, and I have also undergone extensive training with the School of Lost Borders in California, USA. All of my work is held in a genuinely trauma-informed way, and always in deep reciprocity with the forces of nature and all of those who have gone before us.
Fee:
£1150, including the 11 days, preparation before arrival, and a 1-1 online integration session with Cat within 6 months of the quest. A deposit of £450 secures your place, and the remainder is to be paid 1 month before the quest. Please speak to me about payment plans.
Dates for 2026:
8th - 18th May
12th - 22nd June