Grief Tending in Community

Update May 11 – New online workshops

What’s moving for you in these times?

I’ve heard many people who are doing deep work, perhaps finding space as life routines are disturbed, perhaps having early survival fears shaken up by rapid change, or by major challenges brought by COVID, lockdown or the rest of life that continues.

There’s much to wonder at, and much to grieve as our vast, complex, globalised system grapples with different pressures and possible directions and we are each impacted in so many ways.

Coming together to be present to what is true, to our human connection, to celebrate beauty, life and the courage, to acknowledge and include what is painful, has never felt more important for me. I’m continuing in my deep gratitude for those who come to Grief tending ceremonies to explore and express our hearts’ longing, our vulnerability and our capacity for love. Each space feels precious and significant.

Here are two new dates for half day workshops; there are still a couple of spaces for the weekend workshop coming up (16 – 17 May). See more info here Continue reading “Update May 11 – New online workshops”

Grief tending and COVID-19 April 2020

Corona, Connection, Grief, Initiation, Transformation

How are you doing in these extra-ordinary times?

We’re offering some Grief Tending events on line, you can find full details on our Events page

Below you can find some words from Sophy and Jeremy, and a bit about what is shaping our offerings. Sophy held a one day Grief Tending day on March 21st as we took the planned Norfolk workshop on line, just as lockdown was about to get more rigorous. She’s been thinking about what might be supportive and deepening in these times, and invites you to let us know if there are things you would like us to offer. Jeremy has been reflecting on the opportunity this time brings, to move towards change bringing frames of transition, initiation, and themes of living and dying and is inviting people moved to explore Quest work as a pathway. Continue reading “Grief tending and COVID-19 April 2020”

Grief tending update August 2019

That one constant of life, Change, arises.

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Continue reading “Grief tending update August 2019”

On grief, trauma and the importance of support

In Devon I feel particularly blessed that there are several people holding grief spaces in different ways, and that we meet occasionally to share experiences. Many are listed on our website so you can find your way to other offerings. It’s been rich to come together and ask questions – this month we asked “what are we learning?” which generated a wide ranging sharing. About the times we are living in.. about the need for our own support, and spaces for our own grief tending .. about the nature of grief and trauma, and the importance of support or resources for people coming to do grief work, so there is holding also when the grief tending space comes to an end. Continue reading “On grief, trauma and the importance of support”

Grief for Maeve

maeve woods It feels so poignant, to write about my grief for Maeve Gavin’s death. Because Maeve was one of my teachers about grief – she held me in grief ceremonies, we held some together, and when she stopped travelling so much she supported a team of us in Devon to carry on running grief tending workshops and ceremonies deeply informed by her work.

I learnt from Maeve another dimension of spaciousness and generosity in facilitation – to welcome everything, to trust the process more Continue reading “Grief for Maeve”