Wednesday 17 December to Monday 22 December 2025
Findhorn Ecovillage, Moray, Scotland
Winter Solstice is that moment when the earth moves towards the sun again, and the days begin to lengthen once more. Traditionally it is a time for introspection, reflection, dreaming and visioning. Celebrate this turning point of the year in one of the world’s most famous communities. Join us for a journey of Stillness and Light.
At this solstice moment, the sun appears to pause. We too can pause as we take time to reflect on the last year. As we sift through the events, we notice the gifts. We can consciously bring those gifts with us as we move forward into the new year. Echoing the return of the sun’s light.
Every year the Findhorn community marks winter solstice with a special ritual. Stillness & Light takes you on a journey of reflection, integration and inspiration, culminating with this ritual.
Reflect & Gather the Gifts:
Your 4.5 day retreat will begin with a process of reflection. Looking back over the previous twelve months, exploring the challenges, noticing the patterns, identifying the lessons and harvesting the gifts.
Drawing on a process called Renewal of Creative Path you can reflect on the stepping stones of your year, or your life. Reveal what inspires you and uncover your gifts, passions and purpose.
Dream & Envision the Future:
Once you have identified the gifts from the last year, turn your attention to the next twelve months. How would you like the next year to unfold? Are there specific actions you’d like to take? Dreams you’d like to bring into reality? New patterns you wish to embed into the rhythm of your daily life?
Take time to create your year ahead in a conscious way. Using a variety of creative tools to help step outside of the logical mind and move beyond any barriers or ‘what if’ stories that hold you back. Pinpoint what really excites and inspires you, what really lights you up. Identify the support that exists around and within you, and weave it all together.
Winter Solstice Ritual:
On Saturday the community solstice ritual will begin. This ritual focusses on releasing the last twelve months and inviting in the next twelve. With a clear sense of the gifts of the past anda path to the future, you will be ready to make the most of this powerful event. You can take part once or several times. For yourself, for an aspect of your life, for your friends, family, partner – or all of these things.
Complete your ritual by drawing an Angel® card. The Angels® act as your partner in attaining a goal by leveraging your strengths to find unexpected solutions. They reveal unknown paths to express who you are and what connects you to the people around you.
Harvest & Integration:
On the final morning we will come together for a Next Steps process. Integrate your solstice retreat experience and set up practical tools to take with you, ready for the new year.
Explore Findhorn Ecovillage:
During your retreat there will be time to explore the ecovillage community. Choose from a variety of holistic offerings: meditation, dance, yoga, pottery. Take a dip in the hot tub or the sea, enjoy a sauna, or book a massage. Visit the village and sample traditional Scottish fare in the local pubs and cafes. Visit the Phoenix cafe on site for drinks, filling lunches and delicious cakes to meet all dietary needs.
If you would like to extend your time at Findhorn, come early and enjoy a few unstructured days before the retreat begins. This is a non-residential retreat – please book your accommodation using the link provided in the ‘accommodation’ section below.
OUTCOMES:
– Harvest the gifts of the last twelve months
– Find your passion and purpose
– Create your vision for the next year
– Take part in one of this community’s most beloved rituals
– Learn about the Findhorn community – past and present
– Explore the woods, dunes, beach and bay
– Join in with regular community activities
– Indulge the senses with sauna, hot tub or massage
DATES & TIMES:
7pm Wednesday 17th December – 12.30pm Monday 22nd December 2025
TUITION
£195 early bird until 31st October | £225 full price
£390 for two booking together
LOCATION
Findhorn Ecovillage, The Park, Findhorn, Moray, IV36 3TZ
ACCOMMODATION
To book your accommodation follow this link and book a ‘self-led stay’ from 17-22 December. You can also come a few days earlier if you wish.
The Guest Lodge has eight private rooms with three shared bathrooms and a vegetarian self-catering kitchen. Accommodation costs are ‘per room’. If you book a ‘Two Together’ ticket with a friend, there are twin, double and triple rooms so that you can share the cost. Please note that accommodation is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Other accommodation options are available in The Park, please contact me for more details.
FOOD OPTIONS
You can either bring your own food, or buy groceries at the Phoenix community stores in the Park ecovillage. There are also a variety of options to buy meals either at the Park or in nearby Findhorn village.
Coffee, cake & light meals:
The Phoenix cafe in The Park does great coffee, cakes, sandwiches, wraps, breakfast and lunch options. Also La Boheme offers pizza several nights a week, and the Bakehouse cafe in Findhorn village does light meals too.
Dinner and heartier fare:
In the Findhorn village there is the also The Kimberley pub, The Crown & Anchor pub and the Captains Table. The pubs are open for lunch and dinner, and the Captains Table for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
HOW TO GET HERE
The Findhorn ecovillage community can be accessed by road, rail or plane. If you are driving, please contact Jacqueline once you have booked to get directions to The Park ecovillage.
By plane
The nearest airports are Inverness and Aberdeen and both have frequent rail connections to the nearby town of Forres. You can also fly to Glasgow or Edinburgh and take a train from there (approx 3 hours away).
By train
The nearest station is Forres. If you are travelling by train from London, there is a direct train from Kings Cross to Inverness once a day (tip: check if it is cheaper to book the Inverness-Forres ticket separately, rather than as part of your overall journey).
From the station it is a 10-15 minute journey by car to the community. You can either book a local taxi, or some community members offer (cheaper) station pick-ups. If you need any help with this or with directions to Findhorn by road, please contact me.
WHAT TO BRING
Journal and pen
Water bottle
Walking shoes
Waterproof outerwear & warm layers
A full list of what to bring will be emailed to you upon registration