Spring Equinox Gatherin' Eden 2022

ABOUT

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION

Following on from a winter of rest and regeneration, we stride into Spring invigorated and determined to share our gifts with the world, while nurturing the deepening bonds of community.

At this private gathering in the forest near Sedgefield, we will, among others, purify ourselves through a ceremonial Sweat Lodge, celebrate our innate creativity with facilitated Conscious Dance journeys and bring ourselves into deeper alignment through a tree planting ceremony and a number of other rituals (please follow the DISCUSSION thread to see updates of what will be on offer).

You are warmly invited to join us as we share in love, grow in love and co-create in love. We are wild spirits who love to sing, dance and weave our vision for our community into reality, in harmony with the Earth’s heart beat.

This time, the gathering spans four days and is preceded by a day of free, self-sufficient camping, offering you the opportunity to land and relax. You may arrive on Wednesday, 21 September. Once the gathering ends on Sunday, 25 September, you have another free day of camping to receive the echo of your experience. The departure time is late afternoon on Monday, 26 September. 

Please come share your own unique gifts and talents with the community.

You may post your offering with a picture in the DISCUSSION thread of this events page. Remember to tell people what you will be charging in half-Talents, half-Rands. Or just Talents. You are also most welcome to gift your offering free of charge.

TICKET PRICE

Early Bird (only 20 tickets available on a first come, first served basis) – R650 for Adults

Standard Ticket (valid for the entire gathering) – Adults R850 | Children (aged 6 to 16) R350 | Children younger than 6 - Free entry

PLEASE NOTE: The number of tickets on sale are regrettably limited. To avoid disappointment, purchase yours early.

We have a NO REFUND POLICY, though you may transfer your donation to a friend as long as you inform us of the arrangement in advance.

The entry price is the same whether you come for the full six days or intend to attend only for a day. This is to encourage you to get the most out of the community experience and to avoid the curious from just popping in to have a look.

In order to purchase a ticket, you have to have joined the Talent Exchange and to have been issued with your personal exchange number. It’s quick and easy!

To register, go here: 

www.community-exchange.org/home/

Alternatively, if you would like assistance in registering with the Garden Route Talent Exchange, contact Landi Engelbrecht on 084 588 1949.

HOW WE ROLL

Our Spring Equinox gathering is anchored by Conscious Dance and feature, among others, a Sweat Lodge. A number of additional complementary rituals and ceremonies will be on offer.

As in the past, there will be a Rose Temple for women and a Man Cave for the guys, as well as fire dancing, drumming circles and live fireside acoustic sessions by gifted musicians from our incredible, ever-expanding tribe. If you should have your own artistry to offer, please let us know and we’ll strive to weave it into the fabric of the gathering.

For more information on all the above offerings, go to the DISCUSSIONS thread.

Also, please note: this is a private gathering, open to all who have a conscious camping mindset, are up for participation and co-creation – and who use the Talent Exchange. We co-create a space free of alcohol, drugs and stimulants because we greatly value clear, conscious connection.

Once through the gate, you will enter a domain where you are free to gift your offerings to others, or to charge or pay for offerings in Talents. If that is too much of a stretch for you, feel free to pay, charge or trade in half-Talents, half-Rands. The choice is yours.

As ever, the emphasis is on maximum self-reliance. Which means you are responsible for your own meals (either purchased from the food stalls or prepared by yourself) and drinking water for the duration of the event.

GLAMPING

If camping is not your thing, you have wonderful glamping options available. Cosy, luxurious 5m bell tents are erected in prime locations.

They offer excellent views over the lake and are situated close to the showers and toilets. Comfortable beds, cotton bedding, carpets as well as lights and shower towels are provided. There is also WiFi for glampers as well as fresh organic veggies from the garden on request.

Glamping cost:

R1,200 per night for 1 to 2 people or 

R1,600 per night for 3 to 4 people.

For more information, contact Mariette Carstens: +27 66 256 8468 

MAXIMUM SELF RELIANCE

Please bring a can-do attitude of gratitude and EVERYTHING ELSE for a comfortable camping experience, plus additional food to share for the communal Spring Equinox feast.

There are hot showers and excellent compost toilets. 

NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS OR STIMULANTS PLEASE. Right of admission reserved. NO CAMP FIRES. NO PETS. Please respect the space, use resources sparingly and leave only a good trace.

VOLUNTEERS

We call on volunteers to help set up, manage and pack up. All volunteers will receive a Fair Exchange Ticket.

To register as a Volunteer, contact Juani Smith on 076 592 2220.

In addition to volunteering, we welcome contributions and support with stretch tents, décor and any sponsorship or financial donations.

MEALS

You may pre-book your meals from the food stalls (for the full menu and contact details of those offering food, please follow the DISCUSSION thread).

NB! A wash-up station is provided if you choose to bring your own pre-prepared food. Only food waste bins are provided, please recycle everything else and take it home.

DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE

The GPS co-ordinates provided below will only take you to Lake Avenue. But if you read the directions below, you'll get to the venue. Guaranteed!

https://maps.google.com/?q=-33.971325,22.776617

FROM THE SEDGEFIELD SIDE

Once you pass through Sedgefield on the N2, take the Karatara turnoff to your left. Travel about 4km to the first turn to the left. (Also Karatara). Pass over a low water bridge, travel about 3km to the first left turn. It is a dirt road with a sign saying Hoogekraal/George.

Follow the road over the river and up the pass for about 5km to the first left turn. Signs say Well-Being Sanctuary, Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei. Turn left into Lake Ave.

From the top of Lake Ave just keep following the blue and white WBS arrows. At the bottom of the road you will see a face brick entrance, turn left and you will see a large wooden gate. You have arrived.

Once through the gate (where you will be required to present your pre-booked Quicket ticket) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!

FROM THE WILDERNESS SIDE

Once you pass through Wilderness on the N2, take the turn off to Hoekwil. Travel for approximately 21km and take the right turn onto the dirt road to Ruigtevlei.

Travel approximately 3 km along the dirt road and turn right into Lake Ave (at this juncture you will see a few signs, including Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei, Tomorrowland & Well-Being Sanctuary). Turn right into Lake Ave.

From the top of Lake Ave just keep following the blue and white WBS arrows. At the bottom of the road you will see a face brick entrance, turn left and you will see a large wooden gate. You have arrived.

Once through the gate (where you will be required to present your pre-booked Quicket ticket) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!