Autumn Equinox Gatherin' Eden 2023

ABOUT

Having honoured one another and the apex of the sun’s trajectory at the Summer Solstice, having celebrated with wild abandon around the sacred ceremonial fire and having made a host of other magnificent memories, we now turn inwards towards the centre. To nourish our roots and to continue tending the fire of co-creation and community.

We’re free spirits who play, learn, co-create and grow together, moment by moment, from heart to heart, and in alignment with Mama Gaia. Whatever it is you have to offer (even if it’s just your loving presence), know that you’re welcome to join us at Well-Being Sanctuary for seven days from 17 to 23 March.

DATES

Due to unprecedented demand from our tribe, the gathering itself will span five days, from 18 to 22 March. It is preceded by an arrival day on Friday, 17 March, to help us resource ourselves from nature. To land, set up camp, enjoy a swim in the lake and a Sweat Lodge. And the gathering is followed by a day of departure on 23 March so that we'll have time and reflect and integrate our journey while packing up for our journey home.

To summarise:

> Arrival day: Friday, 17 March (self-sufficient camping or glamping from 12pm onwards)

> Saturday, 18 March to Wednesday, 22 March (five days of immersive community Autumn Equinox celebration)

> Departure day: Thursday, 23 March (pack up & go by 2pm)

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION

The Earth Crafts Zone, Inspectro Tent, Rose Temple, Red Tent, Jam Zone, Space of Grace and Resonance Zone introduced at our previous gatherings have been immensely popular. We're striving to build on that success with other new additions. Please watch this space for new developments, and feel free to bring your creative flair to share with all of us.

As in the past, the gathering is anchored by various modalities of Conscious Dance and a Sweat Lodge. It also features a daily Talent Market, the Red Tent to explore our Divine Feminine, the Man Cave to explore our Divine Masculine and the Inspectro Tent to explore everything in-between. In addition, there is fire dancing, drumming circles, gonging and breath work sessions, workshops and dialogues, sound journeys, fireside acoustic music by gifted musicians, diverse DJ sets, spontaneous live music performances, Yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, meditation, body therapies and so much more...

The apex of the gathering is a series of ceremonies on the day of the equinox, Monday 20 March. From a communal Rainbow Meal to a Cacao Ceremony: from a tree planting ritual to an Ecstatic Dance, it is a day filled with soulful sharing and participation.

Do please come offer your own unique gifts and talents with the community. You may post your offering with a picture in the DISCUSSION section of the Facebook events page or on our Telegram Creative Cradle group. Remember to tell people what you will be charging in Talents or Rands. Alternatively, you may also gift your offering to others free of charge.

WHY TALENTS?

We decided to introduce the Community Exchange Talent System in order to make the event more accessible to those who are financially challenged and may not have much hard cash to spend.

Equally, the ethos of the event is for all those who attend it to experience a sense of financial buoyancy. In order to achieve this, we highly recommend that you engage with the Talent System and immerse yourself in the experience. It's easy and effective – all the more so if you show up and honour yourself!

To register for your personal exchange number, 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.

TICKETING

Because we love the Well-Being Sanctuary environment (needing to manage the impact of our footprint on the land) and favour intimacy over too much activity, ticket sales are limited. We also value quality over quantity, silence as much as sound, and spaciousness rather than frenetic busy-ness.

The entry price is the same whether you come for the whole gathering 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.

Also please note: We do not sell tickets at the gate!

REFUND POLICY

Our ticketing policy is NO REFUNDS. If, due to unforeseen circumstances you cannot attend the event, you may sell your ticket to a friend – on condition that you notify us in advance of the arrangement. All sorted? Then go ahead and purchase your ticket!

HOW WE ROLL

The entire gathering is a communal co-creation, some of it pre-planned, yet much of it arising spontaneously in the moment. 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, contact Dion Viljoen via WhatsApp on 072 433 7421.

Our gatherings are open to all who have a conscious camping mindset, are up for participation and co-creation – and who use the Talent Exchange.

Menus and meal offerings from various food stalls will be announced closer to the time. Keep an eye on the DISCUSSION thread of our Facebook events page or on our Telegram Creative Cradle group.

As ever, the emphasis is on maximum self-reliance. Which means you're responsible for your own meals (either pre-booked or prepared by yourself) and drinking water for the duration of the event.

You will be asked to complete an indemnity form and are responsible for your own behaviour thereafter. Please respect all boundaries.

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 Autumn Equinox Rainbow Meal feast. Once you've bought a ticket, you will receive detailed instructions via e-mail.

There are hot showers and excellent compost toilets.

Please respect the space, use resources sparingly and leave only a good trace. There are food waste bins provided, but please do your own recycling into ecobricks and take your own rubbish home!

WHAT NOT TO BRING (AND DO)

> No alcohol, drugs or stimulants. No Pets.

> No open fires where you camp (as this is a high fire-risk venue). There is a designated cooking area where cooking fires may be made.

VOLUNTEERS

We call on volunteers to help set up, manage and pack up. All volunteers will receive a Fair Exchange Ticket plus a donation if they stay till the end. There are only 8 places available, so if you snooze, you lose.

To register as a Volunteer, contact Dion Viljoen on 072 433 7421.

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

GLAMPING SPECIAL

If you would like to arrive and camp in style, Mariette Carstens of the Well-Being Sanctuary has you covered.

Preference will be given to those who want to come for at least five days or more.

5m BELL TENTS – R1,000 per night for 1 to 2 people or R1,200 per night for 3 to 4 people

(comfortable beds, cotton bedding, carpets as well as lights and shower towels are provided) 

2.5m DOME TENTS – R600 per night for 1 to 2 people with a standard bed or R400 per night with a camping mattress (please bring your own bedding) 

WiFi is available for glampers as well as eating from the organic garden on request. A refundable damages deposit equal to one night’s rental is required. You receive the deposit back if all is well at check out.

Glamping questions and bookings – Contact Mariette 066 256 8468

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 signposted: 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 Avenue.

From the top of Lake Avenue 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 tickets well as your Talent Exchange number) 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 Avenue (at this juncture you will see a few signs, including Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei, Tomorrowland & Well-Being Sanctuary). Turn right into Lake Avenue.

From the top of Lake Avenue 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 tickets well as your Talent Exchange number) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!