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Esalen Institute

Thresholds and Altars: Nature-Based Rituals for Life’s Turning Points

Feb 27, 2026 – Mar 1, 2026 · 3 days · Big Sur, CA

Weekend
SecularSilence TBDLevel TBDCost on site

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Retreat overview

Everything begins by leaving. — Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Life invites us into change, but rarely teaches us how to move through it well.

Whether it’s a relationship ending, a role dissolving, a chapter closing, or a calling emerging, you may find yourself standing at the edge of what was — and unsure how to step into what comes next.

This immersive weekend retreat is a sacred pause for anyone navigating change.

Through nature-based ritual, creative altar-making, reflective writing, and caring community, you’ll learn how to tend life’s thresholds not as chaotic interruptions but as initiations into a deeper sense of purpose.

Guided by renowned artist, author, and ritualist Day Schildkret, you’ll explore the four notes of Threshold Literacy:

  • Cherishing: Honoring what has been lost and what still remains
  • Inventorying: Seeing clearly what serves and what no longer does
  • Asking: Holding the big questions that shape who we are becoming
  • Aligning: Choosing what matters most and how we want to walk forward Using the acclaimed Morning Altars practice, you’ll forage for meaning, create ritual altars in nature, and experience the power of communal witnessing. This is not a weekend of quick fixes; it’s an invitation to slow down, tend what’s tender, and mark the sacred moment you are living through. Whether you’re grieving a loss, stepping into a new role, or simply sensing that something is shifting within, this retreat is designed to support you in crafting your own modern rituals of change. No prior experience with ritual, art, or nature work is necessary. Just bring your truth, your questions, and your willingness to cross. Recommended Reading: Morning Altars: A 7-Step Practice to Nourish Your Spirit through Nature, Art, and Ritual and Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration, and Change by Day Schildkret. This workshop includes an additional $10 for materials.
Teachers: Day Schildkret

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About Esalen Institute

Big Sur retreat campus known for experiential workshops, contemplative practice, and ocean-view renewal.

Founded 1962Iconic retreat center
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