Befriending the Night
A nature-based journey of exploring darkness
Prep: November 9, 7-9pm (Zoom)
November 12, 2021 - 4-8pm
November 13, 2021 -12-8pm
November 14, 2021 -10-2pm
About the Workshop
In a time of worldwide pandemic, racial and social inequity, and environmental catastrophe, we can consider humanity to be undergoing a collective dark night of the soul, a necessary portal for transformation. In order to undergo collective and individual change, we are asked to embrace the unknown and to re-vision alternative ways for humanity to be in right relationship with each other and the more-than-human world.
Befriending the Night is a weekend experiential intensive that supports individuals to engage with mystery through encountering the night. Drawing upon ecopsychological models, including Bill Plotkin’s map of the human psyche, participants will deepen their relationship to themselves, the unknown, and the sacred through exploring dreams, shadow selves, and the wisdom of the natural world.
Darkness offers the key to transformation. Are you ready to receive it?
Sarah Frizelle is a registered clinical counsellor in private practice in Victoria BC and offers holistic counselling to individuals, couples and families. She has worked with adults and youth in roles of educator, psychotherapist and wilderness guide for over 25 years, sometimes combining all three roles in nature-based therapy or eco-psychology intensives with individuals and groups. In these she blends her experience as therapist and educator, with her multi-year training as a Wild Mind guide with Animas Valley Institute, as well as meditation and embodied awareness practices.
Sarah’s motivation is to support personal, family and cultural level change. She embraces transformative learning and is dedicated to uncovering peoples’ gifts and potential to heal and transform our world.
Sean Frey is a Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist, working in private practice in Victoria, BC. He has taught at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, the Create Institute, and Pacific Rim College, and is an associate counsellor with Human Nature Counselling. Through a Somatic Experiencing and Gestalt Therapy lens, Sean supports individuals to renegotiate early trauma and to integrate disparate aspects of the self to support greater vitality and wholeness. He draws from his decade long experience as an artist and performer, as well as his knowledge of nature-based practices and shamanic studies. His current research includes exploring the therapeutic value of engaging with the darkness of night.
“Mystery and manifestation arise from the same source. This source is called darkness. . . . Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.”
Lao Tzu
Mary's Lake Sanctuary
Mary Lake lies within the traditional territories of the WSÁNEC (Saanich) Coast Salish Peoples. This territory was used by the Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum, Esquimalt and Whyomilth (Songhees) peoples for hunting, gathering food & medicinal plants, relaxation and spiritual practices.
The Mary Lake property is a 42 acre protected forest and riparian area that supports biodiversity while preserving ecosystems and wildlife habitat. It is also the home of the “Highlands Nature House” which sits on the water’s edge, within the tranquil natural environment, inspiring an awareness of nature as teacher and essential ally.
We recognize the integral role that the WSÁNEC Coast Salish Peoples have played as stewards of Mary's Lake and the Highlands.
Mary's Lake Sanctuary
1772 Millstream Rd, Victoria, BC V9B 6E4
Workshop Details
Prep: November 9, 7-9pm (Zoom)
November 12, 2021 - 4-8pm
November 13, 2021 -12-8pm
November 14, 2021 -10-2pm
Workshop Fee: $240
Limited to 12 people.
To register, send an email to Sean at seanfreytherapy@gmail.com.
$100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot*.
Covid-19 Protocols: This is an in-person event that will take place both indoors and outdoors. We will be following safety protocols, which include ensuring 2 meter distance from other participants, frequent hand sanitization, and screening for exposure to Covid-19 before and during the workshop. *If cases of Covid-19 increase substantially on Vancouver Island by the time of this workshop, we will follow public health guidelines for group gatherings. If we are unable to meet in person during this time we will cancel and return the workshop fee.
"To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.”
Wendell Berry