Venturing out of your comfort zone allows you to adventure inward to new discoveries about yourself.

Description
The story of Inanna, the oldest written myth, is a tender, compassionate epic that speaks to all women in search of the divine feminine. The transformative tale of the “Descent of Inanna” will be our guide for this time apart. Inanna is called to the Below by her dark, distraught sister, Erishkegal.  Making the descent through seven gates of initiation and following their encounter, Inanna returns transformed and strengthened with new wisdom and integration. 

This retreat provides carefully structured experiences to foster inner work through integration of the body, mind and spirit. We women seldom challenge ourselves physically. To do so is to truly meet our dark sisters, the unknown parts of ourselves.  As we metaphorically re-enact the descent of Inanna, we will journey to the depths of our inner being, discovering hidden strengths, releasing what is no longer needed and living deeply into the mythic reality that supports our true nature.

DATE, TIME, PLACE, COST
Camp Alkulana, Millboro Springs, Va
Shenandoah Valley-50 miles west of Staunton 
August 16-20, 2006
$ 445 registration fee
$ 250 lodging and meals
$ 695 total cost
$200 non-refundable deposit holds your spot
After July 15, registration is $750

30 CEU's  $20 processing fee

Limited number of participants
Questions:  Call Barb at 804 - 798-8285
            Kay at 540 – 586-7030
Email: barb@aconnectingthread.com
             kay@aconnectingthread.com

RETREAT INCLUDES:
Body-centered activities allowing relaxation, centering and self-awareness
Creative self-expression using art, music, and poetry for personal insight, shared enjoyment, and community building
Talks about myth, history and Jungian psychology illuminating the path toward wholeness as revealed in the story of Inanna
Ropes course activities initiating you into greater self-confidence and allowing you to experience the joy of successfully meeting physical challenge.
Re-enactment of Inanna's mythic descent and return during a visit to a beautiful natural cave.
Storytelling and poetry experiences for building trust and community.

THE PARADIGM
Provides:

• lecture and story presentation of the myth.
• a model for being open to change.
• guided experiences using music, imaging and art to take you on a metaphorical journey through the seven gates of Inanna’s myth.
• a time of ritual to invoke the sacred archetypal journey depicted in Inanna’s story.

• reframes sudden change and loss into meaningful experience.
• teaches the mythic paradigm on three comprehensive levels: cognitive, experiential, and transpersonal.
• demonstrates ways story & creative expression can be used for therapeutic healing.
• models Jungian and transpersonal based techniques.

PARTICIPANTS 
This workshop will be of interest to: any woman who wishes to integrate a myth-based feminine perspective into her life and/or into work with others accommodating major life changes. If you would like to be more receptive, nurturing and understanding of yourself and others, this retreat is for you.

Participants' comments: "Leaders were helpful, compassionate," "It was about experience and transformation," "Fantastic in every way!" "The food was exquisite!"

SPONSORS
Inanna’s Challenge is co-sponsored by Journey into Wholeness, Inc. and Turning Point Training and Retreats.

FACILITATORS
Susanne Fincher, MA, LPC is a Jungian art therapist, artist and writer. Her book Creating Mandalas is considered “a classic.” She will guide your exploration of the deep truths of Inanna for
your own life and personal growth.   

Marilyn Clark, MS, is a pastoral counselor, storyteller and healer who utilizes music and imagery.  Marilyn will bring Inanna’s ancient story alive with her masterful telling.

Barb Davis, MA, LPC, is a psychotherapist with a  specialty in experiential therapies, and certification as an outdoor educator and ropes course leader.  Barb will engage you in challenges that take you safely beyond what you thought you could do.

Kay Montgomery, will help you feel comfortable and entice you to laugh, cry, play and be in community with others.
 
Laura Pole is a health supportive chef, nurse, musician and mind-body fitness instructor who brings a spicy blend to our retreat. She will nurture you with delicious whole foods meals, with her lovely singing, and with joyful movement for healthful grounding.