Path of the Heart:

Fall Equinox Grief Retreat

Sept 27th, 6 pm – Sept 28th, 5 pm
Facilitated by Shaina Garfield
at ESKFF Nest in Woodstock, NY

The Path of the Heart is a journey that connects us to our soul’s truth and the Source of creation through a journey of healing and remembrance. Join us for an intimate weekend of ancient ritual and deep healing to alchemize our grief so that we may reclaim our birthright of unconditional love on the sacred path. When we walk this Path of the Heart, we understand that to embody the finer energies of creation, one must embrace the darkness to truly be in the light.

This retreat weaves together the ancient technologies from Egypt, the Qabbalah, and earth medicine wisdom traditions to create a sacred container for transforming grief into gold. With this guidance, we will descend into our depths to find the original flame of our unique light.

We will conduct this retreat in a circle of only 10 souls, creating an intimate container where deep work can transpire, knowing that true healing happens in community where each of our hearts supports the transformation of one another.

In addition to healing personal loss, this retreat is soul liberation work. Many lineages from the world have said that we live in a time of prophecy, sometimes referred to as the Great Transition. To live and thrive in these prophetic times, we must learn to alchemize both our individual grief and the collective sorrow of our world. As the leaves begin to fall, we align our work to practice the sacred art of transition and letting go.

What We’ll Experience Together:

  • Opening ceremony supported with Blue Lotus and Tobacco plant medicines

  • Individual Rose energy healings and personal consultations

  • Purification Rites 

  • Sacred burial ritual in the forest

  • Community water prayer and blessing

  • Integration circles

  • Closing ceremony with individual blessing and protection

This Retreat is for you if:

  • You've touched moments of deep love, but struggle to stay there

  • You have experienced a death that has changed who you are

  • You carry grief that feels bigger than personal loss

  • You're ready to do the real work of soul transformation

  • You understand that healing yourself heals the world

  • You're called to ancient wisdom and ritual practice

How will you benefit:

  • Nourish and fortify your nervous system

  • Receive practical tools and sacred rituals for continued healing

  • Embody the understanding that you are never alone

  • Experience greater alchemy through grieving in community

  • Learn how to work with grief as a teacher

Together, let us polish the shiny jewels of our hearts through coming together to grieve, compost, and alchemize pain into love.

Meet Your Facilitator

Shaina Garfield is a Death Doula, Grief Guide, Ceremonialist, and the founder of Leaves With You. With her devotion to the sacred continuum of life and death, she extends compassionate support to all beings navigating the dying and grieving processes. Her mission is to cultivate a profound connection with the Earth and the Divine, fostering harmony within the web of life.

Shaina’s approach is deeply rooted in ritual, which she believes is essential for transforming grief, reclaiming spirit, and honoring the profound mystery of death. She offers group and individual grief sessions, hand crafts natural macrame coffins, plans and facilitates pre and post death funerary rituals, and more. Her services are not only for the dying but also for those who experience losses of all kinds throughout life.

Beyond these services, Shaina provides an array of nurturing offerings including Blue Lotus Ceremonies, Rose Healings, and Sound Healing. Through her heartfelt work, Shaina Garfield is reshaping the way we honor and embrace the cycles of life and death.

Our Retreat Sanctuary

ESKFF N.E.S.T. serves as a sanctuary that transforms, blending education, spirituality, and healing amidst the tranquil embrace of Mount Guardian's sacred forest, just a leisurely stroll from Woodstock, NY. This holistic learning center and mountain retreat, spanning 23 acres, transcends conventional boundaries, acting as both a haven for creative safety and an incubation station.

Nestled on Mount Guardian, the land is primarily forested by birch, oak, tulip poplar, and pine trees and teaming with fresh air, varieties of moss and mushrooms, medicinal and edible plants, and majestic wildlife. To the west lies a perennial stream that can be heard from the house and offers tranquility, clarity, and reflection for many guests’ healing journeys.

Retreat Details

Saturday, September 27th 6 pm
– Sunday, September 28th 5 pm
Investment: $350 – $450


Limited to 10 participants
Application and a brief consultation call required

What is included:

  • A consultation call with retreat facilitator, Shaina

  • A container of healing valued at $800 for an individual (+ more profound healing can take place in sacred, intimate circles)

  • Saturday night snacks, Sunday breakfast and lunch

  • Communal sleeping in the Nest Sanctuary (beds available for upgrade, commuters are welcome)

Testimonials

Tara, Brooklyn –

“Shaina is one of the most thoughtful and profound healers I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Her dedication and devotion are undeniable. She is both wise and playful all at once. I recommend anybody to work with her, and I suggest you just open up and receive her gifts. Enjoy the the power of a very gifted healer.”

Minnow, Queens –

"Shaina has been a grounded, gracious, and generous guide as I sit with her in ceremony. I trust her not only because of her deep conviction in teaching and sharing her knowledge, but because of how she speaks about this work. She is first and foremost a devotee and lover of what she does before being a facilitator, and that has been both inspiring and a constant source of safety for me in the ceremonies she holds."

Healing happens in community, and it will be an honor to heal with you.

Would you like to learn more and feel if this retreat is right for you?
Email Shaina at hello@leaveswithyou.com