Loading Map....

Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/12/2025 - 15/12/2025
All Day

Location
Eden Rise


Circlewise invites you to Embedding the Practice — a four-day retreat at the beautiful Eden Rise Retreat Centre near Totnes. This restorative retreat is for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding and embodiment of The Way of Council, and to explore how circle practice can become part of everyday life, work, and community.

Rooted in Connection and Practice

At the heart of The Way of Council lies a simple yet transformative intention: to listen and speak from the heart, creating inclusive spaces where everyone’s voice is valued. Circle practice offers a return to a more authentic, relational way of being — echoing ancient traditions of sitting together, telling stories, and fully hearing one another.

Embedding the Practice offers the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and integrate these principles more deeply. Over four days, participants will sit in council circles, share stories, and learn through experience how this ancient yet relevant practice can enrich communities, relationships, and personal growth.

What to Expect

This Way of Council retreat weaves together experiential sessions designed to inspire, challenge, and deepen your circle practice. Participants will:

  • Explore the intentions and forms that underpin The Way of Council
  • Take part in facilitated circles in a nurturing environment
  • Reflect on personal and collective experiences of council
  • Develop confidence in facilitating circles themselves
  • Enjoy time for rest, good food, and reconnection with self and others

For those who wish, there is also the opportunity to facilitate their own circles, allowing practical learning in a supportive space. Whether you are new to council work or returning to refresh your skills, this retreat provides structure, guidance, and inspiration.

A Space to Rest and Reconnect

Alongside the sessions, there is ample time to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Eden Rise Retreat Centre. Nestled in the Devon countryside, Eden Rise offers comfortable accommodation, cosy communal spaces, and nourishing home-cooked meals.

December’s retreat provides a pause at the end of the year — a chance to rest, reflect, and reconnect before the turning of the season.

Why Circle Practice Matters

Circle practice is more than a facilitation technique; it is a way of seeing and relating to the world. Rooted in story and attentive listening, council circles invite participants to slow down, be present, and rediscover human connection. In circle, we learn to hold space for difference, speak honestly, and hear one another in ways that cultivate empathy, belonging, and community.

One past participant shared:

“The space of this has left me feeling even more connected to the practice of council. I’ve left with a deepened sense of empowerment, confidence, and a keenness to put into practice what has been shared with us.”

Others describe Circlewise retreats as “beautifully and tenderly held,” “rich and inspiring,” and “vital work for our times.”

Who Is It For?

Embedding the Practice welcomes anyone curious about the power of circles — for personal growth, professional development, or community building. You may have attended Circlewise trainings or circles before, or this may be your first encounter with Way of Council circle practice.

This retreat offers a foundational and deepening experience, helping participants embed circle practice more fully in their lives, work, and communities.

Practical Details

  • Dates: Friday 12 – Monday 15 December 2025
  • Venue: Eden Rise Retreat Centre, Sandwell Barns, Totnes, TQ9 7LJ
  • Arrival: 5.30pm Friday | Departure: 12.30pm Monday
  • Cost: £280–£360 (sliding scale)
  • Food & Accommodation: £60 per day (£180 total) — home-cooked meals and comfortable accommodation

To Book:
Book here. A £200 deposit secures your place. Contact info@circlewise.co for payment details and registration. Spaces are limited to preserve an intimate, supportive group environment.

Join Us

At a time of year when many feel the pull to pause and reflect, Embedding the Practice offers a precious opportunity to gather in community, listen deeply, and re-ground in what truly matters.

Come sit in circle. Come rest, learn, and reconnect. Come to embed the practice — not just in your mind, but in your way of being.