Take even a breath gently, for very delicate is the work

Of this glassblower's workshop of the cosmos.

Urdu Couplet

Dear Creative Friends,

I recently taught a Labyrinth and SoulCollage® retreat at the Springbank Retreat for Eco-Spirituality and the Arts in Kingstree, South Carolina. To be surrounded by live oaks (and a grandmother oak over 500 years old) and cared for by the amazing staff of the Center was a deeply nourishing experience. I happened to mention that it was my husband's 70th birthday that weekend, and he was surprised and celebrated by the staff with a birthday cake and a special dinner!

I highly recommend the retreat center for your own private sabbatical, or a retreat with astronomer, Stephan Martin. I'm planning on joining one of his retreats at Springbank next Spring. His article, Living in a Cosmic Tip Jar, made me think more deeply of the generosity of the universe we live in.

Sue Monk Kidd wrote her first book at Springbank. It was her personal writing retreat place. The center also has a large art room which you can use while you are there, as well as a "cosmic walk" among the trees.

The labyrinth at Springbank is a living labyrinth, created under a live oak tree, with a joyful energy that I've never experienced before. You can find out more about the retreat center here.

JAPAN IN SEPTEMBER

I'm heading to Japan in September with a small group of women interested in Japanese crafts. I've long loved the Zen gardens, calligraphy and their Sashiko stitching of the Japanese, and am really excited to experience their culture and crafts. Below are some recent videos and articles that made my photographer self really want to experience Japan and its artists and crafts people.

• The Power of Beauty. This powerful article about Japanese artist, Keiko Aono, talks about living with inori no kokoro, a heart of prayer and gratitude.
• Hanami : The Beauty of Letting Go. This video talks about Cherry blossom time. I like to travel when there are not too many tourists, so we won't be there for the cherry blossom, but I love this idea of hanami.
• The Beauty of Komorebi. The video below is about Komorebi, the way the Japanese see dappled light. As a contemplative photographer I found this very inspiring.

Our Japanese itinerary includes Tokyo, Kamakura, Fuji, Nagano, Kanazawa, and Kyoto. There are two spaces still available out of the ten spaces. This is small group travel and is arranged by Aahilya Holidays, a woman-run boutique travel agency which specializes in craft tours.

More information and registration links here

CHARTRES, FRANCE IN JUNE

There are still a few spaces available in this Labyrinth and SoulCollage® program which runs June 8th to 12th, if you'd like to join us. I will be presenting the program together with Lauren Artress, and we have small group leaders who will support you during SoulCollage® card making. I've prepared books of images specially for the theme of this retreat, as well as folders with gold embossed labyrinths made from paper that I found in Nepal.

This quote from Lauren Artress's latest Substack article gives you a sense of the deep dive our Cosmic Creativity program in Chartres offers.

"To embrace that the Earth is alive, and that we as earthlings

play a role in the Universe becoming aware of itself, changes everything.

It reshapes how we understand life, death, purpose, and possibility.

So how does this kind of awakening happen?

How do we come to know—not just think—

that we are part of a living, unfolding whole?"

If you are interested, there is an "Attend with a Friend" discount, which I can share with you. I'm also happy to talk to you about accommodations and getting to Chartres from CDG. You can contact me by replying to this email.

Krista Tippett will be teaching in Chartres the following week - June 15th to 19th - and her program is entitled "Becoming Whole: Practices for Healing Ourselves and a Fracturing World".

More information and registration on the Veriditas website

ST FRANCIS SPRINGS IN NORTH CAROLINA IN JULY

If you've never been to St Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC, you might like to read this recent article on the Center in Our State Magazine. The article is entitled "Breathing Room in Stoneville: At a Rockingham County retreat center, stillness opens the door for clarity and renewal".

LIVING THE QUESTIONS, EMBRACING THE UNKNOWN

July 19 to 23, 2026

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves... Do not now seek the answers... Live the questions now.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

This retreat offers three different workshop experiences from three different teachers and open studio each night to create SoulCollage® cards, as we explore the in-between space of the Unknown.

Mariabruna and Kiala are SoulCollage® Facilitator Trainers who I invited to teach this retreat on the East Coast with me.



There are currently three spaces in single rooms still available.

More information and registration here

I retired as a SoulCollage® Facilitator Trainer at the end of 2024. If you are interested in becoming a Facilitator, I suggest you start with a qualifying workshop which is required for people attending a Facilitator Training. Kiala Givehand is offering one which starts in a couple of days. Here is the link.

IRELAND IN MAY, 2027

Join me at the wonderful Essence of Mulranny Retreat Center on the West Coast of Ireland from May 4th to 11th, 2027 for this retreat.

This will be a pilgrimage into Wonder, Deep Seeing, and the Soul of the Irish Landscape using the labyrinth as our mindfulness practice and photography as our creative expression The amazing artist Lora Murphy will be our Irish host.



Six spaces still available.

More information and registration here.

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.

If you have any questions about the upcoming pilgrimages, email me by replying to this email. I'm also happy to schedule a call with you to answer your questions about the international trips.

Creative blessings,

Catherine

www.creativepilgrimage.com

My backyard labyrinth in its Spring aliveness as seen from my studio window!

Head Down

so focused

on writing

about beauty

I almost

didn't notice

the round

green scent

of aliveness

flourishing wildly

all around me

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Rosemerry's website