Day retreat · Feb 28, 2027
Water Rituals ~ A Day Retreat at Nectar
An afternoon with the element of water
Water is the element of feeling and of passage. It cleanses, dissolves, carries and remembers. Across many traditions, people wash something at a threshold ~ hands, feet, a newborn, a body being laid to rest ~ to mark a crossing from one state to another. Water is also the element of grief.
Water's gift is permission to soften, and to stop holding a shape that no longer fits. We'll look at water's place in blessing, cleansing and mourning rituals, spend quiet time by the water, share stories in small groups, and design a water ritual to honour a transition you are moving through.
Water Rituals is the second of The Elements of Ritual at Nectar, four Sunday day retreats on Bowen Island exploring earth, water, fire and air. Each day stands on its own, so you're welcome to join for this element alone.
This day retreat is $165 CAD, booked directly with Nectar Yoga.
Book Water Rituals with Nectar Yoga →
Booking all four? The complete series is $600 CAD ($150 per gathering) and can only be booked through Earth Rituals on Nectar Yoga's site, before the series begins on February 21.
- When
- Sun, Feb 28, 2027
- Format
- In-Person
- Location
- Nectar Yoga, Bowen Island, BC, Canada
- Schedule
- Sunday · 1:00–5:00pm
Bookings are made directly with Nectar Yoga.
Who this day is for
This afternoon is open to anyone curious about ritual ~ no particular belief system, tradition or previous experience required. You might be longing to explore ritual outdoors and in community rather than on a screen, or moving through a transition ~ a loss, an ending, a new beginning ~ and looking for a meaningful way to mark it. Celebrants, doulas, facilitators and wellness practitioners will find fresh, embodied practices to bring into their work, and past students of Ceremonial Training: The Elements of Ritual can meet the elements in person. Most of all, it's for anyone who feels at home among trees, water and fire, and wants to slow down and reconnect with the land.
The rhythm of the day
We gather at 1:00pm, settling in with introductions and an opening ritual that marks the start of our time together. We then turn to wisdom sharing on the element of water ~ its symbols, stories and place in blessing, cleansing and mourning ~ before pausing for tea and quiet reflection. In the second half of the afternoon, we head out for quiet time by the water, share stories in small groups, and move into ritual practice together. A closing ritual brings us back into circle before we part at 5:00pm.
How to prepare
We gather at Nectar Yoga, 720 Gardner Lane on Bowen Island, a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, so check the ferry schedule and allow time to arrive and settle before we begin. We'll move between indoor and outdoor spaces, so dress for the weather in warm layers and a rain jacket, with comfortable walking shoes. Ritual materials, tea and a light snack are provided; please have lunch before you arrive, and bring a water bottle and a journal if you like to write. No previous experience with ritual or ceremony is needed.
Facilitators
Megan Sheldon
Megan Sheldon (she/her) is a cultural mythologist, humanist celebrant, end-of-life doula, and co-founder of Be Ceremonial, the world's first guided ritual and ceremony platform. She is the author of Ritual Without Religion: A Humanist Guide to Creating Secular Ceremonies, and has spent years crafting ceremonies across the life cycle, with a focus on grief and loss. Her passion is helping people cross the silent thresholds and mark those seemingly invisible moments of change with meaning. She offers workshops, courses and in-person retreats near her home in North Vancouver, BC.
Space is limited - we'd love to have you.
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