The eight-week Equinox Retreat Programme
Our retreat programme is made up of three key stages: preparation, the retreat itself, and integration.
Preparation
The formal preparatory phase of our 8 week retreat programme begins six weeks prior to the retreat itself. It’s essential for orientation as we approach the retreat, in terms of getting to know our team (and vice versa), the other participants, and, most importantly, your own conscious and not so conscious process. In preparation, we begin to create a safe environment, including by voicing our hopes and fears, and building trust. Deepening techniques, such as breathwork, help support you in this process, as we move towards the retreat.
A common practice here is setting intentions for the retreat, and for the psychedelic experience itself. While no doubt intention-setting can be grounding, one perspective is that attempts to “hack” such spaces in such ways are an expression of the ego’s desire to control them. Arguably, the most powerful ‘strategy’ as we approach (and inhabit) such spaces is to learn to let go of expectations, intentions, and, ultimately, control. To surrender. And trust that - held in the security of our container - whatever needs to move through you, will move through you.
Scary? Of course. That’s why we’re here to support you, throughout, and beyond.
The six week preparation phase, on a week by week basis, is as follows:
Week 1: Preparation / orientation session on Zoom (1.5 hours)
Week 2: Preparation / orientation session on Zoom (1.5 hours)
Week 3: Online (Zoom) Breathwork session (2 hours)
Week 4: Integration / preparation / orientation session on Zoom (1.5 hours)
Week 5: Integration / preparation / orientation session on Zoom (1.5 hours)
Retreat
To journey with us, a commitment is required to attend all the preparatory sessions, as well as two integration sessions following the retreat.
On the first day of the retreat itself, we will meet you in central Amsterdam and - after taking you to buy your psilocybin truffles - will escort you to the retreat centre, an exquisite space nestled in a private, lush, 6.5 hectare estate. The retreat itself will involve single or shared rooms (your choice), group sharing circles, meditation, a wood-fired sauna, nature immersion, and delicious vegan meals, snacks and drinks. At the heart of it, also, of course, lies two psilocybin truffle journeys.
Again, part of the challenge here might be to let go of expectations. Psychedelic journeys can be valuable and meaningful in all kinds of unpredictable ways; no one journey is the same as another. Common ‘positive’ experiences, however, include profound insights and perception changes, experiences of unity, oneness, and bliss, powerful somatic shifts, and emotional catharsis.
Emotional catharsis, particularly, can be experienced as a pivotal moment in a person’s healing process.
“From the Greek katharos, meaning to purify or purge, catharsis is an experience that can be necessary to move through to thoroughly process an emotion or aspect of suffering. With.. plant medicines, purging.. can be a cathartic moment that can feel like a literal cleansing, as the purge itself carries away lingering psychospiritual residue that is no longer welcome in our bodies. Tears, tremors, and all manner of bodily processes can be avenues of catharsis in psychedelic space” (Simon Yugler, Psychedelics and the Soul)
The experience of unlocking and moving through repressed and unprocessed grief, fear, rage, and joy (yes, joy) can free up enormous quantities of energy within us. When we are able to trust those holding space for us, we can let go, and learn to welcome such states. This often means that people feel lighter, more free, more vital, as we move into the integration phase of our programme.
Week 6: Psychedelic retreat in the Netherlands
Day 1 - Opening
Day 2 - Psilocybin Ceremony
Day 3 - Psilocybin Ceremony
Day 4 - Integration
Integration
Psychedelic spaces are sometimes very nourishing and easy to navigate, and sometimes extremely challenging. Some experiences can fill people with a sense of mystical awe, of ecstatic oneness with the divine. Others are experienced as bizarre, confusing, and troubling.
Some people are confronted with memories from early life, which may be freeing, frightening, or difficult to decipher. Others may have profound and life-altering insights into their experience of the present. Psychedelic experiences are often rich in symbolic language and meaning, bringing into conscious awareness thoughts, feelings, intuitions, and messengers that were hidden deeply within.
Integration work is essential for awakening the potential of these many fragments and parts. Indeed, the aim of integration is to move us towards wholeness. While we can think of the medicine journey itself as a tool to get the ball rolling, the integration process can be what brings about lasting, meaningful change.
“A therapeutic space [for integration] can support newly acquired awareness to embed into everyday life and inform positive changes, for the individual and for the collective systems they are a part of. Unless the insights from a psychedelic experience are sufficiently integrated, they can easily sink back into the unconscious, and in the case of material that has reactivated our deepest wounds, such unintegrated experiences can be deeply disruptive” (Maria Papaspyrou, Psychedelics and Psychotherapy)
Many psychedelic retreats and practitioners offer little or no holding for integration, following psychedelic experiences. At Equinox Collective, the team are knowledgable and practiced in supporting people with psychedelic integration. There is an invitation to continue your journey with ongoing integration support for one year following retreats, and to remain part of contributing to a community-building (ad)venture, beyond.
Week 7 - Integration session on Zoom (1.5 hours)
Week 8 - Integration session on Zoom (1.5 hours)
Screening
Everyone applying for one of our retreats will initially be sent a detailed Application Form to complete. Depth of reflection begins here and we invite you to make space to consider your responses and to allow for emerging aspects of your process to begin to unfurl.
Based on the information in this form, our team will assess if our retreats are potentially the right approach for you. Safety is a top priority.
Although psilocybin truffles are relatively safe and well tolerated, it’s important we pay close attention to ‘set and setting’. Psychedelics are not appropriate for people with certain psychological and physical presentations and histories. To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the retreat, it is important that you are honest and open and that the Equinox team is made aware of any relevant mental and physical health history.
Once you have submitted your application form, you will be contacted by one of our screening team and, if appropriate, a screening video call will be scheduled. This incurs a non-refundable fee of £195 that will be discounted from your retreat fees if successful. Again, in this call, safety is a top priority. If you are then offered a retreat place you will be sent a welcome letter, your payment plan established and the exchange of deposit/payment will secure your place.
Fees and other costs
We are a not for profit organisation, we aim to keep our costs as low as possible, whilst offering a high standard of support and comfort.
Our fees for retreats include:
In depth application form
Individual screening call with two professionals from the team
Four online group preparation sessions
One online group breathwork ceremony
Four day psilocybin retreat in the Netherlands, including:
Meet & greet in central Amsterdam to buy your psilocybin truffles
Accommodation
Two psilocybin truffle ceremonies
Experienced facilitation
Incredible retreat grade vegan meals & drinks
Return train & taxi travel between central Amsterdam and the retreat centre
Two online group integration sessions
Optional monthly online group integration sessions for 1 year!
Again, all of this is included in the fee you pay.
Our fees vary, depending on the number of guests you choose to share a room with at our wonderful venue, Land of Yemaya. They are offered on a first come, first served basis:
4 person rooms - £2885 per person
2 person rooms - £3295 per person
Single rooms - £3495 per person
Please note: You will also need around £50 to buy the psilocybin truffles. This is a requirement under Dutch law. We will meet you in Amsterdam, when you arrive, and take you to buy the truffles you’ll be using, prior to accompanying you on the train journey to the retreat centre.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations received more than 6 weeks before the first preparation meeting on September 4th (i.e. received no later than 24th July) = full refund minus admin fee of £250
Cancellations received 4-6 weeks before the first preparation meeting = full refund if your place is filled, minus admin fee of £250
Cancellations received less than 4 weeks before the first preparation meeting = no refund
In cases of illness, places can be transferred to a future retreat event, minus admin fee of £500
