Summer 2021 Newsletter

We are about to embark on our well-earned three week summer pause, but before we go, here's a roundup of our news and upcoming events...

Ben's Change of Role

"Since that deep winter beginning in 2014, I have unknowingly been serving an apprenticeship. One that has been long, and abundant in both emotional growth, practical and relational crafts. I notice how in these years both myself and Write to Freedom have grown and solidified in so many ways. From where I stand, we both seem ready for long and fruitful journeys into the future. Now marks the end of my regular weekly office work for Write to Freedom, of which I have been doing consistently for the last 5 years. My regular attention now turns to my practice as a Psychotherapist. The fire for holding recovery retreats still burns strong in me and I will be there on the high moors for retreats, gearing up for the mysteries and methodology that I’ve come to know so well. This isn’t a goodbye. It’s the next step in my recovery.” - Ben

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Summer 'New Tribe' Retreat

In July we ran our first face to face residential retreat since September 2019. 14 of us gathered on the high moors for a rite of passage experience, a gateway journey into our regular offerings. It was a time for old friends and new to connect, and remember our flagship 'New Tribe' retreat program. This time around, we expanded the camping element, venturing out of our comfort zones, and exploring our recovery within the context of community, wild space, and mindfulness. For the first time everyone got to choose between staying in a room in the retreat centre, or a further stretch into the outdoors by camping on the land. We have also invested in a second hand 6m canvas tent, which allows us to hold well ventilated outdoor gatherings, whilst keeping out the worst of the elements.

Next dates - November 26-28th

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Trustees

We are looking for new trustees to join our team. If you feel a call to supporting the running of the charity in this way, find out more about what it takes here.

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Upcoming Recovery Opportunities

Creative Pathways

This year our Creative Pathways to Healing and Meaning cycle has been running over four weekends, delivered both online and face to face focusing on Addiction Recovery through the Archetypes.

Each of the cycles takes a deeper dive to explore the inner and outer terrains of the four Jungian archetypes of the Lover, Warrior, Magician and Sovereign. You can still apply to attend the remaining cycles individually, with our next cycle exploring the Magician archetype, beginning on October 9th (in person) and October 10th (online).

Find out more and apply here

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Dartmoor Residential Retreat

We have set the dates for our next New Tribe retreat on Dartmoor for November 26-28th. After the powerful and uplifting experience of our July retreat we hope to gather once again before this year is out, inviting new participants to join us on this recovery experience.

Find out more and apply here

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Events Open to all - Recovery Conversations

Click here to book your place

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Click here to book your place

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Finn Mac Cumhaill and our latest Mentoring Day

Our Mentoring Days have had to take on a different way of being due to COVID-19 restrictions – this however has opened up a beautiful new opportunity to connect with Tribe members not only in Devon but all over the UK, Ireland and America. It made me reflect on the gifts that present themselves often when times have been difficult to navigate.

On our most recent Mentoring Day we spent a beautiful two hours with offerings from different people. Colm shared his own version of an Irish Folk Tale, (Finn and The Salmon of Knowledge - see more below) and we were encouraged to see who / what part of the story we connected with and share about it. I was totally drawn in by the storytelling, left with lots to ponder over – a gratitude for the time it had taken to craft, and the many layers in this piece.

Beccie delivered a great fun creative piece, bringing our inner child out to play with doodling, there’s a lot to be said for doodling!

A safe space for people to share their gifts, connect and laugh – I could feel the desire and momentum for this space to continue. - Ali

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Finnegas, Finn Mac Cumhaill and the Salmon of Knowledge

Adapted by Colm

Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) painted by Colm’s daughter Saoirse.

An old Druid named Finnegas lived by a pool near the banks of the river Boyne. Many young apprentice druids came to train under his guidance. He was known throughout the land to be a great teacher and mentor. His hut was built close to the pool on a slightly elevated knoll. From here he could easily draw fresh water for all his needs and also closely observe the movements and ripples of the pool as it rose and fell with the changing seasons. He watched the seven hazel trees surrounding the pool, as they produced new buds and leaves each springtime. He watched the hazelnuts grow in their green clusters, change colour to a rich brown and drop from their branches into the pool below. The stillness and beauty of this place was transfixing but it was not the only reason Finnegas was drawn here. Its greatest hidden secret lay in the dark depths of the pool.

At the beginning of each autumn a solitary salmon would swim up river and enter the pool surrounded by the seven hazel trees. Slowly and purposefully he would feast on the nuts.

Legend has it that the one who caught and ate this particular salmon would receive the unbounded knowledge of all things within the three realms*. The old druid knew that this was not an easy task. He had been outwitted by the fish many times before. In fact so many times that he had built up such a respect for the salmon, he had come to know him as a brother. Although he tried his best to catch him, he was unsure about what the outcome might be if he did.

The hazel is known as the druid’s tree, the poet’s tree and the tree of knowledge. During the different seasons the knowledge is stored within the various parts of the tree. In spring and summer, within its leaves; in late summer and autumn in its nuts and in winter within its trunk and branches. That is why it is always best to cut a hazel staff in the winter time.

So it may be fair to say that there was already a deep and established connection between the druid, the salmon and the tree. Somehow it came to be that the salmon knew in his heart that he must offer himself up to the druid, in order that the circle might be closed, and so he did.

Just about this time Finnegas had a new Druí Feasa or trainee druid. He was the son of a great and powerful chieftain leader of the Fianna who were devoted in service to the high king. His name was Demne and although young in years he was already an accomplished warrior.

So eventually, with a mixture of sadness and gladness, having caught the fish, Finnegas the old Druid carefully prepared it and placed it over the fire to cook. Having told Demne to watch but not to eat any part of the salmon he wandered over to the pool to offer gratitude for his gift. As he walked back to the fire a strange energy came over him. He saw the fish still cooking on the fire and Demne standing over it, his thumb in his mouth. Immediately the young Druí feasa explained,

“I did as you told me master, but as I was watching, a blister arose on the skin of the fish. I couldn’t resist, so I pressed the blister with my thumb. My thumb burned so I put it in my mouth to cool.”

Immediately Finnegas knew just by looking at the boy that the gift of knowledge had already passed to him. He humbly told Demne, he must now eat the rest of the fish, so the transformation would be complete.

So it came about, that the gift of knowledge was passed.

On receiving the gift, the boy’s hair turned white and his name was changed from Demne to Finn (the white haired one). Each time a question was to be answered, the young Finn would put his thumb in his mouth and the right answer would be revealed.

He spent a while longer in learning with Finnegas, delving deeply into the mysteries of life, and then one spring morning he was gone.

Finnegas remained by the stillness of the pool and welcomed friend and stranger alike. From time to time he would hear of the stories and adventures of Finn and how his knowledge was used for the good of all mankind.

*The three realms in Celtic spirituality are sky, land and sea. Being a nature based spirituality, all the elements within those realms can be invoked for their transformational powers.

- Colm Mahon

Rowan

ROWAN, by Ali Chapman

Let me introduce myself.
I am Rowan, Mountain Ash, the Lady of the Mountain.
In the Celtic calendar I represent this time of year.
At the tail end of winter I stand, energy stored and beginning to stir a little and awaken to new possibilities – I wonder if you feel it too.

Steeped in folklore and mythology, for centuries I have symbolised courage, protection and connection.
Qualities I hope to inspire in all of you who meet and greet me.
I am known as a portal tree – often placed at gates and thresholds – offering you the chance of going somewhere and leaving somewhere. 
What a beautiful thought, isn’t it.
Am I drawing you in?

Red was considered the colour to fight evil and to protect, so my beautiful berries have long been a source of inspiration and comfort.
My leaves, beautiful, similar to the ash please the eye with symmetry, white flowers providing much needed early nectar in May.

You will find me almost anywhere, in parks, gardens, woods and hillsides, but where I excel are the elevated positions.
High on craggy, boulder strewn moorland ground I cling on – withstanding all that the harsh winter elements can test me with.
I have learnt to adapt to my environment, up on the high hillsides I am less likely to be grazed by deer and have been known to live up to 200 years.

Rowan berries - photo by Caspar

If you come across me on a walk, place your hands on my smooth light grey bark – a portal, I can take you back if you wish.
Back to a time of your ancestors when I was revered.
The red of my berries full of vitamin C not only sustain the blackbirds, mistle thrush and fieldfare, but were used to make jelly to fight scurvy.
My hard wood lit your fires, made longbows, walking sticks, divining rods to find water.
This land is yours and mine – we belong.

The greatest wisdom that I can give you is my strength – strength that I get from being firmly rooted on this land.
My roots are my strength – going down deep and as wide as 7 metres.
I do not waver, even in the harshest winds I stand strong, being flexible enough to bend with the wind.
I withstand adversity.
The reason that I survive, at times alone without bird or beast on those craggy hillsides are my roots.
I am tenacious, a giver of gifts to sustain, I am a survivor, rooted on this land and so are you – feel your roots deep into the ground and remember you are welcome here.

Sunshines in Rowan - photo by Colm

The Magician Archetype, poem by Caspar Walsh

A series of poems and images by Caspar on the Jungian Archetypes, as part of our Creative Pathways to Healing and Meaning programme.

Sleep Easy

By Caspar Walsh

We knew trouble before it knew us
And shaped ourselves to it.

We waited at night, holding our breath
Listening for the light outside the bedroom door
To be switched off.

Lying still
In the thickening dark
We watched our shadows
Come alive.

__________

In time, we figured out how to survive
These night visiting terrors.

In time - we figured out the world outside
Our bedroom walls
Was far more dangerous.

So we struck a trembling deal
And took our monsters with us
Into the streets and up into the hills
Tucked inside our jacket pocket.

We knew trouble before it knew us
And shaped ourselves to it.

These magical monsters
Our magical monsters
Who changed everything -
Sleep easy now
Under our beds.

Reflections from our Tribe Retreat Days

We had two Tribe Retreat Days in November, in one of our regular spots on Dartmoor at High Heathercombe.

Please enjoy these lovely reflections on the weekend.

Heathercombe on the Moor, by Jo Walker

Oh how awesome Heathercombe on the Moor, it’s been 2yrs since I’ve been here before
Finally we can meet face to face and soon be able to embrace
Cool we’re all at 36.8! after the laugh we open the gate
Hugs and smiles you can feel the connection
The land the love and anticipation
We ground facing North South East and West allowing the day to manifest
Ah the Forrest Room where I was told my Gold! We chill on the floor waiting for the day to unfold
Time for check in my heart starts to race surprisingly I’m open I find, that’s cos everyone’s so kind
So much power in sharing how I feel won’t be long before a delicious meal
So much compassion in the room my confidence begins to Zoom, never have I felt so at ease with a group and wow what amazing soup
With connection and reflection I picked up some nuggets to take away, oh what an amazing day
I can’t thank Write to Freedom enough for sharing all this amazing stuff
I look forward to we meet again, the love the laughter and feelin Zen.

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Reflections from Naomi

“The experience was cathartic, allowing me to communicate, resonate and lean into my recovery at a whole new level. It felt deeply held and honoured as the facilitators and participants allowed me to gather and tend the lost, exhausted and un-welcomed parts of myself. Sidestepping the claustrophobic repetition of ‘here and now’. Time became fluid, expressive, the moors enveloping us in mizzle and hush.

I left with alchemic cracks in my defences, unbroken, grateful for my past and path.”

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All photos by Caspar Walsh

A poem for Andy, by Caspar

To a dear friend. Soul brother, surfer, path finder, fellow recoverer. You are missed and loved.

Dear friend
tell me
what happens to all that love

energy
struggle
humour
light

to the commitment
the dedication
to the path
to us
to you, to kindness.

What happens 
to the breath you left
as you exhaled
on that final wave?

Your ocean
what happens
to all those years in wild water?

How will the sea be without you?

What happens 
to each season that touched you
the rise of spring
the dropping into winter
staring up at these bright stars?

The thousands of miles underfoot 
in these holding hills
your skin 
kissing the skin of the earth.

What happens
to all you brought here
made, loved 
these many lives you touched

what now?

... us

We are your life here now
we are what happens next

coming together
across soft ground
holding images
moments
of you 
that’s our gratitude 
for all you gave
our call to loss and love.

We are altered irrevocably 
by your kindness.

You shining, wriggling
joy machine
with your wild
salty eye on the world
glimmers of mischief 
grief stricken
lost and found

you changed me 
with the way you saw the sea
(in Kernow dialect!)
‘Get your fekkin head down and paddle bay’ is what you said.
And I did!
Still do.

May your journey from here 
be free from suffering 

go wherever there is peace

know we love you
miss you
dear friend
all of you, Andy West coast

all of you.
—————

Andy West
1970-2020

All my love - Caspar x
See you in the water bay!

Photo by Faith Burch

COVID-19 Grant from Reaching Communities

“We are delighted to announce that we recently received a COVID-19 grant of £24,048 from the National Lottery’s Reaching Community Fund to support the additional work that we are offering during this period of global pandemic. Many of our programmes have moved online to match the guidelines of social distancing, and we have successfully launched a new online Recovery Retreat programme. Our programmes and work with addiction recovery are now more widely available regardless of geographical location. Our latest online retreat ran in early October and our next one is scheduled for January 2021.”

The last 6 months of Write to Freedom…

As of March 2020 we moved all of our programmes into online support to fit in with the regulations around COVID-19, both for previous and new participants.

Since then we have been running fortnightly online community groups, as well as a 6 month long training in our ‘Creative Pathways to Healing and Meaning’ programme, which often saw 15-18 committed and active participants. We have also been running standalone training and education events with guest speakers.

In June we ran our first 2-day online Recovery Retreat, which saw 14 participants and 9 volunteers attend, to be followed by one in early October, and another in January 2020.

“I felt held and supported even though it was a digital gathering. In some real life circles I participated in, I have not felt this level of intimacy and trust. Everybody was heard and included. This experience gave me a good reminder that things don’t have to be complicated in recovery. Connection to people and nature, creativity and mindfulness - nothing more is needed.”

— Participant, June 2020

In conjunction with each retreat, we run a series of introductory and integration events for new participants, as well as ongoing and regular support for those engaged in our leadership development programme that volunteer on retreats. In July, fitting in with the appropriate social distancing guidelines we returned to our in person monthly Mentoring Days for those participants who have already been through our programmes.

There have been significant challenges in needing to adapt our programmes to meet the current global pandemic situation, and our staff and volunteer teams have fully stepped up to meet these challenges with energy and enthusiasm to create online programmes that are inclusive, relevant, engaging and connecting.

Long time participant Ali Chapman celebrates the stepping up of the community in this way in a recent blog post. Click here to read it.

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In early September our creative recovery team released their second short film, To Know the Difference. It is about the choices we make and the paths we take and was produced by a mixture of industry professionals and individuals in established addiction recovery. 

Following on from our award winning first short film, We Seek the Teeth, To Know the Difference explores the inspiring recovery journey of W2F participant and trainee leader, Laura Hamlyn. Following Laura's own words as she moves through the landscape of Dartmoor, this compelling, intimate, short film explores the three pillars of Write to Freedom's recovery ethos - nature connection, creative expression and the mindful life.

If you haven’t already seen either of our 2 short films (and even if you have!), have a watch here…

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To match the shift in our programme delivery we have done some significant development on our website, reflecting the new programme but also adding in more engaging and interactive elements. We have a new log in section with resources and updates for those who have been through our programmes, and hopefully you have noticed the lovely visual revamp on our main news page.