Sacred Space & Living Patterns
Join us for an 8 - day spirituality retreat this autumn.
Oct 27 - Nov 4, 2025
… with the possibility to add a 4 day pilgrimage to the Valley of Silence ~ Nov 4 - 8, 2025
Gentle and spacious walking over one of the most beautiful stretches of the Way
Through ritual, creativity and experiential practices explore the deeper rhythms of your life’s pilgrimage.
Join us for a journey on an ancient pilgrims path at a special time of year to explore the living patterns and sacred space within.
In Celtic mythology, the late October festival of Samhain marked a threshold—the end of summer and the inward turn toward winter, ushering in a time of mystery and quiet transformation.
Aligned with these liminal days and the turning of the season, this will be a time for slow seeing and deep listening.
What to Expect
Ancient Rhythms: Discover the Celtic reverence for a sacred cosmos and the deep patterns woven through nature, the pilgrimage journey and our lives.
Meditation and Creative Contemplation: Explore contemplative practices and ancient spiritual crafts as you journey through immersive experiences, meaningful visits, and time for deep sharing and reflection in community.
Our Daily Rhythm
1. Optional dawn gathering for guided meditation 7.30am.
Silent breakfast 7.45 - 9 am
2. Morning Session ~ 9.30 am - 12.30 pm: creativity & contemplation / visits to ancient spaces.
Silent lunch 1pm
3. Afternoon Session ~ 2 pm: centering prayer and sharing circle.
Followed by self directed time continuing your creative explorations and resting.
Dinner - in conversation 6pm
4. Dusk poem ~ after dinner
What awaits you
Explore pilgrimage as a rite of passage like Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey.
Participate into the living patterns of the cosmos and your own journey of transformation.
Connect with place, the land - its sacred sites and ancient stories.
Experience how the ancients witnessed the meeting of heaven and earth as a sacred dance — that weaves through the fabric of time and unfolds through our own experience.
Creative & Contemplative Practices
Writing : experience contemplative writing and free-flowing words as a way of listening inward.
Sacred art; try your hand at tactile forms of meditation. Draw timeless sacred designs as you contemplate the circle, labyrinth, and Celtic knotwork.
Colours of the earth: Using foraged earth pigments, you'll have the opportunity to adorn your designs and words with the colors of the land itself.
Devotional wild book of prayer: Throughout the week, co-create a simple, devotional wild book of pilgrimage and prayer — a handmade expression of your journey, crafted from nature’s gifts and your own creativity.
Immerse yourself in a convergence of creativity, silence, story and soul
Special Visits
Discover ancient petroglyph designs and dolmens come to life at sunrise at Samhain’s midseason.
Build and walk a labyrinth by a wild hermitage in nature next to a sacred oak grove and boundary river.
Chant (or listen to chant) within the harmonious proportions of a 7th century Visigothic sanctuary,
Afternoon Sessions:
Sharing circle ~ Participants will experience centring prayer and are invited to share insights emerging from reflections and experiences of the day.
This time invites you to listen deeply and discover wisdom—both in your own voice and in the voices of others. The remainder of the afternoon will be self-directed—an open space, in gentle silence to continue the practices that best support you: writing, painting with the earth, walking, holy gazing, deep resting etc.
Location & Accommodation
You will be staying in one of the most beautiful villages in all of Spain as voted by National Geographic.
Castrillo de los Polvazares dates back from Celtic time through to the 16th century. Enjoy stunning views at every turn. The retreat centre is a lovingly renovated old building with heart and soul.
An intentional space dedicated to pilgrimage and depth work - arrive in a place where beauty matters. Enjoy delicious home cooked meals and charming ensuite rooms at Flores, or at the nearby hotel (150m away) with stunning views overlooking the village, church and rural landscape.
Optional 4 day Pilgrimage to the Valley of Silence
This will be your opportunity to experience of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino on a mini pilgrimage to the breathtaking Valley of Silence. Walk as little or as much as you want. This pilgrimage is about being in place.
A space of breathtaking beauty and deep stillness, our pilgrimage concludes with two nights in the Valley of Silence, in the heart of the mountain village of Peñalba—celebrated as one of the most beautiful in Spain.
Surrounded by ancient, sacred peaks, this valley has long drawn seekers, hermits, and monks since the 6th century. Its name echoes the Tebaida desert of Egypt, where the first Christian mystics lived in communion with nature and the Divine.
*More information and itinerary for the Camino at the end of this page.
Your Facilitators
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Bertrand Gamrowski Phd is an experienced retreat facilitator and educator, teaching on creative and contemplative practices. He finds joy in inspiring others through his knowledge and passion for the local land and its stories. He is dedicated to sharing the spirit and rich history of the Camino. He specialises in sacred architecture and teaches sacred geometry as a contemplative, hands on practice.
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Basia Goodwin MA is co-founder of Flores del Camino, an artist, educator, pilgrimage guide and passionate retreat facilitator she is dedicated to crafting intentional spaces for creative and contemplative journeys and depth work. An alumnus of the Kings School of Traditional Arts, she specialises in traditional arts, craft & philosophy and is currently co writing a book on Sacred art and architecture on the Camino. In her creative practice she forages & paints with local natural pigments as a spiritual practice and takes inspiration from the land, its treasures and stories.
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Anne Miner - Pearson MDiv, DMin is an ordained Episcopal priest for almost 40 years, serving a number of congregations in the United States. She holds a BA in education as well as seminary & doctorate degrees. She has worked in various spirituality materials, leading individuals & groups through transformational experiences. With deep passion & personal commitment to the spiritual journey for herself & others, her interest in people & what makes “their heart sing” forms a foundation for her retreat leadership style.
Our journey will take us where heaven and earth meet,
Where mountains, oak groves and rivers speak,
Where timeless names are alive and known,
Petroglyphs and dolmens — reveal stories in stone,
In dawn's first glow and dusk’s embrace,
Ancient rhythms sing a song of beauty and grace.
We'll visit old monasteries alive once with sound,
Where monks chanted patterns - deep and profound.
But most of all, we'll dwell in mystery’s view,
where hands, voice, feet and hearts
discover what's meaningful and true.
What People Are Saying
“This retreat exceeded all my high expectations. What a profound time. Yes — transformational. Seeds that will continue to take root. ”
— Camilla, Bologna Italy
“This was such a rich time. Everything I hoped for and more. I am also so grateful I got to walk the Camino in such a meaningful way.”
— Gayle, Minnesota US
What’s included
Private transport from & to Madrid airport
See times & pick up point details.
If you prefer to arrive independently to the retreat centre, see how to get here.
Accommodation
All accommodation consists of individual ensuite bedrooms. On the Camino, you may have to share a room if there are no availabilities.
Food
All meals are included except 3 lunches on the Camino.
Dietary requirements
On-site, we cater for the following dietary requirements: vegetarian, gluten-free, carb-free, dairy-free. On the Camino, options are available with advance notice.
Sessions & outings
All equipment, materials, site entries and transport fares for visits are provided.
What’s not included
Flights
Insurances (travel, health, etc.)
Lunches on the Camino
Since everyone walks at their own pace, you will have to buy 3 lunches on the Camino. There are cafés along the way where you can get a coffee, sandwich or a menu. Budget 10 - 20 € per day.
Extra taxis on the Camino
If you wish to take a taxi to shorten your walking day, the cost would be around 20-50€.
Sacred Space & Living Patterns Retreat
On-site 8 day retreat Oct 27 - Nov 4, 2025 2,700 €
Retreat + 4 day pilgrimage Oct 27 - Nov 8, 2025 4,100 €