Weekend retreats & adult workshops

Workshops

Three weekend retreats with writer and storyteller Bobbie Pell, plus a catalogue of adult workshops in folklore, balladry and creative writing.

Natural World Celtic Spirit A New Star Adult Workshops

Weekend retreat

Reflections of the Natural World

Drawn from the three books of the Reflections of the Natural World series.

Poetry, photography, Celtic tradition and forest bathing, with writer, storyteller and wilderness guide Bobbie Pell.

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Nature Meditations

Nature Meditations cover

Treetop childhood hideaways. Spring Ephemerals. Amethyst Visions. Celtic Bonfire celebrations. Within these pages, you will discover inspirational photography with coordinating poems, forest bathing invitations, natural world guided imagery, and heart-warming prose. While walking outdoors, consider the Sensory Immersion Invitations and poems, breathing in the stillness of woods, welcoming you into a deeper relationship with the natural world, with yourself, with your inner nature. Bobbie Pell now blends her expertise as an award-winning author with her dedication as a Naturalist, Wilderness Leader, and Forest Bathing Guide.

Sacred Forest

Sacred Forest cover

The forest is a place of mysteries, full of hidden gemstones gleaming in the morning sun while offering safety to woodland creatures throughout the day. Watch a full moon peek through midnight black branches, reaching for the sky. Using poetry and stories, Bobbie Pell shares her love of the woods, blending ancient Celtic traditions (triads and faerie) with forest bathing adventures to inspire creativity of the heart.

The Chapel of Earth, Sea, and Sky

The Chapel of Earth, Sea, and Sky cover

Emerald grasses. Sapphire waves. Ruby sunsets. Enter the realms of earth, sea, and sky where spiritual truths blend seamlessly with inspiring wonders. Bobbie’s insightful words paired with vivid imagery allows the reader to experience their own connections with the natural world. Delight in original works of poetry, folklore, and metaphoric prose to open new avenues of personal growth.

Forest Bathing: A Wellness Walk

Treat yourself to a restorative, woodland stroll and aromatherapy of the trees with wilderness guide Bobbie Pell as she invites you to experience the gifts of the forest. Benefits from forest bathing include boosting the immune system, reducing stress, increasing creativity, and improving spiritual well-being. Sensory immersion invitations offer you an opportunity to breathe in the stillness of woods, welcoming you into a deeper relationship with the natural world, with yourself, with your inner nature. Sharings are voluntary as we sit in communion as a group following each exercise, reflecting on the experiences. We ground ourselves by walking a labyrinth then enjoying a refreshing cup of tea!

See the three books in the store →

Weekend retreat

Embracing the Celtic Spirit

Celtic spirituality, sacred storytelling and the art of Celtic illumination.

The Celtic Spirit

The life lessons from the ancient Celts resonate deeply with today’s need for self-reflection, thus deepening our mind/body/spirit connections. We will consider the primary Elements of Celtic Spirituality: respecting connections with the Natural world, teachings from sacred animals, adventurous journeys, love of silence and solitude, understanding the layers of time, gratitude in daily routines, and kinship with family and friends. Through music, imagery, journaling, and poetry we will have opportunities for self-expression. Slainte!

“Absolutely wonderful! I made so many break-throughs with Bobbie’s help. Bobbie has an encyclopedia knowledge of Celtic storytelling… really puts herself into her class. Bobbie is very flexible and accommodating… made me feel free.”

Adult students, John C. Campbell Folk School — Celtic Storytelling Course

Celtic Voices of Inspiration

Celtic Voices cover

Feel the need for adventure? Ever called into solitudes of nature but unable to find the quiet? Delve into the legendary lives of Celtic men and women of inspirational faith. The phenomenal recounts of the Celtic saints show identical dilemmas transformed by their faith. By hearing the events of their legends and deeds from a first person perspective, these monologues breathe life into the light shared with humanity by these inspirational men and women. Take a journey — into the past, into the states of the soul, into your heart.

The Art of Celtic Illumination

The ancient Celts used patterns observed in the natural world for artistic expression, meditation, and decorative purposes. Come play as we blend our imaginations with color in exploration of those timeless designs. Create unique, meaningful works after learning about the use of spirals, circles, knots, and interwoven lines. Discover personal symbols as we embrace circular motifs such as mandalas.

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Weekend retreat

A New Star

Writing from the heart, with writer and storyteller Bobbie Pell.

Starshine cover

A New Star cover

Spiraling Deeper

Ever wonder about the masks we wear? By engaging our imaginations, we can reach into the layers of our character, revealing our truest heart through dreams, metaphor, and imagery. Based on classical archetypes and personality favorites, we will create a unique inner council. Through active listening, we will replace negative personal myths with positive affirmations. By unmasking mind/body/spirit connections, we achieve clarity and discernment when facing troublesome issues or emotional traumas. Come join us as we delve into our inner worlds!

“You have the gift of faith. The notion that spirituality should be considered in healthcare and healing is widely accepted. You have done it with a courage and tenacity that is laudable.”

Dr. Robin Smith, CarePartners Psychologist

Navigating New Creative Waters

Often unexpected events or chronic conditions cause you to relinquish dreams, yet alternative pathways can appear when opening yourself to creative ventures. In considering the mind/body/spirit connections, doorways to our imagination create new realities. By determining the image of a valued life, we will consider practical, committed actions to move you forward while reinventing well-laid plans for new goals. Techniques to take us deeper into our imaginations include color therapy (mandalas), poetry, music, journaling, and stories (folklore and personal). Come play!

Writing from the Heart

How can one write from a wounded heart? Words create an important avenue in the healing process through techniques such as poetry, short fiction, inner council dialogues, folklore, and journal writing. Based on the seven writing styles explored in Bobbie Pell’s A New Star, weekend participants will discover the individual benefits of each style for releasing emotional trauma and mental stress as new goals emerge. Dip your pen into the ever-flowing river that will lead you forward!

What readers say

“Through the use of writing, introspection, as well as traditional and alternative therapies, she is able to arrive at her ‘new normal’ with a clear focus on her ability to choose life affirming meaning to her personal journey.”

Margaret L. Barnes, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist

“… touched with the Divine essence of Bobbie … a fusion of skill, talent, intuition, grace and ease … This is work of the soul!”

Amanda Stubbs-Hoback, Reiki Master

“… a gripping story of injury, pain, recovery, healing and hope …”

Dr. Ed Brenegar, Presbyterian Minister

“An insightful book … Bobbie leads you through fear and pain … and loss. She then shares her path of recovery … which offers resources and hope.”

Tracy Bailey, Director for Conference Services, Montreat, NC

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What a weekend looks like

Retreat schedule

Friday to Sunday
Friday
Evening	Arrival / good night’s rest
Saturday
9:00–10:30	Welcome and introduction to the weekend Class one
10:30–10:45	Break
10:45–12:00	Class two
12:15–1:30	Lunch
1:30–4:00	Class three + labyrinth (if available)
4:00–5:30	Meditational movement (walks) Restorative time (free time)
5:30–6:30	Dinner
7:00–8:00	Evening performance
Sunday
9:00–10:30	Class four
10:30–10:45	Break
10:45–12:00	Class five
12:15–1:30	Lunch
1:30–3:00	Reflective closing
3:00	Safe travels home

Also available

Adult workshops

Single sessions and short courses in storytelling, balladry, folklore and creative writing.

Storytelling Traditions of Appalachia: Celtic and British Roots

Explore the oral traditions of Appalachia with England, Scotland, and Ireland. Storytelling delivery techniques such as voice, gestures, breathing, and facial expressions will be playfully experienced through dramatization, narratives, story selection, and performance for participants.

Ballads — Scottish and English Popular Narratives

Delve into the ancient stories of honor, betrayal, mystery, comedy, and true love sprinkled throughout the literary legacy of the British Isles. Poetic form and structure of ballads will be taught. Classes involve song, storytelling, and poetry.

Extraordinary Women in Celtic Folklore

Meet Bloudewedd, the Welsh Bride of Flowers, Irish immortal Macha who bestowed healing, and Pearl, the Seal-Maiden, off the coast of Scotland! Issues of true beauty, the power of transformation, love relationships, and woman’s divinity are core issues.

Folk Song Extravaganza!

Bring your guitar, fiddle, dulcimer, spoons, voice, or just a good sense of humor to this workshop focussing on traditional Appalachian folksongs. Songs of betrayal, comedy, love, and romance will fill the air. No musical background is necessary.

Living Legacies in Nature

By becoming more observant of our surroundings, we learn about our inherent connections to the Green World. Unravel your personal mysteries through journalling, then weave these sensory details into personal narratives.

Poetry in Nature

By listening to published poets and observation excursions, learn the power of the written word by expressing those thoughts and more in simple forms of poetry. Elements of poetry such as alliteration, symbolism, metaphor, and allusion plus various forms written over the centuries.

Briars, Red Roses, and Glass Coffins

Examine medieval motifs while creating an original work. Elements of creating short fiction (dynamic characters, believable settings, layered plotting) and Gothic fantasy will be reviewed.

North Carolina Legends and Ghostly Apparitions

Learn about some of North Carolina’s unusual residents and regional mysteries. Discover the curiosity of the Brown Mountain Lights, the vanishing lady of Jamestown, and the couple from the Outer Banks whose love transcended death!

Folk Tales for the Middle-Aged and Grey-Haired

Enjoy fanciful tales that weave life lessons into every story. Tales specifically address issues for maturing adults: family relationships, life and death concerns, living without regret, and love.

Writing Across the Curriculum

A 10-hour teacher renewal credit course (K–12) focusing on innovative writing techniques for the curriculum areas of Social Studies, English, Science (Pure/Natural), and Visual Arts. Teachers will be exposed to a variety of holistic techniques using imagery, personal narratives, poetry, and folklore.

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