A Soul Healing Retreat in Nature
with Susanna Raeven & Sam Perry
July 24 - 26, 2026
RETURN TO THE ARMS OF THE EARTH
For three days, you will step into a living sanctuary where the land itself becomes your teacher, your refuge, and your companion.
At Raven Crest, moss-covered forest paths, flowing water, birdsong, and lush gardens create a space where the nervous system softens and the heart can open again.
The Earth can carry you.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE YOURSELF HERE?
• Feeling burdened by the state of the world
• Holding grief, stress, or anxiety without space to process it
• Overworked, overstimulated, and spiritually undernourished
• Disconnected from nature, community, and deep meaning
• Carrying responsibilities that feel endless
• Feeling like if you slow down, everything will fall apart
We can all feel the pull into these spaces and when we do, we can remember that human beings were never meant to carry life alone. The Earth has always been here to hold us. And when we remember how to enter into right relationship again, something inside us begins to soften and heal.
IMAGINE THREE DAYS WHERE...
You wake to birdsong instead of alarms.
You walk through herb gardens in bloom, breathing in the fragrance of living medicine.
You listen to the wind moving through the trees and realize how long it has been since you truly slowed down.
You sit in sacred council with others who understand the quiet longing for something deeper.
You learn ancient Andean practices of reciprocity with the Earth.
You offer your burdens in prayer, and feel something inside your body release.
You remember that your life is supported.
That you are never alone.
NOURISH YOURSELF AND REMEMBER YOU ARE HELD
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During our time together, the retreat unfolds as a gentle rhythm between guided practices, community connection, and spacious time with the land.
Together we will explore:
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Sacred Council
Heart-centered sharing circles where we listen deeply to one another and remember the healing power of community.
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Haywariquy Earth Offering
A sacred Andean ritual of gratitude and reciprocity with the living Earth.
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Forest Bathing
Slow walks through the woods to soothe our nervous system and reconnect with the wisdom of the more-than-human world.
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Guided Meditation in Nature
Immerse yourself into the landscapes of your soul, where you are nourished and held, with practices rooted in both Andean mysticism and Buddhist meditation traditions.
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Cacao Ceremony
Opening the heart and deepening our connection with the spirit of gratitude.
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Song Circle & Bonfire
Music, warmth, and storytelling beneath the stars.
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Time to Rest and Simply Be
Swimming in our ponds, wandering the gardens, sitting by the creek, or simply lying beneath the old grandfather oak. Healing lives in the quiet spaces between doing.
DEEP ALLOWING
Allow the moss covered tree, babbling brook and forest breeze to touch your spirit. Let bird song, the scent of flowers and vibration of hummingbird wings uplift your soul. Invite the waters of the land to wash away your tears. And offer your burden as a gift to the Earth in sacred prayer.
This will be a weekend of gentle restoration and re-discovery of our innate connection with Nature, so we can experience her immense generosity to carry us through.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Susanna Raeven
Founder of Raven Crest Botanicals, Susanna is a community herbalist, land steward, ceremonialist, musician, and student of Andean Nature Mysticism, devoted to the wisdom of plants and the living Earth.
At Raven Crest, Susanna tends more than gardens. She cultivates right relationship with the Earth, with soil, the seasons, and with spirit. The plants that grow here are not crops. They are allies, teachers and kin.
Through herbal preparations, ceremony, song, and guided healing work, she invites others into direct connection with the medicine that surrounds and lives within them.
Samuel Perry
Samuel Perry is a clinical herbalist and dedicated student of Buddhism.
Having studied deeply within both the Tibetan Lam Rim and Zen traditions, Sam brings a grounded and practical understanding of meditation and awareness practice.
His work integrates herbal wisdom with contemplative practice, offering participants a gentle and insightful pathway toward presence, clarity, and compassion. His commitment to the ever-unfolding awakening of all beings is expressed in his playful and fluid style.
Together, Susanna and Sam offer a rare blend of knowledge of the plant kingdom, folk wisdom and story telling, spiritual depth, and lived devotion to the natural world.
What’s Included
• Three days of retreat offerings
• Sacred council and ceremonial practices
• Cacao ceremony and song circle
• Guided meditation and forest bathing
• Time for rest and integration in nature
• Delicious vegetarian meals (vegan & gluten-free available) by our amazing Michelin star chef Jakub Baster.
• Beautiful accommodations on the land
Accommodation Options
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Camping under the Stars
Book NowSweet spots to pitch a tent around the guest houses with access to shared bathrooms and kitchen.
$900
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Shared Room — Twin Bed
Book NowThe peaceful Mullein House offers shared rooms with two or three twin beds and shared bathroom.
$1200
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Double Room
Book NowOur beautiful guesthouses offer double rooms with a shared queen or full-size bed and shared bathroom.
$1200 per person
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Single Room
Book NowOur lovely cabin and the beautifully decorated Mullein House offer single rooms with shared bathrooms.
$1700
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SEE OUR ACCOMMODATIONS
Your non-refundable 50% deposit reserves your space.
Spots are intentionally limited so that the retreat remains intimate and spacious.
Why People Love Our Retreats
Jessia PThe land, the plants, the insects, the birds, the people, the food, the accommodations, the wisdom, the music, the magic, was such a joy, and super inspiring.
Petrina PIt was a magical and memorable weekend, truly soul healing. We were lucky with the dry and sunny wether and were able to be outdoors all the time. Being immersed in a beautiful lush nature and so many medicinal plants, bird songs and great people left me uplifted and inspired. I learned tons from Susanna and Sam who shared not only their knowledge but also themselves as we sat together during the meals and the evening fire so selflessly. All the structures and accommodations were esthetically gorgeous and very comfortable. I loved that for all the designs, inside and outside, only natural materials were used. Thank you for creating this incredible experience!
Jessica PIt all weaved together so beautifully, leaving us feeling connected, nourished, and with a whole host of new tools to keep us well all winter long!
Olga YI fell in love with this place from the first time! The atmosphere, energy, organization, people, knowledge are all at the highest level!
Matthew J for OUR GREEN RELATIONSEverything was so well structured and thought out!! What a beautiful place to share a weekend with the plants and good people. Can't wait to visit again.
Leigh DixonI just returned from Wild Yoga & Dreams with Rebecca Wildbear and it was beyond anything I could have anticipated. My mind was cleared, my body was reconnected to nature and it has helped uncover a version of me that I didn’t know existed. I walk freely into my new life with yoga grounding me and the trees and my dreams providing a new light to help guide me through this journey. Thank you Rebecca!!!
Tim SIt was a magical, soul nourishing and lighthearted experience especially while learning, exploring and healing some of the most vulnerable parts of myself. To this day, I am using the exercises I learned and enjoying a more intimate and confident experience with my voice and those I share it with. This retreat was most definitely a mile marker in my life experience. I would recommend it to anyone who yearns to transform and step out into the world a more empowered person!
FAQs
Ask away, we are happy to help.
How do I get to Raven Crest Botanicals?
Raven Crest Botanicals is located in the Helderberg Hills of upstate New York:
842 Canaday Hill Road
Berne, NY 12023
Most people arrive by car. If you are traveling from farther away:
• The closest airport is Albany International Airport (ALB)
• Albany is also accessible by train and bus
From Albany, participants often take an Uber, which will come out to the farm if booked in advance.
Before the retreat we will also share a ride coordination document so participants can offer or request rides. Many people enjoy traveling together and arriving with new friends.
What if I get lost on the way?
Most GPS apps (Waze, Apple Maps, etc.) will bring you directly to Raven Crest.
Occasionally Google Maps drops visitors about a mile below the farm near a yellow house. If this happens, simply continue up the road.
Raven Crest is located on a seasonal single-lane dirt road. You will see a red house with green shutters up the driveway.
Parking is along the roadside. When you arrive:
• Leave your luggage in the car
• Walk up the driveway
• We will greet you and guide you to your guesthouse or camping area
If you need help finding us, you can text or call:
(347) 866-0447
What time does the retreat begin and end?
Arrival:
You are welcome to arrive at 3:00 PM on Friday to settle in, explore the gardens, and get comfortable.
Opening Circle:Our first gathering will begin at 4:00 PM on Friday.
Closing Circle:
We will complete the retreat with our closing circle at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday.
Is the retreat physically demanding?
The retreat includes time outdoors walking the land at Raven Crest.
Participants should feel comfortable with:
• walking up and down gentle hills
• crossing small dry creeks
• walking on uneven forest ground
• walking short distances through wooded trails (up to about ½ mile during the day)
The pace is gentle and relaxed, but the land is natural and not paved. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
If you have specific mobility concerns, feel free to reach out beforehand so we can help you decide whether the retreat will be comfortable for you.
What should I bring?
Please bring:
• an open heart
• flashlight or headlamp
• sturdy walking shoes or sandals
• comfortable outdoor clothing
• rain gear
• sun hat and sun protection
• journal or notebook
• water bottle
• swimsuit and towel for the swimming ponds
• musical instruments such as a rattle or drum if you enjoy participating in song circles
What should I bring if I am camping?
If you selected the camping option, please bring your full camping setup including:
• tent
• sleeping bag and sleeping pad
• any personal camping equipment you prefer
• towels for indoor and outdoor use
Bathrooms and shared facilities will be available.
What will the meals be like?
Our retreat chef prepares delicious vegetarian meals using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
We are happy to accommodate:
• vegan diet
• gluten sensitivities
• food allergies
Please let us know your dietary needs in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Do I need prior experience with meditation or spiritual practices?
Not at all.
All practices will be introduced gently and are accessible for beginners and spiritual practitioners alike.
The retreat is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to all.
What if I need time alone during the retreat?
You are always welcome to take time for yourself.
Raven Crest offers many beautiful places for quiet reflection:
• forests
• gardens
• creeks and swimming ponds
• quiet meadows
Participants are encouraged to honor their own rhythms.
Can I contact you if I have questions?
Yes. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you need additional information or support planning your trip.
We are happy to help.