Tending Fire: A Women's retreat at Shepherd's Spring

Igniting the Sacred Feminine with Brigid of Kildare, Goddess and Saint
Date: 
February 3-5, 2023
Time: 
Friday 5 pm supper - Sunday lunch
Location: 
Shepherd's Spring Retreat Center, Sharpsburg MD

A women's retreat
at Shepherd's Spring
February 3-5, 2023

Deep in the heart of winter women gather on the feast day of St. Brigid, February 1. Also known as Imbolc, Brigid’s feast day is an ancient Celtic festival midway between Solstice and Equinox, one that marks a deep turning toward the hope of spring. The women gather around a sacred fire, a flame that burned for millennia in Brigid’s monastery of Kildare, rekindled now with revived interest in the figure who is both Irish saint and Celtic goddess. Brigid encompasses healing, art, music, poetry, fertility, midwifery, cultivation, untamed nature, and more. She is the embodiment of the Sacred Feminine. Yet her story is woven in mist and mystery. Who is this wise, wild, loving, powerful and holy woman? What might she be saying to women today?

Join us for a weekend’s immersion deep into the heart of the Sacred Feminine exploring the stories and the inspiration of Brigid of Kildare. Be touched by the quiet presence of the winter landscape, the deep knowing rising from the softly breathing Earth and her resting inhabitants. Participate in guided circles of story and ceremony, dance, drumming, and council. Weave community with women drawn together into a wild and holy journey.

Retreat Leaders: Lindsay McLaughlin and Leah Rampy, with Lisa Bardack and Katy Gaughan bring years of dedicated learning, practice, mentoring and leadership in retreats, dance and drumming.

The retreat will be held at Shepherd’s Spring a retreat center located 1.5 hours west of Washington, DC on 220 acres along the Potomac River near Sharpsburg, MD. The beautiful, simple and comfortable lodge has 24 hotel-style rooms each with attached private bathroom, desk, futon and either two twin sized beds or one full sized bed.

The retreat begins at 3 pm on Friday and ends at 2 pm on Sunday. Please arrive between 1 and 2 pm on Friday to allow time to settle in before the program starts.

Participants in this retreat must show proof of being up to date on COVID19 vaccinations and test negative for COVID on the morning of February 3, 2023

Cost for program, lodging, and meals:

  • $398 – individual room
  • $310 – each, if two people register together and share a room

Spaces are limited. Register early. Non- refundable $75 deposit required.

For more information, email