Nature and Soul Council

Next Council -5 August

Noordhoek

We offer a monthly ‘Nature and Soul Council’, as a way for our community to remain connected and engaged with Soulcraft practices. Each gathering has a different host, a particular theme and comes with an invitation to wander prior to the meeting.

We alternate between gathering online and face-to-face in Cape Town.

Upcoming dates: 

6 March (online)

27 March (face-to-face in Noordhoek)

17 April (online)

16 May (face-to-face in Noordhoek)

19 June (online)

Timings: 5.30pm - 7.30pm

These offerings are open to those who have attended an Animas Valley Institute or SoulNature immersion programme in South Africa (in person or online).

We will issue an invitation to the Soulcraft Africa community via email prior to each meeting. You will then be able to RSVP. You will receive details including a theme for the meeting and an invitation to wander.

10 - 14 October 2025

Cederberg Mountains

with Brian Stafford MD MPH

Based on Bill Plotkin’s book, Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche, this five day intensive is an experiential exploration of our human psyches as unique expressions of the universal forces and patterns of nature. We will work with what we call the Nature-Based Map of the Human Psyche, which is, among other things, a comprehensive inventory of what can be right about a person.

Our wild minds possess astonishing resources, untapped potentials and depths that we might not even know exist until we discover how to access them, cultivate their powers, and eventually integrate them into our everyday lives. In this intensive, we’ll access these depths and potentials — which we call the four facets of the Self, or the four dimensions of our innate human wholeness — and also the four sets of fragmented or wounded subpersonalities that form during childhood.

Rather than attempt to eliminate our subpersonalities (which is not possible) or to beat them into submission, we’ll cultivate the four facets of the Self and uncover the gifts of our subpersonalities. Our goal is to fully embody our multifaceted wild minds, commit ourselves to the largest, soul-infused story we’re capable of living, and serve the greater Earth community.

Early-bird: Bookings by 10 August

SA and SADC residents: 

Camping: R9,250

Shared room in cottage: R11,250

Single room in cottage: R12,500

Others: 

Camping: R14,250

Shared room in cottage: R16,250

Single room in cottage: R17,500

Full Price: 

SA and SADC residents: 

Camping: R10,750

Shared room in cottage: R13,000

Single room in cottage: R14,250

Others: 

Camping: R15,750

Shared room in cottage: R18,000

Single room in cottage: R19,250

Please enquire about bursaries available to people from previously disadvantaged communities.

14 - 25 October 2025

Cederberg Mountains

with Brian Stafford MD MPH

 This contemporary Western embodiment of the ancient, pan-cultural vision fast is a dynamic wilderness rite for all who are seeking greater depth and clarity about life purpose and meaning. As a rite of initiation, the quest is a ceremonial descent to the underworld, in which you die to your familiar way of belonging to the world, uncover the passion and wisdom of your soul, and retrieve the gift that is yours alone to bring to the world, enhancing personal fulfillment and genuine service. 

Click here for a fuller description of the Quest.

This is an all-camping programme and participants must bring their own camping gear.

Participants bring their own breakfasts and lunches for the non-fasting days, and evening meals are shared in cook teams.

Open for bookings now to all those who have attended at least one previous Animas Valley Institute programme

Early-bird: Bookings by 13 August

SA and SADC residents:  R15,500

Others: R24,500

Price: 

SA and SADC residents:  R17,000

Others: R27,000

Please enquire about bursaries available to people from previously disadvantaged communities.