Nature and Soul Council

Next Council -15 May 2025

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

There is a sacred portal, a mysterious door, a green gate, a dark space into certain realms of our consciousness, of our and the collective Psyche. These portals are both within and without. Many of us struggle to find enchantment in the world and a connection to our imagination. An important practice for intentionally accessing the sometimes-hidden realms of the Self, the Earth, and the Cosmos is through the practice of deep imagery.

Around us we see the cleverness of the human ego creating artificial intelligence and striving for virtual reality when, in fact, what we most deeply long for is to 

step through the portal into our own unique imagination. Deep in our psyches are landscapes and images, beings, animals, guides, saints, demons, heroes, and lovers that are accessed during dreams, sacred medicine journeys, and in deep imaginal journeys. The images, energies, and archetypes we encounter are often aspects of our vast wholeness and they may wish to share, explore, and embody their unique perspectives on the Self, the Earth, and our mycelial relationship with everything. In this realm we share away from interpretation; rather, we explore, interact, embody and move deeper into relationship with these extraordinary images.

In this 5-day immersion, we will offer several deep imaginal journeys and other intentionally designed and interconnected practices, including solo land wanderings, dreamwork, council, ceremonies, conversations with the other-than-human inhabitants, embodied movement, dance, artwork, journaling, and poetry that comes from and invites us into these imaginal realms.

For those longing to take a step toward the journey of soul initiation, to re-enter their imagination, and to recover the extraordinary nature of themselves and experience the nature of the imagining Earth, this experiential intensive is both a great place to start and an intentional step toward bringing the enchanting imaginal realms back into one’s daily life. But, be careful! Sometimes those that step into the portal vow never to step back out.

Participants bring their own breakfasts and lunches. Evening meals are shared in cook teams

Early-bird: Bookings by 13 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.