Distaff Ways
A Threefold Alchemical Healing & Seership Training w/ the Wisdom of the Spinners & Weavers
(in person/online hybrid)
Within the ancient sisterhood of the Spinners & Weavers sit the Fates or Morai - the keepers of the threads of Life and destiny. This sisterhood, through their Distaff Ways, hold the wisdom of the healing story, the gift of magical word, and weave with and as the spirit of Change.
Through this three part training, you will be introduced to seership practices, healing techniques and experience direct allyship with the sisterhood of the Spinners & Weavers. This work will bring insight and foresight as it assists you through ceremonial healing rites to be utilized for self and others as a way to embody and bring about great change.
Besides the Spinners & Weavers, we also work deeply with the Serpent and the Bee and the Spirit of the Living Earth Herself.
Particular attention will be given to tending our threads of connection both within the energetic body and the alignment of Spirit within, and also with all our relationships in both the seen and unseen worlds.
Practices offered will involve the use of the sacred tools of the Distaff, the veil, the skirt, the Black Mirror and the sacred Loom. We will deeply engage the knowing of the womb and the body herself as a nexus of healing wisdom and power. We’ll also be working to tend the nervous system through somatic experiencing, embodiment practice and integrating our healing gifts and shifts in worldview through written and spoken word and ritual craft making. During our time together in Santa Fe, we’ll also venture into working with the sweet honeybee (with an optional visit to our bee yard) as a being who knows what it is to weave between worlds.
This is a deep study in an intimate container.
“Distaff Ways provided a container that allowed for me to go very deep in with this work. I am still feeling the effects of what was dreamt, seen, experienced and unwoven in that time. For example, one of the journeys I experienced in this container has been guiding me and has been pivotal in ushering me into a rebirth. I also want to comment on the depth and levity that Nico brings to this work; it is a much needed pairing in these times and Nico embodies this.”
- Nicole France-Coe, fiber artist, Trickster-Priestess, facilitator
The course will take place both online AND in person in Santa Fe, NM.
*New Dates:
Module 1: online 8/30-9/1
Module 2: online 10/4-10/6
Module 3: November 11-17 in person in Santa Fe, NM
Online Timings:
Friday: 2-4:30pm EST/ 7-9:30pm UK time
Saturday: 10-12:30pm (break) & 2-4:30pm EST / 3-5:30pm (break) & 7-9:30pm UK time
Sunday: 2-4pm EST, 7-9pm UK time
Homework and ongoing practice held within an online platform between live sessions.
About our in-person meeting:
We’ll gather for a 6 night, 7 day fully residential retreat to engage with healing practices, create ritual loom weavings and hold group ceremony. We will conclude with a group gallery showing in the town of Santa Fe to showcase the weavings we make as well as offer an immersive ritual that will be open to the local community.
About your guides:
Nico Wolf
Nico Wolf (Nicole Haciba Burke) is a healing practitioner, trans-disciplinary artist, writer, guide and facilitator of dreamwork, ceremony, embodiment practices, Earth wisdom ways and animistic-based healing work. Her work incites rebellion against the status quo and invites fellow humans toward endless curiosity, courageous authenticity, compassion, and connectivity.
For 10 years, Nico and her husband Ryan stewarded Golden Well Sanctuary - a retreat and regenerative farm in central Vermont devoted to re-potentiating our relationship with the living Earth through cultivating deeper and more meaningful connections between Nature, Spirit, Self and Community. After selling their farm, the couple moved to the wilds of Brooklyn, NY for a year where they transitioned their work to School of Liminal Arts - a platform to house not only their offerings, but to expand into more creative collaborations. They explored Europe for a year and have recently returned to New Mexico where they plan to settle for a while.
Born in Hong Kong to a Moroccan/Algerian mother and an Irish/Polish/American father, Nico’s work is influenced by a life of multiculturalism, travel, adventure and seeking new perspectives. In addition to nearly two decades in the healing arts, her experiences range from artist and fashion designer to beekeeper, organic farmer and ceremonialist. Nico has undertaken several formal apprenticeships in Japanese medicine and acupressure, Classical Shamanism, and Shamanic practice based on the wisdom of the serpent and the honeybee.
Nico’s diverse background and multi-faceted worldview has inspired her to create spaces that elicit a deep sense of anything-goes-ness, belonging and freedom where the full palate of human expression and creative impulse comes to the surface. Through her group and private sessions, she ushers participants towards the transformation that can occur when finding oneself in unexpected and non-dual realities.
“Nico weaves the fabric of liminal realm with mastery. A powerful healer and enchantress, she carries connection between the many layers of life and mystery. As a mentor, she holds generous architecture around learning. Creates space for moving ceremony. A portal and a channel. Will carry you places and bring messages and medicine back. Dreamer and dream weaver. She watches over this world and midwifes it across change with entire devotion.” - Jaden, Student
Accompanied by Nicholene Solomon
Nicholene is a weaver of threads on the loom and in liminal spaces. She is trained as a clinical herbalist & flower essence practitioner with a BSN RN degree. She has worked with mothers & babies for 10 years in hospital settings and more recently hospice care. Nicholene is currently offering holistic healing sessions in Asheville, NC where she weaves together herbal support with Earth-based healing traditions to assist one on the path to health, harmony & transformation. She works with Maya abdominal massage, herbs, flower essences, sacred bee medicine, reiki, cupping techniques, folk traditions, plant spirit medicine, moxa & animistic healing practices/classical shamanism. Honoring the green, alive natural world around us and dancing in the mystery with the liminal arts with a divine feminine approach.
Nicholene is an avid knitter, spinner and weaver. In fiber work, she strives to create beautiful and functional fiber goods; inspired by the flora & fauna of the Appalachian mountains and in deep reverence of Earth’s gifts. As the fibers are woven she is weaving the story of her grandmothers with the threads of the past, present and future. Woven with remembrance, intention, song and prayer as the magical dance of wool and cotton come together on the loom.
Nicholene can also be found working in the garden, making herbal medicines, flower honey and tending to bees. Finding the beautiful gifts and healing of nature and remembering the interconnectedness of all things in the web of life.
More info about Nicholene can be found at: weavingashrose.com
Where we’ll stay:
We will gather in a beautiful classic, adobe home set amongst the arroyos and piñon hills in the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The home features comfortable rooms, beauty filled common spaces and ample outdoor space with amenities including a swimming pool, hot tub and cedar wood sauna.
We’ll be 10 minute drive from historic, downtown Santa Fe. Should you choose to explore the area after or before our course, nearby day trips include Ojo Santa Fe natural hot springs (20 minute drive - we may even do a day trip with the group!), Bandelier National Monument (1 hour), Taos (1.5 hours), and Jemez hot springs (1.5 hours)
The closest airports are Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Denver, CO. It tends to be cheapest to fly into ABQ and Denver than to Santa Fe. There is cheap and easy public transport from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and we’re happy to arrange carpools or pick ups from town. Please reach out if you need help making travel arrangements.
Cost:
The cost of this course is $3600 (or 6 payments of $610)
10% off Early Bird Discount when you apply by May 1st. Alternative payment plans available.
This includes instruction for all three modules, plus a week long residential retreat with lodging, 3 chef prepared meals per day, and inclusion in a group show in an esteemed gallery in Santa Fe.
Need-based sliding scale available, inquire on your application.
Spots are limited, early registration recommended.
All genders welcome, but identifying with having a wombspace - even if energetic - is a must.
If you’re feeling called to join, please fill out the form via the linked button below:
Please note, applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. Retreat spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply as soon as you feel the draw to join us!
Please note if you participated in Distaff Ways in 2023, you are welcome to join us for just the in person module of this course at a discounted rate. It will be very different than the online version and include an in person art show and group ceremony at a gallery in town. We’d love to see you there!
FAQS
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The closest airport is in Santa Fe, NM which is about 1.5 hours away by car. Cheaper flights can be found into Albuquerque (2.5 hour drive) or Denver (4.5 hour drive). There are many campsites and hotsprings to visit along the way from each airport in case you’d like to make a stop. We are also happy to help you make travel plans including arranging carpools from airports. Just reach out.
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Besides putting lots of love, time and energy in organizing our retreats, we also have to make non-refundable deposits of our own in advance to make these events happen.
Please note that your deposit is non-refundable. The balance of your payment is due within 30 days of the retreat. If that is not paid on time, we reserve the right to open your spot up to another participant.
If you cancel up to 60 days prior to the retreat start, you will receive a full refund for anything paid beyond your deposit. If you cancel up to 31 days prior to the start of the retreat, you will not receive a refund but instead will receive full credit, towards any other program School of Liminal Arts is hosting in the same calendar year.
No refunds or credits will be given within 30 days of the retreat or if you do not show up for any reason or choose to leave early for any reason.
In the unlikely even that we cancel an event, you’ll be refunded in full. We are not responsible for travel costs.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
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If you’re coming from lower altitude, expect a couple of days to adjust to being at high altitude - meaning you might be a bit tired when you first arrive. Valdez is at 7,400 feet above sea level. There are things you can do to prepare and help your body adjust including using chlorophyll extract. Check with a trusted naturopath for tips and dosage. Drinking plenty of water and being sure you have a good mineral balance is also helpful.
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There are loads of airbnbs and hotels in the surrounding area. If you’d like to be connected with other attendees to play car shares and shared accommodations or side trips before or after the retreat, reach out, we’ll connect you.
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If you tell us ahead of time, we can usually make arrangements to record online sessions. However, please note this is an experiential and highly participatory course so please do what you can to show up for all sessions.