BeeRetreat – General Information
Immerse yourself in the simple beauty of our rural life in South-West Alentejo, Portugal. This is a time to pause, rest and listen — to the bees, to ourselves, to the stillness.
Here you can get a feel for what we will offer you in the BeeRetreat, how we envision our interaction and the practicalities to register and participate.
Setting
Annelieke and Ulrike reside in the rural landscape of South-West Alentejo, just 5 km from the village of Colos, Odemira district. Unlike conventional beekeepers with dedicated apiaries, our relationship with bees is more expansive and integrated. The bee colonies we care for are distributed across approximately 1000 hectares in our watershed “Vale da Gema”. They reside in a variety of habitats: some in traditional beehives, others in trees or natural cavities of their choosing. We will spend most of our time in the presence of bees, embraced by the Alentejo Landscape.
Late summer in Alentejo
End of September, days are generally still warm, the sun caressing. Nights can be soft and moist, with dew in the morning, or clear and starry.
The first flowers appear after summer drought. Bees are preparing for a productive Autumn, in which they can fill up their stocks We will spend most of the day outside, with a wealth of possibilities to connect deeply with bees and the symphony of Life around the colonies. We have plenty of fitting retreat places on our land and on walking distance.
In this transition season, we have the possibility to deepen our connection to the cycle of life and death, and the dynamic of transitions. Both with the bees and in our own lives and culture.
BeeTime
Throughout our BeeRetreat, we will cultivate a state of “BeeTime,” where our actions, words, and thoughts are attuned to the hum of life. A state of deep listening. Through our time with the bees, we connect with their rhythm and foster a sense of harmony within ourselves and among each other.
Space for Silence and Personal Journeys within a Safe Context
As facilitators, we take care of the “golden thread” of clarity, direction, and a safe space in which you can fully immerse yourself. We start from spaciousness and silence, in which there is room for personal intentions and aspirations of each member of our hive. Next to the bees and the land, our sound instruments and the wisdom of bee substances will be woven in as fertile strands for your personal journeys and the collective fruits of our time together.
As participants, we encourage you to tend to your own needs, especially around your intention and inner listening. We appreciate openness and invite you to share your unique presence and journey as inspiration and medicine for our hive.
You will have ample time by yourself and we ask regularly to pass time in silence.
Yes, I consider participating! Contact me for details.
