The Mystic's Path
Inspired by the lives of Umbria’s mystics, women saints and sacred traditions, this creative and spiritual retreat explores intuition, contemplation, creativity and embodied transformation.
The Mystic's Path: Women's Spiritual and Creative Retreat, Italy
4th-8th October 2026
An immersive women’s creative retreat through the sacred landscapes, myths and mystics of Umbria.
Journey into the heart of Italy, where the lives of visionary women, sacred stories and ancient landscapes become a living invitation to creativity, contemplation and transformation.
Inspired by the lives of Umbria’s great mystics—including St Clare of Assisi and St Rita of Cascia—The Mystic’s Path explores the archetype of the Mystic through mythology, ritual, expressive arts, storytelling and embodied practice.
Guided by Wanderess’ unique Somatic Mythwork™ methodology, you’ll experience creativity not simply as artistic expression, but as a pathway into deeper presence, self-discovery and meaning. Through movement, writing, voice, imagination, ritual and intercultural exploration, you’ll reconnect with your intuition, your creative essence and the stories waiting to emerge.
A 5 Day Retreat PLUS ongoing somatic coaching, for 6 months
More than a retreat, The Mystic’s Path is the beginning of a six-month journey. Following five immersive days in Umbria, you’ll continue your exploration through the Wanderess Circle, where ongoing coaching, creative practice and community support help the insights of the retreat become part of everyday life.
Place, story, and the body
This retreat is inspired by the stories of the female Mystics of the region. Umbria is a land marked by the lives of women such as Clare of Assisi, Angela of Foligno, Rita of Cascia, and Angelina of Marsciano: figures whose stories reflect devotion, resistance, creativity, grief, and courage within restrictive social and spiritual systems.
We engage with these women not as ideals to emulate, but as mirrors: exploring how themes of silence, devotion, rebellion, longing, and inner authority show up in our own bodies and life stories. Through guided storytelling meditations, embodied movement, creative expression, and group reflection, participants are invited to notice what is inherited, what is protective, and what is ready to shift. This is a grounded exploration of how history, culture, and personal experience live in the nervous system, and how new meaning can be created through conscious, embodied practice.
Rather than approaching mysticism as something abstract or idealised, this retreat explores how meaning, intuition, creativity, and resilience are lived and felt in the body. Through embodied practice and reflective inquiry, we work with the Mystic archetype as a psychological and cultural pattern: one that has shaped women’s lives across history, and continues to shape our inner worlds today.
For Women Who:
🌹 Are navigating a season of transition, change or creative reimagining.
🌹 Long for a grounded approach to spirituality that honours both body and soul.
🌹 Feel drawn to mythology, archetypes and sacred story as pathways for self-understanding and transformation.
🌹 Wish to reconnect with their intuition, creativity and inner wisdom.
🌹 Are ready to release limiting narratives and step into a more authentic way of being.
🌹 Value depth over quick fixes, and seek practices that are thoughtful, embodied and meaningful.
🌹 Long to experience genuine connection, creativity and community with like-minded women.
🌹 Feel called by the sacred landscapes, history and women mystics of Umbria.
🌹 Believe there may be another way of living—one that is more creative, intentional and deeply alive.
What awaits you
What we will be doing...
💃 Archetypal Embodiment & Somatic Storytelling
Using somatic and polyvagal-informed practices, we explore archetypes such as the Maiden, Mystic, and Wild Woman as embodied neural patterns: parts of the self shaped by memory, experience, and survival responses. These sessions invite you to track your body’s implicit story, safely and gently process stored stress or trauma, and engage the social engagement system to re-pattern outdated internal narratives. This work fosters new, empowered pathways of self-identity, awakening soul memory and reconnection with the deeper self.
🌸 Rituals of Regulation & Restoration
Each day begins with grounding rituals: breathwork, gentle movement, and orienting practices designed to bring the vagus nerve online, shift the body into ventral vagal safety, and promote a felt sense of connection. These trauma-aware rituals help regulate physiological states, creating the internal conditions necessary for emotional processing, learning, and integration. Infused with sacred intention, these daily practices cultivate embodied presence: preparing the body and mind for deeper exploration, creativity and integration.
🎨 Mindful Creativity as Neural Rewiring & Sacred Practice
Intentional creativity engages the prefrontal cortex while soothing the limbic system, supporting neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Through mirror work, altar-building, intuitive writing, and symbolic art, you’ll access the imaginal realm: activating right-brain pathways essential for integrating subconscious material and rewriting internal scripts with agency and self-compassion. Creativity becomes a devotional act, reclaiming the sacred story of who you truly are.
🔥 Living Myth: Rewiring Through Story
The lives of women mystics, rebels and saints offer timeless maps for navigating transformation. Through story, reflection and embodied practice, we’ll explore these figures not as distant historical characters, but as living archetypes whose wisdom can illuminate our own journeys.
🌿 Land & Lineage Practices
The sacred landscapes of Umbria become part of the retreat itself. Through contemplative walks and place-based ritual, you’ll deepen your connection with nature, history and the women who have walked these paths before—cultivating a profound sense of belonging to yourself, the land and something greater.
🍷 Celebration as Integration
Transformation flourishes in connection. Shared meals, local traditions and moments of celebration invite rest, laughter and belonging, helping the experiences of each day settle naturally into body, memory and relationship.
Reach out for a free and low-pressure discovery call at any time
Archetypes & The Somatic Mythwork™ Method
At the heart of every Wanderess retreat is Somatic Mythwork™—a unique creative methodology developed by Dr Ellie Chadwick (PhD) that brings together mythology, archetypal psychology, storytelling, ritual, expressive arts and trauma-informed embodied practice.
Rather than seeing archetypes as fixed personality types, Somatic Mythwork™ understands them as living patterns: stories we inherit, identities we inhabit and possibilities waiting to emerge. Through creativity, movement, imagination and reflection, these archetypal pathways become experiences that can be explored, embodied and transformed.
On The Mystic’s Path, we’ll journey through the lives of remarkable women such as St Rita of Cascia, St Angela of Foligno, and St Clare of Assisi. Their stories become more than history—they become mirrors through which we can explore our own relationship with intuition, creativity, courage and spiritual authority.
The archetype of The Mystic invites us to cultivate deep listening, trust our inner knowing and discover meaning beyond external expectations. Together, we’ll explore the cultural stories that have shaped women’s lives—including the Virgin, the Saint, the Witch and the Maiden—not to reject them, but to understand them, question them and consciously choose which stories we wish to carry forward.
Throughout the retreat, Somatic Mythwork™ invites you to:
- Explore how intuition, creativity and story are experienced in the body.
- Gently recognise inherited patterns of self-doubt, perfectionism or over-responsibility.
- Cultivate greater self-trust and embodied confidence.
- Use creativity, mythology and expressive practice to re-author your relationship with yourself and the world.
Every practice is trauma-aware, choice-led and grounded in nervous system safety, creating a supportive environment where insight can become lived experience.
By weaving together historical inquiry, artistic exploration, embodied practice and the sacred landscapes of Umbria, The Mystic’s Path becomes more than a retreat. It is an invitation to step into an ancient lineage of women who have sought wisdom, meaning and transformation—and to discover what that journey looks like for you.
Our Retreat Venue
Welcome to Siliano Alto – a breathtaking 200-year-old Tuscan farmhouse, nestled in the heart of the serene beauty of the Tuscan Umbrian hills. It sits within a secluded wilderness estate, with rolling hills and verdant woodlands.
The farmhouse, with its weathered stone walls and rustic charm, carries the spirit of centuries past, offering a warm embrace to all who step within. Surrounded by green fields and fragrant wildflowers, this beautiful place feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, inviting relaxation and reflection.
Your Hostess
Dr Ellie Chadwick (PhD)
Lead Facilitator
Dr. Ellie Chadwick is an internationally experienced theatre practitioner, creative facilitator, and scholar working at the intersection of performance, storytelling, ritual, and somatic healing. With over 15 years of experience creating theatre shows, immersive experiences, and installations, her work has been commissioned by institutions including Tate Modern, Barbican Guildhall, National Trust, Plymouth Theatre Royal, and Bristol City Council. Ellie has been interviewed for The Stage magazine and for BBC Radio 4 on the subject of creative education and immersive arts.
Ellie holds a PhD and MFA in Theatre and is a published author with expertise in archetypes, collective memory, intercultural performance, and the role of the arts in collective wellbeing. Her academic work includes lecturing in performing arts and postdoctoral research in intercultural artistic practice, with creative collaborations across Europe, China, Indonesia, and the UK.
For nearly a decade, Ellie has led international retreats, workshops, and masterclasses, including recurring gatherings in Bali, blending ritual, art, and body-based practices. She is the creator of Historically-Responsive Theatre Practice, a method that integrates ancient and modern techniques, honouring the sacred roots of art-making across cultures, and Somatic Mythwork™.
As a trauma-informed integrative somatic therapist, Ellie’s work draws on polyvagal theory, nervous system regulation, and archetypal exploration to guide transformational experiences rooted in story, embodiment, and emotional healing. Whether on stage, in retreat, or within coaching spaces, Ellie is devoted to helping others reclaim their voice, rewrite their story, and remember the body as a source of truth, power, and creative possibility.
Testimonials
Words from our Wanderesses on previous events, retreats, and circles:
“A wonderful 2 weeks… Ellie made me feel safe and supported the whole time. The memories I made with her will stay with me forever.” – Amanda
“Memories I will carry with me forever. The course designed by Ellie was culturally informative but respectful to local community, driven by creativity and, most of, amazing fun. If you want a break from the day-to-day and time to nourish your creative side, join one of Ellie’s retreats.” – Morven
“An unforgettable journey of self-discovery. The blend of rituals, storytelling, and somatic healing was truly transformative.” – Sophie
“Absolutely life-changing! The workshops and activities helped me tap into parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. I left with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose.” – Dani
“The archetypes work is so powerful – blew my mind!” – Rose
A beautiful experience that opened my heart and mind. Ellie’s guidance through this retreat was deeply nurturing.” – Chloe
“Beautiful… emotionally rewarding and feel supported – a wonderful rush of love and acceptance” – Nita
“Very powerful! Especially liked the drumming and archetypes” – Ruth
Pricing
If cost is a barrier, we offer a small number of scholarships of up to £1,500. Your healing matters! Get in touch to explore support options.
Up Front Payment
SAVE £300!- Pay in full to save £300 on the full price! (Private room upgrade: +£400).
Payment Plan
5x payments of:- A handy payment plan to spread costs. (Private room upgrade: +£80pm).
Save when you book with a friend!
Save £500 when you book with a friend! Share the magic of the retreat with your bestie. Contact us for the info.
What this includes:
🌹 Five Days Immersed in the Sacred Landscapes of Umbria
Stay in the heart of the Italian countryside, surrounded by the beauty, history and contemplative atmosphere that has inspired mystics, artists and seekers for centuries. This intimate retreat offers space to slow down, reconnect and enter into the journey of the Mystic.
🌀 Somatic Mythwork™ & Archetypal Exploration
Explore the archetype of the Mystic through mythology, storytelling, ritual, expressive arts and embodied practice. Through guided workshops, creative reflection and somatic exploration, you’ll investigate the stories you carry, reconnect with your intuition and discover new possibilities for self-expression.
🎨 Creative Practices for Transformation
Engage with creativity as a pathway for exploration and meaning-making through practices such as intuitive writing, symbolic art, storytelling, ritual creation, movement and imagination. No artistic experience is needed — curiosity is all you need.
📖 Journal & Reflection Practices
Receive your own guided retreat journal, designed to accompany you through the journey with reflective prompts, archetypal exploration and creative exercises that help you capture insights and continue your exploration beyond the retreat.
🌿 Nature, Place & Contemplative Practice
Reconnect with the natural beauty of Umbria through a gentle countryside walk, moments of quiet reflection and place-based practices that invite connection with the land, yourself and the stories woven through this ancient landscape.
🕯️ Ritual, Community & Sacred Celebration
Share meaningful moments together through opening and closing ceremonies, group reflection, shared meals and rituals designed to honour transition, creativity and connection.
🏛️ Exploration of Umbria’s Mystic Lineages
Discover the lives and stories of women mystics and visionaries connected to this region, including St Clare of Assisi, St Rita of Cascia and other figures whose journeys invite reflection on intuition, devotion, creativity and inner wisdom.
🎁 A Curated Wanderess Gift Bag
Take home a collection of meaningful cultural and creative treasures chosen to support your continued journey — a reminder of the stories, practices and connections created during your time in Umbria.
🤍 Six Months of Integration Through the Wanderess Circle
Your journey continues long after you leave Italy. Through six months of online coaching, creative exploration, somatic practice and community connection, you’ll have space to integrate your insights and continue embodying the changes you began on retreat.