Held by the Herd, Witnessed by the Trees

Online Meditation Community

A Monthly Journey of Grounding, Connection & Reflection
Beginning September 2025 to  June 2026 

A Monthly Journey of Embodied Belonging, Reflection & Transformation

Welcome to Held by the Herd, Witnessed by the Trees, Meditation Community.  This is a monthly guided meditation experience in an authentic community, equine-facilitated transformation, and deep nature connection. This program is designed to guide participants on a deep journey of reconnection—first to self, then to others, the natural world, and their authentic path—through experiential learning, somatic awareness, and equine-facilitated processes & movement.

At the Epona Retreat Centre, we believe in the power of being held—in both stillness and  Horses show us what it means to belong, while trees invite us into presence and reflection. This program is an invitation to return to yourself, to the earth, and to one another.

Program Overview

Each month we explore a theme, rooted in the dual wisdom of the Herd (connection, co-regulation, authenticity) and the Trees  (reflection, grounding, witnessing). Through equine interaction, somatic practices, circle work, and time connecting to mother earth, you’ll grow your capacity for authentic living.

Month 1 – Entering the Field: The Call to Belong (September) Fruit trees

Dates; 8th September 2025 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 22nd September 2025 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Creating a safe, sacred container
• Herd Focus: Understanding herd dynamics, roles, and relational safety
• Tree Focus: Establishing personal grounding & connection to the land.
• Practices: Opening ceremony, boundaries, somatic awareness,
• Outcome: Sense of being welcomed, witnessed, and safely held
• Meditation: “Rooted Presence” – A guided grounding practice connecting body to earth, breath to trees.
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Month 2 – Listening to the Body: Somatic Awareness & Presence – October – Yew Tree

Dates; 6th October 2025 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 20th October 2025  12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Listening to the Body: Breath Awareness & Presence – Yew Tree
• Herd Focus: The Secret & Silent Language of the Horse in Action
• Tree Focus: Yew Tree – Deep listening practice – appreciating life
• Practices: Group chat – I want you to Imagine now in as much detail as you can: What does this self cherish most deeply? What motivates this self? What qualities shine forth when you are aligned with your truth?
• Meditation: “Listening to your Inner  Authentic Self ”
• Outcome:Increased body awareness, self-respect, and Boundaries

Month 3 – Authenticity & The Power of Truth – November – Ash tree

Dates; 3rd November 2025 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 17th November 2025 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Telling the truth of your experience
• Herd Focus: Authentic presence and congruence with horses
• Tree Focus: Silent witnessing and radical honesty
• Practices: Sharing circles, horse reflection, tree journaling
• Outcome: Capacity to stay present with vulnerability and truth
• Meditation: “Speaking the Inner Voice” – A heart-based practice for connecting to authentic expression.
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Month 4 – Shadow & Shelter: The Inner Landscape – December – Willow Tree

Dates; 1st December 2025 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 22nd December 2025 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Facing what is hidden
• Herd Focus: Acceptance of all parts of the self, even those we fear
• Tree Focus: Rooting in shadow, finding strength in stillness
• Practices: Shadow work with herd interaction, tree root visualization
• Outcome: Increased emotional resilience and integration.
• Meditation: “Welcoming the Shadow” – A gentle guided meditation to meet disowned or difficult parts with compassion

Month 5 – Relationship & Repair – January 2026 – Elm Tree

Dates; 5th January 2026 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 19th January 2026 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Navigating conflict, boundaries, and reconnection
• Herd Focus: Herd rupture & repair, healthy leadership, attachment styles
• Tree Focus: Nature’s patience and seasonal repair
• Practices: Relational practice with horses, tree circle role play
• Outcome: Tools for conscious connection and authentic relationship.
•  Meditation: “Circle of Connection” – A relational field practice exploring boundaries, empathy, and repair

Month 6 – Cycles & Seasons: Living in Rhythm – February ’26 Willow Tree

Dates; 2nd February 2026 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 16th February 2026 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Honoring natural cycles—internal and external
• Herd Focus: Observing herd rhythms, energy, and rest cycles
• Tree Focus: Seasonal wisdom, surrender to timing
• Practices: Cycle tracking, reflection rituals with trees
• Outcome: Increased self-compassion, alignment with personal rhythm.
• Meditation: “Seasonal Spiral” – A reflective journey through your internal seasons and outer cycles

Month 7 – Embodied Leadership & Inner Guidance – March ’26 Hawthorn Tree

Dates; 3rd March 2026 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 16th March 2026 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Leading from wholeness and inner truth
• Herd Focus: Non-predatory leadership, embodied direction
• Tree Focus: Standing in your truth without force
• Practices: Leading with horses, tree posture work, voice activation
• Outcome: Empowered leadership and self-trust.
• Meditation: “The Tree Within” – A visualization to stand tall in your values, rooted and reaching.

Month 8 – Grief & Letting Go – April ’26 – Ash tree

Dates; 30th March 2026 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 20th April 2026 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Honoring what has been lost or shed
• Herd Focus: Emotional expression and communal support
• Tree Focus: Sprint time letting go, making space
• Practices: Grief ritual, herd holding, leaf-burning ceremony
• Outcome: Emotional release and space for new growth.
• Meditation: “”Love & Compassion” – allowing yourself to be loved and to love

Month 9 – Rewilding the Self – May ’26 –  Hazelnut Tree

Dates; 4th May 2026 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 18th May 2026 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Returning to the untamed, liberated self
• Herd Focus: Wild herd behavior, instinct, play
• Tree Focus: Forest edge energy, new growth
• Practices: Barefoot forest walks, unstructured horse time, creative expression
• Outcome: Reconnection with joy, instinct, and freedom.
• Meditation: “The Wild Call” – A breath and movement-based meditation to awaken instinct and vitality.
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Month 10 – Integration & Return – June ’26 – Oak Tree

Dates; 1st June 2026 12.30pm – 2.00pm : 15th June 2026 12.30pm – 1.30pm

• Theme: Harvesting wisdom & preparing to return to the world
• Herd Focus: Transitions and community support
• Tree Focus: The tree as witness of transformation
• Practices: Integration ceremony, collective story weaving, nature altar
• Outcome: Coherent self-narrative, deepened belonging, and next steps
• Meditation: “The Witness Tree” – A reflective practice to revisit the journey, and plant seeds for the future..

Held by the Herd, Witnessed by the Trees

Online Meditation Community

A Monthly Journey of Grounding, Connection & Reflection
 September 2025 – June 2026

About the Community

Join us for a nourishing and consistent space to deepen your practice of meditation, self-reflection, and connection with nature’s wisdom — guided by the principles of the herd and the trees.

Over the months, we will gather twice each month online for live guided meditations, reflections, and gentle community sharing. Each month’s meditations are inspired by our in-person “Held by the Herd, Witnessed by the Trees” program — weaving together the regulating power of horses and the witnessing stillness of trees.

What You’ll Receive

• Two live gatherings per month (online via Zoom) — First Call 90mins and Second Call 60mins

• Monthly meditation theme aligned with the seasons and program

• Journaling prompts to deepen reflection between sessions

• Private online community space for ongoing connection