ReWild
A Foundation Course
for Being Human
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"Sacred Human I Am"
A dive into the mysteries of the
Sacred Fool, Innocent Sage
& Trickster
14- 19th October 2025
ReWild is an experiential journey through the four facets of the Eco-centric Map to wholeness, inspired by Bill Plotkin and the work of Animas Valley. This residential programme will take place at Tui Treefield event space in the Beautiful Wainui Bay in Golden Bay Aotearoa.
TESTIMONIAL
"ReWilding, apprentice to the Soul was not just a container for exploration, it was a remembering.A remembering of what it means to be human, to be held, to be undone. It was a space held by skilled faciliatators, and like minded community, where one was invited to play with the ideas of psyche, human development, archetypes, poetry, story, dance, lodge, and Soul. Supported by two fantastic elders (Bill and Lois), a wonderful kitchen team, and a beautiful whenua, Jaime wove together a space and place for deep exploration.
It was, at times, confronting, as all the best and necessary journeys are. But within the discomfort, a shared language began to form.
A framework to walk the inner terrain with others who also yearn for wholeness. Preperation invoved only a willingness to engage.
So much aroha for the Vision of Jamie and his team toward more whole humans, community, and world.
-Ben Clark, Outward Bound Instructor May 2025
A Five Day Retreat in Golden Bay
This 5-day residential retreat takes place in the stunning natural beauty of Golden Bay, at Wainui Events Park—a rich and playful environment featuring a treehouse, pentacle temple, sweat lodge, Open Floor dance space, hot pool, and beach walks along the ocean.
We gather to explore the power and resourcefulness of three potent archetypes from the work of Bill Plotkin (author of Wild Mind, Soulcraft, and Nature and the Human Soul):
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The Sacred Fool
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The Trickster
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The Innocent Sage
The Sacred Fool
Embodying innocence and spontaneity, the Fool acts without fear of consequence and trusts deeply in life. Creative, playful, and unburdened by self-importance, this one can love freely, move lightly, and think outside of all boxes.
The Innocent Sage
A deep capacity for presence. Empty, yet full. Centred, clear, and at ease in the midst of everything. The Sage rests in the peace of knowing who they are and trusts in the natural unfolding of life—when we stop trying to control it.
The Trickster
Mischievous, shapeshifting, and bold, the Trickster exists to challenge what is fixed—turning the world on its head when needed. It disrupts false norms, breaks open tired narratives, and invites us to laugh at what we once feared. Trickster is the edge-walker, the radical truth-teller.
These archetypes live at the liminal frontier—the threshold between what we know and what we’ve yet to discover. Together, they move us toward the raw creative potential that arises when we dare to live with soul.
May our capacity for innocence (not to be confused with ignorance) bring forth joy, wonder, and a healing power that unravels the old wounds of patriarchy.
May we find the courage to speak truth to power, to ask radical questions—and thrive in the consequences.
What we’re looking for is the right kind of trouble—the kind that brings us closer to our unique soul presence.
This retreat is an experiential embodiment of the East direction from the Soulcentric Wheel of Wholeness, developed by Bill Plotkin and the Animas Valley Institute. The east is the place of birth and death, of new born and elders ready to release.
We welcome humans who are ready to meet themselves on the edge, in the company of others walking the same courageous path.
Bill and Lois are once again in the role of Elders. The talented and hugely experienced Jola Siezen is bringing us some offerings from the archetype of the fool and clown. Adge Tucker is in support. We will sing together, laugh, tell authentic stories, sweat, dance and thats just the stuff we know about.
This is one way to put some SPRING in your step.
We know retreats are a big investment of both time and money. We know also there are guardians that mark the threshold of real change. Yet despite this, the results can be deeply nourishing and dare we say life changing. This work is inspired by Bill Plotkin and his colleagues at Animas Valley. If you want to learn more we suggest reading any of his books or watching the you tube at the bottom of this page.
One thing is for sure, we need the right kind of trouble to open up new possibiities for what True Adulthood can be for our communities and families. and generation to come.
There are generous scholarships for those who want to come but are struggling financially.
THE TEAM
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Guide Jaime Howell
Jaime is a trained Wilderness Rites of Passage guide, Work That Reconnects facilitator and experienced teacher of Open Floor movement practice. He is the founder of the Centre for the Great Turning a movement inspired by Joanna Macy, Bill Plotkin, Tarchin Hearn and many more.
Jaime is passionate to develop maps and inquiries that support the flowering of human creativity, wisdom and care for the generations of all life to come. He supports humans to awaken their ecological self, the innate sense of belonging to the natural world. Jaime has a Masters Degree in Education, he is a wild poet, a student of mythology and holds a mean blues guitar. He lives in the knowing of what it takes to live in a community aspiring to wake up. A friend to shadow, bruised and bumped with a heart still open. A recent new father and peaceful warrior to bring the right kind of trouble to a world waking up.
THE ELDERS
Bill McEwan
I’m a 80 year old retired counsellor with an academic background in Agricultural Science and Theology. I live in Blenheim with Lois. In 2015 I felt overwhelmed by an ignorance of climate awareness in Marlborough and sat in the centre of Blenheim for a week with my son Robbie and fasted. That led to the formation of Climate Karanga Marlborough. I’m giving a lot of attention to ways of being an older person in an adolescent society. I am a work in progress and treasure close listening, silence, patience, emotional warmth, tenderness where there is shame and support for the broken hearted.
Lois Mead-McEwan
I’m a 73 year old grandmother with a professional background in education and mental health. I’m passionate about the well-being of the ecosystem - in the widest sense of the word - and all that interconnects within it.
Running alongside this is a love for making collages, writing poetry and performing at open mic, creating functional household items using fibre arts, music and dance.
Family, friends, community, adventure, nature and humour also play an important role in my personal well-being.