Our Vision

Drawing from earth-centered traditions and the field of Ecopsychology, our intention is to re-kindle the connection between the human psyche and the "other than human," natural world.

What is EcoPsychology and why is it important?

For the majority of our species history we lived as integral beings in our larger ecology, equally subject to its laws and seasons. Since the dawning of the industrial age there has grown an increasing disconnect between humans and their ecology. Where there used to be one world, in which we were as much a part of as the redwoods or dragonflies, there's now two - the world of human, and nature. The result being that we often feel disconnected from the larger world around us. This isolation is not natural. We find with this separation we've lost integral components of our own psyche and spirit. Ecopsychology is a practice of healing, or wholing this fragmentation and reclaiming one's birth rite as an indigenous being in the larger collective.

When we live an integral relationship with nature, we're initiated into natural psycho-spiritual maturity (childhood, adulthood, eldership). This is different from maturation in a cultural context (marriage, divorce, graduation, career advancement). The difference between these paradigms is that the first is cyclical and the latter is linear. The benefit of a cyclical, wholistic paradigm is that it supports our interdependent sense of belonging, and independent sense of our gifts, purpose, and strengths.

  • “Forest Council walks are far more than a simple communion with Nature—they are sacred journeys that reawaken the soul and re-enchant the world within our lives. By immersing ourselves in the profound presence of Nature, we reconnect with the vital essence of “Vitamin N,” a life force that nourishes not only our well-being but the very depths of our being. These walks are not merely a retreat from the ordinary; they are a call to remember the extraordinary that resides in every moment."

  • "Within the whispering leaves and ancient earth, we rediscover the forgotten wonder and sacred connection that bind us to the greater tapestry of existence. The mundane transforms into the miraculous as the fragmented world begins to heal, and we remember who we are—anchored yet infinite, mortal yet eternal."

  • This practice bridges the Eternal with the Temporal, weaving timeless wisdom into the fleeting moments of our lives. It is an act of reawakening the sacred flame within, where the magic of the unseen meets the beauty of the tangible, reigniting our sense of wonder and reminding us that we, too, are threads in the fabric of creation.”

    Corey Jung, Farmer

From This Experience You Will

  • Learn to courageously embrace changes in your own life

  • Have the opportunity to go through your own soul-initiation in the form of a vision fast

  • Connect with nature as a reflection of your own psychology and divinity

  • Receive greater clarity and insight from your own inner-knowingness

  • Learn from and connect with others in a meaningful way

  • Reconnect with your mission and purpose

  • Feel strength in your vulnerability

  • Cultivate a deeper connection to your body’s intelligence

  • Learn about your own personal mythos and its connection to the Anima Mundi

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What’s included?

Forest Council is a 5 month journey that includes:

  • 4 Dayquests (10am-6pm once a month)

  • 1 Overnight camping trip and Fire Ceremony

  • 1 Vision Fast Ceremony

During our outings expect to spend a full day or more outdoors, walking up to several miles a day, time in circle and time on solo.

• Through this experience I felt improvements mentally, physically and spiritually. I found I was happier and looked forward to every outing. This was a diverse group of people who built a common bond through the love and appreciation of nature. This would not have happened without the dedication, skill and commitment of these skilled facilitators. I cannot thank them enough for this experience in my life. •

-Heather

Dates, Themes and Locations

May 24th - East Shield - Bald Hills

June 14th - South Shield - Bull Creek

July 19th - West Shield - Prairie Creek

August 8-9 - North Shield - Titlow Hill

August 29th-September 1st - Vision Fast - Lost Coast

September 20th - Integration - Arcata Community Forest

FAQs

  • We recommend that you feel comfortable walking anywhere between 2-4 miles in one day with a lunch break in between. We try our best to accommodate all body types and fitness levels.

  • A vision fast is a pan-cultural rite of passage that helps usher the initiate across the threshold of change and into a new version of themselves through ritualistic fasting in nature.

    The three requirements are that the initiate goes without food, company or shelter (man made structures) for a pre-determined period of time, in this case 24 hrs.

  • While rite of passages are pan-cultural experiences, we honor the tradition of the vision quest as passed down through Hyemeyohsts Storm and the School of Lost Borders.

  • Each daylong and overnight prior to the vision fast is intended to prepare the individual for their fast through solo time in nature with guided prompts.

Christophe Haskell is a mentor and wilderness guide. His passion is the re-wilding of the human psyche. He does this by weaving depth psychology, mindfulness practices and energy work into his guiding. He has been leading young men in rites of passage journeys since 2018.  He holds an MA in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, has trained as a guide with Wilderness Reflections and practices Daoist Light Qi Gong.

Stefanie Burnham is a ceremonial mentor for those who are navigating crossroads of change in their lives. She hosts Ceremonial Mentorship, an online program where individuals cultivate the courage to live a soul-based life. Stefanie has been co-guiding intentional walks in nature with Christophe since 2023. She has an MA in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a specialization in Eco-resilience and Transformative Leadership.

Meet the Facilitators

Choose your plan

$1500

Pay in Full Price

2 payments of $750

First payment due at registration

4 payments of $375

Monthly

Contact us

Questions about Forest Council or how to join? Send us a message and we’ll get back to you shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!