A retreat is a profound journey into your innermost self, into the delicate wisdom of Arctic nature, into your roots and your own power. Each sacred place guides you closer to yourself, strengthens your own path and helps you remember who you truly are and what your life's deeper calling is.
The ancient drumming and the sacred power places of Lapland will guide you to strengthen your connection to your inner wisdom and the direction of your heart. The flow of water, sauna rituals, and the silence of nature invite you to pause, cleanse, and find trust in the flow of life.
The arctic nature of Lapland and the ancient energy of the fells will root you as part of a chain of generations and remind you of the wisdom that has always been within you. On this journey, you will encounter your own core, hear the voice of your heart, and strengthen your courage to walk the very path that is meant for you.
The retreat is organised in a small group, ensuring each participant has time, space, and presence for their own journey. This retreat is for you who have already stepped onto the path of spiritual growth and feel called to deepen your connection with yourself, the sacred places of nature, and ancient wisdom.
In Lapland, at places of natural power and fells. In Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
We will be staying in the village of Könkkä.
Wednesday 19.8. – Arrival and landing
Arriving at the village of Könkää and checking into the Taivaanvalkeat boutique hotel
A shared welcome dinner, during which we get to know each other and the spirit of the retreat. In an opening circle, we set a personal intention for the journey and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind.
At the end of the evening, we will quiet ourselves to gentle drum meditation and open our hearts to the call of Lapland's nature.
Thursday 20.8 Pallas spring and the power of the sacred fells
The morning begins with a peaceful drum relaxation. We ground ourselves in time and place, and in ourselves.
We are heading towards the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Pallas, where Finland's oldest fells rise as silent witnesses to thousands of years, of generations who have lived in Lapland. We will walk the fell trails, listening to the sounds of nature and our own inner silence.
We arrive at Pallas's clear spring, accompanied by the ancient spirits of nature. At the spring we will pause by the water to perform a ceremony of purification and gratitude. The spring reminds us that life flows constantly forward, and we ask for more of that flow and guidance in our lives.
During the day, we will enjoy lunch by the fire in the kota and allow time for our own silence and for listening to the wisdom of nature. In the kota, we will participate in a drum ceremony for raising our own voice and surrendering to Mother Earth's safe embrace.
In the evening, we will return to our communal circle to share the day's experiences, after which we can relax in the gentle warmth of the beachfront sauna and enjoy herbal foot baths and sauna spell songs.
Friday 21st August – Taatsi sacred site – meeting one's own strength – courage to walk one's own path
After breakfast, we head to the Taatsi seita, one of Lapland's most significant ancient sacred sites.
We arrive in the vicinity of the sacred site in silence. Before stepping onto the holy ground, we pause to ask permission from nature and to honour the generations who have come here for centuries seeking guidance and giving thanks for nature's bounty.
By the sea, we will hold a guided ceremony.
The steady rhythm of the drum leads us to a deeper connection with ourselves and the ancient power of the earth.
Throughout the day, there is plenty of time for silence, writing, and personal insights.
After dinner, we will gather by the fire to share experiences and strengthen each person's own intention.
Saturday 22nd August – Äkäsaivo and Pakasaivo – the call of the deep
Today we visit Lapland's most impressive saivo – sacred lakes, which in the Sámi worldview were considered interfaces between the visible and invisible worlds.
The deep silence of the pakasaivo calls us to listen to our inner selves. The powerful energy of the äkäsivo encourages us to release what no longer serves our life path.
The rhythm of the drum and the silence of nature will accompany us throughout the day. At the end of the day, we'll conclude our shared journey with a ceremony of gratitude. We'll enjoy a shared dinner at the hotel.
Sunday 23.8 – Decision-making circle – your own direction and trust in your own path at heart
On the last morning, we will gather for a joint decision-making circle.
We will share insights gained during the journey and reinforce what we wish to take with us into our own everyday lives. We will conclude the retreat with a collective moment of gratitude and bless each person's onward life path.
After breakfast we say goodbye to each other and go home – perhaps a little quieter, a little stronger, and closer to ourselves than when we arrived.
Prices
780 eur / person in a single room
640 euros / person accommodation in a double room
The price includes breakfast and dinner. Please bring your own picnic and evening snacks for your own needs.
The hotel has a fridge, microwave, kettle and coffee maker for our use.
Registrations and further information: heidi@polarstartravel.fi or mobile 050 3052858
Heidi Jokela is the founder of Polar Star Travel, a tourism entrepreneur and nature connection guide. Her love for Lapland’s natural world led her, after years of living in Europe, to Levi, where the Arctic landscape, the fells and the deep rhythm of the seasons have become the foundation of her life and work.
For almost two decades now, Heidi has been designing and delivering experiences that have given thousands of travellers the opportunity to experience the unique beauty, tranquillity and power of Lapland’s natural landscape.
In recent years, her own path has increasingly deepened towards the ancient wisdom of nature. The drum has become part of this journey – a tool for stillness, presence, and a deeper connection with nature. The peace of the fells, sacred power places and the ancient rhythm of nature have helped her find an ever-deeper connection both with herself and with the surrounding nature.
Through its retreats, Heidi invites participants to experience the restorative power of Lapland’s natural environment. The gentle rhythm of the drum, the silence of nature and shared ceremonial moments help participants to pause, strengthen their connection with nature and listen to their own inner wisdom. Her hope is that every participant will find the courage on their journey to walk their own unique path and to trust what their heart whispers in the stillness.
