Top Rated

Spring Awakening: A Celtic Journey of Renewal & Connection - Hybrid

Name: Spring Awakening: A Celtic Journey of Renewal & Connection - Hybrid
Start: 2027-04-30
End: 2027-05-02
Location: Genesis Spiritual Center
Rating: 4.89

4.8994 reviews

April 30 - May 2, 2027

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Christine

Simon

Christine Valters Paintner

Christine Valters Paintner is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and Benedictine oblate who weaves together contemplative practice, creativity, and Celtic wisdom. Founder of Abbey of the Arts, she is internationally known for guiding others into deeper spiritual living through prayer, pilgrimage, the expressive arts, and the wisdom of the seasons. Rooted in the Catholic contemplative tradition and inspired by figures such as Hildegard of Bingen, Christine draws from Benedictine, Celtic, and desert spirituality, as well as insights from dream work, Jungian psychology, and yoga.

After leaving Seattle in 2012 to embark on a life-changing pilgrimage, Christine and her husband settled in Galway, Ireland, where they continue to be nourished by the rich heritage of Celtic monasticism. Through her books, online programs, pilgrimages, and retreats, she invites participants to awaken to the sacred in everyday life. Christine’s work encourages a deep connection with creation, community, and the renewing presence of the Divine.

Simon de Voil

Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil is an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor and worship leader he incorporates chant, ritual, storytelling and mindful practice to create a space for profound connection and sacred witness. Simon provides music for worship, ceremony, and prayer in a wide variety of churches and non-religious spiritual communities. He particularly loves to create music for meditation, healing services, and rites of passage. Simon is also an experienced workshop and retreat leader, drawing on 15 years of study, training, and practice that grew from his time living and working in Iona Abbey. Although influenced by many traditions, Simon's spiritual path and teaching is deeply rooted in Celtic Christianity, the wisdom of the earth, and in the Scottish land where he's spent most of his life.

Details of this retreat

As the sap rises and the daylight lengthens, the fields and forest reawaken into the new life of spring. Rooted in pre-Christian Celtic traditions, the festival of Beltane celebrates this blossoming into the bright half of the year.
In this weekend retreat, we’ll explore ways to deepen our connection with the sacred through the green, living world with some of the vibrant traditions of Beltane, and guided by the wisdom of medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen’s understanding of viriditas, the greening power of the divine. We will tend to what is being awakened within our hearts and in the world.
Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil (joining us in person) will use song and story rooted in the Celtic Christian wisdom tradition, along with contemplative and creative practices, to help us awaken and bring our attention to the rising green of the land and of our own spirit. Christine Valters Paintner (joining us virtually) will bring us into the greening vision of St. Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine Abbess who saw viriditas, or the greening power of God flowing through every living and celestial being.
There are two options for this program. The schedules for each are as follows:
IN-PERSON SCHEDULE

Friday
3:00p – Check-In Begins
3:00-6:00p – Arrivals
5:00p – Birdsong Vespers with Simon
6:00p – Dinner
7:00p – Session I: Welcome

Saturday
8:00a – Breakfast
9:00a – Session II with Christine & Simon
10:30a – Break
10:45a – Session III with Christine & Simon
12:00p – Lunch
2:30p – Optional Creative Activity
5:00p – Birdsong Vespers with Simon
6:00p – Dinner
7:00p – Fireside Chat with Simon

Sunday
8:00a – Breakfast
9:00a – Room Check-Out
9:30a – Closing Session with Christine & Simon
10:30a – Closing Birdsong Prayer with Simon
11:00a – Departure

VIRTUAL ONLINE SCHEDULE

Friday
7:00p – Session I: Welcome
*Friday Birdsong Vespers link emailed to participants to watch at their leisure

Saturday
9:00a – Session II with Christine & Simon
10:45a – Session III with Christine & Simon
*Saturday Birdsong Vespers link emailed to participants to watch at their leisure

Sunday
9:30a – Closing Session with Christine & Simon
*Sunday Birdsong Prayer link emailed to participants to watch at their leisure

Getting Here

Genesis Spiritual Center

Accommodation

Program Price - Single

Program Price - Double (Requires Two People)

Program Price - Weekend Commuter

Program Price - Virtual On-Line Option

Customer Reviews

4.89 out of 5.0 average rating

Lisa • Nov 04, 2026

5.0

Verified

Autumn labyrinth

The experience was amazing
Very informative and relaxing and a beautiful space. Our leader was so kind and knowledgeable. The food was also really good and I met some wonderful women. It would be wonderful to have this session every season of the year. Maybe not winter..
I look forward to attending other retreats and workshops at Genesis. Many thanks for all you do.

Cheryl • Nov 04, 2026

5.0

Verified

Always leave more present, peace-filled

I attended the weekend retreat, "The Shadow and Love: Healing our relationships to self, others and God" with Brother Don Bisson and it was just what was needed prior to the midterm election. Br. Don delivered his characteristic insightful, heartfelt content, sprinkled with crackling wit and loving personal examples, which hit all the right spots. The great food, comfortable & Immaculate surroundings within a beautiful natural setting offered the perfect compliment. I like to do 2-3 annual retreats or other programs at Genesis to put back what my experience of 'the world' seems to take out. Thank you Genesis!

Anonymous • Nov 04, 2026

5.0

Verified

shadow and love

I enjoyed the workshop titled Shadow and Love. The speaker was very knowledgeable and provided helpful information. Since the topic can be triggering, my only suggestion would be to combine this workshop with body movement such as yoga.

Jayleigh • Nov 03, 2026

5.0

Verified

Filled with healing vibes

I love being at Genesis. This was my second time visiting. On my previous visit, I participated in a nature immersion retreat that lasted several days. I bonded with the land, the trees, and the labyrinth. When I saw that there was an opportunity to attend a day retreat, I was eager to sign up. It isn't always possible for me to devote the time to a multi-day overnight retreat, but I love spending time with other like-minded people on the land and in the indoor spaces. Everything feels so friendly and peaceful, and the food is delicious. I enjoyed reconnecting with the labyrinth and having a collective moment of contemplation. I will surely continue to return to Genesis when I can. I always come away feeling renewed, inspired, and knowing that I am on my healing journey.

Kristen • Sep 12, 2026

5.0

Verified

Art Journaling

What a lovely weekend spent meeting new people and sharing an intimate moment of creating art journals and discovering about myself along the way.

Spring Awakening: A Celtic Journey of Renewal & Connection - Hybrid

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Christine Valters Paintner

Simon de Voil

Details of this retreat

Getting Here

Accommodation

Autumn labyrinth

Always leave more present, peace-filled

shadow and love

Filled with healing vibes

Art Journaling

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