Below you will find a brief history of the Vision Quest, my interpretation and the format In-Wood Vision works with. 

Historically, the Vision Quest is a spiritual journey and was often used as a rites of passage for adolescents entering into a new phase in their life. It was believed participants received strength from spirit, gained maturity, a connection with nature and their ancestors, and received a greater knowledge about life. There is a time of purification before the Vision Quest with specific customs in different communities; traditionally fasting or using a sweat lodge. When the quester is ready, they leave their community for the wilderness and find an isolated place. A symbolic circle will then be made and entered alone to be at one with their thoughts and spirit. Dreams, visions or hallucinations can often be experienced as a result of food and sleep deprivation. These visions are believed to be sacred, seen as a gift from the spirit and the ancestors for the person receiving them. 

I see the Vision Quest as a very simple but demanding medicine. Simple in the way that it requires you to connect with nature and yourself in a symbolic circle. Demanding in the way that when entering the circle, you have little water on you and very little food, if you decide to bring any. That makes this a physical challenge as well as a mental and emotional one, because you only have your inner voice as a companion. You find yourself in the silence that nature provides, away from the noise, stimulations and distractions of everyday life. Now, you have the time and space to concentrate on that voice, to observe it, to dig deep and finally really listen to it. You can start to understand its true message and connect with it. What is it saying? What questions are there to be answered? What belongs to you and what doesn’t? This quest may pose the biggest mental challenge you will ever face, potentially with the greatest reward. Connecting with nature, letting yourself be open to the cycles, elements and the perennial wisdom of the earth, is ultimately connecting you with your own spirit. As children of the universe, it is our fundamental truth. It is a journey of personal growth and spiritual connection, allowing you to move closer to your inner being and your authentic self. 

Here, at In-Wood Vision, we wish to make the Vision Quest medicine available for all. This year we are offering Vision Quests around 54 hours. For people that have completed this quest, there will be the option of partaking in a 78 hour quest and more, in the future. If necessary we are open to slight customisations by the participants in terms of  water and food.

Exemple itinerary of the retreat 

• Arriving at In-Wood Vision and being greeted by your guide

• 
Opening circle including movement, drumming and connecting with our surroundings

• Introduction and briefing for the weekend

• 
Tour of the land and entering the forest to allocate Vision Quest spaces

• Assembling the circle and spending time in nature to feel into your intention for this time

• Sharing circle and preparing for Cabana

• 
Purification Cabana (Sweat Lodge)

• Dinner whilst resting around a campfire

• 
Breakfast

• Time to connect with yourself through movement, drawing, writing and more

• 
Blessing around the fire and entering your circle for the duration
  The guide will be on hand for any emergencies. The guide will let you know when your time in the circle has finished.

• After your time in the circle has come to an end: Returning to basecamp for refreshments

• Gentle ‘Coming Home’ Cabana 

• Dinner whilst relaxing at base camp 


• Overnight stay

• Breakfast

• Revisiting space to close your circle and to say thank you

• Sharing circle and closing

• Leaving the site

The site will be booked all day if you wish to relax and enjoy land a while longer. 

If you would like to book your journey, please contact: inwoodvision@gmail.com