Wintering:
A Grief & Creativity Retreat
to Rest, Remember & Release

Connect with your grief and replenish yourself in nature.

Saturday, January 17, 2026
Five Oak Ranch Retreat Center, Austin, TX

Sign up.

“Wintering,” is a word coined by author Katherine May in her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times.

At this retreat, we will “winter” with the support of guided meditation, learning about grief, silent time, a “letting go” ritual, and by creating a talisman for our way forward.

We will also be making a little something—a poem, a collage, and/or mindful photographs (using your cellphone). You do not need any experience. Every one of us is naturally creative. Just as a fallen tree is fuel for so much life, our grief is a source of creativity and transformation.

Register now.

This retreat is perfect for you if:

  • You have lost someone or something you loved (recently or long ago).

  • Your grief was not met by others; you heard it was “too much” or you “should be over it.”

  • You are grieving a person, animal, relationship, job, or your sense of self due to illness or life transition (post-college, mid-life, empty nest, retirement)

  • You are grieving our earth due to climate change.

  • You are grieving the loss of how you thought things would be—for yourself, for your community, for your country or the world.

  • You are a caregiver for a loved one and/or are experiencing anticipatory grief.

  • You feel alone on your path of grief.

  • You want to learn how to meet your grief with compassion so that you can feel joy, inner spaciousness, and belonging!

  • You are age 16 or older.

What will be provided:

  • A cozy, safe place to rest, connect with your grief, and witness others’ grief

  • A 26-acre nature preserve with a labyrinth for meditative walking, nature trails, and creek.

  • Coffee, tea, chocolate and other snacks.

  • Old magazines and papers, glue, and scissors for making a collage

  • Writing prompts

  • Oracle cards to consult on your own

  • My collection of books on grief to peruse on your own

  • An opportunity to sign up for 1:1 time with me

Bring with you:

  • Your lunch (there’s a fridge and microwave in the beautiful kitchen)

  • Your journal (a spiral notebook is fine)

  • Something that reminds you of your loss (a photo, rock, or other small object) to put on the group altar

  • Shoes for walking in nature

  • A sweater, shawl or small weighted blanket or pillow if you have one

  • Yoga mat for your own practice (if you like)

About Five Oak Ranch: Situated on a 26-acre certified wildlife habitat only 25 minutes from downtown Austin, Five Oak Ranch was created for visitors to connect with themselves and the Divine through nature and beauty. Learn more.

About Robin Bradford: A chaplain, grief tender and artist, Robin is an experienced teacher and guide. A graduate of the Upaya Buddhist Chaplaincy program, Robin has also studied with Francis Weller, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief. A longtime practitioner of Zen Buddhism and a trained yoga teacher, she has led meditation and writing retreats and community grief rituals. As an artist, she sews quilts for magic, beauty, snuggling, and to remember. Learn more.

Register now.