Two – Day Grief Tending Gathering

Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th November

A two-day grief-tending gathering that honours the sacred space of sorrow and remembrance, both personal and ancestral. This work draws on the teachings of Sobonfu and Malidoma Some of the Dagara of West Africa, Joanna Macy and the guidance of Francis Weller, particularly as shared in his book The Wild Edge of Sorrow and the Grief Tending in Community practices developed by Sophy Banks. The wisdom from these traditions form the foundation of our shared work.

We will come together in a space held with warmth, care, and shared intention. Through guided rituals, gentle practices, and shared silence and song, we will meet the many layers of grief, those we carry individually, communally, and through our lineages.

The journey gives time to build trust together, help grief to surface, express and witness grief, and integrate, to be ready to return to our lives. We will include rest, nature connection, and shared meals. The gathering will close by 4.30 PM on the second day. All practices are invitational and held within a confidential circle.

Spaces are limited to maintain intimacy and depth. If this gathering speaks to you, we welcome your presence.

For questions or to express interest, please write to: support@shiningdarkness.com

Facilitators

Sophy Banks

Sophy’s understanding of the importance of shared grief work started through attending workshops of Joanna Macy and Sobonfu Some and continued in more recent work with Maeve Gavin. Since 2013 she has been growing Grief Tending in Community to seed and spread the practices of tending grief together, through offering talks, workshops in many formats, and supporting facilitators of grief work in her ‘Apprenticing to Grief’ programme and beyond.

Rohan Narse

Rohan is a grief-tender, facilitator, guide, and Co-Founder of Shining Darkness – a sanctuary for grief tending, soul work and renewal. His approach is shaped by initiations within the Bwiti tradition in Gabon and grief apprenticeships—first with Francis Weller and later with Sophy Banks. Through ritual, invocation and gentle facilitation, Rohan holds space for others to experience trust, healing and soul remembrance.

Selena King

Selena is a grief-tender, Co-Founder of Shining Darkness and Spiritual and Anticipatory Care Lead at St Catherine’s Hospice. Her work is rooted in the conviction that death, grief, and the darkest passages of human experience are not problems to be solved but thresholds to be accompanied with presence, reverence, and care. Through deep listening, loving awareness and still companionship, Selena holds space for what is most difficult to face.

Participants will need to fill out the application form to attend. This step is part of our care protocol and allows us to understand who's coming and ensures we can hold the space well for everyone present. After we receive your application, we will confirm your place and send payment details.

To support accessibility, we offer a sliding scale for the two-day gathering: £140, £190 or £230, depending on your means.

If you would like to book meals or accommodation please book through Emerson HERE