“I have fallen in love with the imagination. And if you fall in love with the imagination, you understand that it is a free spirit. It will go anywhere, and it can do anything” – Alice Walker
We are all born with a wild imagination. It is through this unlimited creative resource that we can access the unconscious, connect with our intuition, cultivate our innate creativity, develop a greater degree of self-awareness and expand our sense of possibility.
If you’ve been enjoying Depth Writing With Dr Rachel and would like to explore the transformational practice of using writing & imagination to support self-discovery and facilitate creativity more deeply, you can join me for a depth writing retreat to Fire Your Wild Imagination at the charming, rustic family estate of Monte da Japonica in the rural Alentejo region of Southern Portugal this coming October.
Fire Your Wild Imagination will be a rejuvenating time of exploration and connection, writing and reflection, spending time in nature and enjoying meals together around the Monte da Japonica dining table.
The daily morning depth writing workshops will focus on deepening connection with your wild imagination through the creativity of your inner child, the expanded consciousness of your inner sage and the wisdom of nature. Each workshop will include guided writing exercises as well as a chance to share your experience of the process with others in group discussions. In the afternoons, you’ll have free time to join guided walks in the beautiful surrounding cork woods, explore them on your own, or relax by the infinity pool. We’ll meet again in the late afternoon for a reflective session together before the evening meal.
The focus of the retreat workshops will be on process rather than outcome and on what comes up in the writing rather than craft. This means there will be no pressure to read anything out (although anyone who wishes to share is very welcome). If you have a writing or other creative practice, depth-writing can be used as an adjacent activity to support, deepen and expand your projects. Wherever you are at, this retreat is a chance to fire the creative, healing superpower of the wild imagination that courses through all of us.
Who is it for?
Those interested in exploring writing & imagination as tools for transformational growth
Writers and creative practitioners interested in deepening their practice
Professionals in the transformational growth, psychology, education, social care, health care, arts, culture & creative industries sectors interested in expanding their range.
Cost: from 500 Euros - 1,950 Euros depending on room
What’s included:
Accommodation
Dinner on day of arrival
Breakfast, lunch & dinner on each full retreat day (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
Breakfast and lunch on day of departure
Daily depth-writing workshops
Deposit €150 (Full payment required by Monday September 1st 2025)
Room bookings and enquiries newsomerachelelizabeth@gmail.com
*all meals are vegetarian
*special dietary requirements are an additional 40 Euros per person
Getting there by plane: The nearest airport to Monte da Japonica is Lisbon. For a small additional cost, a pick up can be arranged from the airport direct to Monte da Japonica. Alternatively, you can get the bus to the nearest town of Redondo or a train to the nearest city of Evora. There is a small charge for a pick up from Evora. Pick up from Redondo is free.
“While I don't consider myself a writer I felt at home in the writing workshops and sharings throughout the retreat. Through exploring archetypes and symbolism in nature I found new and various layers of possibility for inquiry, reflection, and creative expression that I will take with me to explore long after the retreat ends. An unexpected and wonderful part of the retreat was the fellowship that was forged throughout our meals, conversations, walks, and workshops. I left inspired and warmed by the connections created during our brief time together.” Heidi D.
“I attended Fire Your Wild Imagination in search of "something" needed for the next phase of my manuscript completion. I returned home, carrying in me the clear and critical messages garnered from my particular "characters": The Child, The Grandmother, and The Grasshopper. The Landscape itself was important in this alchemic process. The various exercises, readings, and conversations produced writings which I thought were simply random notes and ponderings. Their significant threads became apparent only when I read the writings some time after the workshop ended. What had been woven - unconsciously - was a strategy and tactics with which I could proceed for the revision of the manuscript. I have begun the process; I have started being "loosed" from my stuckness. Thank you so much, Rachel, for being such a powerful, supportive, and effective facilitator and leading the group lightly but with purpose, conviction, and authentic joy.” Kyung Kim M.
“All these days were precious and have indeed fed me body and soul. I find the days spent working together have fired not just my imagination but have galvanised my creative energies and enabled me to begin writing productively. The unique combination of Jungian psychology with creative writing skills allows for an individual approach to every exercise we did during the workshops. I particularly related to finding symbolism in the surrounding cork trees, bringing home three acorns to act as reminders and prompts. I have been on writing retreats before, but I found the blend of skills offered by Rachel, her knowledge of books for further reading and gentle approach to be both refreshing and inspiring.” Sarah G.
“The writing workshops were great. Many of the exercises were playful but elicited deep emotions and ideas. Rachel created a safe space that was welcoming and respecting of everyone. Her individual and group feedbacks were insightful and relevant. The other participants were amazing - diverse, intelligent, thought provoking and supportive. The-retreat was intensely stimulating and inspiring. There’s still a lot to process from both the workshops and the individual and small group discussions that were constantly taking place.” Rae D.
“It was wonderful being there! A lovely place full of lovely people, whose stories, writings, sharing and thoughts make you feel warm and privileged! Dr Rachel is so kind, knowledgeable and a wonderful person and professional!” Helena P.
“The writing workshops were fabulous. Rachel’s energy and excitement and inclusiveness made it wonderful for all, and I liked the variety in the exercises. I got a couple good pieces out of it, and other ideas of how I can use the prompts in the future.” Nicole S.
“As someone who has chronically dealt with emotional barriers between myself and my writing, I was amazed to discover, by means of Rachel's various exercises, that I can, in fact, produce inspired writing even when I would not have thought possible. I have been able to produce more in the last two months (the time since leaving the retreat), than I would typically be able to produce in a year.” Ryan S.
A note about care
Although Depth Writing is transformational, it’s not therapy so you are encouraged to:
Be responsible for your own experience, go at your own pace & engage with the material at a level that feels right for you
Avoid over-disclosing any matter that is particularly painful or private
Seek therapeutic support should anything particularly difficult come up
Practice CARE - confidentiality, attention, respect & empathy - with others.
About me
I’m a writer and creative guide with a PhD in applying Jungian psychoanalysis to creative writing. I have over twenty years teaching experience from my time as a lecturer in Higher Education. I’ve since gone rogue from academia to become an independent writer and to deliver depth writing workshops, courses & retreats aimed at facilitating transformational growth. I’m a Member of Lapidus International, an HEA Associate, an Editorial Team Member at the London Arts-Based Research Centre and Co-Editor of forthcoming Routledge publication The Creative Psyche: Between Spirit and Matter. And, as you’ve probably guessed, I love to dive deep.