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Psyche, Nature and Cosmos: Re-imagining Inner and Outer Worlds


  • The Country Place, Dandenong Ranges Kalorama, Victoria 3766 Australia (map)

Psyche, Nature and Cosmos:  
Re-imagining Inner and Outer Worlds

An educational retreat presented by
Dr Glen Slater and Dr Safron Rossi
(Pacifica Graduate Institute, USA) 

The context for defining sanity in our time has reached planetary magnitude ... The psyche remains sympathetically bonded to the Earth ... Once upon a time all psychology was ecopsychology.
— Theodore Roszak
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What returns a sense of soul to the world? This seminar-retreat weekend will engage this question, exploring perspectives and ideas that revitalize the connection between inner life, the patterns of the earth and the rhythms of the universe.

The weekend is for anyone drawn to the nexus of personal development and planetary wellbeing. Through a mix of lectures, conversations, experiential exercises and time to reflect and linger, we will engage a range of topics over three days that illuminate the bonds of psyche and nature. .

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) members can claim 10 points for ongoing professional development (OPD). Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) members can log 16 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Category A for annual renewal purposes.

We will consider the implications of living in a co-creative era, wherein the integrity of the Earth now depends on human consciousness. We will cultivate awareness of how our psychological nature is mirrored in landscapes and night skies, the way seasonal and elemental themes shape self-understanding, and where our impulses and insecurities meet technological trends. Throughout our focus will be on how individual purpose takes on universal significance.  

If you are concerned with Nature in either its inner or outer expressions, these three days will provide means to rethink and reimagine the way mind and matter meet. The fields of depth psychology, ecopsychology, mythology and cosmology will provide us with maps of exploration and paths of inspiration.

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Find yourself in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges! 

The Country Place lies in the leafy heart of the Dandenong Ranges, less that one hour from Melbourne.  Be rejuvenated in an environment that's good for body and soul!  Registration includes two nights’ individual guest-room accommodation with ensuite, all delicious meals and tuition over three days.

Click here for the Retreat Program - a PDF version is available here.

About your Retreat Presenters:

Glen Slater PhD is the Associate Chair of the Jungian and Archetypal Studies program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where he has taught for over 20 years.  Dr Slater has a background in religious studies at the University of Sydney, before moving to the United States to study clinical psychology.  He has published and lectured internationally, including editing Volume 3 of James Hillman’s Uniform Edition, Senex and Puer, as well as Varieties of Mythic Experience. Dr Slater is currently writing a book on depth psychology in the Information Age.

Read more about Dr Glen Slater's work here

Safron Rossi PhD is Associate Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and former Curator at Opus Archives, home of the Joseph Campbell, James Hillman and Marja Gimbutas collections. Dr Rossi's work focuses on Greek mythology, archetypal psychology, astrology, goddess traditions, and feminist studies. Dr Rossi edited Joseph Campbell's Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine (2013). She is co-editor of Jung on Astrology (Routledge, 2017) and is writing a book on the Kore archetype and triad goddesses.

Read more about Dr Safron Rossi's work here

A flyer for this event in PDF format is available here. You are welcome to share this flyer with friends, colleagues and peers.

Praise from past Life Artistry seminars with Dr Glen Slater and Dr Safron Rossi:

"There is a lot of material floating about these days around spirituality, psychology and the soul. But what made this weekend seminar unique for me was the rigour, scholarship and lived soulfulness of each of the presenters, Glen Slater and Safron Rossi. The content was trustworthy and had a depth I could sink into. This was a beautiful, enriching and nourishing experience for me. I have come away with a new sensibility or perspective with which to engage my psychic life. Thank you for creating a space for such a quality exchange."

~ Susie, Academic Researcher

“Thank you again for an excellent weekend, not just for the outstanding and user-friendly scholarship so ably presented, but also for the creative and generous spirit pervading the organisation and logistics of the event. Terrific."   

~ Chris Caldwell, Psychologist and Dream Therapist

"I attended the opening weekend seminars of the Life Artistry Centre in 2016, with the intention to discern a deeper purpose and quality in my work beyond conventional standards and to understand the gentle but relentless sense of calling I have to a meaningful vocation and life. There was a soulful community energy present, which helped facilitate a safe and deep sharing of reflections and insights on the journey towards authentic vocation.

Throughout the presentations by Glen, Safron, and Suzanne I began to feel an eruption of new ideas, renewed dreams, and fresh healing insights. Since then I have been reflecting on these insights and my vocational path, by moving my attention to the margins of my consciousness and listening into the multiple 'voices' and images that had been previously exiled. A new way of being in the world is slowly emerging within me. I am listening and nurturing my inspirations with a new ‘lens’, which was born out of the weekend seminar with Life Artistry."  

~ Leigh Johnston, Psychologist

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

  • Lecture program, experiential activities and facilitated sessions over three days and two evenings with Dr Glen Slater and Dr Safron Rossi

  • Two nights' individual guest-room accommodation with ensuite (Friday and Saturday)

  • A list of recommended readings upon registration

  • Certificate of Attendance

  • 10 OPD points (ongoing professional development) for Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Members

  • Check-in from 2:00 pm on Friday

  • Welcome Afternoon Tea on arrival

  • Introductory session from 3:00 pm on Friday

  • Two course Dinner on Friday and Saturday

  • Full Breakfasts, Morning / Afternoon Tea and Lunch (Saturday and Sunday)

  • Final session concludes at 4:00 pm on Sunday

  • Complimentary unlimited wireless access for all delegates

Venue: The Country Place, 180 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama VIC 3766, Australia; tel. +61 3 9728 7000

Transport: from/to Southern Cross Station (Melbourne Airport Shuttle terminus) and the Retreat is available as an option on registration. Please complete the form below.

Please advise us when you register of any special dietary requirements.

Registration fee (full rate): AU$1685.    Concession: AU$1575

Early Bird registration before 12 January 2019: AU$1485

Super Early Bird registration before 5 September 2018:  AU$1375

Come with a friend: Twin share – save a further $110 each on the above prices.

A partial scholarship may be available for applicants who would benefit from this retreat but would otherwise be unable to attend. If this applies to you, please outline your situation on the application form. Concession rates are applicable to members of Jung Societies, ANZSJA, the Federation of Australian Astrologers, creative arts, music and movement therapy associations.

Participants are asked to complete an online application form to help us ensure the retreat meets your interests and needs. 

Places at this educational retreat are limited to ensure a high level of engagement and experience.   Register now to avoid disappointment!

Payment may be via Bank Transfer (preferred method), PayPal, Visa or Mastercard.

To pay by Mastercard, Visa or PayPal:

Psyche, Nature & Cosmos 5-7 April 2019, Dandenong Ranges
Dietary requirement
Transport from/to Southern Cross Station
Save $110 on twin share with friend

Transport (maxi-taxi) will be available from and to the Red Bus airport shuttle terminus at Southern Cross Station:
– departing for Country Place at 1 pm on 5 April 2019
– returning to Southern Cross Station by 6 pm on 7 April 2019

Transport from/to Southern Cross Station

Bank Transfer: To pay by direct deposit:
BSB: 313 140 (Bank Australia, Kew) 
Account number: 14073170
Account name: eContent t/a Life Artistry

Please advise us of your payment transfer, specifying your accomodation, dietary and transport preferences — james@lifeartistry.com.au or telephone +61 3 9444 0570

Cancellation policy – please note that places are limited:

  • AU$150 fee applies per cancellation received by 3 December 2018

  • 61—120 days before event: 25% of registration fee retained

  • 31—60 days before event: 35% of registration fee retained

  • 3—30 days before event: 50% of registration fee retained

  • No refund available after 2 April 2019

Thank you — we look forward to you joining us!