Singing Circle ~ Call of the North

This singing circle is an intimate gathering in the beautiful wooden yurt ‘The Temple of Light,’ where we come together to sing and make music. This evening is especially intended to give participants of our upcoming ‘Mantra & Medicine weekend retreat‘ the opportunity to become familiar with songs from Scandinavian cultures that we will sing during the ceremonies of the retreat weekend. We will sing songs in various languages such as Norwegian, Icelandic, Scottish Gaelic, Swedish, Finnish, Old English, and Old Scandinavian runic languages. In the mantra booklets that we will provide, you can follow along with all the lyrics

It’s open to anyone!, but we have discounted tickets for those of you who are joining the Mantra & Medicine weekend on the 24-25-26th of January.

This singing circle will be facilitated by me (Pleuni Apollonia) and Robert Tolenaars. Supported by our guitar, shruti box, and the medicine drum, we help you open your voices. Nordic music is raw, powerful, and carries an unrelenting quality. It helps us connect with layers within ourselves that we usually avoid. Learning to accept others, yourself, and life with both its light and dark sides can be a beautiful gift. From darkness and death, new light and life are born. By bringing awareness to the depths of your soul, you cleanse your energetic body and can channel your life force for yourself and the world around you.

Our goal with this event is to create an intimate space where there is room to connect with one another, and to give more attention to the meaning, background, and pronunciation of the songs we will sing.

We want to give you the opportunity to become part of a growing community where we use music as a spiritual practice—to open ourselves, express, celebrate life, transform, and connect.”

About Mantra singing
The Sanskrit word “Mantra” is derived from the root Man– “to think”. In India mantras are considered to be a powerful prayer or sacred utterance. A mantra can be a verbal instrument to produce something in one’s mind. Singing the ancient words with subtle intentions will help you to reach a deep state of meditation. By simply repeating the mantras, you can disconnect from your thoughts. The mantra becomes more abstract so it can lead you into a place of pure consciousness. Each mantra with its different sound has another effect on the human psyche. The sound vibrations penetrate every cell of the body.

When we chant mantras or sing beautiful songs, we harmonise and synchronise the internal rhythms of the mind and body. Singing is a language of emotions. It can tap into the depths of one’s feelings, revealing layers of suppressed emotions or unspoken truths. Singing with purpose and intention helps infusing each note with the energy of your desires. We believe that music connects us all. When we use singing as a spiritual practice, we harmonise our voices and hearts, creating a sense of community and opening ourselves to deeper layers of self and each other.

The spirit of Cacao
At this event, we also serve ceremonial cacao. Given that the singing circle takes place in the evening, and cacao is an energiser, we will be preparing a soft blend with a gentle dose. Cacao ceremonies originate all the way back to Mayan and Aztec traditions in central and south America. Cacao opens the heart and allows for a deeper, authentic love based connection with yourself, others, the earth and all of life. Also called ‘Food of the Gods, Cacao has been used for centuries in spiritual practices and rituals and contains many beneficial minerals. It is really high in magnesium, chromium, calcium, zinc, iron and sulfer. Another amazing fact: it makes us happy. When combined with singing, cacao connects us with the music on a deeper level. It creates a sense of unity and openness, allowing our voices to flow freely and harmoniously. 

Potluck
As a beautiful ending of the evening, we will share food. Bring your favourite dish, whether it’s a homemade recipe or a simple snack, and enjoy a delicious meal together. This gathering is more than just about food; it’s a chance to deepen our connections and share stories by the fire.

Location ~ Temple of Light
This yurt stands in the garden of AVANI retreat in the forest of Brabant, Helvoirt. The cozy space, also called ‘Temple of Light’ is crafted entirely from wood and designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. It has a fireplace inside and it features a roof that can open up, allowing us to sing under the stars and breathe in the fresh air. Inside, the yurt is illuminated with coloured lighting. At the heart of the yurt, embedded in the floor, lies a nirvana quartz crystal. In the pond you can find all kinds of wildlife, and you are allowed to take a winterdip if you dare 😉

What to Bring:
~ Your voice and an open heart
~ Comfortable warm clothing suitable for sitting and singing
~ Warm fluffy socks
~ A water bottle to stay hydrated (there will be tea as well)
~ Instruments! Guitars, medicine drums, djembé’s, shakers…

Participants of the “Mantra & Medicine weekend” retreat will receive a discount for this singing circle. (If you decide to Join the Mantra & Medicine weekend after you have been at the Singing Circle, you can ask for a discount code for the weekend retreat.)

The purpose of this event
While the Singing Circle offers more of an intimate setting and a chance to get familiar with new songs, the Mantra & Medicine weekend retreat provides a broader, deeper journey with different practices and rituals like storytelling, bodywork, breathwork and of course the highlight of the weekend; the ceremonial singing circle in which we dive deep with the help of 2 beautiful plantmedicines: Cacao & Magic truffles. Both events share the theme “Call of the North,” but each serves a unique purpose—one as a preparatory and communal gathering, the other as a full-spectrum retreat aimed at profound personal and spiritual growth. Join us for both to fully immerse yourself in this transformative cycle.