Lithuania · 18–24 June 2027
The Sun & Moon Retreat
In the old Lithuanian sky the Sun and the Moon were wife and husband who could no longer shine together. So they share their daughter, the Earth: the Sun watches over her by day, the Moon by night.
Folk carvings place the moon at the lowest step of the sky, closest to the body and the land, with the sun above it. My mark keeps that old order: the sun on top, the moon held below.
Tau šviesybė, man gražybė. To you light, to me beautyA gathering rooted in the Lithuanian pirtis tradition: heat, plants, whisks, cold water, fire. Three ritual pirtis sessions across the week, each one shaped by the season and the trees. Morning qi gong beside the lake. Herb walks through the land. Salt scrubs and hydrosol made by hand from what we gathered that morning. Sound journeys in the long evening light.
And on the final night, Rasos: the ancient Midsummer ceremony, the amber fire, and a sutartinės circle guided by Justina Joana, the songs that have been sung on this land for centuries.
A barefoot walk. A shared meal. Kanklės and cello after dinner.
Whisk making from the land. The first pirtis at dusk: three hours under the full moon.
The herb walk. Hydrosol and salt scrubs made from what we gathered. The sound journey by the lake.
A day in full · 20 June
- 7:30Qi gong beside the lake with Garwyn. Slow, grounding.
- 9:00Breakfast
- 10:00Medicinal and folkloric herb walk with Silvija, foraging from the land
- 12:00Plant hydrosol and salt scrub crafting from what we gathered
- 13:30Lunch
- 14:00Free time. The lake is cold and clear, the forest is close. Rest is part of the practice.
- 17:30Tea ceremony and sound journey with Garwyn
- 20:00Dinner
Sunrise on the land. Time in the forest. A long free afternoon. The solstice pirtis at dusk. Fire and kanklės after dinner.
Movement, stillness, sound. The retreat gathers itself before Rasos.
The Rasos pirtis in the morning. A free afternoon. At dusk the ceremony opens: the amber fire, the sutartinės singing circle with Justina Joana. The fire burns through the midsummer night.
Slow breakfast. No rush. People leave in their own time, carrying what they made.
The structure holds the week, but not tightly. Some of what happens will only be known when you're there: when the land speaks, when the group settles, when something opens that couldn't have been planned.
Pirtininkė & herbalist · Sound & somaticsSilvija Šuliokaitė & Garwyn LinnellSilvija was born in Jonava, trained at the Baltic Pirtis–SPA School and Perkūnija Sauna School, and works with the trees, plants and healing charms of the pirtis tradition. She made With the Trees. Garwyn is a sound practitioner and somatic therapist, with a background in qi gong, cello and embodied movement, and has co-facilitated nature immersions across Europe.
Sutartinės singerJustina JoanaSutartinės are ancient Lithuanian polyphonic songs, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. On Rasos night Justina guides us into a sutartinės circle. No singing experience needed: you learn through listening, through singing together, through being held in shared sound. She has led sutartinės circles for over seven years. Come as you are.
This gathering takes place on my family's land, in the town I was born in.
“From the heart and soul, the spaces Silvija holds invite you back to the rawness of your roots.”
“It felt like being taken into the essence of a Lithuanian forest.”
Bring your own tent and pitch it on the land. The most immersive way to stay: waking up inside the forest, steps from everything. Shared facilities.
Simple, warm and private, ideal for two friends or a couple. Being expanded ahead of the retreat, so it will be larger than shown.
Close to the lake and the pirtis. Shared between two, that's €50 each per night.
One of the largest spaces on the land, and the closest to both the pirtis and the lake.
Guests book and pay accommodation directly with Survilų Sodyba, separately from the retreat fee, so you have full choice of how you stay. We arrange it with you.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Most guests come solo. From the moment you arrive you'll be welcomed into a warm, open-hearted group, with plenty of space for both quiet time and connection. We've seen so many beautiful friendships form on retreat.
I'm new to sauna and somatic practices. Can I still join?
Yes. You don't need to be “good at sauna or meditation” to come. The retreat is open to all, and there are always options so you can be and move in a way that feels kind to your body.
What's the food like?
Abundant, colourful and nourishing. All meals are vegetarian, with meat options. Guests are often surprised by how well-fed they feel.
What about caffeine or alcohol?
We don't serve alcohol on retreat. Tea and coffee, regular and decaf, are available at breakfast, and you're invited to notice what feels best for you during the week.
Can you cater to allergies or special diets?
In most cases, yes. When you book, you can share your dietary needs and we'll confirm what's possible with our chefs. We can't safely cater for extreme nut allergies, but for most other needs we'll make sure you're well cared for.
Is there much free time?
Yes. The rhythm of the week is deliberately spacious, with generous breaks for rest, reading, journalling, walks, or simply lying by the lake and doing nothing.
What should I pack?
Comfortable layers for practice, swimwear, something cosy for evenings, all of your sauna kit, and your usual travel essentials. Room towels are provided. Before the retreat you'll receive a simple packing list.
How do travel and airport transfers work?
Kaunas Airport is around 20 minutes away. You're welcome to take a Bolt taxi or hire a car, which is often affordable and lovely for exploring. We can help you arrange it.
What if I can't make it at the last minute?
Your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel more than 12 weeks before the retreat, any additional payments are refunded. Within 12 weeks we can't offer refunds, but if we can fill your place we'll always explore options with you.
What makes this retreat different?
It isn't a spa weekend or a yoga holiday with a sauna added. It's six days on Lithuanian land at Midsummer, held by a pirtininkė who was born here, who learned this tradition from inside the language, the lineage and the land. The healing charms from the folk archive are nearly five hundred years old. Rasos isn't staged for guests: it simply happens here, every year, at this time.
Is this retreat right for my body?
The pirtis is held gently, and you can always step out, sit lower or skip a round. Heat and cold water aren't right for everyone, so please tell me before booking if you're pregnant, have a heart or blood pressure condition, epilepsy, or take regular medication. Everyone fills in a short health form before the retreat. Lake swimming is always optional and never alone. On herb walks we only gather plants I've identified with you. The retreat is not medical treatment; please bring your own travel insurance.
By paying a deposit you agree to the retreat terms in Privacy & Terms, including the health form before arrival.
The Retreat is now fully booked.
The next retreat is NOW taking shape:
In Lithuania, perhaps a different season, perhaps a different place. If you’d like to hear first, before it’s announced anywhere else, leave your name below.
If this year isn’t your year
The retreat is kept to eight people, so it fills. If the timing isn’t right, or the last place has gone, leave your name below. You’ll hear first when the next gathering in Lithuania opens, before it’s shared anywhere else.