When studying Jungian & Archetypal Psychotherapy at Avalon Institute in Boulder, CO, Jaqui became interested in the archetypal elements of Plains Indian philosophy and religion.  As a result of her exploration and study she was drawn to begin vision questing in 1990, using a model similar to contemporary Lakota Sioux tradition. She has quested nearly every year since that time and in the process has developed a model that she calls the "Dream Quest". An individual Dream Quest endeavors to create an experience similar to a traditional vision quest while providing more flexibility in designing the elements of the experience to meet the needs and capabilities of each individual quester. While one person may be up to going into the wilderness alone for three or four days with only minimum shelter, clothing and no food, many others may never be able to tolerate such an experience. Through the Dream Quest we endeavor to make the powerful vision quest experience available to all.

During a Dream Quest you may stay in a comfortably furnished teepee in the woods by the creek with complete solitude and privacy, while knowing there is someone nearby to assist if needed. You might choose to fast with water and fruit juice or eat a healthy simple diet designed to promote cleansing, clarity and centered calmness. You may take a journal for recording thoughts and dreams and perhaps one inspirational book to read. However, the goal is to leave behind most all of your "ordinary reality" life. Some questers like to plan a creative project such as a mask, mandala, prayer stick or medicine bag to make during the quest. You will have for your use during the quest our labyrinth for walking meditation and our medicine wheel for prayer and meditation. During your three to four day isolation part of the Dream Quest you will stay alone in the woods with little or no human contact to provide the solitude you need for your growth and healing.

This is only a simple outline for the Dream Quest experience we can create for you. Standard quests are for 6 days with 3 in isolation but a longer quest is available for 7 days with 4 in isolation or 3 in isolation with an extra day for preparation or integration.  Quests may also be designed for couples who wish to deepen into their relationship in this unique and intimate experience of solitude. Advanced preparation including archetypal astrology to help pick a powerful time for your quest, counseling and body energy balancing and follow-up assistance in integrating your experience into your every-day life are also included. In our modern and complex culture, the Dream Quest definitely provides the needed solitude, deprivation, mediation, prayer and potential for balance, healing and numinous connection with the Divine sought in past vision quests by Native Americans and many other cultures around the world. The Vision/Dream Quest has been a powerful vehicle for Jaqui's own personal and spiritual growth and she has led many individuals and couples on these contemplative retreats. 

How often have you wished you had a place where you could just "get away from it all" for a day, a weekend, or even a midweek respite; a place that is safe, private, welcoming, simple and close to nature, yet comfortable and in the middle of a beautiful setting like Montana? We are blessed to live in such a place every day and consider it our privilege and life's work to share it with others. This place is Dreamweaver Lodge. In addition to our Dream Quests, we also offer One Day Self Renewal Retreats, custom designed Individual or Small Group Retreats. 

ONE DAY SELF RENEWAL RETREATS

These retreats are designed for area residents or folks vacationing in the area who want to come and deepen into a relaxing day of self exploration, body energy work and quiet contemplation in a beautiful natural setting. While each retreat is created for your individual special needs, a sample retreat might look like this:

You arrive about 9:00 a.m. and over tea and muffins, get acquainted with Jaqui and our facilities. Our bunkhouse has been converted to a comfortable and peaceful counseling and bodywork area where we will meet to discuss your focus and needs for the day. A two hour session of analysis or process work will follow. Many clients love to experience Jaqui's unique Archetypal Astrology consultations which interpret your birth chart into a fascinating group of  universal energies (Archetypes) that guide and inform your life. If you found Carolyn Myss' book on archetypes, Sacred Contracts too confusing, this analysis of your archetypes will clarify everything for you.  This work is basic to Jaqui's holistic counseling practice and is a good place to begin to understand yourself and life choices from a Jungian and Archetypal perspective. Other choices might include, Qigong or meditation instruction, dream work or Past Life Regression Therapy.

After the morning session, you break for a delicious lunch and some quiet time for a walk in the woods along Rock Creek, and a contemplative  walk through the labyrinth. You might take time for journaling or mandala (sacred circle) drawing in the Dream Quest teepee by the pond to record and anchor your morning experience. Mid afternoon you return to the lodge to soak in the hot tub and then to the bunkhouse for a body energy treatment which might include  Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, Chakra Balancing, Polarity Therapy, or Qigong. This work balances body, mind, emotions and spirit and sends you back out into the world renewed, refreshed and energized. Jaqui is a Reiki Master in both the Usui and Karuna traditions as well as a Certified Qigong Body Energy Practitioner through the Body Energy Center, Boulder, CO.  Her seventeen years of experience in combining energy work with various counseling and inner work modalities creates a unique and powerful healing experience for her clients.

INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP RETREATS

A Personal Retreat involves more therapeutic and guided activities furnished by Jaqui, Bob, and other contract therapists than are scheduled in a Dreamquest.  Clients still reside in our comfortable tipis and have a variety of options for meals including fasting, preparing their own simple meals or joining us at the lodge for meals. Plenty of alone time for contemplation and relaxation is provided between sessions and classes that you select.   Retreats are available for individuals and also  for small groups of people who are often co-workers, friends or family members.

Here is an example of a possible  four day (night) personal retreat for an individual:

You will stay in your own comfortable tipi in the woods by the creek and pond, coming to the house for meals, bathroom facilities and hot tub.

Day One:  Arrive by car or we will pick you up at the airport in Billings.  We will spend most of the day getting acquainted with a tour of the facility and settling you into your lodging.  We will make further plans for the schedule of your retreat.  We might finish the evening with suggestions for dreaming and a short relaxing meditation.

Day Two:  Early morning Qigong practice followed by a light breakfast at the lodge.  Time afterwards for relaxation and personal toilette.  Morning session of Archetypal Natal Chart Analysis.   Break for lunch and then several hours of free time at your tipi.  Later afternoon session of body energy work with a break before dinner for journaling, resting or soaking in the hot tub. Evening labyrinth walk and guided meditation.

Day Three:  Again early morning Qigong practice in the labyrinth or medicine wheel.  Breakfast and free time before morning session. Activities will evolve out of your own personal process and might include energy work followed by a mandala drawing or you might begin creating a mask of one of your favorite archetypes that you have met during the natal chart analysis.  A past life regression or active imagination process supported by energy work might be an afternoon session.  Again,  various tools are available  and you and Jaqui will decide as your retreat flows what  might best serve your process.  An evening ceremony in the labyrinth, medicine wheel or drumming around the fire might be options to complete your day.

Day Four:  You will begin this day to integrate your retreat process into your ordinary reality life by scheduling some activities away from DWL.  We often take retreat and quest clients on a sightseeing tour up onto Beartooth Pass (considered the most scenic highway in the U.S.) followed by browsing in the shops and galleries in Red Lodge and dinner at one of the fine restaurants.  Or, a horseback riding trip on a neighboring ranch is another option.  July through mid September, a full day trip could also be made to the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, a mysterious and ancient stone mandala of unknown origin that sits high on a mountain top.  People from around the world are drawn there and it is a sacred ceremonial and vision quest site for local Crow, Cheyenne, Shoshone and Arapahoe tribes.  If your stay coordinates with a Crow Sun Dance or Powwow, a visit to one of those is also a fascinating experience.

Day Five:  Rap up session and depart by car or we will deliver you to your flight out of Billings.

Because of time constrictions (there are only so many days in our season to accommodate everyone) four days and nights at Dreamweaver Lodge is  the maximum number for these retreats at this time.  Retreats may also be designed for two or three days as well.  In addition, we can  arrange for clients to extend their stay with lodging in Red Lodge, and we can offer lots of guidance about area activities and sightseeing. .