Kiala Givehand Retreat 2026

24 October – 01 November

      Step away from the noise of your daily life and into a sacred sanctuary of symbol, soul expression, and serendipity. 

      Deep Discovery is an immersive 8-day retreat for creative souls who are ready to awaken their creative voice, reclaim their magic, and reconnect with their deeper purpose through the lens of archetypes, alchemy, and artistic exploration. Guided by Mystic, Maker, Writer, and Mentor, Kiala Givehand, this retreat weaves creative practice with soulful inquiry in one of the most enchanting & ancient regions of France. This experience is an opportunity for you to slow down, listen deeply, and let the land, the stars, and your heart shape the pages of your most personal creations. 

      This is an invitation to be fully present with your creativity through writing & witnessing, through seeing the world with new eyes, and capturing it in photos, poetry, and prints. This retreat is designed to help travelers turn art into ritual, handmade journals into sacred vessels, and stories into seeds for bold, brave, intentional, and creative living. 

      During our days together every creative act will be a step towards returning to the truth of who you are. We will wander cobbled streets and beautiful landscapes, gather symbols & stories, create handmade books, make & meet SoulCollage® cards, write poems, create artsy pages & prints, and connect with other creatives on a similar journey. This is a travel experience, a creative exploration, and an opportunity for sacred remembering. 

      Each day, through the lens of a beginner’s mind, we will gather symbols, stories, and synchronicities from the life happening around us as we allow for unexpected magic in and out of the studio. Using bookbinding, collage, printmaking, watercolor, poetry, and more, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind soul infused journal documenting your lived experience. 

      Whether it’s stitching a scrap of linen from a village market into the pages of your journal,  writing a poem about the landscape of France or creating a SoulCollage® card for the bravest moments of your life, this retreat invites you to allow every experience to become inspiration for your lived moments, your memories, your transformation, and your unique magic.  

Creative Exploration & Bookbinding

Delicious Homemade Dinners

Daily Excursions

To Beautiful Locations

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

  • An opening circle ritual.
  • Daily creative workshops & studio time for bookbinding, printmaking, intuitive painting, fabric play, SoulCollage®, writing, and more. 
  • Photography walks, reflective journaling, and spontaneous creative prompts. 
  • Gentle-paced adventures to markets, castles, medieval towns, and glorious landscapes. 
  • Collage with intuition, using SoulCollage® as a portal into self-awareness and archetypal wisdom. 
  • One-on-one time with Kiala for creative direction, soul-tending, or just a walk out in the Sun or under the Stars. (This is optional for those that want the opportunity to chat privately over the course of the retreat.)
  • Guided writing time to express your soul through poetry, short stories, and personal narratives. This includes daily prompts for mindfulness, memory, and meaning making. 
  • Daily card pulls, archetypal prompts, and invitations to see with sacred sight. 
  • Esoteric tools for SoulMapping™ and sacred storytelling. 
  • Nourishing & delicious homemade meals of fresh local food. 
  • Excursions to beautifully curated locations & landscapes.
  • Intentional space for laughter, soulful sharing, deep rest, transformation, and witnessing.
  • Optional morning or evening Yoga & Vedic Chanting with Kiala’s Yogi husband, Damon. 
  • A closing circle ritual. 

SOME OF THE CREATIVE TECHNIQUES WE WILL COVER

  • Bookbinding
  • Printmaking (several techniques will be shared and sampled)
  • Intuitive painting
  • SoulCollage® & Layered collage techniques 
  • Poetry & Intuitive writing
  • Fountain pen mark making and expressive lettering
  • Storytelling through color, texture, and symbol
  • Contemplative creativity with your phone camera

    BONUSES FROM KIALA

    • A personalized 30+ page SoulMapping™ playbook to guide your time at the Retreat.
    • This requires a short one-on-one conversation with Kiala via Zoom prior to the retreat. Calls for this will take place in August or September before the retreat.
    • A “bag” of creative goodies to supplement your creative time in France and when you return home.
    • All participants will receive a complimentary seat in one of Kiala’s online Introduction to SoulCollage® workshops between January and September 2026. Kiala will contact you directly to give you access.  

    A PERSONAL NOTE FROM KIALA

    This will be my first time in France and I come with the mind & eye of a beginner, an open heart, and a deep desire to create alongside you. Together we will explore this magical land as curious travelers, gatherers of memories, and seekers of creative depth. I will explore this place with the eye of a writer, poet, printmaker, and multi-passionate creative, and I’ll invite you to do the same. This retreat is for anyone longing to reconnect with their inner voice, ignite their creative spirit, and step into sacred authorship of their life. 

    You do not need to be a trained artist or even call yourself an artist, you just need to have a curious heart, patience with yourself (and others), and a longing to live a life filled with precious moments only found by stepping into the mystery. 

    Let’s gather in community. Let’s wander, make art, and tell stories that heal & illuminate our wisdom. 

    A Day with Us Looks Like This…

    Your day begins with a peaceful breakfast of freshly baked French pastries, homemade yoghurt, and seasonal fruit—best enjoyed in the sunlit conservatory as the day gently unfolds.

    Around 9 am, we set off—early enough to enjoy our destinations while they’re still quiet, with the morning light casting everything in a perfect glow.

    Spend your morning soaking up the atmosphere of a new place: wander through charming side streets, discover hidden corners, or settle into a quiet spot to sketch and take it all in. When you’re ready for lunch, a beautiful spread awaits—think crisp salads, savoury quiches, homemade cookies, and a glass (or two) of wine, served picnic-style in the shade.

    Afternoons are for creativity and rest. Back at the studio, you’ll have dedicated time to paint, unwind by the pool, take a nap, read, sunbathe, or simply enjoy good conversation in a quiet corner.

    Evenings are a highlight: a delicious, three-course meal made with local ingredients, prepared by Katel—whose cooking alone is worth the trip. With wine flowing and good company around the table, it’s a chance to relax and connect.

    After dinner, the time is yours. Watch the sunset, return to the studio for more painting, take a dip in the hot tub, or explore the nearby paths under the stars.

    Our retreats are designed to be flexible, inspiring, and restorative—so you can get exactly what you need out of your time with us.

    Some Excursion Locations

    Excursions may include but are not limited to the following

    Rocamadour

    Part of the Camino Trail. Historical & religious significance. Breathtaking village perched on a cliff.

    Sarlat

    One of the most well preserved medieval towns in France. Amazing market with local produce.

    Beynac Castle

    Home of Richard the Lionheart, perfect for a picnic by the river and plein air painting in the shade.

    Saint Cirq Lapopie

    One of the most beautiful villages in France. Incredibly picturesque. Perfect for shopping & painting.

    THEMES COVERED

    • The bold, brave, beautiful YOU!
    • Coming home to yourself in a new place. 
    • Personal symbols of healing, courage, and transformation
    • Food, place, and memory as creative fuel
    • Writing your wisdom story

    YOU’LL LEAVE WITH

    • At least two “made by you” handmade journals that evolve each day and hold the story of your becoming through symbols, words, and collage. 
    • Original poems, stories, collages, and prints infused with your bravery and boldness. 
    • A mini deck of SoulCollage® cards featuring archetypes unearthed while in France. 
    • Artifacts, visual meditations, and photos that become sacred souvenirs. 
    • Loads of techniques to continue your “creative becoming” at home. 
    • A deeper understanding of your own mythic story and how to live it heroically and with intention. 
    • A re-awakened connection to your creativity, intuition, and personal power. 
    • A community of fellow makers & mystics who witnessed your becoming. 

     

    Fill out the form below for pricing and more information relating to the workshop.