A Note To Applicants

If you applied before April 17, please send us an email (morriganimmersion@gmail.com) with your name and email address.

Due to a glitch, applicant emails were not collected prior to April 17. 

If you’re not sure when you applied, send us your name and email address, anyway! 

We apologize for the inconvenience!!!

SPONSORED BY

An unparalleled opportunity to:

Explore The Morrigan – Irish Goddess
Spark personal transformation
Claim self sovereignty
Reconnect with or deepen a spiritual practice

Amid the spectacular beauty of the

Columbia River Gorge.

This four day, three-night immersion explores The Irish Goddess: The Morrigan, known for sovereignty, Magick, and speaking truth to power (among many other aspects) from an authentic source.

Through original programming led by native Irish experts, award-winning spiritual authors, and a professional wellness facilitator and ritualist, participants will take cues from the Morrigan’s myths to form deep, authentic connections with The Morrigan, develop spiritual tools to navigate personal crossroads, align with purpose, and deepen or renew a personal spiritual practice.

All programming will take place at a spa hotel amid the breathtaking cliffs and majestic river of the Columbia River Gorge.

At this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the ancient wisdom of Ireland will connect with the astounding beauty of the Columbia River Gorge–a great meeting at the ford–creating a truly transformational experience.

 

If you want to…

  • Build deep, authentic connection with The Morrigan

  • Develop spiritual tools to create powerful personal changes

  • Deepen and strengthen your spiritual path through Irish myths and teachings

…this immersion is for you.

What’s Included?

  • Exclusive opportunity to participate in an inaugural immersion cohort, learn about and build a relationship with The Morrigan, through programming led by Native Irish teachers and experts, award winning spiritual authors, and a professional wellness facilitator and artist. 
  • Deep, compassionate support to help you deepen or reconnect with your spiritual journey.
  • Essential guides and materials for your journey during the intensive and beyond.
  • Small group (participation limited to 20).
  • Nourishing, locally-sourced meals (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, snacks every day).
  • A tour of regional waterfalls and natural phenomena led by local guides and experts.
  • A delightful gift basket filled with treasures for heart and soul.

What’s NOT Included?

  • Airfare and ground travel to/from hotel.
  • Accommodations starting at $49 per night. (Accommodations include complimentary spa access. Please see information under “Guest Lodging Options” below!)
  • Dinner on Day 2.

Immersion Guides

Carla Gaskins-Nathan, LMT
Carla Gaskins-Nathan, LMT

Organizational wellness consultant, ritualist, educator, healing artist, Licensed Massage Therapist

Carla Gaskins-Nathan (pronouns they/she) is the founder and CEO of Zelah LLC. Carla is a consultant, educator, healing artist and a licensed massage therapist. Carla engages individuals and organizations through program development and implementation, facilitation, ritual, wellness practices  and wellness space curation. Carla is a iyawó in the Lucumí religión, currently training as a priest of Obatalá.

Lora O’Brien, MA

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Lora O’Brien, MA

Author, Modern Draoí, co-founder of Irish Pagan School

Lora O’Brien (Pronouns: She/They) is a modern Draoí – a practitioner and priest of indigenous Irish magic and spirituality. She has been consciously following a spiritual path exploring her native Irish traditions for 30 years, dedicated specifically to the Irish Goddess Mórrígan in 2004, and is the author of seven books on Irish history, mythology, folklore, witchcraft, Pagan practice, and priesthood. Her eighth book, on the Mórrígan, will be published by Llewellyn (2025). She professionally developed and managed one of Ireland’s most important sacred sites – Cruachán/Rathcroghan – for a decade, and is a co-founder and legal celebrant with Pagan Life Rites Ireland. With her partner, Jon O’Sullivan, she is the co-founder of the Irish Pagan School, and together they create a vast amount of community service content for the Irish Pagan School Blog, YouTube Channel, and Podcast. Lora founded the Ogham Academy in 2022, and has a Masters Degree in Irish Regional History (2023) on the topic of Ogham and Irish Identity.

Jon O’Sullivan

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Jon O’Sullivan

An Scéalaí Beag,  weaver of words, a teller of tales, co-founder of Irish Pagan School

Jon O’Sullivan (An Scéalaí Beag) is an Irish tour guide, weaver of words, a teller of tales of his patron Deity, the Dagda, chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He runs a blog, posting monthly stories inspired by the native lore. His Patreon gives you early access to the tales, as well as having the stories told directly to you in the form of audio downloads. He lives with his family in County Waterford, Ireland. With his partner, Lora O’Brien, he is the co-founder of the Irish Pagan School. “It’s not always easy to find the words… but when you find the right words, you can change hearts and minds.” – An Scéalaí Beag

Courtney Weber

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Courtney Weber

Author, Witch, Tarot advisor and influencer, guide for the Magickally-Minded

Courtney Weber is a Witch, award-winning author, Tarot adviser, and influencer. She is the author of Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess; Tarot for One: The Art of Reading for Yourself; The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might; Hekate: Goddess of Witches and the forthcoming Sacred Tears: A Witch’s Guide To Grief (June, 2024). She is a co-host of “That Witch Life Podcast.” Courtney has been featured in Maxim, Huffington Post, Vice, and the Thom Hartmann Show. IG and TikTok: @courtneyaweber. Visit her online at www.courtneyaweber.com.


 Sample Sessions

Subject to change based on group needs and accessibility 

Meeting At The Ford: Who is The Morrigan? Is She/They calling me…and why? 

Entering Oweynagat (Uaimh na gCat): Exploring the myths of The Cave Of The Cats – and what we seek in the unknown.

Exploring the Myth: Táin Bó Regamna: The Morrigan and Cu Chulainn – The myth and the misconceptions – What is our goal…and what stands in our way? 

A Great Meeting – Cath Maige Tuired: Exploring the context behind the lore of the meeting of The Dagda and The Morrigan – Who are our allies? For whom are we allied?  

The Morrigan, The Shapeshifter: Looking at the shapes and guises The Morrigan takes. Why does she take them? – Why do we take on the guises that we do?  

Rain, Wind, and Screams: Reflecting on the ways The Morrigan and Morrigan Sisters use the elements and otherworldly powers to support their people or speak truth to power – What powers do we possess and what powers could we grow?

Plus:
A tour of regional waterfalls and sites
Rituals
Meditation
Journaling and Storytelling Prompts
Sweets and craic! 

Cost break-down

$1600. Upon acceptance, $800 due to hold spot. Final balance due by August 15.

Discount option: One payment of $1380 upon acceptance, a savings of 14%.

Guest Lodging Options

All programming will be held in The Society Hotel, where there are several restorative options for retreat participants. Nestled within the jaw-dropping Columbia River Gorge, The Society Hotel Bingen is built within a converted schoolhouse, offering beautiful communal spaces and blissful relaxation in a brand-new spa.

The Society Hotel is holding a limited number of hostel-style bunk rooms with a shared bathroom for this intensive at $49 per night. Bunk rooms include a few fancy plusses like privacy curtains, luxury twin-size mattresses and bath towels, power outlets, storage cubbies, reading lights, and spa access (​spa features an indoor saltwater soaking pool, an outdoor hot pool, a cold plunge pool and a cedar sauna). Information on booking bunk rooms will be provided to accepted intensive participants.

For guests wanting a little more privacy or who are attending as part of a couple or a group, the hotel also has Queen or King sized private rooms, and single or double-room cabins. For more information and for booking, please see the hotel’s site. Please note: Rooms other than bunk rooms are at the hotel rate and not included in the group lodging rate. 

 

Getting there:

The Society Hotel is located at 405 E Franklin Street Hostel, Bingen, WA 98605. The closest airport is Portland International (PDX), a roughly 1 hour 15 minute drive. Carpooling from airport is encouraged. Uber and Lyft do service to/from airport, but reserving an Uber/Lyft in advance is encouraged, as is carpooling with other intensive participants. An email chain will be started for intensive participants in the weeks leading up to the event to connect people who would like to carpool or share an Uber/Lft.

 Important dates:

April 1, 2024: Applications open

April 20, 2024: Application close 

May 1, 2024: Participants notified of acceptance by email

May 30, 2024: Fee deposit to hold space due (or full balance for 14% discount)

August 14, 2024: Deadline for booking accommodations at group lodging rate 

August 15, 2024: Final fee balance due

FAQ

How do I apply?

Applications will open April 1 on this site. To be notified by email when the application is available, please click the link above!

Who should attend this immersion?

This intensive is for anyone with a keen interest in learning more about The Morrigan and relevant Irish mythology and spirituality from a reputable, authentic source; people who wish to deepen or reconnect with a spiritual practice, and/or looking for spiritual tools to help them make or navigate powerful changes in their lives.

I don’t self-identify as a Pagan. Can I still attend?

Absolutely! While the programming will be centered in Irish native Pagan spirituality, intensive participants do not need to self-identify with any specific spiritual tradition or religion. All we ask is that participants attend with an open mind and willing heart.

I don’t have a lot of experience with or knowledge about The Morrigan, yet this immersion calls to me. Can I still attend?

While previous experience or study with The Morrigan or other Irish Spirituality is recommended, it is not required. Pre-reading and prepratory exercises will be sent around to all participants in advance, which will provide the necessary groundwork to begin the Intensive.

Will I receive an initiation to The Morrigan as part of my immersion?

No. This intensive is an opportunity for curious Morrigan seekers to learn more from an authentic source and gain inspiration from myths and practices associated with The Morrigan, but facilitation team will not be offering or providing initiations (defined here as rituals where someone pledges part or all of their life to services of The Morrigan). Should participants decide on their own to make pledges or dedications to the Morrigan as part of their personal process during the immersion, that responsibility and experience rests solely with them!

Where is the hotel and how do I get there?

The Society Hotel is located at 210 N Cedar St, Bingen WA 98605. Because of its remote nature, it is only accessible by car. The closest airport is Portland International (PDX) and the closest Amtrak train station is Portland Union Station (PDX). Both train station and airport are both roughly an hour and fifteen minutes by car from the venue. Ubers and Lyfts do service the venue, but booking in advance is strongly recommended.

Will transportation be provided?

Airfare and ground transportation to and from the venue are not provided. Participants are encouraged to carpool if possible. The immersion will provide the transportation for one field trip during our time together, but all other transportation is the responsibility of the immersion participants. 

When should I plan to arrive/leave?

It is recommended that intensive participants arrive at the hotel by 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 14 in order to check in and get settled in, centered, and ready to join the program at 5:00 p.m. It is also highly recommended that participants stay through the closing at noon on Nov. 17. While we know that life and travel have ways of throwing wrenches at our best-laid plains, but it is highly recommended that participants plan their travel and other accommodations to allow them be present on-site from 4:00 p.m. on 11/14 through noon on 11/17. 

Will we get to explore the area?

Yes! Friday afternoon will include an field trip through the Gorge to see the waterfalls and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, led by two local guides and experts. Depending on the wishes and physical accessibility of the group, there will be options for either more adventurous exploration (hiking, etc.), or gentle space to sit with nature and meditate or contemplate.

How’s the weather in the Columbia River Gorge?

In November, temperatures in the Gorge range from the low 30s F at night to the high 50s F during the day. This time of year can be rainy and windy, but may provide some sunshine. Warm layers are recommended as is a good rain coat and/or wind-breaker and sunscreen. 

Will we have free time?

Yes! The immersion will provide plentiful breaks and long mealtimes for participants to reflect and rest. 

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Locally sourced meals will include poultry, fish, vegan, and gluten free options. Please contact Courtney at courtneyaweber@gmail.com if you have dietary concerns or questions.

How much physical activity is required?

Our meeting time will include very little physical activity, but there are walking paths and trails in the area for those who wish to get more physical activity during their breaks. The Friday excursion to the waterfalls will be designed with the accessibility of participants in mind.

Can I bring my partner/kids/or pets?

Intensive participants must be 18 or older. In order for Intensive participants to best focus on the work, it is recommended that if participants would like to bring people with them, that these individuals also apply for the intensive and attend as participants. Pets are not allowed at the immersion, with the exception of ADA service animals. Please see site for more details about ADA service animal requirements.

What about parking at the hotel?

Parking is available at the hotel, including two EV charging stations. All vehicles are parked at the risk of the owner. The Society Hotel shall not assume liability or responsibility for any vehicle, occupants, or contents while operated or parked near the hotel property. 

Why an application?

The immersion is designed with the participants in mind. The application helps us know more about those who will be attending and design the work with their goals.

What does the cost include?

For those who attend regular Pagan conferences, you may have noticed that when all is said and done, the total price of the immersion roughly equals what you could expect to pay at a standard Pagan conference! Conference hotel rooms are typically a few hundred dollars a night, and hotel meals are quite pricey…plus the cost of the conference admission, itself. In this immersion, all meals (excluding one dinner) and activities are included and the price of the lodging is far below the average hotel. The cost also ensures that facilitators are equitably compensated to honor their years of study, experience, expertise initiations and provide them with rest after the event. It also covers their travel and helps us provide the best quality food and support local vendors, returning the resources to the community that will be hosting us so beautifully.

Are scholarships available?

It is the hope of the facilitators that scholarship assistance will be available in some form. With a program this new, we can make no guarantees. If cost is prohibitive, please watch this space for announcements on scholarships. If financial assistance can be made available, an announcement will be made on this site. 

What about accessibility?

The sanctuary at the Society Hotel, where the programming will be held, is accessed by a slight, uphill gravel path. There are no stairs needed to access the sanctuary. Two (2) ADA compliant guest rooms in our Schoolhouse and one (1) ADA Cabin are available, as well as one (1) ADA accessible shared restroom in our Schoolhouse and one (1) in our Spa & Bathhouse, and should be reserved in advance. Accepted participants needing support regarding other ADA accommodations, please contact Courtney at courtneyaweber@gmail.com.

Other questions?

Email morriganimmersion@gmail.com with any questions!