Make Medicines and Magic in Avalon with me This Summer.
Join the Herbs of Avalon 2025 Glastonbury Retreat, and experience life as the healer priestesses of Avalon once did.
Immerse Yourself in the Healing Herbal Wisdom of Morgan Le Fay
About the Retreat:
In July of 2025, gather for five nights and four full days with Herbalist and Priestess Suzanne O’Gara in Avalon (Glastonbury, England) to walk the sacred land as we forage, craft herbal remedies, and come together in ceremony.
During our time together, we will climb the Tor, enjoy private access to the White Spring and Chalice Well Gardens, explore the medicine garden at Glastonbury Abbey, roam the wild Faerie Forests beside the Marshes of Avalon, and spend an entire day outside of town at the Apothecary Garden in Butleigh.
Each day together will not only involve spending time at historic sacred sites, but also hours of herbal medicine making and Kitchen Witchery - we’ll craft salves, teas, tinctures and more to help you build an apothecary worthy of Morgan Le Fay herself!
Each night, there will be ceremonies, rituals, and even a Lammas/Lughnassadh celebration led by myself (and maybe a guest Priestess or two).
About Our Medicine Making and Ritual Venues
I am elated to announce that when not visiting famed historic sites such as the Tor or the White Spring, Herbs of Avalon Retreat attendees will have exclusive access to the absolutely spellbinding kitchen, grand dining room, and temple space at The Covenstead pagan B&B during our entire time together.
The Covenstead lies at the heart of downtown Glastonbury, just across the street from the majestic ruins at Glastonbury Abbey and a few doors down from the Goddess Healing House. There will be a limited number of retreat spots that include room, board, and double occupancy at The Covenstead for an additional fee- see below for details.
On the Saturday of our weekend, however, we will travel to the gorgeous and otherworldly Apothecary Garden, just outside town in Butleigh, where we’ll learn how to create lavender hydrolats, gather herbs, bliss out in plant spirit meditation, pet donkeys, and give thanks to Mother Earth in celebration of Lammas/Lughnassad.
So…What are the details? What’s Included?
Let’s take a look.
Every Retreat Package Includes…
admission/Entry Fees to all Sacred Sites & Venues
During our time together, we will have private access to the Chalice Well Gardens and the White Spring, and will also visit Glastonbury Abbey - admission fees and donations to these sites are included in the retreat.
In addition, we’ll spend all of Saturday offsite at the beautiful Apothecary Garden in Butleigh, where we’ll have access to the medicine gardens, the stone circle, the hydrosol machines, and more. Car transportation to and from the Gardens from Glastonbury town centre will be provided.
At least 10 Hours of Ceremony and Ritual
Chant and sing in the secret chambers of the White Spring. Lose yourself in deep meditation beside the Chalice Well. Cast circle in a temple space that feels like a Witchcraft museum. Give thanks to the Mother within a stone circle at Lughnassad.
There is nothing more fulfilling than standing in circle with your sisters on the boundaries of the Faerie realm, hearts and minds united in a love of all things Avalon, Morgan Le Fay, Priestess-y and Witchy.
As Priestess, Witch, and guide, I will facilitate rituals and ceremonies each night, rich with spellcraft, divination, guided meditation and visioning, and more. Stay tuned for announcements of guest Priestesses, too!
All Supplies Needed to Create Herbal Remedies - which you’ll take home!
While we’ll be foraging for some of the Avalonian herbs we’ll be working with, we’ll also be creating some remedies together with dried herbs and botanicals, including salves, teas, and perhaps a tincture or syrup - all bottles, tins, jars, beeswax, oils, and dried herbs will be provided.
In addition, everything we create during our day at the Apothecary Garden will be included as well.
And there just might be welcome bags with teas and treats from my shop, too ;)
Hours of Plant Identification and Foraging
This is perhaps the most wonderful thing about making the journey to Avalon: to meet the magical and medicine plants that the Priestesses once used, in their natural habitat. We will explore the lush levels around the Tor, meeting. the sacred Hawthorn, Linden, Apple, and Rowan trees and dueling with the Stinging Nettles!
Herbs of Avalon students will be able to identify many of the plants we study in class during our visits to the Abbey garden, the Apothecary Garden, and the wild Faerie Forests, too.
Hands-on Instruction from an experienced Teacher and Herbalist
Many of you have studied with me online, but nothing beats an in person, hands-on class to take your Herbcraft to the next level AND have fun at the same time!
Certified Herbalist, teacher, and Alchemy of Avalon shop owner Suzanne O’Gara will guide you through the best practices of herbal medicine making techniques, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the table (pun intended!). We will also receive instruction on the use of hydrolat machines during our time at the Apothecary Garden.
Dinners, Desserts, and more - Prepared by our Personal Chef
Also joining our retreat team is my husband, Executive Chef and Dining Director Sean Roe - he’ll be our Personal Chef, bringing over 20 years’ experience creating beautiful and unique food with special attention to food allergies, dietary restrictions, and “letting food be thy medicine”.
Sean will provide dinners and desserts (and probably other snacks and treats, too) for all retreat attendees on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Full Retreat Package Option: Room & Board at the Covenstead
Sleep and dine within the walls of our personal pagan palace!
In addition to the above, there will be a limited number of spots available which include room & board at The Covenstead for an additional fee.
These spots are double or quadruple occupancy, shared King or Queen bed, and shared private/en suite bathroom. Rooms are fully decked out with gorgeous antique furniture, luxury bathrooms with tub and standing shower, and abundant bedding, decor, and artwork creating an unforgettable atomosphere.
Registration for one of these rooms includes full breakfast Thursday through Sunday in addition to the above mentioned meals. There are 8 of these spots total.
FAQ
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The Herbs of Avalon 2025 Glastonbury Retreat runs from mid-morning of Thursday July 24th through Sunday night, July 27th.
Therefore, attendees should plan to arrive in Glastonbury at least by mid-day on Wednesday July 23rd, checking in to their B&Bs by late afternoon.
We will have a casual pre-retreat meet & greet that Wednesday night around 6pm at the Who’d a Thought It pub (not included in the retreat package, but you may order or not order as you wish).
Departure is Monday morning, however, note that our retreat is scheduled right before the Glastonbury Goddess Conference begins, so you may want to extend your stay if you’d like to attend!
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Early 2025 pricing for the Basic Retreat package is $839 USD through March 1st.
Early 2025 pricing for the Full Retreat package (including room + board at The Covenstead) is $1255 USD through March 1st.
As of mid January 2025, there is 1 remaining spot available for the Full Retreat Package, and 7 available for the Basic package.
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The Herbs of Avalon Retreat is designed to compliment my nine month online course, “Herbs of Avalon: Morgana’s Materia Medica”. It makes a wonderfully immersive enhancement for those who have graduated from, or who are currently taking the course.
However! There will be a number of spots reserved for folks who have not taken the course as well - the projects, lessons, and ceremonies that we will do on the retreat together are designed to be accessible to anyone with a love of Avalon, Herbalism, Morgan Le Fay, Green Witchcraft & Healing, etc. So if you’re new to this, don’t worry - I’ve gotcha!
Gender inclusivity: this retreat is currently designed for all women (Alchemy of Avalon affirms that trans women are women), as well as non-binary folks who are comfortable in a setting that centers the female experience.
In addition, our time together is intended for those who are 18 or older.
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Here is what IS included in the retreat package: Entry fees/admission/local transportation to all sacred sites and venues, 10+ hours of ceremony, 8+ hours of instruction, all supplies for herbal medicine making (you will take home at least 3-4 herbal products), three full dinners (plus desserts, tea, and snacks) created exclusively for attendees by our personal chef, plus additional surprise gifts and guest priestess appearances!
Here is what’s NOT included in the basic retreat package: airfare and/or ground transportation to and from Glastonbury UK, accommodations in Glastonbury, dinner on Sunday before the closing ceremony, breakfasts & lunches all 4 days.
Limited number of spots with 5 nights’ accommodation at The Covenstead and daily full breakfast available at an additional cost.
All attendees will have the option of adding on additional Personal Chef services for lunches and/or breakfasts tailored to your dietary needs, for an additional fee.
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Yes! There is an option to pay over the course of four biweekly installments.
Other types of payment plans might be possible - just email me at info@alchemyofavalontea.com and let me know what you have in mind - we’ll work something out!
All payments must be completed by March 1st, 2025 (this date is slightly flexible - talk to me with any concerns).
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We understand that no one books a space on a retreat with the intention to cancel, but that very occasionally, emergencies happen and the need may arise.
Due to the nature of international/air travel and the need to pay many of our venues in advance, no refunds will be given for cancellations made after February 15th 2025.
However, you are more than welcome to sell your spot on the retreat should this occur. If the need should arise for you to do this, please contact me first and I will have coordinate the sale/transfer of your spot.
In the event that Alchemy of Avalon LLC/Suzanne O’Gara should cancel the retreat, you may choose to be refunded in full, or, apply your payment to another retreat date in the future.
Futhermore, all attendees are STRONGLY encouraged to purchase travel insurance prior to July 1st 2025 - this is to ensure that you are protected against forces beyond your control (acts of God, war, labor strikes, pandemic, earthquake, flooding, etc.) as well as things like flight cancellations/airline strikes, medical emergencies, and so forth.
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After registration, I will send you a few forms that will need to be filled out, signed, and returned to me. For the most part this will be our Hold Harmless/Media Release agreement and Statement of Travel Insurance. I will also ask you to fill out a form to tell us about dietary requirements and preferences, any physical/medical issues you need me to know about, etc.
In addition, a secret Facebook group will be created - this will not only allow attendees to get to know one another and get excited about the trip together, but also will allow us to communicate about things like what to pack, places to stay (for those not registered for room and board), sharing taxis from the closest train station, deadlines for things like waivers and proof of insurance, and so on.
The Facebook group, as well as our private attendee's email list, will also be where I announce surprises that may happen during the retreat, possible add-ons and “side quests”, etc.!
I also plan to post things like journal prompts and ceremonies we can do together and as a group to prepare spiritually for the trip and continue to bond.
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Not to worry - just email me at info@alchemyofavalontea.com and we can chat there or book a free zoom call.
What will I gain on the Herbs of Avalon Retreat?
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Live the life of the Priestesses of Avalon
Walk the sacred lands, spend hours in ceremony
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Create and experience true connection in Sisterhood/Siblinghood
Spend precious in-person time with people you’ll want to know forever.
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Herbal Healing Wisdom, Morgan Le Fay style
Hone your confidence in medicinal and magickal Herbalism.
Meet your Retreat Team
Suzanne O’Gara, Certified Herbalist and Priestess of Morgan Le Fay
Suzanne has been teaching classes in Herbalism and Witchcraft for nearly 15 years, most notably as Director of her nine month online course, “Herbs of Avalon: Morgana’s Materia Medica”. She also serves as the Herbcraft Professor for Demelza Fox's "Morgan LeFay Mystery School", for which she has also acted twice as Retreat Assistant to Demi in Glastonbury.
Suzanne is perhaps best known as the sole owner of Alchemy of Avalon tea & herb shop, which she has been running online for over 12 years and in person at its brick-and-mortar location in Greenfield, MA, for over 3 years.
She has also appeared as a guest teacher/presenter for the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bewitching the Waters Symposium, the Water Priestess Confluence, and Ninefold Festival, to name a few.
Suzanne trained in Western Herbalism and Aromatherapy at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe AZ, under the tutelage of Joann Sanchez, graduating in early 2011.
Sean Roe, Executive Chef/Dining Director
Sean Michael Roe has worked for the last 20 years in the Culinary industry, using his agile Aquarian skills to move between roles as Executive Chef and Dining Services Director for various restaurants, meal prep companies, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals.
Having graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 2004, Sean began his Chef career with Scottsdale Healthcare, quickly seeing the need for greater attention toward the role that the foods we eat plays in the health of our bodies and minds.
He began a lifelong commitment to finding innovative, delicious, and sustainable ways to “let food be thy medicine”, easily creating unique recipes which incorporate medicinal herbs and nutrient dense ingredients that are also accessible to those with severe food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Sean currently serves as Dining Services Manager for the Bement School in Deerfield, MA. In his free time he lends his culinary passions as the official scone baker of Alchemy of Avalon, and volunteers for Stone Soup Cafe.
Praise for Suzanne and Herbs of Avalon
"Suzanne’s love of tea and her herbal education is intense and driven from a deep knowledge that she pours out in every cup. Anyone who seeks to learn from Suzanne will benefit from her vast knowledge, love, and dedication. I can’t recommend her enough!”
Annwyn Avalon, Author, Water Witchcraft, The Way of the Water Priestess, and Celtic Goddess Grimoire
"Suzanne is one of the most knowledgeable, enthusiastic, supportive, and encouraging teachers I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Suzanne is great at meeting her students where they are, as she teaches and encourages growth. I truly hope you find your way to the Holy Isle of Avalon by taking this class!"
Maranda Wabik, Herbs of Avalon Graduate and Author, White Rose of Avalon blog and Enchantress of Avalon on Patreon
Join your Sisters and Siblings in Avalon next Summer.
Register now for the four day, five night Herbs of Avalon 2025 Glastonbury Retreat.
