Bottled Wisdom:
A Spiritual Retreat for Making Magical Supplies
A 5-Day Spiritual Retreat for Hands-On Work with Materia Magica, Creativity, and the Magician’s Archetype
November 17-21, 2025
Nectar Retreat on Bowen Island
A Spiritual Retreat for Making Witchcraft Supplies
Transform your practice by replacing generic ritual supplies by personalizing your own for full potency. We’ll cover sourcing; purification and protection; consecration and production using trusted Daoist and syncretized methods so your magic will feel more resourced, precise, and effective.
Led by Mimi Young, a Taiwanese Canadian animist spirit medium, the BOTTLED WISDOM: A WITCHES RETREAT FOR SPELLCRAFTING takes place from November 17-21, 2025, at Nectar Retreat Centre on Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island), BC. Stay in minimalist cabins surrounded by 20 acres of forest, in a beautiful setting featured by the NYT and Condé Nast Traveler as a recommended destination for spiritual retreats. For deeper study into spellcasting, consider Crafting the Arcane.
Bottled Wisdom Retreat Highlights:
No matter your level of experience with witchcraft, you are warmly invited to step into a safe and sacred space to craft magickal spiritual tools such as altar and floor washes, herbal incense, and anointing parfums. Seasoned practitioners can immerse themselves deeply in ritual, while beginners will receive essential guidance to confidently support their practice.
HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTTLED WISDOM RETREAT:
Creative rituals and art making as spiritual practice and personal care
Learn foundational techniques of art-based divination.
Learn how to work with the Five Elements of Daoism (Wu Xing) in the context of creativity and spellcasting
Working with Yin, Yang, materia magica of botanicals, minerals to make ritual supplies that are personalized to your magick practice, such as altar and floor washes, ritual dusts / herbal incense, anointing parfums, and more.
Solo time for self-reflection, creative flow, and collaboration with spirits.
Daily animist divination and Tea ceremonies
Daily movement sessions led by Andrea Clark
A morning of contrast therapy at the saunas at Mist Thermal Sanctuary
Time by a covered fire pit surrounded by the forest
As the spiritual retreat will focus specifically on potion-making within a defined scope of work, beginners are also encouraged to consider enrolling in the Crafting The Arcane Spellcasting Series to build a solid foundation in spellcasting ethics and techniques.
Animate your creations by working with the elements and magical tools, embodying the Magician’s archetype. Balance creativity and rest through mindful practices rooted in Yin, Yang, and Daoist principles.
Each Day’s Key Energetics
day 1
Land and Attune
day 2
Art Divining
day 3
Materia Magica
day 4
Finalizing Your Magickal Potions
day 5
Resourced + Renewed
INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
5 days (4 nights) accommodations at NECTAR RETREAT CENTRE , Bowen Island, BC (just a 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver).
Organic, nutrient-dense, and delicious plant-based traditional meals.
Daily course programming and handouts
A selection of raw ingredients and materials for creating your spiritual supplies will be provided. (Participants will also receive a list of additional supplies they need to source themselves).
Daily Daoist tea ceremonies and tea sits (herbal tisanes also available)
Solitude and stillness for personal reflection and spellwork
Group gatherings with life-direction mediumship messages by Mimi Young
Morning gentle, functional movement sessions with Andrea Clark (see below)
Hot Sauna and Cold Plunge Circuit at Mist Thermal Sanctuary
Added February 2025: A gorgeous covered fire pit at Nectar
OPTIONAL PRIVATE SESSIONS
Opportunities to work privately with Mimi via private sessions are offered in three pricing tiers, based on your current financial situation for SHAMANIC READINGS, FIVE ELEMENTS ZODIAC READINGS, and PRIVATE MENTORSHIP SESSIONS during the retreat. Attendees will also receive an additional 15% off on any tier they select.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
This retreat does not include transportation to or from the venue; attendees are responsible for their own transportation. Ferry schedules can be found on BC Ferries’ website TO BOWEN, and returning TO VANCOUVER. It is advised to check BCFERRIES.COM frequently as the retreat approaches as BC Ferries update their schedules regularly. *Complete list of materials will be provided upon sign up for the retreat.
WITCHES RETREAT ITINERARY
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Check-in and Venue Tour
Welcome Snacks
Orientation + Land Acknowledgement
Tea as Portal: Activating the Altar + Invoking the Spirits
Dinner
Gentle Somatic Movement Evening Practice
Quiet Time
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Gentle Somatic Movement Morning Practice
Breakfast
Tea as Portal: Opening to Receive
Bottled Wisdom Session 1
Lunch
Winter forest walks or Optional Private Sessions
Bottled Wisdom Session 2
Dinner
Fluid Solo Practice
Winter forest bathing in Nectar’s Forest Bathing Hot Tub
Quiet time
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Gentle Somatic Movement Morning Practice
Breakfast
Tea as Portal: Opening to Receive
Sauna and Cold Plunge at Mist Thermal
Lunch
Winter forest walks, Fluid Solo Time, or Optional Private Sessions
Bottled Wisdom Session 3
Dinner
Bottled Wisdom Session 4 + Fluid Solo Practice
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Gentle Somatic Movement Morning Practice
Breakfast
Tea as Portal: Opening to Receive
Bottled Wisdom Session 5
Lunch
Winter forest walks or Optional Private Sessions
Bottled Wisdom Session 6 + Fluid Practice Time
Dinner
Candlelight Group Sharing + Witnessing + Celebration
Market (optional)
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Gentle Somatic Movement Morning Practice
Breakfast
Making Time Session 7– Ritual + Releasing the Altar
Closing + Benediction
Schedule is subject to change.
LOCATION
BOTTLED WISDOM: WITCHES RETREAT FOR POTION MAKING in November 2025 will be held at the acclaimed Nectar Retreat—featured by NYT and Condé Nast Traveler—on Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island, BC). Set on 20 acres of pristine forest within the traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, Nectar offers a tranquil, nature-forward escape with modern comforts just a 20-minute ferry ride from Vancouver. This retreat also includes a hot sauna and cold plunge at Nectar’s sister venue, Mist Thermal, for a memorable experience.
Four lodging options are available, along with payment plans. More under the Retreat Investment section.
MEALS
Immerse yourself in mouth-watering, plant-based global-traditional cuisine, prepared onsite at Nectar Retreat Centre with locally sourced ingredients that celebrate the season. These nourishing dishes aim to kindle warmth within, fostering a deeper connection to yourself and the land. Nectar is a meat and fish-free facility, and can accommodate meals to various allergies and dietary needs.
MOVEMENT
Gentle daily, functional movement sessions that focus on breath and alignment of the body in ways that feel easeful and just-enough-challenge for those we seek it. Andrea Clark blends various yoga disciplines with pilates and flowing motions of Gyrotonic that support ease and mobility for all bodies, and all ages.
Why I created this witches retreat
MEET MIMI
Hello! My name is Mimi Young, and I’m a Taiwanese Canadian animist spirit medium and the founder of Ceremonie, where I resource folks who seek greater intuition and creative possibilities with the Unseen, especially when approaching endings or beginnings in wildly vibrant and renewing ways.
Bottled Wisdom: Witches Retreat for Potion Making is to set aside time for hands-on witchcraft and creating. While employing spiritual supplies made by other practitioners is a wonderful and convenient thing (I sell potent Aura and Ritual Care supplies, after all), there is also something to be said to customizing your own spiritual tools, relating with the magical materia directly.
Since society does not honour and guard our quiet and creative times, I’m hosting this wellness retreat dedicated to preserving and safeguarding the sanctity and responsibility of ritual and witchcraft practice, as well as make room for artful reflection and creative expression.
There’s unique value in creating your own spiritual supplies, directly engaging with the magical materia, and growing as a magickal practitioner in the presence of community.
INVESTMENT
This 5 days, 4 nights retreat is open up to 16 participants. For the list of what is included in the retreat, refer to the “Highlight of What’s Included” section.
Four lodging options are available, available via a payment plan, or save by paying in one sum. The fees below include everything listed in the “Highlights of What’s Included” section.
Please note that most raw materials and supplies are included in the pricing. The prices reflect not only the hard costs but also the sourcing, vetting processes, ritual preparation of each of the materia magica, and other time factors. As such, they are not negotiable or adaptable. Thank you for understanding.
Clients signing up for retreat
must read and consent to this agreement.
International travellers are responsible for ensuring they meet entry requirements for Canada.
GST is applicable for all transactions.
EMERALD ROOM
Shared - Most Affordable, In Lodge
SOLD OUT!
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Located in the Main Lodge, the Emerald room features the option of a solo room with a double bed or as a shared room with separate twin beds, and shared attached bathroom.
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Sleeps either 1 solo guest with a double bed or 2 shared accommodation guests with separate twin beds
Ensuite bathroom
Natural, locally-made toiletries
In-room Wi-Fi
Smart TV
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Shared Accommodations (save $768 each compared to Solo):
One (1) payment of $2190 ($1990 + $200 materials fee + tax per person). Save $105 + tax when paid in lump sum.
Solo Accommodation:One (1) payment of $3290 ($3090 + $200 materials fee + tax per person). Save $100 + tax when paid in lump sum.
SOLD OUT!
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Clean, non-smoking facility
SHARED
SOLO
AMBER/TURQUOISE ROOMS
Private, In Lodge
SOLD OUT!
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Located in the Main Lodge, this option features private rooms with double bed, with shared detached bathroom.
One room left!
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Each room sleeps 1 guest, double bed
Shared bathroom between both rooms
Natural, locally-made toiletries
In-room Wi-Fi
Smart TV
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One (1) payment of $2390 ($2190 + $200 materials fee + tax per person). Save $85 + tax per person when paid in lump sum.
Amber and Turquoise Rooms are now sold out!
The prices reflect not only the hard costs but also the labour, knowledge, sourcing of materials, and other time factors. As such, they are not negotiable or adaptable. Thank you for understanding and supporting my work as a sole operator. -
Clean, non-smoking facility
A-FRAME CABINS
Private - Detached Units, Minimal
SOLD OUT!
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Double bed in private A-frame cottage with shared detached washroom in separate Main Lodge.
Two A-Frames left
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Each A-frame sleeps 1 guest, double bed
Covered front deck with year-round seating
Shared detach bathrooms, with showers (10 meters outside walk away)
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Wifi available in the Main Lodge
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SOLD OUT!
One (1) payment of $2488 ($2288 + $200 materials fee + tax per person). Save $92 + tax when paid in lump sum.
The prices reflect not only the hard costs but also the labour, knowledge, sourcing of materials, and other time factors. As such, they are not negotiable or adaptable. Thank you for understanding and supporting my work as a sole operator. -
Clean, non-smoking facility
DELUXE COTTAGES
Accommodations with Enriched Amenities
SOLD OUT!
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Guests have the option to select solo or shared accommodations (with savings for shared options).
If solo accommodation is selected, you will have a queen size bed to yourself, with the ensuite bathroom for yoursef.
For those who select shared accommodations, beds will be srranged as single beds in semi-private cottage (max capacity 3 in each cottage), with shared ensuite bathroom.
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Each cottage sleeps up to 3 guests, twin beds (see ‘Sleeping Arrangement’) OR if you’ve selected solo accommodation, you’ll have the entire cottage all to yourself!
Ensuite bathroom (double sinks, indoor shower, toilet)
Outdoor shower (available when temperatures are above 0 degrees Celsius)
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Mini fridge
Kettle, mugs, assorted teas
Indoor reading nook overlooking the forest
In-cabin Wifi
Private deck with reading chairs
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SOLD OUT!
Shared Accommodations (save $1438 each compared to Solo):One (1) payment of $2350 ($2150 + $200 materials fee + tax per person). Save $95 + tax per person when paid in lump sum.
Solo Accommodation:One (1) payment of $3988 ($3788 + $200 materials fee + tax per person). Save $137 + tax when paid in lump sum.
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For those who select the shared accommodation option, we encourage guests choosing this lodging option to book as a couple, with friends, or are open to making new ones.
Please also note one of the beds is located in the cottage’s loft; the guest staying in the loft must have full mobility and is comfortable going up and down a ladder. Please indicate at the time of registration if you are not comfortable with sleeping in the loft.
Clean, non-smoking facility
SHARED
SOLO
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS - NOW CLOSED
Please help us provide community care by holding yourself to a standard of personal honesty. Our Partial Scholarship is intended for those facing financial hardship and would otherwise not be able to attend a wellness witch retreat.
Ceremonie, in collaboration with Nectar Retreat, is humbled to offer metaphysical scholarships, known as Partial Ceremonie Scholarships, available in limited quantities and reserved for those encountering obstacles or systemic biases hindering sufficient income for survival. We encourage individuals facing financial challenges, including those from marginalized racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA+ communities, individuals with diverse neurological abilities, over-stretched single parents, or anyone else facing extenuating circumstances, to apply when the program is open.
In an effort to ensure that community care funds are directed to those who need it most, please note that Partial Ceremonie Scholarships are NOT meant for folks who can comfortably meet survival needs, own assets or investments, or have privileges based on class background.
