Dragon Rising Retreats:

Healing, Ceremony, and Rebirth

May 15th - 18th 2025

Are fear, shame, or emotional pain keeping you trapped and unable to move forward?  Are you struggling to discern your next steps?  Or do you simply want to dive deeper into your gifts?  As a healer, leader, or a woman giving so much to others, is it time to break free from old patterns and rediscover your path with renewed purpose and strength?

Dragon Rising

Retreats


Are fear, shame, or emotional pain keeping you trapped and unable to move forward?  Are you struggling to discern your next steps?  Or do you simply want to dive deeper into your gifts?  As a healer, leader, or a woman giving so much to others, is it time to break free from old patterns and rediscover your path with renewed purpose and strength?

Retreat Highlights

Connection and Community

Plant medicine ceremonies

Energy Healing

Firewalk


Dragon Rising Retreats is designed for women like you—women who are seeking  to break free from the old patterns that hold them back and are committed to profound personal healing and growth. More than a temporary escape from your life, this retreat is about remembering who you are, your dharma, who you came into this life to actually be.  If you are looking to find your way, your medicine, and remember, then join us. 

Unlike any retreat you’ve ever attended, Dragon Rising Retreats are packed with powerful rituals and healing ceremonies designed to both nurture and challenge you to step into your power. Our experienced facilitators are three energy-filled, accomplished, and intuitive healers who collaborate to offer you a uniquely personal and deeply healing and profound weekend.

Your journey begins even before you arrive with an individual consultation to assess your needs and ensure this retreat is the perfect fit for you. Upon arrival at the serene Indigo Retreat Center, nestled at the edge of the Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina, you will be welcomed and woven into the ceremony we will create together.

ABOUT THE VENUE

Indigo Nature

Retreat Center

Dragon Rising Retreats take place at Indigo Nature Retreat Center in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest western North Carolina.

The retreat center is located on 5 acres and includes access to over 1000 acres of undisturbed national forest. In addition to a beautiful retreat lodge for group gatherings and an outdoor patio for meals, there is a community center with full kitchen and washer/dryer, a yoga loft, fire pits, and miles of walking trails. All accommodations have heating, air conditioning, and wifi (although we hope you will “unplug”). Check in is at 3 pm on Thursday May 15th and check out is at 10 am Sunday May 18th.

The overnight accommodations at Indigo include the following options:

Cabins

Tiny cabins:

Five 1-person private cabins: two twin beds (one loft and one sofa bed). Each cabin has sitting area, mini fridge, coffee maker, heat and A/C.  There is no running water or bathroom facilities in the units, but the community barn is less than 100 ft. away and has 2 full bathrooms, community kitchen, and indoor dining area.

$2900 for registration by Feb. 1; $3250 late registration after Feb. 1.


Creekside cabins:

Two 2 person cabins: two twin beds in one bedroom with kitchen, full bathroom with shower, cozy living room and kitchen nook. Covered porch overlooking creek. 

$2800 for registration by Feb 1; $3100 late registration after Feb. 1 per person

One 4-person cabin: four twin beds in two bedrooms with kitchen, full bathroom with shower, coxy living room and kitchen nook. Covered porch overlooking creek.
$2700 for registration by Feb 1; $3000 late registration after Feb. 1 per person


As much as we love pets, these cabins are not pet friendly.

Food

Locally sourced meals from regional farmers, tailored to your personal dietary needs, prepared by a local chef. To obtain full benefit from this experience, we ask that you do not bring or consume alcohol or substances during this retreat. This is a non-smoking venue.

Why do we have a consultation before the retreat?

This retreat is not simply a quiet, self-guided vacation. Limited to 13 participants, it is an intimate, intensive experience designed to help women in transition to gain clarity and healing. We offer you a personalized experience from the beginning to provide you with support and individualized attention so that you can have maximum benefit. The initial consultation process helps us better plan the retreat to meet your needs. We also provide a follow-up consultation afterward to provide support for you as you integrate your experiences.

Can I rent a private cabin?

Yes. If you are attending with one or more women with whom you would like to share a cabin, please indicate that at registration. There are a few private cabins available with a shared bath.

What is the deadline to register and pay for the retreat?

A $1000 deposit is required to secure a spot at this retreat. This deposit is nonrefuanble. The remainder is due by March 1, 2025.

What is your cancellation fee?

  • Cancellations received by March 1st, 2025 will be refunded 80% of any payments made minus the $1000 deposit and a $100 processing fee

  • Cancellations received after March 1st, 2025 are nonrefundable.

  • You can pay in installments online as long as all payments are in by March 1st, 2025. 

  • If not canceled or paid in full by March 1st, 2025, your reservation will be canceled with no refund.

Are some activities optional?

Yes, and we encourage you to attend all the scheduled experiences.  All the activities are designed to build on the others, and sharing with the community creates a safe space for us to explore and grow.   Individual quiet time for integration and reflection is built into the schedule.

What is a cacao ceremony?

A Cacao Ceremony is a sacred ancient ritual to honor the elements and spirits of Nature, fostering a harmonious connection with all living beings and expressing gratitude for Life itself. Cacao, derived from the cacao bean, has been used for spiritual ceremonies since ancient times by civilizations such as the Mayans and Aztecs. Ingested in the form of a drink, cacao opens the heart to new experiences, acting as a mild stimulant rich in antioxidants. The ceremony includes clearing and shamanic healing methods, such as energy removal or restoration. Post-session effects may include tiredness, vivid dreams, emotional shifts, or rejuvenation. The ceremony aims to set intentions, elevate mood, and deepen connections, promoting inner awakening and creative inspiration. Cacao's health benefits include improved blood flow, blood pressure regulation, and potential diabetes prevention. Its grounding and heart-opening qualities facilitate spiritual intentions, fostering a positive, uplifted state conducive to deeper self-connection and authentic interactions. Held early in the retreat weekend, the ceremony aids participants in reconnecting with their inner selves, fostering balance for subsequent activities.

What is a tobacco ceremony?

Tobacco, revered as a master teacher plant, is utilized for deep cleansing and healing. The ceremony employs Mapacho, a potent form of tobacco, known for its strong and direct healing properties. Through ingestion, this sacred plant cleanses the body of toxins, clears negative energy, and communicates through the intuitive space.

The ceremony honors diverse traditions and offers shamanic healing. Participants engage in intentional dialogue, identifying areas for growth and reconnecting with their spirit. This ceremony does not shy away from the challenges of healing but provides a clear path for real transformation, empowering individuals to shift perspectives and behavior patterns. 

What is Spinal Energetics?

The Spinal Energetics group session will be a combination of somatic yoga, allowing participants to reconnect to their body with simple movement and breathwork.  Next, each person in the group will be activated through light touch and intention.  This combination of steps allows each participant to calm their nervous system and then shift energy as needed to begin a healing process based on what they need.  

Spinal Energetics, a healing method originating from Australia, delves into the intricate interplay of the spine, nervous system, and energetic field to tap into an individual's innate healing capacity. Similar to Reiki, it involves gentle touch or touch-free techniques to facilitate energy flow within the body. Clients often experience the urge to move or vocalize as they release accumulated tension, resistance, and trauma.

Rooted in the understanding that unresolved trauma can manifest physically when the nervous system is overwhelmed, Spinal Energetics offers a pathway to release these blocks. Developed by Dr. Sarah Jane, a chiropractor and counselor, this modality blends Eastern and Western philosophies to engage with the body's subtle energies and innate wisdom.

Recognizing that each person is a complex amalgamation of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energies, Spinal Energetics aims to restore balance along this spectrum. This process, driven by the individual's energy and intuition, fosters deep self-awareness and empowerment, guiding them towards greater wellbeing.

What is a Firewalk Ceremony?

The Firewalk Ceremony at Dragon Rising Retreats is a profound spiritual ritual designed to empower participants and catalyze deep personal transformation. This sacred rite, facilitated by a Certified Sundoor Firewalk Facilitator, involves walking barefoot across a bed of glowing embers. This powerful act symbolizes the journey through fear, self-doubt, and limitation, leading participants towards courage, clarity, and newfound strength.

As part of the ceremony, participants place offerings in the fire, engage in meditation, and set intentions to align their minds and hearts. The supportive community at Dragon Rising Retreats creates a nurturing environment for sharing experiences and overcoming fear. Walking bravely through the coals symbolizes the liberation from personal constraints, leading to empowerment and inner strength.

The Firewalk Ceremony at Dragon Rising Retreats is more than a physical challenge—it's a transformative spiritual journey. It serves as a powerful reminder of our ability to transcend limitations, harness inner strength, and emerge from life's trials with renewed purpose and clarity.

Meet Your Weekend Guides

Danelle Hallenbeck

Whispers of Nature

Danelle Hallenbeck, M.A. is a Rites of Passage Wilderness Training Guide, Certified Sundoor Firewalk Facilitator, Certified Warrior Goddess Facilitator, Reiki practitioner, Ordained Minister, life coach, and grief guide. She founded Whispers of Nature in 2016, where she facilitates healing retreats immersed in nature, Medicine Wheel workshops, Firewalk retreats, and Women’s Circles (www.whispersofnature.com). Danelle has hiked the Mountains to Sea Trail across the state of NC, has completed extensive vision quests, and has survived and been transformed by her own painful life losses through the healing power of nature. Her experiences and heartfelt understanding of life's challenges equip her to guide you through the uncharted territories of your soul. With a profound understanding of nature's healing powers, Danelle's purpose and passion lie in leading you towards a deeper connection with your most authentic self. Explore the wilderness not just as a path through the trees, but as a passage to self-discovery. Danelle helps you resonate with the harmony of the natural world, shedding your burdens, to embrace your raw, unencumbered essence. She navigates you through this process to create a reality crafted by your design, narrated by your unique voice. Danelle holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services with Specialization in Business Administration from Liberty University, and a BS Degree in Sociology from Iowa State University.

Danelle's Bio

Danelle Hallenbeck, M.A. is a Rites of Passage Wilderness Training Guide, Certified Sundoor Firewalk Facilitator, Certified Warrior Goddess Facilitator, Reiki practitioner, Ordained Minister, life coach, and grief guide. She founded Whispers of Nature in 2016, where she facilitates healing retreats immersed in nature, Medicine Wheel workshops, Firewalk retreats, and Women’s Circles (www.whispersofnature.com). Danelle has hiked the Mountains to Sea Trail across the state of NC, has completed extensive vision quests, and has survived and been transformed by her own painful life losses through the healing power of nature. Her experiences and heartfelt understanding of life's challenges equip her to guide you through the uncharted territories of your soul. With a profound understanding of nature's healing powers, Danelle's purpose and passion lie in leading you towards a deeper connection with your most authentic self. Explore the wilderness not just as a path through the trees, but as a passage to self-discovery. Danelle helps you resonate with the harmony of the natural world, shedding your burdens, to embrace your raw, unencumbered essence. She navigates you through this process to create a reality crafted by your design, narrated by your unique voice. Danelle holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services with Specialization in Business Administration from Liberty University, and a BS Degree in Sociology from Iowa State University.

Heather Edwards

WaterSpirit Healing

Heather's Bio

Heather Edwards is an energy healer from the Appalachian Mountains of NC. She owns and operates WaterSpirit Healing (waterspirithealing.com). Heather is a certified Reiki Master and Teacher through the International Reiki Center, a Spinal Energetics Practitioner trained in Australia by Dr. Sarah Jane, and a 500hr Yoga teacher of 15 years. Calling upon these modalities, she provides somatic, intuitive healing experiences, allowing clients to walk through their own spiritual alchemy based on what the body and mind need and are ready to release. She has studied multiple healing modalities, spiritual training, and ceremonies. Her sessions can also include cacao and tobacco ceremonies to further the soul's transformation and mind-body connection to help clients move forward by speaking their truths and manifesting their goals. Heather offers a powerful intuitive and perceptive presence, experience in a variety of healing modalities, and a deep connection to her own spiritual guidance to assist individuals and groups in remembering their own healing abilities. She assists clients in calming their nervous system in various ways to surrender into a somatic healing experience. Heather approaches each session with a customized process, allowing each client's unique energy to dictate the needs and next steps. A session may begin with a clearing session using a stone from the waters of the Appalachian mountains, a somatic shaking approach to move the energy, a Reiki session to check in with the client - clearing the chakras as needed and then implementing Spinal Energetics techniques to move the healing process directly to the client.

Heather Edwards is an energy healer from the Appalachian Mountains of NC. She owns and operates WaterSpirit Healing (waterspirithealing.com). Heather is a certified Reiki Master and Teacher through the International Reiki Center, a Spinal Energetics Practitioner trained in Australia by Dr. Sarah Jane, and a 500hr Yoga teacher of 15 years. Calling upon these modalities, she provides somatic, intuitive healing experiences, allowing clients to walk through their own spiritual alchemy based on what the body and mind need and are ready to release. She has studied multiple healing modalities, spiritual training, and ceremonies. Her sessions can also include cacao and tobacco ceremonies to further the soul's transformation and mind-body connection to help clients move forward by speaking their truths and manifesting their goals. Heather offers a powerful intuitive and perceptive presence, experience in a variety of healing modalities, and a deep connection to her own spiritual guidance to assist individuals and groups in remembering their own healing abilities. She assists clients in calming their nervous system in various ways to surrender into a somatic healing experience. Heather approaches each session with a customized process, allowing each client's unique energy to dictate the needs and next steps. A session may begin with a clearing session using a stone from the waters of the Appalachian mountains, a somatic shaking approach to move the energy, a Reiki session to check in with the client - clearing the chakras as needed and then implementing Spinal Energetics techniques to move the healing process directly to the client.

Dr Deb Peters

Authentic Connection

Deb's Bio

Deb Peters, PhD is an intuitive seeker, contemplative mystic, and a conduit of loving energy. Originally a Licensed Psychologist, she has practiced clinical psychology for 30 years. She owns and operates Wisdom Path: Counseling and Wellness Services (www.wisdompathnc.com), a group holistic psychotherapy practice in Morganton, NC. Now, in the last third of her life, she seeks a quieter, more contemplative flow to her life and has created Authentic Connection: Guided Healing and Ceremony (www.authenticconnectionllc.com) to allow her to return to what she loves most, making connections and helping others do the same. She is a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant trained through the Celebrant Foundation and Institute, specializing in healing and transition through ceremony and ritual. She is a Spiritual Director/Companion, currently being trained by the Haden Institute, an interfaith program that blends Jungian Depth Psychology, dreamwork, and personal self-exploration with a mystical deepening of the relationship with the Divine in and around us. She is also a certified Reiki Master, a trained labyrinth facilitator, and a retreat facilitator. Deb offers compassionate listening, personal insight, energy healing, and the power of ceremony to assist individuals and groups with personal growth and transformation.

Deb Peters, PhD is an intuitive seeker, contemplative mystic, and a conduit of loving energy. Originally a Licensed Psychologist, she has practiced clinical psychology for 30 years. She owns and operates Wisdom Path: Counseling and Wellness Services (www.wisdompathnc.com), a group holistic psychotherapy practice in Morganton, NC. Now, in the last third of her life, she seeks a quieter, more contemplative flow to her life and has created Authentic Connection: Guided Healing and Ceremony (www.authenticconnectionllc.com) to allow her to return to what she loves most, making connections and helping others do the same. She is a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant trained through the Celebrant Foundation and Institute, specializing in healing and transition through ceremony and ritual. She is a Spiritual Director/Companion, currently being trained by the Haden Institute, an interfaith program that blends Jungian Depth Psychology, dreamwork, and personal self-exploration with a mystical deepening of the relationship with the Divine in and around us. She is also a certified Reiki Master, a trained labyrinth facilitator, and a retreat facilitator. Deb offers compassionate listening, personal insight, energy healing, and the power of ceremony to assist individuals and groups with personal growth and transformation.

Retreat Highlights

Cocoa Ceremony

Firewalk

Spinal Energetics

Tobacco Ceremony

Medicine Walk

Daily Yoga

Schedule

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Friday

Cocoa Ceremony

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Saturday

Water Ritual

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Sunday

Spinal Energitics

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Friday

Tobacco Ceremony

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Daily

Daily Yoga

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Saturday

Firewalk

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Testimonials

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jane DOE

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JANE DOE

1037 Newberry Creek Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA

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