“The Heart Leaps Up…” Workshop Series
Upcoming Workshops
The Long Journey Home
~ Using Homer’s Odyssey as a guide
A retreat for personal renewal on the Greek island of Paros.
The Long Journey Home
~ Using Homer’s Odyssey as a guide
A retreat for personal renewal on the Greek island of Paros.
October 1-8, 2025
After more than 5000 years, The Odyssey continues to lure us with its rich imagery. A raging god thwarts Odysseus, while benevolent goddesses and sorceresses aid him on his journey home. Along the way we encounter Cyclops, Scylla, Charybdis, and many other monstrous beings who are an essential part of his journey. The story is an affirmation of the power of the feminine and the need to surrender to it when we are stuck. This is much needed right now.
Together we’ll follow the path of Odysseus, with all its twists and turns, and see how his journey might inform and inspire us on our journeys. There is a reason why the book gets new translations almost yearly and why there are 3 films based on The Odyssey currently. The book is archetypal as are many of its characters.
Each day begins with optional meditation, followed by dream sharing. Then we head to the beach for sand play. Afternoons are free to explore the island, swim, rest or make art. Evenings we will personalize the rich tale of Odysseus using the expressive arts – clay, dance, drawing and writing with live music. We will also take a boat trip to a more remote island.
Exploring Greek myths and stories in the setting where they arose can be a life-altering experience. In the pure light of Greece, the mind slips sideways and the heart leaps up. We come closer to our innate selves. We let go of the superfluous. We breathe deeper. Join us on this journey!
Led by Kate Macairt, Dennis McCarthy, and Lee Myer, with live Greek music with Maria Kaponaki.
Cost = $2500. Includes room, breakfast, shared car rental, day trip to Naxos, and retreat cost.
October 1st, 2025 – October 8th, 2025.
Registration deadline is June 1st, 2025.
To register or for more info, contact Kate at kmacairt@protonmail.com or Dennis at metamorfosinstitute@gmail.com
Past Workshops
Replenishing the Soul
A Creative Retreat in the Greek Islands
“…in the pure light of Greece, the mind slips sideways, the heart leaps up.”
This week-long retreat for personal growth on the island of Paros, Greece, offers a chance for finding balance in difficult times. Using the expressive arts - play, dance, clay, drawing, writing and dream work - we will explore the ancient Greek belief that there is Soul in everything, even our creative acts, and that this Soul connects all living things. This belief is at the core of ancient Greek philosophy as well as Buddhism, Daoism, and both Christian and Jewish mysticism. The Greeks saw divinity in all things. Pythagoras described Cosmos as " a single living creature which encompasses all living things within it." The need for understanding and experiencing this is ever more urgent.
This is a journey into our deeper selves, with Hermes – the guide of souls – leading us forward, in the context of Greek myth and the four elements - earth, water, fire and air - Other gods and goddesses will show up, including Gaia, Apollo, Persephone, Pan and Dionysos. Children love Greek myths for the unbridled life force they express. Carl Jung based many of his psychological theories on both Greek myth and Greek philosophy.
Jung tells us that all creation begins with an image. We’ll gather images during the workshop that may inspire and sustain us going forward. Each day begins with morning meditation (optional) followed by dream sharing and then sandplay on the beach. Each evening we will meet to consider Greek myths as they relate to us, using the expressive arts and the four elements. Gioia Timpanelli will regale us with mythic stories and folk tales, accompanied by flutist Steve Gorn.
Our base will be the Hotel Galatis in the small fishing village of Aliki, with its own beach and swimming pool. Days include time for swimming in the Aegean Sea, wandering through labyrinthine medieval villages or simply resting. We will also take a day trip to a more remote island. Exploring Greek myths in the setting where they arose can be a life altering experience.
June 15-June 22, 2023
Cost: $2,500 - includes hotel room, breakfast, shared car rental, several dinners, day trip and workshop fee.
With storyteller Gioia Timpanelli, flutist Steve Gorn and psychotherapists Kate Macairt and Dennis McCarthy
The Association for the Healing Power of the Imagination offers this afternoon event…
Finding Balance
An Expressive Arts Conference Celebrating the Spring Equinox
A zoom event on March 20, 2021 from 12–3:30 PM
Join us as we explore the idea of finding balance - using clay, drawing, movement, masks, storytelling, and music.
Sigrid Heath introduces the event from Paros Island, Greece.
Kate Macairt: “Fear and Loving - or Trust vs Mistrust.” Using games, clay and making things, we will attempt to unpack existential fear and our longing for Love and how connecting to the natural environment can support our understanding of both.
Kate is a therapist based in Cornwall UK who uses play, nature and the imagination in her work.
Dennis McCarthy: “In the Lap of the Monster: Exploring our inner wellspring of power” using drawing and dance. With Julia Haines on N’goni (African hunter’s harp).
Dennis is a therapist who uses monsters in his work with children. The monster also informs his work with adults.
Julia is a renowned harper and composer who combines improvisation, world music traditions and classical influences in her musical play.
Monkeyshine Theater: “Transforming into balance using masks.” As we mark the Equinox, the time when day and night are equal all over the world, we celebrate balance. Monkeyshine will lead you through a playful session exploring the transformative power of mask. We will get to know some of the basics of mask work: expression, attitude, rhythm and movement.
Using a variety of found and natural materials, we will create masks which embody the spirit of the equinox and celebrate our deep connection to the Earth.
Monkeyshine is an interdisciplinary arts company based in Ireland making work for adults and children. Their work explores themes of connection, interdependence, reverence and play.
The company is led by artists Kareen Pennefather and James Jobson.
Gioia Timpanelli & Steve Gorn: “Story and a Landscape of Sound,” drawing us deep into imagination with words and music.
Gioia is one of the founders of the revival of storytelling. As well as telling stories, she writes essays and fiction. Sometimes the Soul, Two Novellas of Sicily (given an American Book Award) and What Makes A Child Lucky are books of fiction moved by folklore.
Steve, whose flute is said to ‘re-align the cells,’ is featured on the Grammy winning recording, “Miho – Journey to the Mountain,” with the Paul Winter Consort, and the Academy Award winning Documentary film, “Born into Brothels.” He has performed Indian Classical Music and new American Music on the bansuri bamboo flute, soprano saxophone and clarinet in concerts around the world.
Some presentations will also have a breakout room section, which allows participants to share and process in groups of three.
Cost: $85
Date: March 20, 2021 from 12–3:30 PM
To register, contact Christina Di Marco
After you register you will receive a materials list for each section.
