Rooted Healing Psilocybin Retreats

Rooted Healing runs Earth Medicine, a five-day psilocybin retreat in Portugal rooted in deep ecology and transpersonal psychology. It is held at The Shanti Space, a family-run retreat venue in a woodland valley near Mafra, a short drive from the beach at Ericeira and about 30 minutes from Lisbon airport.

Approach

The retreat holds two different psilocybin ceremonies, each with at least three space holders and live music. The first runs from evening into the night in a heated garden greenhouse studio; the second takes place outdoors under a large weeping willow and closes with a ritual the whole group shares. Around them come a parts-work session called ReChilding, a breath session, movement, meditation, integration workshops and circles. Founder Veronica Stanwell holds an MSc in consciousness and transpersonal psychology, and her research looks at how ceremony and ritual shape psilocybin experiences. She leads with the ceremonialist Isla Macleod, with BACP-registered psychotherapist Nico Ekstrom-Jensen offering psychological support and two musicians.

Practical details

The next retreat runs from 20 to 24 April 2027 for at most 16 people. A dorm bed costs £1,570, a twin room £1,700 or £1,950 with its own bathroom, and a private ensuite room £2,250. Organic meals, mostly vegetarian, are included; travel is not, though shuttles from Lisbon airport cost about €45 each way. Bursaries go first to locals and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Care and safety

Each participant has a one-to-one intake call, receives preparation material a month ahead and joins a group call the week before. Afterwards come a one-to-one call and group calls at two weeks and one month. The organisers note that psilocybin mushrooms are decriminalised for personal use in Portugal, say they do not sell or provide psilocybin, and warn that long-term use of SSRIs may dull the experience.