Earth Sanctuary: A Nature Reserve, Meditation Parkland and Sculpture Garden

I loved walking the trails and experiencing the beautiful sights, sounds and smells of the natural environment.  I walked into the clearing of theCottonwood Stone Circleand came upon a deer.  I stood still and watched, trying not to scare the deer, who I found was not scared at all.  The deer looked me right in the eye, a kindred spirit, and let me be there in its presence, a few feet away, for quite a long time.  I’ve always connected with deer energy and this day I really felt like myself!  Here was a mirror of my spirit.  – GB, Earth Sanctuary Retreatant

About halfway through the self-guided tour, I felt my energy renewed.  I’m not a religious or mystic person, but I was compelled to offer prayers at the Medicine Wheel. I love that there were so many ways to find solace and communion with the Earth.  I slept well, renewed myself, and saw a flock of Bohemian Wax Wings – Very successful stay! – Cheryl Hood, Earth Sanctuary Retreatant

Join Chuck Pettis on Saturday, April 21 at 2:00 pm for a guided tour of Earth Sanctuary (www.earthsanctuary.org).  Experience the sacred spaces of the labyrinth, stone circles, dolmen, stupa and medicine wheels.  Learn about Earth Sanctuary’s 500-year plan to return its 72 acres to old-growth forest.  Try some 60-second calm-abiding meditation techniques.  Celebrate Earth Day. 

 Cost for the 1.5 to 2 hour tour is $14/adult.  Dress for the weather and wet trails.  Meet at the new parking area at the Earth Sanctuary stupa at 5536 Emil Road.  From Highway 525 turn ontoNewman Road, go 0.25 mile and turn right ontoEmil Road. Drive up the hill 0.2 mile and turn left into Earth Sanctuary. (No dogs, please)

 Earth Sanctuary is a nature reserve and retreat center located South of Freeland, Wash. on Whidbey Island.  Earth Sanctuary is open to visitors every day of the year during daylight hours ($7/visitor fee).  Earth Sanctuary features a number of megalithic monuments and sacred spaces designed for meditation and prayer.  These sites bring together ancient art forms, a profound connection with nature, and diverse global spiritual traditions.  Chuck Pettis can be reached at 360-331-6667 or at cpettis@earthsanctuary.org.

For those of us who are caught up in the digital/virtual world of emails, Facebook, and texts, it is easy to forget our true nature. Earth Sanctuary provides a perfect place for those seeking a way to reconnect with their spiritual path and perhaps their true purpose. –Jed Ward, Earth Sanctuary Retreatant

Here is a link to a wonderful blog with photos about two moms and three kids who recently visited Earth Sanctuary.  Here is the link to Stacy’s Flickr page with her charming photos.

The deep peace and magic of Earth Sanctuary live on in me.  My experience of the Oneness of Life while standing on your land is profound and inspires my everyday actions.  On my first visit to Earth Sanctuary on Winter Solstice 2011, I stood, awestruck near the Cottonwood Stone Circle, and a poem came through me.  Its birth for me is the first grouping of words that, as nearly as is possible with such limiting things as words, accurately describe the sensations I have felt inside of timelessness and pure connectedness.  The friend with whom I shared the experience of that day invited me to share the poem with you. -Amanda Quaid

With permission,  here is the link to Amanda Quaid’s award-winning poem (PDF).

It’s always a such a treat to go to Earth Sanctuary. I happened to head up there on an absolutely gorgeous spring day and had the pleasure of watching a deer calmly grazing clockwise around the Stupa (very accurately I might add!). I dedicated the merit of that very mindful deer   Thank you, always for providing such a great retreat from the City – and place of natural beauty for contemplation and rejuvenation. -Karen