Women's Rite of Passage
The Heroine’s Journey: A Woman’s Rite of Passage Retreat
September 17-20, 2026
Grunewald Guild Retreat Center; Plain, WA
Registration Opens in January 2026.
Over the last decade, Illuman of the Pacific Northwest has hosted transformative rites of passage for men in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. For over twenty years, Waymarkers, founded by spiritual ecologist and eco-theologian Mary DeJong, has guided eco-spiritual retreats, pilgrimages, and place-based formation all over the Pacific Northwest and on Iona, Scotland. A shared vision began to emerge when Mary connected with Illuman of WA founding convener, Ned Abenroth. What started as a spark was quickly fanned into flame by a circle of women elders who had participated in the Elders’ Weave at Ekone Ranch, they asked: Could there be a woman’s rite of passage?
Their longing and wisdom drew Waymarkers and Illuman of WA into deeper collaboration. Now, after a year of discernment and planning, we are honored and thrilled to announce a new, inaugural offering: The Heroine’s Journey: A Rite of Passage for Women—Being the Poets and Prophets the Earth Needs Now, to be held September 17-20, 2026, at The Grunewald Guild in Plain, WA.
This rite of passage recognizes that journeys of transformation shape us into a prophetic and poetic presence in the world. It weaves core rite-of-passage principles together with feminine initiation practices grounded in earth spirituality, nature connection, and applied mythology. Women from the Elders’ Weave are accompanying the planning process to safeguard the integrity of rite-of-passage traditions while honoring the particular needs, wisdom, and communal patterns of women.
This offering responds to a real and growing hunger among women in our networks who seek a sacramental and animate worldview, receiving the Earth as scripture and myth and poetry as sacred wisdom. Illuman of the Pacific Northwest is endorsing this work because it seeks to address a long-overdue gap. A woman’s rite of passage aligned with Illuman of PNW values—and held in partnership with a trusted guide like Waymarkers—has the potential to become a transformational offering for years to come.
Please join us in support!
The PNW Development Team
Jeffrey Batstone, Lee Riggs, Paul Steinke
On behalf of the Illuman of the PNW Board of Trustees
Email Mary to be placed on a priority waiting-list.
Support Access to the Women’s Rite of Passage
We are seeking $5,000 in financial support to help subsidize participant costs and remove financial barriers, allowing women from diverse circumstances to take part.
Your support will:
- Support the emerging women’s rite of passage that complements Illuman of WA legacy of men’s Rites.
- Stand as a financial ally in ensuring access for women of diverse means.
- Foster an annual women’s Rite that builds community rooted in eco-spirituality, sacramental living, and prophetic witness.
