Our Approach

Take a look inside the elemental, reciprocal, and transformational framework behind every Moonwake Retreat

Earth-Honoring

Your body was never meant to be this far from the Earth.
Modern life has pulled us away from nature—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We walk on pavement, live surrounded by artificial light, and rarely feel soil beneath our feet. But our bodies were designed to be in direct contact with the Earth.

Scientific research now confirms what shared wisdom always knew: spending time in nature reduces stress, lowers inflammation, and calms the nervous system.

At Moonwake Retreats, nature is not a backdrop. It’s a partner in the healing process. We work with five elemental forces of nature: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Stardust—as guides for our return. Each element offers its own wisdom, energy, and invitations for transformation.

Guided by the elements of nature

Every ritual and experience on a Moonwake retreat is guided by one of nature’s five elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Stardust. Each element carries its own wisdom, energy, and rhythm—and inspires lessons and moments of reflection that shape our retreats.

Explore how each element invites a return to a different part of yourself—and the types of practices you may experience during your retreat.

  • The element of Earth represents stability, grounding, and belonging. It is the solid ground beneath your feet and the steady pulse that reminds you: you are home.

    When we work with the Earth element, we return to a sense of safety and rootedness. It helps us regulate our nervous system, feel supported, and return to our bodies.

    Examples of rituals and experiences inspired by Earth include forest bathing, grounding meditations, rainforest tours, land offerings, and more.

  • Water is the element of flow, emotion, and release. It softens what’s rigid, clears what’s heavy, and reminds us that healing doesn’t have to be forceful—it can be fluid.

    Water is also deeply connected to the feminine—its cycles, intuition, its capacity to hold and transform. At Moonwake Retreats, we honor Water not only as an element, but as a mirror of the feminine energy that flows through all of us. It’s no accident that Water is present in nearly every retreat we lead.

    Examples of rituals and experiences inspired by Water include ocean excursions, waterfall rituals, cacao ceremonies, and more.

  • Air is the element of clarity, insight, and voice. It moves through us with every breath—whispering truth, and shifting perspective. It helps us see clearly, speak truthfully, and live authentically.

    At Moonwake Retreats, Air invites you to pause and listen—not just to the world around you, but to your own inner voice. It’s the element of deep breath, vibration, and expression.

    Air is also the carrier of vibration, which is why we work with sound as a healing modality. When the air around you vibrates with the resonance of a sound bowl, it doesn’t just wash over you—it moves through you.

    Examples of rituals and experiences inspired by Air include guided breathwork, sound bowl healing, poetry, journaling, and more.

  • Fire is the element of transformation, energy, and courage. It invites us to shed old patterns, ignite what’s next, and stand fully in our power.

    At Moonwake Retreats, Fire marks the moments of release and rebirth. It doesn’t demand that you burn everything down—it simply asks: What are you ready to let go of? And what are you ready to claim?

    Examples of ritual and experiences inspired by Fire include fire release ceremonies, sunset rituals, candlelit intention setting, movement practices, and more.

  • At Moonwake Retreats, we honor a fifth element—one that can’t be held in your hands, but can be felt in your bones. Some cultures have called it ether or spirit—the invisible thread that connects everything. We call it Stardust—because that word captures the awe, wonder, and magick this element holds for us.

    Stardust is what lives beyond the physical. It’s the spark of intuition, that gut feeling, the dream you can’t explain. It’s the cosmos inside of you—and the quiet knowing that you were never separate from it.

    At Moonwake Retreats, Stardust guides the rituals that help us access the unseen: the energetic, the intuitive, the universal. These practices are invitations to open your mind and experience the unknown—even if it feels unfamiliar.

    Examples of rituals and experiences inspired by Stardust include full moon ceremonies, oracle readings, Reiki, energetic cord cutting, and more.

Rooted in Reciprocity

Moonwake retreats aren’t just hosted in beautiful places—they’re shaped in partnership with them. We collaborate directly with locally owned businesses, indigenous leaders, and women-led collectives to ensure each experience is grounded in mutual respect and shared humanity.

We listen more than we lead. We give back where we learn. And we intentionally design our retreats to benefit everyone involved—not just the participants.

Reciprocity in action:

  • Rituals led by local wisdom-keepers

  • Meals prepared by a local chef, using local ingredients

  • Fair pay for all local collaborators, above standard tourism rates

  • Hiring local ecotourism guides to lead nature-based experiences

  • Promotion of artisan goods through curated markets or gift inclusions

  • Prioritizing long-term relationships with local partners over one-off exchanges

  • Giving participants context about the history, ecosystems, and communities they’re entering

Transformational Framework

Lasting transformation doesn’t happen by accident. Every Moonwake retreat follows an intentionally crafted arc that weaves together ritual, reflection, and nature-based experiences in a purposeful sequence. Through curated workshops, guided integration, and reflective practices, we help you process what you’ve experienced and anchor it into your life.

This isn’t just about inspiration—it’s about embodiment. You won’t leave wondering what it all meant. You’ll leave having lived it, felt it, and understood how it fits into your life.

Our framework is unique to Moonwake Retreats—created by co-founders Amanda Schmidt and Michelle Risinger using their combined expertise in behavioral science, neurolinguistic programming, integrative wellness, and transformational life coaching. It’s the structure that turns a beautiful experience into a lasting return to yourself.

Our transformational framework is designed to help transmute what weighs us down—stress, disconnection, noise—into clarity, presence, and a deeper sense of self. Below, you’ll see real life examples of what soul-seekers often bring into a Moonwake retreat—and what begins to shift as they move through our intentional rhythm, rituals, and remembrance.

What we carry in…

Burnt out.

Exhausted.

Disconnected from the Earth—and from yourself.

Your feet never touch the Earth.

You doubt your own voice.

Your mind spins with constant doing.

There’s no pause.

No space to feel, process, or rest.

Life piles on—grief, pressure, noise.

You’re swimming upstream.

You feel alone.

Consumed by the noise.

What we carry out…

Free.

Embodied and awake.

Connected—to the Earth, to your body, to your truth.

Your remember child-like wonder.

Listening inward—and trusting what you hear.

You allow space for joy.

Moving with ease and intention.

You believe in something bigger—and in yourself.

Standing fully in your power

Life flows with you, not against you.

You feel held by community.

You return with tools, rituals, and trust in your path.