| THE EPISTOLARIAN |

Hello fellow Epistolarian!

Returning home from Ireland, I’m still basking in the magic of the retreat Martha and I hosted. For years, I dreamed of gathering a group to deepen our creativity and grow in sisterhood through the art of wax seals, letter writing and intuitive astrological insights. I trusted the right group would come together, and the experience exceeded all expectations. Ireland called to me, the land and sea beckoned us to gather there for its rich history of writers and musicians, and the supportive, tamed and wild landscape. Supported by Ireland’s beauty, we were incredibly fortunate to be part of something so special—a creative meitheal (an Irish term meaning a community or group coming together to work for a common good).

The retreat began smoothly—aside from some missing luggage that found its way to the coast with its own itinerary. We designed the retreat to allow space for creativity and flexibility, with a simple schedule of two-hour workshops in the morning and afternoon, leaving plenty of time for leisure. Whether it was a dip in the sea, a visit to the spa, local meals, or quiet time for art and writing, everyone found their own rhythm. Interestingly, the group quickly filled the days with even more! Early risers gathered for breakfast, a swim, and spa time, while others joined later for our 10 am sessions.

What surprised me most was the group's eagerness to keep creating. Instead of taking breaks, we enjoyed grazing on cheese, breads, and meats while continuing to press wax seals and chat about life. The creativity was contagious, and it was truly inspiring to see so much art unfold. There’s something healing about creating together, and the bonds we formed made the experience even richer.

In my workshops, we focused on Ireland-inspired themes, making gold-leaf wax seals inspired by illuminated manuscripts and weaving wax as a tribute to Ireland's textile traditions. On the final day, we explored creating punky and pearl seals and encasing them in seashells. Meanwhile, Martha led astrology sessions, helping us explore how creativity shows up in our charts and in our lives, giving us all a sense of clarity and confidence in our path, particularly as creatives.

One of the highlights was our off-day visit to Bantry House, where we had the quaintest tea and explored the beautiful gardens. It was a lovely way to immerse ourselves in Irish history and beauty. Our driver, James, was a delight, making the journey even more touching -- sweet sweet man.

The retreat concluded on Saturday, with many heading home to the U.S., others off to Iceland, and Angela and I continuing on to Dublin. There, we visited the Book of Kells and enjoyed tea at the Shelbourne—a perfect ending to the adventure. Even as my flight home was delayed, I embraced the extra time in Dublin, taking a folklore tour and soaking in traditional Irish music at The Cobblestone. It was a joyful way to wrap up the journey.

Now that I’m home, I’m reflecting on what this retreat means. It was truly a creative retreat, a gathering of kindred spirits, each shining a little brighter as we leaned into our creativity and connection.

I can’t wait to share more soon!

Kay

Some of our special creations...

And more for travels in Dublin... Trinity College & the Book of Kells

Tea at the Shelbourne

Musicians at The Cobblestone