Wild Daughters

Wild Daughters is a spiritual workshop at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, led by author, storyteller, and ritualist Danielle Dulsky. Over a weekend, participants use fairy tales, goddess mythology, and folklore from around the world to look at their own personal myth, the story they are living and the one ready to emerge.

It is written for women, femmes, and anyone who can sense their inner wild daughter: the part of them who walks the otherworldly road, feels a kinship with the witch archetype in folklore, and carries an ancient impulse to be witnessed in change.

What to Expect

The weekend blends storytelling, ceremony, and personal myth work. Through writing, visualization, ceremony, and light movement, participants create and follow what Danielle calls their "original map," the personal lore they were born to live. The old stories serve as a lens for finding the patterns, archetypes, symbols, and chapters of change within your own life.

Along the way you identify your medicinal archetypes, hidden helpers, and shadow wolves. You mark meaningful transitions with simple rituals, and you cross the threshold between the old ever-after and a new once-upon-a-time. A communal altar holds the group's offerings, and embodied rituals help ground the inner work.

The schedule has its own rhythm. The workshop opens on Friday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. with arrival and an opening session. Saturday has three sessions: 9:00 a.m. to noon, 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., the heart of the deep work. On Sunday the final session runs from 9:00 a.m. to noon, followed by check-out at 1:00 p.m. The faculty may adjust the schedule.

About Danielle Dulsky

Danielle Dulsky is an author, storyteller, practicing witch, and ritualist. She wrote The Book of Wild Daughters, which is the recommended reading for this workshop. One participant from her writing workshops describes her as "the greatest word witch of my time," and says her methodology helped them find their voice and bring words to paper.

The Setting

The workshop takes place at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. Participants can stay on campus, where housing includes meals and use of the facilities, including optional classes, recreation, and walking trails. Options range from cabin rooms with a queen bed, heat, and air-conditioning, to dorm singles with shared hall baths, to tent cabins with a nearby bathhouse and no heat or air-conditioning, to pre-assigned campsites with limited availability. Double rooms are available for those who register with a companion.

Those who live nearby or prefer to stay elsewhere can register as commuters. Commuter registration includes meals and the same facilities and amenities. Check-in on Friday runs from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with rooms available after 5:00 p.m.

Before You Go

No prior experience with mythology, ritual, or storytelling is needed. The workshop is open to anyone drawn to personal myth work and the old stories, and it is taught in English.

Please bring a journal and writing utensil. It is also recommended that you bring an altar item for the communal altar, something that represents where you are now in your personal story. Wear comfortable clothing. Tuition covers the workshop sessions with Danielle Dulsky. Those staying on campus book accommodation separately, and it includes meals. Books and recommended reading are not included.