McGregor Wisdom School Pilgrimage - McGregor Wisdom School

Together, we aim to create and hold an open and welcoming space for healing.

McGregor Pilgrimage

A living village encounter

McGregor and its surroundings hold deep geological memory of landscape over millenia, reaching back 250 million years ago when this valley was under the sea. Village design and community encounters tell stories of belonging and not belonging. The vital sources of water in this hot climate carry stories that still want to be heard. Buildings speak in their unique way about why they were built, and for whom over generations. This is a village alive with difficult stories of dispossession, of dreams stolen, and also visionary dreamers bringing new ways of reconciliation.

McGregor presents the pilgrim with a unique microcosm of global realities.

The McGregor Wisdom School offers you a shared experience of entering into the living heart of our home and landscape. A journey within this Klein Karoo village becomes a pilgrimage when the place and time is seen as sacred – set aside for life changing encounters that will speak for themselves. The art of being a pilgrim will be in how we see everyone and everything as significant, a moment for untold stories to be heard.

The McGregor Pilgrimage is hosted by Michael O’ Brien and Vivien Claire and gently guided by members of the Wisdom school core team. We welcome donations by sacred reciprocity.
We accompany individual pilgrims or groups from 1 – 7 days. Walking intentionally within our vibrant village and landscape.
Specific community activities and spaces are identified as ‘way stations’ for encounter and sacred pauses.
Pilgrims may be accompanied by a videographer/photographer to capture memories of the pilgrimage. Giving the pilgrim freedom to fully immerse into the sensory encounter.
Should you feel called to make pilgrimage with us in McGregor please enquire by email to info@mcgregorwisdomschool.org.

AN EXAMPLE OF A JOURNEY

Arriving, the daily rhythm and ending.

Arriving

Each pilgrimage group begins with a ceremonial gathering of welcoming, meeting and greeting. Each pilgrim is given the opportunity to set intentions and make offerings for their experience.

A daily rhythm

The day begins with a morning process of gathering dreams and insights. There may be a brief preparatory introduction to the ‘way station’ of the day.

Simple padkos of beverage, biscuit and fruit is provided.

Pilgrims are then accompanied to specific waystations for encounters with ancient stories, community programs and interactions with the land and nature.

This is followed by lunch in the village or in accommodation and a period of rest, healing treatment or exploration.

From about 4pm pilgrims gather for facilitated group process.

In the evening there is a communal supper with conscious conversations or quiet companionship.

A final gathering to close the day and open to the night.

Closing ceremony

As a closing ceremony, a communal supper can be hosted at the reconciliation table.