The Association for the Study of Women & Mythologyhad this to say about Normandi on their website:"Normandi Ellis’ keynote speech gave us a powerful example of how spiritual journaling can function in a woman’s life as a means of profoundly knowing herself, and, as a result, helping others to find that depth experience as well. She told us that the purpose of writing spiritual autobiography was to create maps for ourselves, an idea which will create great “vocational arousal” in my life."
Normandi Ellis and PenHouse Retreat Center welcome you to stay in our beautiful historic 1860s era home on 15 farmland acres. Come to write, paint, and/or simply rejuvenate. The trillium and bleeding hearts are in bloom by the back door. The island in the creek hints at bluebells about to burst open. Our apple orchard is loaded with buds ready to blossom. Reserve your place for a private room, conference room, or group rates beginning April 5th. Individual rate of $250 covers five days and nights, including home-cooked, garden fresh meals and private bath shared by guests. Group and day rates available.
Go to PenHouse, or call 502-352-7503 for available dates and reservations.
The Association for the Study of Women & Mythologyhad this to say about Normandi on their website:"Normandi Ellis’ keynote speech gave us a powerful example of how spiritual journaling can function in a woman’s life as a means of profoundly knowing herself, and, as a result, helping others to find that depth experience as well. She told us that the purpose of writing spiritual autobiography was to create maps for ourselves, an idea which will create great “vocational arousal” in my life."
Recent Workshops
Night of the Mothers--January 2011
Annual Journal Writing Retreat
This annual contemplative journal workshop creates a space, time and offers techniques to enhance your year in review and set intentions for the new year. During this group writing process you have time to share what you’ve written.
Upcoming Workshops
Online writing workshops for fiction and nonfiction writers seeking to complete a body of work within 12-18 months. Two week-long residencies at PenHouse, editing consultations, and panel discussions may be included in this package. Ask and ye shall receive further information.
Normandi is the award-winning author of 3 books of fiction (Sorrowful Mysteries, Voice Forms, and Fresh Fleshed Sisters) and 3 books of nonfiction (Awakening Osiris, Dreams of Isis, and Feasts of Light). A recipient of awards and grants from the Bumbershoot Foundation, Writer’s Voice of America, Colorado Federation for the Arts, Kentucky Foundation for Women, and the Kentucky Arts Council, she has been a book acquisitions editor, a technical writer, and a publications editor and consultant.
Contact Normandi for more information about PenHouse or to have her attend one of your functions by emailing ellisisis@aol.com or call 859-779-1131.
About Normandi Ellis
Tarot Journal Class
Jan 3rd-Mar 20th (Tues) 6:30-8:30 pm
The Tarot is a book of philosophy on how to better understand oneself and the world around us. Rather than read Tarot, we will explore the symbolism of each card and use one card each session as a discussion topic and journal writing prompt. Our first class, which begins with a look at the “Fool” card, will be a free introductory session. Each session thereafter begins with a discussion of the emergent energies of each card as experienced and recorded throughout the week. All classes will take place at PenHouse Retreat Center. Owning the Rider Waite Tarot deck is beneficial, but not necessary. As always, contact Normandi at ellisisis@aol.com or 502-352-7503 for details and to preregister. Limit 10. $125
Character Is Fate
Jan 26-Mar 19, 6-8 pm (Thu)
When the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said “Character is Fate,” he defined for us great fiction. We will explore fiction writing, we will investigate what makes character memorable, what is voice, how conflict & plot arise, point of view, and types of characters. We’ll examine the proximity of author, narrator and character and where those edges blur. By the end of our time, you’ll have your story. $125
Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
June 14-19th, 2012
This is a post-conference journey with the New York Open Center’s event: An Esoteric Quest for The Mysteries and Philosophy of Antiquity. For more information see the Open Center link: http://www.esotericquest.org/egypt/
On this journey to Upper Egypt, we will investigate the ancient sites linked to the archetypal goddesses Isis, Mut and Hathor and the gods Osiris, Amun and Horus, with Normandi Ellis, author of Dreams of Isis, Feasts of Light and Awakening Osiris, the last of which has been called an “ecstatic and poetic translation of hieroglyphs from the Egyptian Book of the Dead”.
We will fly from Cairo to Luxor on the 17th, and the following day walk through Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, contemplating the mysteries of creation, the serenity of its lake, and the might of its pharaohs. At Luxor Temple we decode the hidden symbolism first revealed by Schwaller de Lubicz, and discover its relationship to the divinity of the pharaohs and queens who ruled Egypt.
On our next morning, we visit the Temple of Osiris at Abydos and explore the mysterious Osierion and the chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the death and resurrection of Osiris and the divine conception of the god Horus. We then travel to the temple of Hathor, goddess of joy, love and beauty, ruler of sun and moon, and take time to observe the astrological ceilings at Dendera. The next morning, we pass the Colossi of Memnon, the statue of a God who once sang to welcome the dawn, on our way to the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, a woman pharaoh as fascinating as Cleopatra. In the Valley of the Kings we will see the beautiful painted tomb of Siptah and learn the sacred hours of the night through which all souls must pass.
On our final day, we sail Lake Nasser to the Greco-Roman Temple of Isis on the Island of Philae to experience the last temple of Ancient Egypt which closed in 642 CE. Throughout this profound journey there will be an emphasis, for those who wish, on transforming our impressions into memoir writing.
This will be the third tour to Egypt that Normandi and Nicki have led together. Like the last one in March 2011, it will be intimate, limited to 16 participants, and will focus on the Egyptian Mysteries and writing your spiritual memoirs. This tour will include writing sessions similar to the ones that resulted in Normandi’s new book, Invoking the Scribes of Ancient Egypt, a collection of inspiring pieces by participants on an Egypt tour in 2009. Normandi will offer writing exercises in the temples and on our exquisite, private dahabeya as we sail the Nile and participate in initiations and ceremonies at sacred sites. Among the highlights will be a sunrise visit to Isis’ temple at Philae, and private ceremonial visits to the Sphinx and the King’s Chamber inside the Great Pyramid. Join us in learning to create meaning from our life experiences and manifest new destinies for ourselves through spiritual re-membering and writing.
The early bird price ($6788 BEFORE 12.31.11) includes: international airfare from New York; deluxe hotels in Egypt; a 7-night luxury Nile cruise on a private sailing yacht; all meals on the boat; domestic travel between Cairo/Aswan and Luxor/Cairo; breakfast daily; welcome and farewell meals, and at least two extra lunches; extensive sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary, including entrance fees and English speaking guides; all transfers and luggage handling, and miscellaneous gratuities. It also includes sacred initiations, ceremonies & meditations at sacred sites, and a private visit in the Great Pyramid.
On dark winter nights the sky fills brightly with the stars of heaven. This inspiring vision with its promised return of the light has underpinned many cultures that celebrated the birth of the divine child. Now, as we herald in the changes of 2012, we usher in the light within us. Through journal practice we can focus in and bring this divine light into expression through us.
Bring your 2011 journals, datebooks, checkbooks, calendars & spend a day looking backward through the passing year, gleaning the lessons and gifts, then carrying your intentions into 2012. This is a great way to spend the day sharing, learning, writing and gaining perspective.
We have a special Friday concert with harpist Amy Auset Rohn of Indianapolis. Amy will share her love of music and myth through original songs from her CD, "Bentreshyt: Harp of Joy" that will connect your heart deeper to the spirits of the divine. By combining the stories of ancient gods and goddesses with melodies that reflect them, she brings to her performances a sense of mysticism and intrigue. Allow the music to lead you to a place of serenity where you can hear the soft whispers of the stories of long ago.
Auset conducts Harp2Heart sessions by half-hour appointment beginning at 10:00 am on both Friday and Sunday. Enjoy a personal reading and healing session with Auset. A Harp2Heart healing session is a unique way to connect to your personal song which can help you to remember your purpose, offer healing from your Higher Self, and surround your being with healing energy. In these sessions, you will receive a reading and spiritual consultation followed by the sounds of your name on the harp composed in the moment using numerology and intuition to re-tune both your physical body and your spiritual body. These sessions are very moving, personal, and powerful. Cost: $40/30 minutes
