tara's meadow education and retreat center
for earth peace, culture and spirit
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaȉs Nin
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anaȉs Nin
Our mission at Tara's Meadow is to educate, uplift and interconnect our students and guests for their greater self-growth and empowerment, creativity, and ecological awareness towards the service of all life on this planet.
We envision individuals and communities living to their fullest potentials in Earth Peace - the harmony of our species with all others on this planet.
We envision individuals and communities living to their fullest potentials in Earth Peace - the harmony of our species with all others on this planet.
For over twenty years Tara's Meadow has been hosting retreats, sojourns and educational events. Our work at Tara's Meadow has been to educate, uplift, and interconnect students, visitors, and guests. We do this by building self-awareness and self-confidence, encouraging leadership and community engagement, and fostering culturally diverse forms of environmental literacy and eco-citizenry. We network between individuals, groups, and organizations who share our vision of healthier, wiser, more resilient and ecologically-conscious human beings living within the wider community of life.
OUR WORK takes place via classes, workshops and seasonal gatherings for college students, school groups, and organizations aligned with our mission; and via "guest sojourns" for individuals and couples on retreat.
UNIQUE NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES Tara's Meadow, Beaver Island, brings some unique tools and resources to its mission. The Beaver Island archipelago is composed of ten small islands that peek above the fresh waters of northeast Lake Michigan, far enough from the mainland to be environmentally distinct and relatively well preserved. An abundance of natural life thrives: 19 mammal species and hundreds of fish, bird, insect, and plant species all supported by a remarkable variety of beaches, forests, wetlands, and other habitats. And on the biggest island, Beaver, stands the great lake's largest settlement - a year-round community for seven generations, distinct for its relaxed pace, quality of life, and resilience.
ODAWA & IRISH TRADITIONS Tara's Meadow is a beautiful natural meadow with its own rich history, located on the largest Western Isle of the Beaver Archipelago in Lake Michigan. In addition to the special environmental resources they share, both the Meadow and the Island bear unique rich histories with diverse spiritual legacies. The Island carries the lore of 19th and 20th century spiritual settlements (Strangiite Mormon, House of David, the Christian Brothers), as well as the continuing traditions of two vibrant native cultures: indigenous Odawa and Celtic Irish. The naming of "Tara's Meadow" and its history are part of the Celtic lore of the island, connecting it with the concept of a "sacred center" where pilgrims may touch foot to stone and come fully into their power. At the time of the Summer Solstice we have hosted Odawa, Irish-descended islanders, and visitors from the mainland, honoring both Celtic and Odawa traditions. We utilize both our naturally-maintained Meadow, and our adjacent indoor facilities to provide "sacred ground" for our vision. We endeavor to serve the local community and visitors to the Island, as well as reaching for the universal by celebrating earth peace & indigenous wisdom movements around the globe.
We hope you'll join us for one of our summer events, including our outdoor field environmental classes, our summer solstice celebrations (see "Events"), or our customized "Guest Sojourns." For life coach and spiritual mentorship work you may also wish to visit www.lifethresholds.com
Beannacht (gaelic blesseings) Seamus Norgaard