Make Medicines and Magic in Avalon with me This Summer.
The 2026 Herbs of Avalon Retreat has ended.
Stay tuned for the announcement of our dates for 2027!
Join us in 2027, and experience life as the healer priestesses of Avalon once did.
Immerse Yourself in the Healing Herbal Wisdom of Morgan Le Fay
About the Retreat:
In June of 2026, gather for five nights and four full days with Herbalist and Priestess Suzanne O’Gara in Avalon (Glastonbury, England) to walk the sacred land as we forage, craft herbal remedies, and come together in ceremony. Our retreat dates are June 25th through 30th in 2026.
During our time together, we will climb the Tor, enjoy private access to the White Spring and Chalice Well Gardens, explore the medicine garden at Glastonbury Abbey, roam the wild Faerie Forests beside the Marshes of Avalon, and spend an entire day outside of town at the Apothecary Garden in Butleigh.
Each day together will not only involve spending time at historic sacred sites, but also hours of herbal medicine making and Kitchen Witchery - we’ll craft salves, teas, tinctures and more to help you build an apothecary worthy of Morgan Le Fay herself!
Each night, there will be ceremonies, rituals, and even a Litha/Summer Solstice celebration led by myself (and maybe a guest Priestess or two).
About Our Medicine Making and Ritual Venues
I am elated to announce that when not visiting famed historic sites such as the Tor or the White Spring, Herbs of Avalon Retreat attendees will have exclusive access to the absolutely spellbinding kitchen, grand dining room, and temple space at The Covenstead pagan B&B during our entire time together.
The Covenstead lies at the heart of downtown Glastonbury, just across the street from the majestic ruins at Glastonbury Abbey and a few doors down from the Goddess Healing House. There will be a limited number of retreat spots that include room, board, and single or double occupancy at The Covenstead for an additional fee- see below for details.
On the last full day of our weekend together, however, we will travel to the gorgeous and otherworldly Apothecary Garden, just outside town in Butleigh, where we’ll learn how to create rose or lavender hydrolats, gather herbs, bliss out in plant spirit meditation, pet donkeys, and give thanks to the Earth in celebration of Summer Solstice/Litha.
So…What are the details? What’s Included?
Let’s take a look.
Every Retreat Package Includes…
admission/Entry Fees to all Sacred Sites & Venues
During our time together, we will have private access to the Chalice Well Gardens and the White Spring, and will also visit Glastonbury Abbey - admission fees and donations to these sites are included in the retreat.
In addition, we’ll spend all of Monday offsite at the beautiful Apothecary Garden in Butleigh, where we’ll have access to the medicine gardens, the stone circle, the hydrosol machines, and more. Car transportation to and from the Gardens from Glastonbury town centre will be provided.
At least 8 Hours of Ceremony and Ritual
Chant and sing in the secret chambers of the White Spring. Lose yourself in deep meditation beside the Chalice Well. Cast circle in a temple space that feels like a Witchcraft museum. Give thanks to the Mother within a stone circle at Summer Solstice.
There is nothing more fulfilling than standing in circle with your sisters on the boundaries of the Faerie realm, hearts and minds united in a love of all things Avalon, Morgan Le Fay, Priestess-y and Witchy.
As Priestess, Witch, and guide, I will facilitate rituals and ceremonies each night, rich with spellcraft, divination, guided meditation and visioning, and more. Stay tuned for announcements of guest Priestesses, too!
All Supplies Needed to Create Herbal Remedies - which you’ll take home!
While we’ll be foraging for some of the Avalonian herbs we’ll be working with, we’ll also be creating some remedies together with dried herbs and botanicals, including salves, teas, and perhaps a tincture or syrup - all bottles, tins, jars, beeswax, oils, and dried herbs will be provided.
In addition, everything we create during our day at the Apothecary Garden will be included as well.
And there just might be welcome bags with teas and treats from my shop, too ;)
Hours of Plant Identification and Foraging
This is perhaps the most wonderful thing about making the journey to Avalon: to meet the magical and medicine plants that the Priestesses once used, in their natural habitat. We will explore the lush levels around the Tor, meeting. the sacred Hawthorn, Linden, Apple, and Rowan trees and dueling with the Stinging Nettles!
Herbs of Avalon students will be able to identify many of the plants we study in class during our visits to the Abbey garden, the Apothecary Garden, and the wild Faerie Forests, too.
Hands-on Instruction from an experienced Teacher and Herbalist
Many of you have studied with me online, but nothing beats an in person, hands-on class to take your Herbcraft to the next level AND have fun at the same time!
Certified Herbalist, teacher, and Alchemy of Avalon shop owner Suzanne O’Gara will guide you through the best practices of herbal medicine making techniques, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the table (pun intended!). We will also receive instruction on the use of hydrolat machines during our time at the Apothecary Garden.
Dinners, Desserts, and more - Prepared by our Personal Chef
Also joining our retreat team is my husband, Executive Chef and Dining Director Sean Roe - he’ll be our Personal Chef, bringing over 20 years’ experience creating beautiful and unique food with special attention to food allergies, dietary restrictions, and “letting food be thy medicine”.
Sean will provide dinners and desserts (and probably other snacks and treats, too) for all retreat attendees on three of our evenings together, as well as one picnic lunch.
Full Retreat Package Option: Room & Board at the Covenstead
Sleep and dine within the walls of our personal pagan palace!
In addition to the above, there will be a limited number of spots available which include room & board at The Covenstead for an additional fee.
In 2026 I will be offering these spots as single or double occupancy, allowing attendees to choose to share or to have a space all to themselves. All rooms have private/en suite bathroom. Rooms are fully decked out with gorgeous antique furniture, luxury bathrooms with tub and standing shower, and abundant bedding, decor, and artwork creating an unforgettable atomosphere.
Registration for one of these rooms includes full breakfast Friday through Monday in addition to the above mentioned meals. There are 6 beds in total, but most are big enough to share, should friends, sisters, or couples* choose to attend together.
Please note that registration for a room and board spot does not guarantee choice of any specific room at The Covenstead, though you may express preference.
*If you would like to bring a male romantic partner on retreat with you, there will be an option for this in 2026 - see the FAQ section and/or contact me for more details!
FAQ
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The Herbs of Avalon 2026 Glastonbury Retreat is scheduled to run from evening of Thursday evening, June 25th through Tuesday morning at 11am, June 30th.
Therefore, attendees should plan to arrive in Glastonbury at least by mid-day on Thursday the 25th, checking in to their B&Bs by late afternoon.
We will have a casual pre-retreat meet & greet that Thursday night around 6pm at the Who’d a Thought It pub (not included in the retreat package, but you may order or not order as you wish).
Departure is around 11am Tuesday morning, however, you may wish to extend your stay in town beyond the retreat or to travel to other nearby sacred sites!
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The retreat, a la carte (find your own accommodations in Glastonbury) will remain at $839 in 2026.
For full room and board at The Covenstead, there are three options this year:
Single room, bed to yourself, $1729
Shared room, bed to yourself, $1579
Shared room, shared Queen bed, $1165
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The Herbs of Avalon Retreat is designed to compliment my nine month online course, “Herbs of Avalon: Morgana’s Materia Medica”. It makes a wonderfully immersive enhancement for those who have graduated from, or who are currently taking the course.
However! There will be a number of spots reserved for folks who have not taken the course as well - the projects, lessons, and ceremonies that we will do on the retreat together are designed to be accessible to anyone with a love of Avalon, Herbalism, Morgan Le Fay, Green Witchcraft & Healing, etc. So if you’re new to this, don’t worry - I’ve gotcha!
Gender inclusivity: this retreat is currently designed for all women (Alchemy of Avalon affirms that trans women are women), as well as non-binary folks who are comfortable in a setting that centers the female experience.
That said, in 2026 there is an option for male partners of retreat attendees to attend certain parts of the weekend - the full day at the Apothecary Garden for Summer Solstice, as well as our hike and picnic in the Faerie Forest are wonderful times to have male energy with us! If you would like to add a male guest on, I will make a ticket option available for this.
In addition, our time together is intended for those who are 18 or older.
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Here is what IS included in the retreat package: Entry fees/admission/local transportation to all sacred sites and venues, 10+ hours of ceremony, 8+ hours of instruction, all supplies for herbal medicine making (you will take home at least 3-4 herbal products), three full dinners (plus desserts, tea, and snacks) created exclusively for attendees by our personal chef, plus additional surprise gifts and guest priestess appearances!
Here is what’s NOT included in the basic retreat package: airfare and/or ground transportation to and from Glastonbury UK, accommodations in Glastonbury, breakfasts & lunches all 4 days.
The Full Retreat Package with Room and Board includes 5 nights’ accommodation at The Covenstead and daily full breakfast, in addition to the Basic Retreat package amenities.
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Yes! There is an option to pay over the course of four installments if you select Klarna at checkout.
Other types of payment plans might be possible - just email me at info@alchemyofavalontea.com and let me know what you have in mind - we’ll work something out!
All payments must be completed by January 1st, 2026 (this date is slightly flexible - talk to me with any concerns).
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We understand that no one books a space on a retreat with the intention to cancel, but that very occasionally, emergencies happen and the need may arise.
Due to the nature of international/air travel and the need to pay our various venues in advance, no refunds will be given for cancellations made after December 15th 2025.
However, you are more than welcome to sell your spot on the retreat should this occur. If the need should arise for you to do this, please contact me with the name and contact info of the attendee who will be taking your spot, as I will need to book a call with them first before the transfer can be made.
In the event that Alchemy of Avalon LLC/Suzanne O’Gara should cancel the retreat, you may choose to be refunded in full, or, apply your payment to another retreat date in the future.
Futhermore, all attendees are STRONGLY encouraged to purchase travel insurance prior to June 1st 2026 - this is to ensure that you are protected against forces beyond your control (acts of God, war, labor strikes, pandemic, earthquake, flooding, etc.) as well as things like flight cancellations/airline strikes, medical emergencies, and so forth.
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After registration, I will send you a few forms that will need to be filled out, signed, and returned to me. For the most part this will be our Hold Harmless/Media Release agreement and Statement of Travel Insurance. I will also ask you to fill out a form to tell us about dietary requirements and preferences, any physical/medical issues you need me to know about, etc.
In addition, a secret Facebook group will be created - this will not only allow attendees to get to know one another and get excited about the trip together, but also will allow us to communicate about things like what to pack, places to stay (for those not registered for room and board), sharing taxis from the closest train station, deadlines for things like waivers and proof of insurance, and so on.
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Not to worry - just email me at info@alchemyofavalontea.com and we can chat there or book a free zoom call.
What will I gain on the Herbs of Avalon Retreat?
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Live the life of the Priestesses of Avalon
Walk the sacred lands, spend hours in ceremony
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Create and experience true connection in Sisterhood/Siblinghood
Spend precious in-person time with people you’ll want to know forever.
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Herbal Healing Wisdom, Morgan Le Fay style
Hone your confidence in medicinal and magickal Herbalism.
Meet your Retreat Team
Suzanne O’Gara, Certified Herbalist and Priestess of Morgan Le Fay
Suzanne has been teaching classes in Herbalism and Witchcraft for nearly 15 years, most notably as Director of her nine month online course, “Herbs of Avalon: Morgana’s Materia Medica”. She also serves as the Herbcraft Professor for Demelza Fox's "Morgan LeFay Mystery School", for which she has also acted twice as Retreat Assistant to Demi in Glastonbury.
Suzanne is perhaps best known as the sole owner of Alchemy of Avalon tea & herb shop, which she has been running online for over 12 years and in person at its brick-and-mortar location in Greenfield, MA, for over 3 years.
She has also appeared as a guest teacher/presenter for the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, UMASS Amherst, The Western MA Herbal Symposium, Bewitching the Waters Symposium, the Water Priestess Confluence, and Ninefold Festival, to name a few.
Suzanne trained in Western Herbalism and Aromatherapy at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe AZ, under the tutelage of Joann Sanchez, graduating in early 2011.
Sean Roe, Executive Chef/Dining Director
Sean Michael Roe has worked for the last 20 years in the Culinary industry, using his agile Aquarian skills to move between roles as Executive Chef and Dining Services Director for various restaurants, meal prep companies, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals.
Having graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 2004, Sean began his Chef career with Scottsdale Healthcare, quickly seeing the need for greater attention toward the role that the foods we eat plays in the health of our bodies and minds.
He began a lifelong commitment to finding innovative, delicious, and sustainable ways to “let food be thy medicine”, easily creating unique recipes which incorporate medicinal herbs and nutrient dense ingredients that are also accessible to those with severe food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Sean currently serves as Dining Services Manager for the Bement School in Deerfield, MA. In his free time he lends his culinary passions as the official scone baker of Alchemy of Avalon, and volunteers for Stone Soup Cafe.
Praise for Suzanne and the Herbs of Avalon Retreat
"One of my favorite moments was definitely singing in the White Spring. Using my voice in that space as part of sacred practice was really special and powerful… I was so nervous to sing in front of people. But it helped me connect more deeply to myself and to the energy of the space and to everyone there. I've never felt that before. It was a rare moment where I felt confident in my voice and it just was so beautiful. It's a moment I'll hold in my heart always.”
Camille, 2025 Retreat Attendee and Herbs of Avalon course graduate
"I loved the group dynamic, I feel we all did great at connecting…and it was such a joy to witness everyone open up as the days went on. I believe that having us gather around that beautiful table and share meals together was just the right kind of magick and helped weave connections and sister/siblinghood... and now I'm crying because it really was special.”
Vandana, 2025 Retreat Attendee and Herbs of Avalon course graduate
Join your Sisters and Siblings in Avalon next Summer.
Register now for the four day, five night Herbs of Avalon 2026 Glastonbury Retreat.
