A Rooted Wisdom Retreat
Early Bird Now Open
An Ancestral
Excursion
October 29 – November 1, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
An intimate journey to one of the most ancestrally charged cities in the African diaspora — held at the convergence of Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween.
↓
Early Bird
Only 8 spots available at this rate
Why Now. Why Here.
A Potent Window
Each year, three ancient traditions converge in late October — Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween — creating a collective opening to the unseen. The veil thins. The ancestors draw near. New Orleans holds that portal unlike anywhere else on this continent: a city built on ceremony, creolized medicine, and the enduring memory of those who survived the crossing.
This isn't a tour. It is a grounding — in place, in lineage, in the heritage we carry as part of the African diaspora.
When
A Sacred Window
Each year at the turn of October, something shifts. Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween arrive together — three distinct traditions, each holding its own way of remembering the dead. In that overlap, the veil thins and the ancestors draw near. This excursion is timed to that opening, intentionally.
Where
New Orleans, Louisiana
There is a reason we are going here. New Orleans is one of the most ancestrally alive cities in this diaspora — shaped by Vodou, Yoruba memory, creolized medicine, and centuries of resistance. The city itself is ceremony. We'll move through it as descendants, not tourists.
The Experience
Curated, Spacious, Intentional
This trip is a blend of guided group time and space to wander on your own. Dara, Julie, and Ericka will hold ceremony, lead cultural immersions, and curate experiences rooted in ancestral connection and plant medicine. There is also room to simply be present — to let the city, the season, and your own lineage do their work.
What to Expect
Rooted, Spacious, Intentional
A blend of guided group time and independent space — honoring that ancestral work moves at its own pace.
Ancestral Connection
Rituals, altars, and ceremony woven throughout — led with care and without performance. Opportunities to honor your lineage, grieve, and receive.
Cultural Heritage
We move through the city as students and descendants — visiting sites of memory, resistance, and ceremony that shaped this diaspora.
Plant Medicine
The herbs of New Orleans carry deep story. We'll engage with local plant medicine, food traditions, and the botanical lineages of this land.
Community
Intimate group size. Time to gather, share meals, and deepen relationship with fellow travelers on this path.
Early Bird Pricing
Choose Your Journey
Early bird pricing is available through May 30, 2026 — or until all 8 spots are filled, whichever comes first.
General
The Excursion
$595 $725
You save $130 by registering before May 30
Early bird rate · After May 30: $725
- All group ceremonies and rituals
- Guided cultural immersions throughout New Orleans
- Plant medicine experiences and botanical walks
- Welcome Ceremony dinner
- Access to all scheduled programming Oct 29–Nov 1
VIP
The Full Immersion
$950
All-inclusive VIP rate
- Everything in The Excursion
- A private consultation with your choice of guide: Dara, Julie, or Ericka — before or after the retreat
- Intimate shared meal with your guides
- Curated welcome gift rooted in the spirit of the journey
Your Guides
Led by Dara, Julie & Ericka
Dara Pressley
Founder, The Rooted Wisdom
Herbalist, educator, and the founder of The Rooted Wisdom — a living herbal school rooted in spirit, ancestors, and earth.
Julie Moody-Freeman
Spiritual Herbalist & Galactic Astrologer
Julie uses Spiritual Herbalism and Galactic Astrology to teach people how to journey with plants and astrological stars as allies.
Ericka Mabrie
Healer & Baker
Earth tender, spiritual herbalist, baker and carrier of faery medicine. Her practice is rooted in animism, ancestral wisdom and the belief that whimsy is power.
Carry the Journey With You
The Excursion Collection
A small collection of pieces to mark the journey — available to order anytime through our group shop.
T-Shirt
Unisex · Multiple sizes
Backpack
Travel ready
Hat
Coming soon
Water Bottle
With lid
The shop is coming soon — check back closer to the retreat date.
October 29 – November 1, 2026 · New Orleans
We'd Love to
Journey With You
Early bird pricing closes May 30 — or when the 8 spots are filled. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Reserve Your SpotSpaces are limited and held with care.