MURMURATIONS

Finding our way back to being dreamt by earth. Together.

Register Your Interest

  • “ I had the privilege of learning Focusing skills and other ecosomatic practices, during a nature based rites of passage mentorship with Natasha Lythgoe, and the experience was truly transformative. Natasha embodies a rare blend of deep presence, intuitive guidance, and a profound understanding of the inner landscape. Her teaching style is both gentle and precise—she creates a safe, attuned space where the body’s wisdom can emerge naturally. Through her guidance, I developed a more profound connection with my inner knowing, learning to trust and navigate the subtleties of felt experience with greater clarity. “

  • “ Murmurations is a journey into the wildness of the body (human and earth body) and the wildness of the soul. Into those parts of ourselves we have become estranged and disconnected from, due to the trappings of the modern world, at a time when we (humans) couldn't be more lost. This is a journey back to the earth: it's awe and aliveness, dreams and myth, heart and spirit, with all of the beauty and discomfort that brings. It is a way to hold and embrace rites of passage work in an embodied and steady way, so the transformation they bring - often of mythic proportions - can be met, and most importantly, integrated. “

  • “ Natasha carries the depth and the vastness of the territory in such an incredible way: every session is an adventure and a deep dive into the unseen. Where you can start to feel as if you can see in the dark, and accompany all that wants to be known - bringing gifts for each of us and our own uniqueness, as well as a way forward to serve the wider communities (human and more-than-human) we are deeply connected to and so desperately need to come back into relationship with. “

  • “ Natasha’s ability to hold space with warmth and deep listening made all the difference. She doesn’t just teach Focusing, she embodies it, making the learning experience not just intellectual but deeply experiential and integrated. If you have the chance to learn from her, I highly recommend it. Thank you, Natasha, for your wisdom and presence. “

Six Month Group Mentoring Programme | Apprenticing The Earth

I guide individuals toward a better understanding of themselves and the natural world through programmes that encourage self awareness, reverence for the Earth, and relationships that foster interconnection with all beings. 

Deep nature connection doesn’t end with increased mental and emotional wellbeing; it aims to transform your identity. It’s about shifting from an "Isolated Self" to an "Ecological Self" - a state of being profoundly rooted in relationship with everything. Buddhists call this Inter-Being or Interconnectedness.

This programme focuses on the essential elements of rites of passage, vision quests, and initiatory wilderness ceremonies. It is designed to equip both participants and potential guides with a deeper understanding of these practices.

This includes traditional teachings on SoulCraft, Thresholds and The Mirror of Nature, the Four Directions Nature Based Map of Psyche, Ancestral Practices and the Way of Council. In addition to this I share practices I have been developing since 2019 that foster embodied relational reciprocity - a field I called Embodied Animacy, and my personal love of the mythic dimension.

While these teachings are rooted in wilderness rites, each element is a profound practice that can be adapted for a wide variety of settings and applications. Simply put, you don't need to be interested in traditional vision questing to benefit from them. This Earth Apprenticeship offers practices for an intentional way of living, as well as instructions for those who want to explicitly learn about questing.

As an ordained lay Dharma practitioner of twenty five years this programme is flavoured by my natural Buddhist affinity, in particular the truth our inter-being.

These practices change us at depth. We are grown through Earth’s Dream of us. It is this kind of shift in our perception which I believe is necessary to address today's social and environmental challenges. 

5% Discount is offered for all past questers guided by myself

Please note that this is not a complete vision quest guide training programme. It goes without saying that in order to co-guide vision quests one needs to have been guided through at least one quest by an experienced guide and incorporated the change that flowed from it. Alongside this, the North Shield trainings, in-the-field safety elements and assisting opportunities which are all essential elements in professional guide trainings are not offered here.

You are
who your Ancestors
sang about in their ceremonies.
You are
their revolutionary prayer.
You are
their sacred gift to the world.

Why I created this programme

This mentorship aims to provide you with a deeper understanding and experience of profound initiations into Earth's Dreaming.

Designed for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this field, it offers a deeply personal journey of connection and remembering our true nature.

I want to emphasise that each teaching element stands on it’s own - is a world unto itself - and can be explored independent of the overarching frame of rites of passage. Take myth, for example. I could spend my life happily immersed in myth alone.

For those seeking professional development this programme is designed for anyone looking to start or deepen their experience leading nature-based groups. You will receive practical guidance on how to bring these deeper nature connection practices to your clients, colleagues, and communities, allowing you to integrate this work into your existing professional modalities.

It is of particular benefit to those wishing to offer any type of wilderness solo or initiatory experience, and looking for a deeper dive into each of the modalities needed for this kind of guiding.

APPLY FOR MURMURATIONS

Some images from programmes I’ve guided over the last decade. For more, alongside testimonials click here.

Each Month Includes:

  • 2 x 150 minute group mentoring sessions held by myself

  • Ongoing peer support via WhatsApp

  • Password protected page with access to recordings

In Addition there will be:

  • 4 x Peer-Led Conversation Cafes: these are unfacilitated spaces are for you to use as you need, to digest our group process and support group connection

  • 1 x 120-minute Council: a session to share in council and have your process witnessed within community as well as build fellowship with other mentees

  • 1 x In-Person Fireside Gathering at the beginning of the programme in Epsom, Surrey. This is totally optional as geography may hinder some from attending.

  • 3 x (Optional) Half Price 1:1 Coaching sessions

A 24 hour Wilderness Vigil:

Some of my previous cohorts requested that I guide as 5/6 day programme with a 24 hour solo. I am happy to offer this opportunity to future cohorts - as an optional extra.

The Process:

This is not a pre-recorded course. We meet live on Zoom for each teaching & mentoring session, gathering together to learn & practice.

Even though all meetings are recorded, you will get more out of the course if you can prioritise meeting with us live.

We will gather as an intimate group. It’s required that videos are left on during the sessions. You can adjust distance and the position of the screen if needed.

 

When:

Zoom Gatherings will be:

Alternate Thurdays evenings
17:00 - 19:30 (UK)


If you have a chance to work with Natasha seize it. She is a rare gift of quiet determination, deep compassion and authentic wisdom.

THE AREAS I WILL DRAW ON AND MY PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIS

My own training in this specialised area includes apprenticeships with Annie Bloom (former lead guide of Animas) since 2016 and also with Werner Pilz since 2019. This builds upon my training, experience and assisting for SOLB before 2022.

As the popularity of vision quests, rites of passage, and wilderness vigils has grown over the last years, so have my concerns regarding the lack of regulation for these professions in the UK and US. This situation raises serious questions about standards and client safety.

At the same time, I've noticed a trend—echoed by some of my colleagues—where this work is being diluted through secularisation and excessive psychologising. My own commitment as a guide is to preserve the integrity of the practice, focusing in on its sacred, mytho-poetic, and embodied core.

The way I guide aims to create a profound shift in our sense of identity, transforming it from one that is isolated to one that is deeply rooted in relationship; from Isolated Self to Ecological Self. It is this kind of shift in our perception which I believe is necessary to address today's social and environmental challenges. This is Deeper end of Nature Connection.

My modalities include Generative Coaching, 25 years of meditation, Buddhist practice and Dharma teaching, trauma-informed therapy, Gendlin’s profound somatic process called Focusing and wilderness guiding. I am also a core member of the UK Wilderness guides council. 

In addition to traditional ways of facilitating nature-based-rites of passage programmes I ensure the way I run my programmes are embodied, trauma-aware, do not overly psychologise the process at the expense of experiences of self transcendence, and emphasise integration. I love exploring systems-led leadership and group work as fields of aliveness.

Photos of our ‘24 Cohort

Don't turn your back on the everyday ingenious capacity of the Holy in Nature to pump Her brilliant wind of miracles, beauty, and unexpected turns of fate into the vagrant promiscuous flapping mind-bellows of civilization which is always trying to forge some clever shackles of cynicism, dead purity, and depression in order to handcuff you to the bedpost of your assumed destiny.

- Martin Prechtel

New Dates for Spring 2026 will be online soon

(The dates below were for 2025)

Group Mentoring Sessions

COHORT DATES/ TIMES

Thursday 9th April 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 23rd April 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 7th May 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 21st May 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 4th June 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 18th June 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 2nd July 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 16th July 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 30th July 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 13th August 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 20th August 17:00 - 19:30 UK

Thursday 10th September 17:00 - 19.30 UK

Thursday 17th September 17:00 - 19.30 UK

Conversation Cafe Dates (optional)

Way of Council Meeting with a Guest Way of Council Trainer and Facilitator

In Person Gathering

Open to both cohorts - an opportunity to meet ‘in the flesh’ and sit around a fire together. Very informal.

This is totally optional as geography may hinder some from attending.

We will look for a date once the programme start.

HOW TO APPLY

Places are limited to 8 - 10 people per cohort.
Please contact me to register your interest. Please include what monthly fee you would like to pay.

Upon application I’ll send you an email arranging a brief chat on the phone to ensure this programme is a good match for you.

PRICE

I’ve spent my entire life avoiding working for the 'big money' so that I could help ordinary people with few resources to access excellent programmes.

I need to make a modest living. Please do consider paying what is within your financial reach and a fair price for my commitment to small group sizes and my expertise.

I offer this programme at three prices - all prices include VAT

6 x Monthly Payments of

£150 or £225 or £291

Total Cost for the two tiers:

£900 - £1350 - £1750

If you’d love to join and can’t afford the lowest rate please get in touch.

You can choose to pay a one off payment upfront or monthly payments over the six month period payable 1st of each month

Once you have been offered a place a £200 non-refundable deposit will confirm your spot. This will be deducted from the total cost.

Cancellation Policy:

Your deposit is non-refundable.

There will be no refunds for cancellations
after the mentorship programme begins.

Photo Credit at top of the page: Lill-Veronica Skoglund
All other photographs made by myself