The Gaia Gathering

A beloved annual event in Central Virginia that connects women* from our bio-region and beyond. We circle for healing, wisdom sharing, creative expression, and celebration. We gather to build community, deepen relationships, and nourish our collective power as healers and change makers.

2025 Gaia Gathering

May 2nd - 4th, 2025

@ Camp Albemarle

Learn More

About the Gaia Gathering

The Gaia Gathering is a beloved annual event that connects women* from around Central Virginia and beyond. We circle for healing, wisdom sharing, creative expression, and celebration. We gather to build community, deepen relationships, and nourish our collective power as healers and change makers.

This outdoor weekend event includes camping, workshops, group ceremony, plant walks, sharing circles, swimming in the river, singing around the fire, and plenty of time to play, rest, and reconnect.

Now in its 14th year, the Gaia Gathering continues to evolve and change! We're experimenting with ways to make Gaia even more collectively-created, financially accessible for participants, and energetically sustainable for the volunteer organizers.

Join us in the unfolding evolution of this community gathering!

*Gaia is created by and for women, including anyone for whom woman is a meaningful identifier or lived experience. Boys age 5 and under are welcome, as well.

Event Details

Lodging:

Most participants bring tents for camping, though there are some (very basic) cabins with twin-sized bunk beds available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Group bathrooms and showers are available in the bathhouses.

Meals:

As a key change from previous years, participants are responsible for providing their own meals for the weekend. In the spirit of “sharing the load”, we’re encouraging participants to consider being part of a “Meal Sharing Pod”.

  • A pod might be a group of 4-8 people who coordinate in advance to share responsibility for feeding the pod for the weekend. One or two people take on a meal: planning the menu, bringing the food, and heating/serving it. The rest of the pod gets to relax and enjoy being fed for that meal, knowing that each person will have a turn to feed and be fed throughout the weekend.

  • Meal Pods are completely optional, and can either be self-organized by a group of friends, or you can sign up to participate in a “dietarily-similar” pod during registration. You’ll be connected with others who have indicated interest, and each pod will coordinate in advance of the weekend.

  • If you want to be connected with a Meal Pod, please register by Monday, April 14 to allow time for pods to coordinate meal plans in advance of the event.

Workshops:

Sharing our wisdom, skills, and inspiration is a vital part of the Gaia Gathering. Participants will have the opportunity to propose a workshop, once their registration is completed (look in your registration confirmation email for the link to the workshop proposal form!).

Workshop topics often include herbalism and plant walks, dance/yoga, art, and women's health. Other possibilities welcome!

Children:

Children and teens are an important part of the Gaia community and are welcome with the supervision of a responsible adult. While no childcare is provided, there will be an area designated as a children’s play space. A teen space will also be available for teens to decorate and make it their own realm.

All participants are invited to bring costumes, toys, musical instruments, and art supplies to share with the kids.

Please note that the camping and the event area includes access to a river and the woods.

Vending in the Marketplace:

We'd love to have you and your handmade wares! Herbal goods, plants & seeds, handcrafted wares, healing foods and nourishing services are all welcome.

Anyone attending the event can set up a table in the Gaia marketplace. When you register (gaiagathering2025.eventbrite.com), be sure to check the box that indicates you're interested in vending, and we'll send out an email with the details in early April!

In lieu of a vending fee, vendors will be asked to donate an item to our fundraising raffle.

If you have questions please contact the Gaia organizers at info.thegaiagathering@gmail.com

Past Gatherings

The first "Gaia Gathering for Women" was held during Beltane of 2007 at Shannon Farms Intentional Community in Central Virginia. The women of the Sacred Plant Traditions community set out to create a safe and magical space built by and for women to celebrate their lives, health and creativity. They lit a sacred fire, shared their knowing, sang songs of remembrance and birthed the gathering we share today.​

This special event has been held, tended and shaped by many hands since then. It is a community gathering and continues to grow and respond to the needs of its members. What stays steadfast is a collective of women who gather to create opportunities for healing, connection, wisdom sharing, creative expression and celebration.