Circles of Stone logo for wilderness rites of passage in South Africa led by Theresa and Kevin

Circles of Stone

Wilderness rites of passage

“Have we forgotten that wilderness is not a place, but a pattern of soul where every tree, every bird and beast is a soul maker?”

Ian McCallum

“Have we forgotten that wilderness is not a place, but a pattern of soul where every tree, every bird and beast is a soul maker?”

Ian McCallum

Vision Quest, 2-12 October 2025

Cederberg, South Africa

Circles of Stone will be offering a Vision Quest including a 4 day and night wilderness solo fast in the Cederberg in the Western Cape, South Africa in October 2025. A Circles of Stone Vision Quest is an initiatory, pan-cultural experience that draws from multiple ceremonies and rituals used in diverse cultures to celebrate and acknowledge rites of passage. It is structured to provide a container for each individual to infuse with their personal odyssey.

The Vision Quest is 11 days, including preparation and time after the solo which will take place near Jacobsbaai, on the West Coast. The solo time will be spent in a pristine, remote wilderness in the Cederberg 40kms north of Clanwilliam.

"No, my heart is not asleep.

It is awake, wide awake.

Not asleep, not dreaming—

its eyes are opened wide

watching distant signals, listening

on the rim of vast silence."


From: Has My Heart Gone To Sleep? by Antonio Machado

A Vision Quest generally contains 3 key stages which you may recognise as the way you might respond to a crisis. It is a rite of passage into which we often find ourselves flung unexpectedly when we can no longer escape our own humanness.

We refer to the first stage as the time of letting go, of distancing yourself from the daily responsibilities and structure of home, work and family. This severance creates opportunities for what is to come next.

In the next stage, which we call sacred mountain time, you step over a ceremonial threshold into the solo fasting time in the wilderness, a liminal space where you are held by the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the ancestors and all the creatures of land, water and air. In this time alone, you remain a part of the community of questers and are held safe by the guides and each other.

The final stage is the incorporation of the experience into your life. This is the re-embodiment of the gifts and lessons from your solo fast, when you begin to bring to your life the experience of the sacred mountain time. Although we begin this stage together, it is ongoing and filters through your life for years.

Often a person embarks on a Vision Quest because there is a longing or even an imperative that arises from within themselves. This call is strong and can be hard to understand. To go on a Vision Quest is an ancient practice and while each person arrives on a quest because of their individual circumstances we believe that they also come because the earth and humanity at large draws them to this work. We say that we go into the wilderness gathering gifts that we bring back so that our people may live, so that our planet may survive and so that the generations to come have a future.


As your guides, our heartfelt interest is in exploring individual wildness and opening possibilities for a deep and specific engagement with outer and inner wild landscapes. We believe in the unrivalled capacity of nature to mirror our lives. We bring people into pristine wilderness, facilitating opportunities for reflection, creativity and becoming. We are committed to expanding awareness of care for our natural environment and work with a strict ‘leave-no-trace” philosophy.

Testimonials

"My Vision Quest was one of the most beautiful gifts I could have ever given myself. It was a rare 10 days where I could focus on and nurture just me, and have the support, guidance and love from Theresa, Kevin and Mother Earth. It was truly transformative."

Tracy (Yellow Butterfly)

"I was at a crossroads, with no answers and no clarity so I embarked on the Vision Quest in 2006, which was far outside my comfort zone. To say it was a pivotal turning point in my life would be an understatement. "

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"With gentle guidance from Theresa and Kevin and a beautiful small group of fellow questers, a safe and sacred container was created. Every measure was taken to ensure our individual safety and at no point did I feel unsafe. Was it hard? Yes! Was it life changing? Yes! Would I do it again? If the need arose, a resounding Yes! Being stripped bare of all the usual creature comforts’ including food, you learn to dig deep, unveiling layers of yourself long forgotten, finding answers within without any external distractions. It is an experience I will never forget and that I carry in my heart always. I highly recommend this experience."

Julie

"It's been almost 20 years since my Vision Quest with Kevin and Theresa but the experience still echoes vividly in my soul. It awakened in me a love of the land and a deep connection to the natural world. It also set me on a path of self-discovery that continues to this day. A profound, life changing experience."

Leslie

“The Vision Quest experience changed my perspective on life. Just the physical pleasure of time alone in the wild would be enough to make it memorable, but the added mental inspiration that accompanies it creates something unique.”

David

“This Vision Quest allowed me the time and opportunity to dive into a deeper part of myself. The gentle guidance of Theresa and Kevin made me surrender in the flow and feel connected.”

Sandra

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