Breakfast at the hotel | Borgarfjörður | Hike up to Grábrók, a volcano crater | Deildartunguhver hot spring (no bathing) | Barnafoss Waterfall | Hraunfossar cascade| Reykholt, home to the Icelandic historian and writer Snorri Sturluson

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which airport should I fly into? Please book your flight to arrive into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) the morning of March 11th. We will meet at the airport and take a shuttle together at 10:30AM to the Blue Lagoon, where we will soak away the stress of our travel!
• Is this experience different than your witchcraft retreats? Yes. During my retreats, we stay at a single venue; while we may take day trips to certain sacred or cultural sites, the majority of the experience takes place at the venue in the form of workshops, guided meditations, rituals, spellwork, and healing practices, and there are several hours of free time each day. By comparison, this is an active and adventurous travel experience where we will be moving from place to place every day. While we will have time for one ritual, magical practice, or workshop each day of the trip, most of the day will be spent exploring Iceland.
• What level of physical fitness is needed for this trip? A relatively good level of fitness is recommended, as this will be a moderately active and adventurous trip. Activities include glacier hikes, volcano hikes, whale watching from a boat, up-close visits to waterfalls and geysers, and hot springs. The weather will be unpredictable — possibly cold, wet, and windy. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, I recommend one of my witchcraft retreats.
• Will we learn about Norse / Icelandic paganism, magic, and folklore? Yes and no. My background is Norse paganism — I have spent years developing relationships with Nordic deities and spirits, and studying practices such as seidr and the runes. We will certainly discuss these themes! However, the focus of the trip is more broadly animism, with an emphasis on land spirits and elemental magic. Furthermore, Icelandic folk magic is outside the scope of my practice and not something I am able to teach. That said, we will be traveling with a knowledgeable local guide who is well-versed in local lore and legends — I’ll be learning alongside you!
• Who can join this trip? This Iceland group trip is open to everyone 18 years and older. While the experience is geared towards practitioners of magic, witchcraft, paganism, and earth-based spirituality, no prior experience is required. This is an opportunity for us to travel and explore together!
• What is the accommodation like? We will be staying in 3-star hotels / B&Bs across Iceland. All rooms are shared twins; you will be paired with a roommate of the same gender.
• Can I book with a friend / partner? Of course! Please note that all prices are per person.
• How does payment work? A deposit of €1,000 is required to secure your spot on the retreat. This deposit is non-refundable and goes towards the total cost of your retreat payment. The remaining balance will be due in two payments of €1,225 — one on October 1st, and the second on December 1st 2024.
• What is the cancellation policy? All payments made for this Iceland group trip are NONREFUNDABLE. If you decide not to attend after submitting your deposit, the deposit will not be refunded but can be applied to a future trip / retreat. There will be no refunds provided due to cancellations for any reason, such as illness, injury, flight delays or cancellation, work or school scheduling conflicts, etc. However, if an unforeseen circumstance does arise and you need to cancel after making your full payment, you have the option to 1) find someone to take your place on the trip, in which case you will be fully refunded after their payment is submitted, or 2) apply your payment to a future trip / retreat (note that this will function as a credit; your payment will not be refunded). Cancellations made within sixty (60) days of the trip start date will not be eligible to be applied to a future retreat — your entire payment will be forfeit.
• Do I need travel insurance? While travel insurance is not required, it is strongly recommended in the event of any unforeseen changes / cancellations / issues.

Retreat Testimonials

“I have been practicing witchcraft as long as this woman has been alive and I was deeply moved by the wisdom, grace, and professionalism she brought to this offering. She is the real deal and taught this old witch some new tricks. She gives me faith for the future of the Old Ways. She curated an experience of profound beauty and significance on so many levels. This retreat was a deep blessing of connection and magic.” – Robin

“This retreat was hands down one of the top life experiences I’ve had. Celeste is a soulful guide and leader who created a truly magical experience for the group. I’ll be forever grateful for this experience and am looking forward to joining a future retreat!” – Danielle

“I cannot articulate with words what this last week has meant to me. It was transformative, magical and majestic. I experienced a deep sense of spiritual freedom and empowerment. And the lasting sisterhood friendships that formed within will carry me forward always when darkness tries to sidle in. Forever changed.” – Kat

“I’ve attended numerous retreats in the past, but I truly found my community at the Mage by Moonlight retreat. Celeste exudes warmth and made everyone feel at ease. The meticulous planning behind this retreat truly shone, creating an unforgettable experience. For once, I didn’t feel like an outsider; instead, I felt like part of a sisterhood. I wholeheartedly recommend this retreat to anyone interested in magical practices.” – Michelle

Retreats with Integrity

My personal moral code for retreat planning and facilitation:

• Before making any plans, I confirm the suitability of a potential venue / site visit through trance work and divination, looking for favorable omens and permission from the local land spirits.

• To help supplement my own areas of experience and knowledge, I partner with local guides and teachers who can bring their years of unique wisdom to the experience (especially when visiting sacred sites, as I believe it’s essential to have a deep relationship with these sites in order to share their magic with others — and often times, the best person for this role is someone other than myself).

• I strive to create a retreat environment that is accessible and inclusive to people of all backgrounds, gender and gender identities, ages (18+), abilities, and experience levels.

• I let my intuition guide me in the creation of rituals, spells, and workshops for each retreat.

Meet Your Trip Host

My name is Celeste Larsen, and I am a practitioner of earth-based and ancestral spirituality and magic. In simpler terms, I am a pagan witch. I am also a writer, ritualist, and facilitator of witchcraft retreats, courses, and workshops.

At the core of my spiritual and magical practices is devotion — devotion to the land I live on, to the spirits I work with, to the gods I worship, to my ancestors, and to my highest self and my soul purpose.⁣⁣

Trance journeying, spirit communication, and divination are foundational aspects of my practice.

Both my ⁣⁣personal practice and my teachings center around the themes of animism, folk magic, polytheism, ancestor veneration, ritual practice, and self-healing through magic.

My path as a pagan witch is based in the traditions of my ancestral homelands, specifically those of Scandinavia, Ireland, and the British Isles. These traditions are my anchor and my compass, rooting me and guiding me in my esoteric explorations.⁣⁣

Originally from the United States, I now live in County Cork, Ireland.