A Jungian Dreamwork and Artistic Retreat in Nature
With Nina Hollensteiner and Marnix van de Poll
Dreams speak in images. Strange places, familiar people, animals, landscapes, encounters and emotions may stay with us long after waking — sometimes vivid and compelling, sometimes puzzling and difficult to understand. We propose a weekend dedicated to exploring these inner images through Jungian dreamwork and artistic practice.
Over two days, we will approach dreams in two different but complementary ways. On Saturday, we will work with dreams through conversation and interpretation, drawing on the tradition of Carl Jung’s Analytical Psychology. On Sunday, we will continue this exploration through painting, drawing, visual expression, music and improvisation.
The retreat is a space for self-exploration and an encounter with the imagination. No previous knowledge of Jungian psychology, dream interpretation or artistic practice is required.
Working with Dreams
Jung understood dreams not simply as random events of the sleeping mind, but as expressions of psychological processes that often remain outside our conscious awareness. Dreams can bring us into contact with emotions, conflicts, and questions. They can also introduce images and perspectives that are unexpected or unfamiliar. As Jung wrote, dreams are “the most common and most normal expression of the unconscious psyche.” (CW 8, §544)
Working with dreams is being curious about the unconscious, inner resources, and aspects of ourselves that may receive little space in everyday conscious life.
Saturday: Exploring the Dream
Saturday is dedicated to Jungian dream interpretation. With a maximum of 16 participants, we will divide into two small groups, creating enough time and space for each participant to bring a dream of their own. We will explore the dreams through the dreamer’s personal associations, the emotional atmosphere of the dream, its images and symbols, and the relationships between them.
The aim is not to provide a definitive interpretation or to tell someone what their dream “means”. Instead, we will explore together what perspectives emerge when we stay closely with the dream and allow its images to unfold.
Dreams will be shared and discussed within a confidential and respectful setting.
Saturday Night: Piano Concert
Saturday night you can immerse yourself in a spellbinding 90-minute solo performance of the Canto Ostinato by the Dutch composer Simeon ten Holt. A mesmerising journey of meditative minimalism and emotional depth. As a frequent artist-in-residence in Ten Holt’s house, Marnix draws out colours of striking tenderness and intensity in every note. This is more than a concert—it’s a space for stillness, reflection, and deep human connection. A perfect space to reflect on what a day of dreamwork has brought to the surface.
Sunday: From Dream to Image
Our everyday lives are strongly shaped by language: we explain, analyse, organise and communicate through words. Dreams, however, rarely speak this language. They come to us primarily through images, sensations, emotions, movement and atmosphere. On Sunday, we will therefore shift from verbal interpretation towards artistic exploration.
Through painting, drawing and other forms of visual expression, you will have the opportunity to return to an image from your dream and explore it further. Music and improvisation will offer another way of responding to the moods, movements and emotions that have emerged. If you play an instrument you are warmly invited to bring it.
Artistic work can allow an image to develop beyond what we already consciously understand about the dream. It may open other perspectives and make something perceptible that words alone cannot easily reach. The second day does not simply “represent” what we discovered on Saturday. It continues the encounter with the dream in another language.
And more…
The retreat takes place at the beautiful Gut Neuensund in East Germany, in the middle of nature. Surrounded by fields, horses, forest and a small lake, you can completely wind down and regroup, take in fresh air and bath in stillness. The weekend offers time to exchange, make walks, swim or go for a proper forest bath!
Who Is The Retreat For?
The weekend is open to anyone who is curious about dreams, imagination and the unconscious.
You may come because you remember your dreams vividly and would like to understand them better. You may be interested in Jungian psychology but have never worked with your own dreams. You may have an artistic practice and be curious about the relationship between unconscious imagery and creative expression. Or you may simply wish to step away from everyday routines for a weekend and give more attention to your inner world.
The retreat is intended as guided self-exploration and is not a substitute for psychotherapy or psychological treatment.
What Will You Get
- Insights in working with the unconscious in a non-therapeutic and non-rational everyday way.
- Accessing the unconscious through dream interpretation and imagination techniques.
- Exploring and expressing through reflection, mindful sharing and artistic work.
Your Hosts
Nina Hollensteiner and Marnix van de Poll are artists and Training Candidates at the C. G. Jung Institut Zürich, Küsnacht. Bringing together their backgrounds in art, music, performance and Analytical Psychology, they invite participants to explore the space between dream and image, interpretation and imagination, conscious reflection and the unconscious.
Location
Gut Neuensund
Neuensund 20-26.
17335 Strasburg (Uckermark).
(East Germany, North-East of Berlin.)
Date
Friday 27 November 2026, 6 pm – Sunday 29 November 2026, 7 pm.
Daily Schedule
Friday
18:00 Check-in and Walk-in Dinner.
19:30 Introduction.
20:00-21:00 Lecture “Dreams and the Unconscious”.
Saturday
07:00 Meditation 30 mins (optional).
08:00 Breakfast.
09:00-12:00 Dream Workshop I including break.
12:30 Lunch.
15:00-18:00 Dream Workshop II including break.
19:00 Dinner.
20:30-22:00 Piano Concert “Canto Ostinato”.
Sunday
07:00 Meditation 30 mins (optional).
08:0 Breakfast.
09:00-11:00 Artistic Workshop I (art/music) including break.
12:00 Lunch break.
13:00-15:00 Artistic Workshop II (art/music) including break.
16:00 Plenary Sharing.
18:00 Check-out.
19:00 Informal soup before leaving.
Monday
08:00 Breakfast.
09:00-12:00 Private Sessions (optional).
Offering
Retreat Programme:
- Sliding scale: €500 – €700 (Pay What You Can).
Food:
- Full Board: €150. We will serve vegan food.
Lodging:
There are four options in the price range of €70 – €260 for two nights.
- Double room.
- Bed in shared room.
- Double room private use.
- Double room in Apartment.
If you are traveling from far and want to leave Monday, we can offer an extra night including breakfast for €50.
Sign up
Please mail us to sign up and state your preference for accommodation and your dietary wishes. Also let us know if you intend to stay until Monday.
Welcome
We look forward to welcoming you at Gut Neuensund!