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A Week of Slow Living and Astrology in Bali

November 13, 2025 by Katie McCaughan in Astrology, Musings, Retreats

I've been hosting retreats for a few years now, and they have been such an incredible experience for me as an Astrologer and Teacher. I knew that when the concept of my Slow Living Retreat in Bali dropped into my consciousness last year, something deeply profound and special was being created - and this past week in Bali with nine amazing women from all over the world certainly did not disappoint! What transpired for us over these eight glorious days together is something I’ll keep held within my heart's temple forever.

It was a full circle moment for me in so many ways - from my time living in Bali nine years ago to returning now, nine years later, in a collective nine-year with nine students! The synchronicity is hard to miss! This retreat was another beautiful reminder that astrology can become so much more profound when it becomes a shared and embodied experience, rather than just a chart on a screen or on paper. Seeing my guests learning from each other through their life stories and lived experience of their placements - as well as deepening their understanding of themselves through the slow-living spaces of their chart - was such a gift to witness as their guide and teacher.

This retreat took over 12 months of meticulous planning, and I’m so glad I reached out to a wonderful retreat management team based in Bali as they did a phenomenal job in helping to bring my retreat vision to life. This was a big trust exercise for me in handing over my “baby” to a team with feet on the ground there, as I’m so used to wearing all the hats on a retreat aside from just being the host! But they truly did an amazing job (we love you Augie!), and I felt so supported and held. It also meant that on retreat I had time to socialise and share meals with my guests, which is super important to me. My Virgo South Node loves retreats as I get such satisfaction from diving into the spreadsheets, reviewing intake forms and working with the resort to curate the full menu for the week ahead - which then allows my Pisces North Node to do what it does best - dropping into the flow, and letting go + letting God/Spirit/The Universe lead the way 💖

One of my favourite details from this retreat was writing the Planetary Love Notes for each guest based on the planet room they had chosen. In these love notes I dive into that planet personally for them - both natally and by transit - to help them understand how that planetary archetype might support their slow-living experience as an ally in their chart.

We opened the retreat with a traditional Balinese Welcome Ceremony which was led by a beautiful Balinese priestess, Yuni (see photo above). She not only provided a sacred ceremonial experience for us, but also opened space for myself and the guests to ask questions, learn about Balinese customs and traditions, and to be welcomed with such love and grace into some of their spiritual practices and beliefs. It was such a special way to land into the flow of Bali, as I witnessed each of the women begin to soften into themselves and into the essence of slow living.

Over the following eight days we explored astrology through a slow-living lens, asking questions like: How can we tap into slowness in a fast-paced world? How can we connect to our own personal flow and pace using astrology? And how can we embrace slow living through archetypes like Saturn, Retrogrades, the 6th House and the path of Venus through slowness, sensuality, and embodiment? We sat in circle and studied together, shared laughter, tears, silence and sisterhood.

A key part of my vision for this retreat was to not just sit in our resort to study astrology - as beautiful as it is - but to also go out and experience the beauty of Bali. On day 2 we took part in a water healing ceremony led by our amazing guide, Dedi, who held each of us as we placed our heads under the sacred waterfall to cleanse and release all the burdens that we have been carrying. It was emotional and deeply aligned with the spirit of Bali’s ability to heal and transmute.

Midweek, the guests had a restful beach day in east Bali while I took myself off to the day spa for some solo relaxation and nourishment. But my absolute favourite day? The Balinese cooking class on day 3 for sure, which happened to land on one of our guest's birthdays! Instead of a standard resort-based kitchen class, we traveled almost an hour outside of Ubud to a local Balinese village, where we were warmly welcomed into the home of Putu and her lovely family. We learned how to cook traditional Balinese recipes mindfully, using local ingredients and techniques. It was a joyful, creative, sensorial experience - and so very Venusian for our “Venus day”. Putu’s young niece also performed a traditional Barong dance for us which was so, so lovely!

After sharing the incredible banquet we prepared together, we returned to the resort for our afternoon workshop on Venus and the Senses. It was super hot that day, almost unbearably so, and we spontaneously decided to get in the pool together for this workshop. So floating in the water, astrology charts in hand, we talked about Venus in each persons chart and its invitation for pleasure, connection and our personal values - and how these can all be guiding paths to integrate slow living in a more personal way. It was one of the most memorable moments of the whole retreat!

By the time we arrived at our closing ceremony, I could see and feel the transformation in these women as they softened… landed… opened. They had not only learned more about themselves through astrology, but also deepened their relationship with each other through lived experience and shared connection.

Retreats fill my heart in ways that are, in a way, hard to articulate, as some parts feel too sacred to share outside of the group. There are pieces of this experience that belong only to those who were there. But what I can say is that I’m thrilled have more retreats and pilgrimages coming for 2026: we’ll be returning to Bali, to Glastonbury, and there’s something new unfolding in Porto for those curious about a city-based retreat experience. And in 2027... India. Stay tuned.

If astrology and slow living are calling you, I would LOVE to welcome you to Bali in July 2026! Please do get in touch below 🙏


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“This retreat was such an amazing and heartfelt experience for me, and I am taking so much positive energy out of the retreat. The group dynamic was incredibly warm and supportive, and I felt an immediate sense of belonging and ease, even as a complete beginner in astrology. Katie’s way of teaching is so inclusive, compassionate, and grounded - and her classes were full of ‘aha’ moments that really deepened my understanding. There was something truly magical about how everything unfolded, and I felt completely at ease throughout the entire experience. The spirit of Bali captured me, and I’m already dreaming about joining another retreat with Katie in the future!” - Jenny M (Bali 2025)

“The Bali retreat was 8 days of pure bliss spent with some wonderful humans from all over the globe. The astrology led by the amazing Katie with her unique intuitive way of teaching was food for the mind & soul. The body was well nourished too! A very special day was spent with a Balinese family in their home cooking up a banquet was a real highlight (one of many). Incorporating various healing modalities & day trips to sacred temples, secluded beaches & waterfalls the experience was truly transformative for me. I couldn’t recommend this retreat highly enough!” - Michelle C (Portugal 2024 & Bali 2025)


November 13, 2025 /Katie McCaughan
astrology, learn astrology, Retreats, Bali, Travel
Astrology, Musings, Retreats
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