The World Our Hearts Long For and Know Possible: Birthing Earth In Transition
“Sometimes you need to stop questioning and start doing. You’ll figure it out along the way.”
This phrase, carried on a small green card by one of our participants, beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the 2026 Solstice Convergence. Over three magical days at the Fontmorigny Abbey, a diverse group of 40 souls from all four corners of the Earth gathered to merge individual freedom with deep communion, co-creation, and celebration.
The aliveness, the alignment, and the palpable sense of grace that saturated every moment created a fantastic reference point for how life could be lived collectively.
A Journey of Deep Listening and Action
Everything began with a profound dialogue between Rob and Rutendo on the root causes of our global transition. From there, we stepped into an Earth Council—a Samoan circle following a Pinakarri (deep listening with the Earth)—where holistic and systemic views were shared.
Our journey over the weekend was woven with world-class facilitation:
Rutendo Ngara distilled South African ancestral wisdom through the lens of Ubuntu, inviting deep personal and collective realizations. “I see you. I’m in resonance with you. Here and now.”
Fanny Hennion guided us into the subtle realms of psycho-somatic receptivity and ecobiography, revealing our profound, poetic relationship with the living world.
Aubrey Yee took us on a cultural and time-bending journey, from the true meaning of the Hawaiian Aloha and Joanna Macy’s Shambhala prophecy, straight into a 2050 prospective vision.
These deep dives were balanced with pure celebration and embodiment. The incredibly pure voice of Tritha brought Indian traditional Dhrupad and electronic fusion, while Johan Selva led a joyful, heart-opening ecstatic dance. Lily Jung and Juni Grip elevated our voices together in world chants that carried us into the night.
Isabella Vieira Nawá Siá, specialist of systemic change rooted in ancestral wisdom, and Rutendo Ngara, indigenous knowledge practitioner, speak as part of the bi-yearly Earth Council gathering
Rob Hopkins, co-founder of The Transition Network and author of 'From What Is to What If’ shares his wisdom during the opening panel ‘From collapse to rebirth’
Fanny Hennion, collective leadership practitioner, and Laetitia Wolff, design strategist for social innovation, facilitating a workshop with the participants
The Social Permaculture Mandala
The culmination of our convergence was the co-creation of the Mandala for the Coming Ones. Facilitated by Olivier Ciais, the EIT team stepped forward to share the pillars of our movement:
Yann on the Regeneration Network
Sylvaine on bridging global and local through bioregions
Laetitia & Fanny on offering facilitation and training in regenerative design
Juni on art and celebration as pillars for expression
Safeera on honoring and promoting the leadership of the young generation
Sophie on sharing the beauty of love in action
Inviting the infinite into the finite, 8 groups formed to give coherence to the different directions of our collective vision (Governance, Education, Economy, etc.). After a beautiful synthesis, the overarching narrative was read to the assembly by two EIT steering committee members under 25, Yann Urbon and Safeera Ahmed.
The Power of Generosity
None of this would have been possible without the breathtaking dedication of our volunteer logistics and kitchen teams. A deep, deep thank you to Jerome, Alex, Alex, Julie, Veka, Farnaz, Luka, Amel, Lou, and Marie-Anne. Your smiles, organic food, and efficiency illustrated perfectly that "together, we go further."
Earth In Transition has truly come to life. We leave the Bourges region with a compass for our next steps.
Upcoming Gatherings in the South of France (Villars sur Var & Courmes):
Sept 19 - 20: Bioregional Convergence of the Alpes Maritimes
Oct 29 - Nov 1: "Integral Ecology: Facilitating Regenerative Design" Training
Contact us through the contact form below or on our socials to learn more, participate and become part of the movement.