“When a [man] moves into the black, that process amounts to bringing all the shadow material back inside. That process could be call retrieving and eating the shadow.
How many years pass before a man finds the dark parts of himself that he threw away? When he does find those parts, and retrieves them, other people will begin to trust him.”
~ Robert Bly, Iron John
Eating the Shadow is an invitation for men to journey into your underworld, where you will consciously unearth, explore, and integrate the hidden aspects of your psyche.
This experience offers the chance to dance within the liminal space—between awareness and the unknown, between the personal and the archetypal. You will call upon the forces of mystery to reclaim lost parts of yourself, forging a path towards a renewed sense of wholeness.
Participant Testimonials:
"I am so grateful for this experience. Ian and Deus weave wisdom, beauty, deep experience with love and skill into a grounded yet vibrant tapestry that invites me to experience more of myself, connect deeper with other men, and live a richer life."
- MAX, Participant
"Ian and Deus are at the leading edge of men’s work. They hold an impeccable container which invites real transformation. Weaving eros into men’s work has been massively missing to date and these men do it cleanly and safely. The result is a brotherhood of sexually empowered men who are in relationship with their shadows. I am in full support and would wish this experience for any man committed to this path of self-realization."
- MATT STURM, author of The Organic Masculine
The Exploration:
This 5 Day experience rests upon the foundations set in Awakening The Wild Erotic. ETS is a deeper dive into the profound territory that opened up in our hearts, minds, and souls, focusing on 3 main areas of exploration and self-discovery:
1) The Sexual Shadow / Wild Twin
By diving into the "forbidden territory" of the erotic, we uncover not only the unique core erotic wounds that each of us carry as men, but also the hidden gifts, wisdom, pleasure, and joy that arises with the integration of that which has been buried.
Along the way we discover how our erotic imprints have influenced the development of our personality and relationship patterns. Equipped with this awareness, we learn how to gently unwind those wounds and gracefully transition into erotic maturity.
2) Archetypal Embodiment
Through sacred ceremony and ritual, we explore the universal blueprints of archetypal energies and how they can be accessed and utilized in practical ways in our lives.
We de-mystify and re-mystify the territory of the transpersonal, drawing upon the wisdom of these ancient maps to inform healthier ways of relating to ourselves, each other, and the rest of life.
3) Community Connection
Through vulnerable and engaging community processing, we are exposed to the incredible healing power of honest self-disclosure in a group of trustworthy men in order to dissolve guilt & shame and reclaim our sense of worthiness, acceptance, belonging, and connection.
Vulnerability is revealed to be the access point to true intimacy and relational depth, empowering us to be who we really are in connection with others.
What Men Are Saying:
Who This Is For:
Men who:
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Have completed Level 1 AWE or The Deep Masculine OR have moderate experience in transformational / shadow work spaces.
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Are devoted and dedicated to dissolving their erotic barriers and blockages
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Enjoy facilitated spaces where they are challenged and supported in equal measure
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Are open to exploring vulnerable, sensitive topics in a group setting
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Wish to connect to a like-hearted community of men
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Are passionate about learning new ideas, approaches, practices and perspectives
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Are inspired by mythopoetic archetypes and non-conventional methodologies
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Have the desire for more ritual and ceremony in their life
We will gather at a beautiful private location in the lush rainforest of Black Creek, Vancouver Island.
Space is limited to 14 participants
What’s Included:
5 days & 4 nights guided by experienced facilitators
Chef-prepared meals
Indoor heated accommodation
Empathogen medicine journey
Ecstatic Dance & Cacao + more
Apply Now
Oct 16-20, 2025
Black Creek, Vancouver Island
Intake Form
Note: Only men who have completed either Awakening The Wild Erotic (MXM Level 1) or The Deep Masculine are eligible to participate. Some exceptions might be made for men with extensive experience in men's work and ritual transformational spaces. Feel free to apply anyway and book your Discovery Call.
Meet Your Guides:
Ian MacKenzie is a filmmaker, cultural storyteller, and facilitator that has been tracking the seeds of emergent culture for over 15 years. His films include Sacred Economics (2012), Occupy Love (2013), and Amplify Her (2017) and The Village of Lovers (2023). He is also the founder & host of The Mythic Masculine.
Since 2012, he has studied cultural repair with Stephen Jenkinson at the Orphan Wisdom School. As well, Ian has completed four years of the Love School at Tamera, and trained in multiple modalities including Council, Forum, and Transformational Psychotherapeutics.
Deus Fortier is an Accelerated Evolution Coach, Transformational Artist, Numa Breathwork practitioner and Plant Medicine facilitator. He has over 17 years of experience in the immersive study and practice in non-ordinary states of consciousness, Kriya Yoga, Earth-based spirituality, body-centered psychotherapeutic methods, art therapy, embodiment practices and trauma-informed facilitation.
