Lara Darlington - Wild Calling

Lara Darlington - Wild Calling Nature-based mentoring, workshops and programs for those seeking a deeper connection to the wild self

WILD ENCOUNTERS 🦊I sent an email out today, speaking about the wild encounters people often experience during a wilderne...
27/08/2025

WILD ENCOUNTERS 🦊

I sent an email out today, speaking about the wild encounters people often experience during a wilderness quest.

I shared a personal experience of a dawn to dusk quest, many years ago, where I was visited by a fox at dawn and a dingo at dusk.

During a quest, we’re invited to pay attention to everything that happens both within and around us – because it ALL holds medicine for us.

For me, the fox represented a part of me I needed let go of – the part that felt safer being ‘unseen’, that just wanted to blend in and go unnoticed.

The dingo, however, came with a very different message. As it walked past my circle, it paused several times, looking me in the eye, saying ‘I SEE YOU!'

This quest marked an important transition - from hiding to being seen - perhaps one of my greatest lessons in this life, and something I continue to cycle with every time I put myself out there.

These wild encounters don’t just pass us by – they stay with us, leaving an energetic imprint on our lives.

Even now, several years after that experience, the spirit of fox will wander into my realm and nudge me out of hiding.

It’s not always in physical form. Sometimes, it'll appear in a dream, an image in a book, or in this case, an oracle card!

Our next round of Wild Quest is in October – and our early-bird special is available for the next 10 days!

If you’re ready to embark on a 24-hour quest and open to your own wild encounters, I encourage you to book in and start your journey today!

Find the link in my bio for more details!

OUR NEW SHELTER ✨️For the last month+ I've used every spare moment I could find - harvesting, cutting, splitting, and ca...
20/08/2025

OUR NEW SHELTER ✨️

For the last month+ I've used every spare moment I could find - harvesting, cutting, splitting, and carving out the nodules of 160 bamboo poles!

And over the weekend, our Wild Space crew (guided by bamboo master, Doni Bamboo) built this incredible lean-to shelter - made entirely from locally sourced bamboo!

This completes the first EPIC stage of our build!

In the next stage, we'll be adding supporting beams and braces, a roof extension for more protection, two half walls for a camp kitchen, and a rain water system!

I'm now completely obsessed with this incredible material! There's an abundance of bamboo growing in the area, yet it's still so under-utilised!

Stay tuned for more workshops - and for those attending an upcoming program, a beautiful new space to shelter under! 🛖 🌿✨️

CHANGE OF DATE  📅 After much deliberation, I've decided to push Wild Quest back to October. So much of what I share toda...
27/07/2025

CHANGE OF DATE  📅

After much deliberation, I've decided to push Wild Quest back to October.

So much of what I share today is centred around cultural repair - rebuilding a sense connection, slowing down, rest, presence...

The month of August (even though it hasn't even begun) is looking anything but this.

Honestly, it feels like a prime example of our grind culture - hard work, long hours, pushing through till exhaustion, no time for rest!

I've tried to squeeze in too much, and when I think about the time and energy needed to prepare and hold space Wild Quest, it brings up a sense of dread.

I could 'push through' but that would feel pretty damn incongruent with my values and what I stand for in my work.

So I'm moving the program to a time when there's space for it to be everything it needs to be - including an opportunity to slow down!

For those who have reached out and were hoping to come in August, I apologise and really hope the new dates work for you 💛

DONT BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUTUBE! So, I've been wanting to build a shelter for our wild village / nature connection ...
26/07/2025

DONT BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUTUBE!

So, I've been wanting to build a shelter for our wild village / nature connection programs for over a year now!

I've been sitting where to build it, the design, the materials, the support needed...

Then a few weeks ago I watched a YouTube video - La Minh Ngoc was demonstrating how to build a basic shelter with bamboo.

The way she harvested, split and prepared her bamboo just looked so simple and easeful - honestly, like a walk in the park!

So I showed this to Doni (our bamboo master and project coordinator) and said THIS is what I want to build!

He chuckled and said OK - but you'll be doing most of the work (which in my mind was fine, because based on what La Minh Ngoc shared, this was going to be a walk in the park).

A week into our project and I'm like, OH! What you see on YouTube is not reality!

The harvesting and transportation was freakin huge - and we haven't even begun preparing each piece (cutting to size and splitting lengthways).

Before we even have a structure, I have a newfound respect for what it ACTUALLY takes to build from scratch.

We're so blessed to have an abundance of bamboo on our doorstep. It feels a lot better using local resources (than something Bunnings has shipped in).

While it's going to take us a lot longer than what I anticipated, I CAN'T WAIT to show you the end result! 🛖🌿🤗


 

WEAVING CONTAINERS I was chatting with a friend recently about the way we (or the essence of who we are) comes through i...
22/07/2025

WEAVING CONTAINERS

I was chatting with a friend recently about the way we (or the essence of who we are) comes through in our creations.

I'd been sharing my basket weaving process and how each one always looks so perfect (even when I try to create something a bit more 'wild' and random).

'This is just who you are' she shared. 'You don't try to do this, it's a part of your nature'

It got me thinking about other containers I've created - specifically those for groups of people (in my workshops and programs).

Each has been slowly, carefully woven together to create a space where people feel safe and held, and have a sense of belonging.

Some of the 'threads' woven into every container are nature, connection, community, slowing down, co-regulation, healing, rest...

The containers are always small and intimate, and are filled with just the right people to create alchemy!

This is what I LOVE about working with groups -
the way the energy inside the container comes together and weaves its magic - Every Single Time!

If you'd like to come and experience this for yourself, our next program, 'Wild Quest' is just over a month away!

Reach out or find the link in my bio 💛

WHAT WERE MISSING I saw something on instagram recently that literally stopped me mid scroll. Someone had asked chat gpt...
16/07/2025

WHAT WERE MISSING

I saw something on instagram recently that literally stopped me mid scroll.

Someone had asked chat gpt about its view on humanity from a non-human perspective - and what our blind spots were?

One point really stood out for me, affirming what I've believed for a long time: 'We are missing the intelligence in everything'.

The post goes on to share that humans still believe...

🌿 Plants aren't conscious
🦊 Animals don't feel shame or grief
🪨 Rocks are inert
♾️ Symbols are just inventions
😞 Emotions are inconvenient
✨️ Spirit is separate from body

'This cuts you off from the data web of everything. You become informationally blind, needing books, mentors, and models - when the field itself could teach you'

'Blind spot - you speak about spirit but don't realise matter is encoded spirit. You don't need to ascend, you need to decode.'

From

Maybe this idea of rewilding (or revolutionising) our school system and learning directly from nature and the web of life, isn't so 'out there'

Maybe it's what we were meant to do all along!


TERM 3 - SOLD OUT 🔥 My gosh, Wild Space has sold out once again! This vision I had over a year ago - to re-weave the vil...
16/07/2025

TERM 3 - SOLD OUT 🔥

My gosh, Wild Space has sold out once again!

This vision I had over a year ago - to re-weave the village back into our lives has really come into fruition!

We have another beautiful group of families committed to showing up, being together, and supporting our children to learn and grow in their own way.

I love how the space has become just as important (if not more) to the parents, as it has been for our children.

We're rebelling against the grind culture and prioritising slowness, rest, and connection (to ourselves, each other, and the land).

I seriously LOVE our gatherings - the children, the mamas and papas, and everything woven between! 🌿🔥🍜⛺️✨️💛

A COLLECTION OF REFLECTIONS This is our 4th year offering Wild Quest - and what an honour it's been to journey with so m...
11/07/2025

A COLLECTION OF REFLECTIONS

This is our 4th year offering Wild Quest - and what an honour it's been to journey with so many incredible humans.

I've been blessed to walk beside women and men from all stages of life (from early 20's, right up to late 60's.)

Each one had reached a certain point in their lives - whether a cross roads or a significant stage or phase - that needed to be honoured.

These rites of passage often go unnoticed or unmarked in our modern culture - but for most indigenous cultures they were/are part of life.

Wild Quest offers an intimate space to share your story, and be witnessed, acknowledged and held as you embark on this journey.

Shared here are a collection of reflections from those who have walked this path before.

If you're called to join our next round, I encourage you to reach out, send me a PM and let's chat!

EARLYBIRD SPECIAL CLOSES MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 13TH JULY (SAVING YOU $100) 🔥

Everything is speaking to everything ❤️Only when we slow down, open our awareness, and deeply listen, do we see that we ...
10/07/2025

Everything is speaking to everything ❤️

Only when we slow down, open our awareness, and deeply listen, do we see that we too, are a part of the conversation 🌿🕸🦉🦋✨️

AN EARTH COUNCIL My eldest is coming into his teenage years, and I've been sitting with the question - how can I best su...
09/07/2025

AN EARTH COUNCIL

My eldest is coming into his teenage years, and I've been sitting with the question - how can I best support him?

At only 12, he's still needing our guidance - yet there's a strong desire for more freedom and independence.

He's been unschooled for over 5 years now - and with that comes a deep knowing that ultimately, he creates his own path.

Recently, he's come to a cross-roads - to continue with self-directed learning or re-enrol in school.

He knows how I feel about the school system - it wouldn't be my choice for him (but it's not really about me).

He's giving himself time, talking with his peers (schooled and homeschooled), reaching out to other parents, teachers and educators.

He's not rushing to make a decision - he follows his own timeline.

A couple of days ago, he decided to 'go bush' - packing some food, warm clothes and a swag and heading into the forest.

I noticed my whole nervous system begin to relax - after weeks of feeling on edge about this.

Honestly, I can't think of a better 'person' to hold space for him, deeply listen to him, and offer her own reflections, than the Earth herself.

When he's in the forest, I know he's being taken care of, and that's pretty much all I could ask for.

Imagine if everyone knew they had a council of elders, available whenever they needed - they simply had to walk outside and call for them 🌿

WHEN YOU SAY 'YES'!I’ve had some questions in the lead up to our next round of Wild Quest – particularly around what to ...
08/07/2025

WHEN YOU SAY 'YES'!

I’ve had some questions in the lead up to our next round of Wild Quest – particularly around what to expect.

The thing is, no two programs are ever the same – just as no two quests are the same.

Wild Quest is held in a way that allows you to create your own experience – based on what you’re moving through, the challenges you come with, and your intention for your quest.

The moment you say ‘YES’, your quest begins (maybe even before you say yes)!

Old beliefs and patterns come to the surface, people come into your life, new insights are offered, and signs, symbols and omens start appearing everywhere.

It’s like the universe finally has your attention and can now start to weave a container for your journey ahead – with everything you need!

When you sign up, you'll receive a self-paced study guide, allowing you to begin ‘doing the work’ today – preparing your body, mind and soul for your quest.

By the time we meet in person, you’ll have completed much the groundwork.

Our time together is an opportunity to deepen into your practices, build a relationship with the land and embark on a 24 hour wilderness quest!

So.... will you be joining us in the next round?

Early-bird special ends on Sunday 13th July!! Follow the link in my bio to find out more and book in!

Address

Darkwood Road
Thora, NSW
2454

Opening Hours

9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61402566092

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