WHO AM I?
WHAT’S MY PURPOSE?
WHERE DO I BELONG?
The Rite of Return is a 12-day rite of passage for veterans seeking to answer the soul’s call for deep healing in the wilderness in order to lay down what longer serves and step into who you are truly called to be after military service.
Our veteran-led ceremony has proven to drastically reduce the symptoms of PTS, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and suicidal thoughts by embracing all aspects of our human nature, identity, and experience.
These Rites saved our lives, now claim yours.
WELCOME HOME
The Veterans Rite of Return Ceremony serves as an initiation for veterans who are looking for a way to reconnect with their whole selves, their place in the world, and their communities.
The Rite of Return is held in a wilderness setting in Eastern Washington with trained veteran and non-veteran guides. Initiates experience time in community with other vets, four days of solo time, fasting in the wilderness, and a marked return where their stories are shared and deeply witnessed. This return marks the beginning of a veteran’s process of incorporating that which they have gained and learned during their time in service and explored in the context of time alone in the wilderness, so they may bring their gifts home, able to participate more fully, in service of their families and their community.
The pancultural ceremony is not based in any religion or dogma. It relies on each individual’s background, identity, creativity, and unique perspective to "self-generate" a ceremony that is meaningful for their life circumstance and a successful return home.
ELIGIBILITY
The Rite of Return is available to Current and Prior Military Service Members, Spouses, Partners, Gold Star Family Members (18+), and Dependent Survivors of Veteran Suicide.
INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY, INTEGRATION
Veteran Rites welcomes home the wild and whole diversity of our national military family with Love and Honor. We walk with every individual called to the land to fully prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for their Rite of Return. We are committed to removing barriers to access that prevent our people from reclaiming their freedom. Once initiated on the land, Veteran Rites will continue to provide opportunities for initiates to incorporate their True Identity, Purpose, and Belonging with Veteran Rites and in their communities.
CLAIM YOUR SEAT
Claim your seat today, and we will begin the journey into the story that has been waiting for you. Each ceremony is limited to 12 initiates.
