Sempervivum

Sempervivum is an informal network of like-minded people who meet up to explore and celebrate being together and being alive. It’s open to anyone. The main event each year is a residential week at Easter.  During COVID at the start of 2020, meeting up for residential events had to be suspended. An online event took place that year. As the pandemic continued, we also met informally for walks down the River Almond and safe distance meet-ups on Portobello Prom. As things stand in 2025 we are currently re-grouping, and the Committee are actively planning a new and positive future for Sempervivum.


Our next event: Sempervivum at Queens Hall

queens hall

Sempervivum are planning a 1 day event at Queens Hall in the village of Charlestown in Fife. This is a change of venue from Newbattle Abbey College. It will be on Sunday 5th October 2025. Read more…


Sempervivum @ Lauriston Castle April 2025

Photo of Lauriston Castle

The most recent event took place on Sunday 6th April 2025 at Lauriston Castle in the Silverknowes/Cramond area of Edinburgh. We have called it ‘A Sempervivum week in a day’ to reflect the spirit of allowing the day to unfold and evolve from within the group that are present. We were treated to a lovely physical warm up by Sally using the letters of ‘L A U R I S T O N’ to focus on parts of the body. This was followed by a check-in by Gary, inviting people to choose images to represent strengths ‘Personal’, ‘Interpersonal’ and Trans-Personal’.

Photo of Lauriston Castle

New member to the group Jackie then gave us an experience of ‘Biofield Tuning’ as a way of relaxing and connecting to the energy field of the group. We then took ourselves outside into the lovely grounds of the castle and what a beautiful sunny day it was. One small group found a shelter in the Japanese Garden for a process sharing. Others spent some time walking around the estate.

Lunches could be pre-ordered and collected from Mimi’s cafe on site. A small writing group emerged led by Sally and Helen provided materials for collage making. We rounded off the day with ‘Moth Radio’ facilitated by Marion. A lovely way to share personal stories within a containing structure. I think we managed to have meaningful connections with each other in a beautiful setting on a wonderful Spring Day.
Gary

Quotes:

It was like a day out of time. I felt privileged to have been part of it. Thank you.

Jackie

Dear friends, thanks for enabling a small Sempervivum shoot to emerge and open last Sunday. May there be more to follow.

Kerstin

With this in mind we are welcoming new people to make contact, and to join us in some of our events going forward. Please contact us via the contact form to get an update.


Previous Events

Photo from the 'Embracing Uncertainty' virtual event

The Easter 2020 event could not take place due to the coronavirus outbreak, so there was a virtual event on Embracing Uncertainty. Participants produced work on the theme of ‘Embracing Uncertainty‘. The work has been collected together by Ed Tyler and can be viewed online.

During our gatherings, a wide range of activities and workshops are on offer, generated by participants themselves and by members of the communities where our events are held.

In past years we have enjoyed: singing and song writing, art events in the woods, making fire sculptures along the river, spoken word and music performance, open-air poetry, stand-up comedy and cabaret, peace dances, yoga and circle dance, equinox bonfire celebrations, labyrinths in the landscape. You may be inspired to try something new and discover the shoots of a hidden talent, or you may just want to relax in good company.

Sempervivum means “always alive”, expressing a wish to celebrate those impulses which regenerate and enliven us all. Our focus is on community building through creative collaboration and gentle self-enquiry, providing a safe, open environment in which to connect with the self and others in a real way.