When to go on a dark retreat: a season-by-season guide

In the dark, it is dark whatever the season. Even so, the timing matters: the time of year affects how easily you can take time off, what is happening outside the walls of the cabin, how warm or cold it is inside, and the state of mind you arrive in. In this article we go through summer, autumn, the turn of the year, winter and spring. You will learn which season suits whom and what to ask the centre about, depending on the season, before you book.

Summer: easier to find time, but nature is loud

For many people, summer is a quieter time. Work slows down, colleagues are on holiday, and finding several free days in a row is often easier than at other times of the year. A dark retreat can be a different kind of holiday – instead of travelling, you stop.

In summer, however, nature is very much alive. Birds sing from early morning, roosters crow in the countryside and insects buzz all around. In the dark, your attention shifts to hearing, and sounds you would normally not notice can suddenly become prominent. For some people this is a pleasant connection with the world outside; others may find it disturbing when they want to sleep or be in silence.

The second thing is heat. Dark retreat cabins have to be well sealed so that no light gets in, and on hot days they easily trap the heat. Several days in an overheated space make the retreat unnecessarily hard.

Look for a centre with air conditioning, or at least with good ventilation or heat-recovery ventilation.
Ask how well the cabin is soundproofed and whether there is a farm, a road or another source of noise nearby.
If you are sensitive to sound, pack some earplugs.

Autumn: a pause in the middle of the rush

Autumn usually starts with the new school year (in the Czech Republic it begins in September). People come back from holidays, projects get going at work and Christmas is just around the corner. It is a hectic time – and that is exactly why a dark retreat can come in handy as a deliberate pause before the year races towards its finish.

Bear in mind, though, that it is harder to find time in an autumn calendar. If you know you want to go in autumn, plan the dates well in advance and treat them as a firm appointment with yourself – one you will not move just because of a work meeting.

Late autumn

The end of October and November bring a different mood. The days get shorter, nature quietens down and there is less noise from outside. For many people this is a natural time to slow down and look back on what the past year has brought. On colder days it is worth asking how the cabin is heated.

The turn of the year: taking stock and making plans

The days between Christmas and New Year, or the first weeks of January, offer a natural opportunity to look back on the past year and think about what you want from the next one. Darkness and silence suit this kind of reflection well: nothing distracts you, your phone is silent and your thoughts have room to settle.

Dates over the holidays tend to be in demand, because many people have time off and the same idea. If you want a retreat at the turn of the year, book well in advance. Also check whether the centre is open at this time and whether everything runs as usual over the holidays, such as meal delivery.

Winter: shorter days and no feeling of missing out

Winter is a calmer season overall. The days are short, it gets dark early and you do not feel you are missing out on anything outside – no sunny afternoon you “should” be spending somewhere else. For many people, retreating into the dark for a few days is therefore an easier decision in winter than in summer.

Nature is quieter too. There is less noise from outside, which anyone sensitive to sound will appreciate. Instead, another question comes to the fore: heating. In the dark you will spend a lot of time at rest, lying down or sitting, and it is hard to relax in a cold cabin.

So find out not only whether the cabin is warm, but also how it is heated. Does someone tend the stove or boiler from outside, or do you take care of the heating yourself? Does the heating make any noise, such as humming or clicking? Can the temperature be adjusted? And does it let out any light, for example a stove with a glass door? The heating should not disturb you with either noise or light.

Spring: the promise of a new beginning

Spring carries the promise of new life. After a long winter spent mostly indoors, a dark retreat can help you recharge and calmly sort out your plans for spring and summer. For many people it is a natural moment for a fresh start.

Nature is waking up, and with it the birds, which start singing at dawn. As in summer, it is therefore worth asking about the cabin’s soundproofing. Spring also often alternates cold mornings with warm days, so it helps to know how the temperature in the cabin is regulated.

Which season suits whom

Summer – for those who find it easiest to take time off during the summer holidays and do not mind the sounds of nature. Look for air conditioning.
Autumn – for those who need to stop in the middle of the work and school rush and can keep their dates protected.
Late autumn – for those looking for silence, shorter days and time to look back.
Turn of the year – for taking stock and planning the year ahead. Book in advance.
Winter – for those who want peace and dislike the feeling of missing out on something outside. Ask about heating.
Spring – for a fresh start after winter and planning spring and summer. Ask about soundproofing.

What to ask the centre, season by season

Heat in summer. Does the cabin have air conditioning, heat-recovery ventilation or another form of ventilation? What is the temperature inside on hot days?
Heating in winter. What is it heated with and who runs the heating? Does it make noise or give off light? Can the temperature be adjusted?
Noise from outside. How well is the cabin soundproofed? Are there animals, roads, neighbours or other sources of sound nearby?
Dates and availability. How far ahead do you need to book, especially in the summer holidays and over Christmas and New Year? Is the centre open all year round?
Operation over the holidays. Does everything run as usual over the holidays, including meals and the option to call the guide?

Centres differ in their facilities and conditions. You can browse them in the overview and map of dark retreat centres and compare prices in the dark retreat price comparison. In the list of centres you can also compare facilities, for example whether the cabin has air conditioning.

In conclusion

There is no single right season for a dark retreat. Each one brings something different: summer brings free time, autumn the need to stop, the turn of the year a chance to take stock, winter calm and spring the urge to start afresh. Choose your dates according to what you need right now and when you can take genuine time off. Then check the centre’s facilities with the season you will be going in mind.

Whenever you go, be honest about your health. If you are not sure whether a dark retreat is right for you, read our article on contraindications for a dark retreat and talk it over with your doctor.