Opening of the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary
Light of Findhorn Sanctuary seen from above, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
Written by Susie Kemp in behalf of Park Ecovillage Trust
A New Beginning for a Sacred Space
Opening Easter Sunday & Monday, 20st–21nd April 2025
A new chapter in Findhorn’s story unfolds this Easter as the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary is officially opened at Park Ecovillage Findhorn. A place of stillness, spiritual connection, and transformation, this beautiful new sanctuary is the spiritual heart of the community, built on the site of the much-loved Park Sanctuary, which was lost in the fires of April 2021.
In true Findhorn style, this moment carries a profound synchronicity of dates weaving past, present, and future together:
In April 1968, co-founder Eileen Caddy received guidance that led to the creation of the original Park Sanctuary, a space of deep peace and communion with the divine.
In April 2021, the Sanctuary was tragically lost in a fire, marking the end of an era but also the beginning of something new.
And now, in April 2025, the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary rises from the ashes, reborn for a new generation of seekers.
Light of Findhorn Sanctuary is nearly finished, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
A Community Vision Realised
Both the Findhorn Foundation’s original Main Sanctuary and its Community Centre were burnt down, and both had been central to the community’s spiritual and social life since the 1960s. The Sanctuary hosted daily meditations, Children’s Sanctuary, ceremonies, weddings, and offered residents, visitors and guests a sacred space for reflection. The Community Centre was a vibrant hub for community gatherings, meals, and events.
Though no lives were lost, the destruction left a deep void. While the Community Centre remains unrebuilt, global support and donations affirmed the need for a new sanctuary. This rebuild continues Findhorn’s legacy, providing a sacred space for meditation, connection, and community renewal.
For four years, the vision of the new Sanctuary has been nurtured through attunements, meditations, and collective effort. Generous donations from around the world, alongside grant funding made this dream a reality.
The creation of the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary has been a true community endeavour, spanning several years of visioning, attunements, and collective action. The journey began with fundraising efforts led by the Findhorn Foundation from 2021 to 2023, which secured the initial financial support for the project, receiving donations and messages of support from around the world. Thank you to everybody who has supported this work.
Light of Findhorn Sanctuary being built in 2024, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
In parallel, deep spiritual attunements helped shape the vision for the new sanctuary. The Findhorn Foundation Park Garden department led attunements on-site in May and June 2021, followed by two NFA (New Findhorn Association) evening Zoom attunements in the autumn of 2021. The Community Development Group led the revisioning with several site walk attunements that took place in November and December 2021, helping refine the location and size of the sanctuary, with a community survey in November 2021 receiving 150 responses. Additional site walks followed in January 2022 to further integrate the community’s vision.
Community ownership funds were secured through applications led by the Findhorn Foundation Trust and Park Ecovillage Trust (PET), culminating in successful funding received in December 2023, when PET was awarded £194,665 from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, supporting the rebuilding efforts of the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary Park Ecovillage sanctuary. The funding is part of the broader Levelling Up Fund, which aims to invest in infrastructure projects across the UK to improve everyday life in communities.
In the context of the Findhorn Foundation Trust handing over its assets to legacy organisations, many based in the Park Ecovillage Findhorn, the rebuilding of the Park Sanctuary was formally transferred to Park Ecovillage Trust in May 2024, ensuring that the Sanctuary remains in community stewardship for generations to come. Construction, led by Green Leaf Design & Build, began in July 2024, guided by the principles of sustainability and reverence for nature. Green Leaf was established by Jason Caddy, grandson of founders of the Findhorn spiritual community, Eileen and Peter Caddy, with community-member Ruari Wallace as his co-director. Together they have built many affordable homes in Park Ecovillage
Jason Caddy during our Blessing Ceremony in October 2023, photo by Hugo Klip.
Many community volunteers helped to clear the site, as well as regularly meditating in the Original Garden nearby. Some volunteer work was organised by Jonathan Caddy, chair of the Findhorn Hinterland Trust, and son of the founders, Eileen and Peter Caddy, preparing the trunks of trees blown down in spring storms for use in the construction of the new Sanctuary. The windfall round logs have become the pillars, while the planks and lumber are from trees that were felled on the Sanctuary site and are used in the new building.
Stripping the logs to the create pillars for the Sanctuary, photo by Hugo Klip.
On 1st October 2023, Kathy Tyler led a blessing for the site where the new sanctuary now stands, marking a significant milestone in the manifestation process.
She spoke of the Golden Thread – the soul’s journey that connects us to Findhorn’s spiritual legacy. Honouring the paths that brought each person here, she invited reflection on the deeper truth guiding our lives. The blessing welcomed the Landscape Angel and Angel of Findhorn, invoking their presence to charge the sanctuary with sacred intention. As the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary takes form, Kathy invoked the intention that it may be a space of love, connection, and spiritual awakening for all.
Kathy Tyler in front of the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
Easter Opening: A Time of Renewal
The grand opening will be a moment of celebration, reflection, and sacred connection. Over Easter Sunday and Monday, the Sanctuary will be dedicated with a children’s gathering, three ceremonies, open meditation hours, and a livestream for those joining from afar. Apart from the Children’s Sanctuary and the three ceremonies, there will also be opportunities for quiet contemplation in the Sanctuary during the first two opening days.
Opening Schedule for Light of Findhorn Sanctuary:
Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025
3-4pm – Children’s Sanctuary Gathering
4-5pm – First Opening Ceremony (places are filled)
6-7pm – Second Opening Ceremony (places are filled)
7pm–10:45am – Silent Overnight Meditation, with Sanctuary Guardians (no sign-up required)
Easter Monday, 21 April 2025
11am-12 noon – Third and Closing Ceremony (places left at time of posting the blog article)
12 noon to closing time – Sanctuary open
If the red light is on, it means a meditation has started and we ask no entry as it would disturb those meditating.
You are encouraged to pre-register for the in-person ceremonies via Ticket Tailor.
Kathy Tyler welcomes all to the new Sanctuary, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
Joining from Afar: Livestream & Global Connection
If you’re unable to attend in person, you can join a livestream from 3:15–5.15pm BST on Easter Sunday, 20th April, hosted by Yvonne Cuneo. Many of you will know Yvonne from her beloved Walking Each Other Home Facebook "lovestream" series, inspired during the lockdowns of 2020, and started by Michael Mitten. She will guide online participants through the opening, offering reflections, interviews, and a deep connection to the unfolding moment.
Book your place on the livestream here.
We will also be streaming the opening broadcast on our Facebook page.
Light of Findhorn Sanctuary with the original caravan in the foreground, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
A Space for All
Light of Findhorn Sanctuary is more than a building – it is a living space for meditation, prayer, and inner connection. Like the original Sanctuary, it will be open to residents, visitors, and retreat participants, offering a place to sit in stillness, attune to the deeper currents of life, and experience the sacred presence that has always been at the heart of Findhorn.
Regular meditation rhythms will be established in the months following the opening, and the Sanctuary will also be part of seasonal tours run by the New Findhorn Association.
Sanctuary Sunrise tapestry gifted to our community by Vita de Waal, photo by Mark Richards Aurora Imaging.
Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future
As we step into this new beginning, we also honour the legacy of the original Sanctuary. In a beautiful moment of perfect timing, long-time community member Vita de Waal gifted the community an original Sunrise Panel tapestry – the same design that once graced the first Sanctuary’s walls but was lost in the fire. Now, this tapestry hangs once more, linking past and present in a powerful symbol of continuity, hope, and renewal.
"Light of Findhorn Sanctuary is a testament to our shared spiritual journey, community resilience, and commitment to a deeper way of living," says Kathy Tyler, Project Coordinator for Park Ecovillage Trust, and Trustee for the Findhorn Foundation Trust. "It is a sacred space for all who seek connection – with themselves, with nature, and with the unseen realms of Spirit."
The new Light of Findhorn Sanctuary carries forward the vision of a sacred space where all are welcome, where the sacred relationship with all life – seen and unseen – is honoured, and where the Light of Findhorn Sanctuary shines as a beacon of hope, peace, and renewal – and you are invited to be a part of this celebration of light.
Useful links:
In-person opening ceremonies – book your place here
Livestream – secure your place here.
We will also be streaming Yvonne’s broadcast on our Facebook page.
Park Ecovillage Findhorn – https://www.visitecovillagefindhorn.uk/
