Rules, Rhythms & Flows
Living Agreements
7 Core Agreements
✧ ✧ ✧
✧ Regulate before you relate
✧ Speak truth with compassion
✧ Close what you open
✧ Give without debt
✧ Receive without guilt
✧ Tend to what you touch
✧ Leave no trace of harm
Communication & shared spaces:
Sacred silence: 11pm-7am daily
Communication: in organic authenticity & infused with empathy – use of non-violent conflict resolution &/or mediation process when required
Self-care: in reciprocity. Adopting a growth mindset means actively working on strengthening our emotional intelligence and overall wellbeing while also having space to be human and to nourish the collective
Privacy: Respect for privacy and time alone is highly valued – use of door signs to indicate 'do not disturb' vs. 'closed but open'
Sound: respect for peace & quiet over personal freedom to make noise – speakers can be played in agreed communal moments but otherwise *electronic sound shouldn’t pass outside your room.
*Acoustics are always welcome, anywhere, but events or rehearsals should be scheduled in advance & collective permission granted
resources & Commodities:
Resources/tools: are owned by the collective and require check-out to use and must be returned properly
Machines/equipment: are owned by the collective and only lent by clear permission from a permanent resident – this is a safety requirement
Transport: cars/bikes are privately owned, not communal – visitors and residents are responsible for autonomous transportation. We are in a rural area so having your own mode of transportation is recommended, though public bus or hitchhiking is an option
Damage/lost goods: inform the group, if it was your bad due to clear negligence, you're responsible for the entirety of it's replacement or repair value. If it was bound to happen, the collective covers replacement or repair costs
Personal property: stays personal – it is your choice what you share. The collective shares many resources while favoring a sense of stewardship, trust & safety
Sobriety & Substances:
✧ Drinking, drug & drama-free space ✧
Our preference is sobriety – our tolerance is for ritualistic, natural 'medicines' used in moderation and with reverence/respect (such as through micro-dosing) AND unseen by the eyes of others
Substance use is not our social culture – we highly value connection from our natural states so take a walk *off-site or go to town and be mindful of what energy you bring back
✧Though not the norm, exceptional use may arise with understanding of the impact on others, in a consensual community event or in celebration of a harvest in the form of homemade elixirs produced off the land
Curating an environment of wellbeing for all animate beings in the ecosystem we steward is our baseline. This is in clear integrity with our values and we will prioritize our drink, drug, drama free policies over visitors reacting to authority from their own triggers such as feeling rules mean rigidity they 'should' rebel against. In that case, we reserve the right to ask you to leave the premises
Health, Society & Consumerism:
Consumerism: limit plastics, limit synthetics, limit consumption of commercial goods – we have a preference for natural materials, a culture of recycling & a priority of living in *healthy environments
*Being close to nature can still mean being clean & comfortable. We like to find the blend and artistry of well-finished, modern comforts achieved in an ethical & organic way
Perform in order: reuse/upcycle, then recycle, then waste. Use the organized trash & recycling systems in place & our well-sorted resource lab – check labels on bins & don't be lazy about it
Grey & black water: we use a phyto-purification system for our water treatment – no synthetic chemicals of any kind may go down our drains so check your products thoroughly
For ecofriendly products: visit our farmstand boutique, local markets & bio shops, ask questions, make your own DIY products & educate yourself
Guardianship:
Dogs and kids: are a case by case basis. You must inform the group and be approved prior to arrival – for their *safety and wellbeing as well as for the harmony of the surrounding environment
*We have livestock guardian dogs, young alpacas and free range birds. Pets cannot arrive without prior arrangements
Guidance & discipline: dogs/kids/guests must be house trained – they do not cause a disturbance that others have to manage. You, their guardian, are responsible; the collective agrees to be kind and caring in return
Childcare: courteous flexibility is given to guardians, especially mothers and single parents, in regards to any work exchange – we recognize your role is very important and will make compromises together
Inviting guests to shared spaces: residents in shared spaces may invite guests for a 1 night &/or 2 meal max at a time - any longer or repeated stays require agreement from permanent residents. Your guest is your responsibility regarding upholding our *house rules
*Most relevantly, not to bring pets or drugs/alcohol
Food & Flows
Diet & Meals ~ Daily Flow
Daily nourishing brunch buffet | 12:00 - 14:00
Brunch is an opportunity to gather, connect & get energized – we have a chef on site preparing daily meals for residents – sign up for a mealplan when you book your accommodation or pay on the day, space provided
We celebrate our diet, we don't feel limited by it - our shared meals are always organic/local, whole food, gluten-free and *mostly plant-based with the inclusion of chicken/duck eggs
*We are open to the discussion of occasional other inclusions, depending on our residents and provided they are ethically sourced
Coming soon: each wing has it's own cooking spaces, shared with a maximum of three rooms. The big kitchen operates as a professional space and is not for individual use
Our farmstand boutique shop is open to all residents at discounted rates – fresh produce, bulk bio goods & transformed farm creations
Karma Yoga
Practice of selfless service to the greater community; karma = action, yoga = union
Ritualistic practice of 12 hours over the course of a month by everyone, in service of the shared space so long as you are spending days or nights in presence
Karma yoga can be any house chore related task, nurturing the environment or land, participating in collective events and activities or in service of the greater community of Ariège. We can support you in finding a fitting activity so feel free to ask
We maintain a white board of all chores which can be signed up for on a weekly basis and with team leaders to report to. This maintains autonomy while keeping up with maintenance and care of shared spaces
For residents in employment or exchange positions, we hold a general belief to leave shared spaces better than we find them and if you notice it, nurture it
Regular Rhythms & Events
Weekly on Fridays | 8:00 - 13:00 | Foix Market
Our local market and greater community gathering event 10 minutes drive away
Weekly meetings for permanent residents - gather to share & discuss practical as well as relational topics
Daily work morning mini-meets - a quick round for logistical organization of the day ahead
Coming soon: events at the Chateau open to the greater community will include weekly yoga classes, bonfire jams, friendly afternoon picnics, evening sauna soirees and more! See calendar of all events here
Coming soon: Full Moon FamJam & potluck
Steam, hot tub, cold plunge, live music, starlight, cacao, tea & a nourishing bowl of food open to the greater community
Structures & Operations
For all other info regarding how we run the project, blend business & community, and our financial philosophies see this page.