Starseed Healing Sanctuary

05/31/2026

Seeking Live-in, Kindred Spirit, Companion/Assistant for a special Elder at Starseed Healing Sanctuary

Would you enjoy living at an earth-based healing sanctuary where you can draw upon positive earth energy on a daily basis? Would you enjoy offering some part-time companionship and assistance to a special elder? If yes, please read on.

For 40 years Starseed Healing Sanctuary has been a developing intentional community, holistic retreat center, and interfaith, earth-based healing sanctuary stewarded by the Ananda family. Located on 150 acres in the northern Berkshires hills of western Massachusetts (Savoy), the sanctuary has beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, sacred healing spots, rolling fields, wooded trails and streams, and a peace labyrinth.

The co-founder and main land steward of Starseed Healing Sanctuary–Satyena Ananda–is in need of more help and care at this time in her life as she is in the process of expanding stewardship of the Sanctuary to a larger team, embodying her role as an elder, focusing on her health and resting more. Her daughters have been helping as much as they can, and as they live busy lives with many responsibilities a distance from Starseed, it would be a huge support to find someone to live with Satyena in her home and assist with a number of things.

As a companion/assistant to Satyena, you would assist with delicious and nutritious vegetarian meal preparation; dishwashing and house cleaning; carrying cord wood and operating the wood stove in the cold season; assisting with computer/technical assistance when needed; driving her to some doctors’ appointments and grocery shopping; and at times assisting Satyena in the continuing unfoldment of Starseed as a healing sanctuary including things such as communications with the expanding stewardship team, gardening and grounds upkeep, herbal preparations, and periodic ceremonies and healing programs.

While not required, it is a bonus if the companion can help Satyena to sort through a lifetime of possessions and downsize.

Satyena enjoys starting the day either with meditating or praying, and based on interest, she would enjoy doing that some days with a companion. A companion would also be welcomed to join Satyena a few times per week in other spiritual practices or ceremony.

We are looking for someone to start in July and ideally commit for at least 9 months to a year.

Compensation:
A companion would have a private bedroom in Satyena’s house and have access to bathrooms, the kitchen, laundry, internet, as well as the Sanctuary grounds and gardens. With regrets, Satyena is not comfortable with living with animal friends (pets) in the house, so housing is for the human companion only.

There is also the possibility of some food sharing with shared vegetarian meals.

If a companion is using their own vehicle, you can be reimbursed for mileage when taking Satyena to appointments or grocery shopping. Because Savoy is a remote location (30-50 minute drive to the closest grocery stores), it is ideal if a companion has their own vehicle for transportation, but car sharing may be possible if needed - the companion would just need to be the driver.

This is a part time position with 7 hours per week to start. Depending on needs and availability, if additional hours are needed in the future they can be compensated on an hourly basis.

How to apply:
If you are interested, please provide us with a letter telling us about yourself and why you think you would be an ideal kindred spirit companion to Satyena at Starseed. Letters can be sent to [email protected].

Candidates will be interviewed by Satyena and her three daughters first by phone or video conference and then an on-site visit could be arranged.

We look forward to hearing from you if you are interested in this opportunity, or thanks for sharing the word with others who may be interested.

09/21/2025

There was a wonderful celebration and ceremony at Starseed yesterday to thank everyone who has been a part of Starseed’s unfolding story and a special honoring of Satyena and all she has done for this place. Kat Vanhammen brought some incredible flags people have made with their prayers and intentions for the future of the country and we walked the labyrinth to drum in our dreams for the future. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Starseed’s unfolding story.

04/27/2025

Come grow with us! We are seeking summer/fall caretaker partners.

Would you enjoy living and working in an earth-based healing sanctuary this coming summer and fall?

We are seeking 2 people to live and work at Starseed Healing Sanctuary, partnering with us in sanctuary stewardship for the 2025 growing season.

For 39 years, Starseed has been an interfaith healing sanctuary, informal retreat center and developing intentional community located on 150 acres in the rural northern Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts. We are looking for the next generations of leadership to carry Starseed forward and during this transition we are seeking 2 people (this could be ideal for a couple or two friends who would enjoy living and working together) to be a central part of our caretaker and stewardship team for the 2025 growing season. We are ideally looking for a minimum commitment of mid-May to mid-October, but this could become a long-term arrangement if you are interested in becoming a partner at Starseed and living here year-round.

A lot goes into stewarding a center dedicated to personal and planetary transformation. For the 2025 Growing Season, we are in particular seeking 2 people to play a central role in the following:

Groundskeeping: mowing (involves operation of a riding mower, push mower, brush mower and w**d wacker), raking, and pruning (use of clippers and ideally a chainsaw)
Gardening: preparing the soil, planting, w**ding, watering and harvesting in a vegetable garden and a hoop house; w**ding and maintenance of perennial and annual flower and herb gardens
Cleaning: cleaning retreat spaces in between guests
Carpentry and fix-it work: skills in this area are a huge bonus!
Volunteer supervision: organize volunteers for work projects during community work days
Event support: assisting with physical logistics and hosting of Starseed events as well as registration
Computer work: newsletter communications with the Starseed mailing list and other light office work

Lodging is provided in the retreat house. A stipend may be possible based on need, as well as opportunities for income sharing of revenue generation.

Starseed is in a rural location, so it is ideal if people have their own transportation, but if not, ride sharing can be arranged for supply runs. The retreat house kitchen is a vegetarian kitchen.

Please contact [email protected] if you are interested and would like to discuss this more! We look forward to hearing from you.

11/18/2024

Would you enjoy living and working at an earth-based healing sanctuary in rural western Massachusetts this winter, or do you know someone who may be interested in that with whom you could share this message?

Satyena Ananda, founder and director of Starseed Healing Sanctuary http://www.starseedsanctuary.org is looking for a live-in winter steward and part-time companion/assistant from December-April.

Starseed is an interfaith healing sanctuary, holistic retreat center, and developing intentional community located in the northern Berkshires of western Massachusetts on 150 acres of fields, forests and wetlands.

The land is host to numerous stone arrangements that support prayer and contemplation such as a peace labyrinth and medicine wheel circle. There are many beautiful places to walk on the Starseed land and in the nearby Savoy State Forest.

Winter caretaking duties include: taking care of the Retreat House by maintaining a tidy and clean building, tending the wood stove, carrying wood to stock each building and removing snow and ice from the driveways and paths as needed (requires use of snow blower and a shovel).

Companion/assistant duties include: occasional preparation of vegetarian meals, house cleaning, computer help and transportation for Satyena. Satyena enjoys sharing meals, meditating and going for walks with people who are living at Starseed, and if there is an interest, can offer some spiritual direction.

If you are drawn to a quiet and rural lifestyle, this steward/companion position at Starseed may be a wonderful fit, giving you time for pursuing your personal interests and creative activities. It is ideal if you have your own reliable vehicle that can function well on hilly, snowy and sometimes icy roads as Starseed is a 25 minute drive from the closest grocery stores, but it can be possible to coordinate supply runs with Satyena in her vehicle if needed.

A time commitment of 15-20 hours per week is requested. Compensation is a private room in the Retreat House with access to the kitchen and Starseed amenities as well as a $360 monthly stipend. Additional income is possible if needed hours exceed 20 per week.

If interested, please email Satyena at [email protected] or call 413-743-0417.

04/13/2024

Opportunity to volunteer at Starseed this coming Tuesday (and maybe Wednesday). Help needed to rebuild stone wall adjacent to the foundation on Satyena's house. Stay overnight if you wish, or come however long you can. Accommodation and meals provided, with optional periods for meditation and prayer. Call me at 206-495-1669 if interested. I'm helping Satyena with this project.

Gratefully,
Jeremy

02/02/2024

Dear friends of Starseed,

This weekend and the following (Feb 9-11), Starseed will be collaborating with The Flow of Abundance Vision (www.flowofabundance.org) to host the first Awakening In Resonance retreats.

In these retreats, we distill the process of awakening by tuning into our heart's resonance- that sense that “this is right” arising whenever an unresolved, unconscious experience is reconciled through loving acceptance of the moment.

Over the course of the weekend, we learn to integrate resonance into all ways of being, in all moments, at all levels of our experience: in the space before and beyond experience, in ourselves, with each other, our community, the world, and all that is.

In doing so we uncover our unique path of awakening and new frontiers of psychological-spiritual fulfillment.

Retreats are shared by an expanding group of friends who’ve dedicated their lives to living continuously in resonance. Here, everyone’s wisdom is embraced and authentic connection is the guiding compass. These retreats are offered in the spirit of generosity. This includes food and lodging. Private bedrooms are available for those who need them.

If it resonates to join (no pun intended!) please apply here: https://www.flowofabundance.org/immersionsapplicationform

Anyone is welcome to donate to support Starseed and the continuation of this work through this link: https://givebutter.com/fundofabundance

For more info about the retreats please visit: https://www.flowofabundance.org/awakeningexperiences

We look forward to connecting with you soon,

With an abundance of love,

Friends at Starseed

11/02/2023

Prayers For The Earth & The People of The Earth

It's Time To Pray! Come Join Us In Prayers For The Earth & The People of The EarthSending Light, Love, and Compassion to All Affected by War &…

06/02/2023

🙏PRAYERS AND HELPING HANDS💪

Dear Friends of Starseed Healing Sanctuary,
We invite you to Join with us this Sunday June 4 at 12:00p.m.
FOR PRAYERS FOR THE EARTH AND THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH"

The times we live in are difficult and challenging both personally and globally! The Earth and many people on the earth are struggling and suffering great hardships.

Let us come together to connect with the Great Spirit of Earth and Sky. We will walk together in the Peace Labyrinth and "Pray for "the Earth and the People of the Earth"

Following the prayers we will gather at the retreat house for a vegetarian potluck meal.

Followed by "HELPING HANDS"

Starseed can use a lot of Help in the gardens.
We would be so happy if you can HELP in preparing the HEART Garden to receive the flowers of Love. And the Raspberry garden pruned to produce it's fruit.

We look forward to being together with you on Sunday in the Sanctuary!

PS....If you are unable to be here Sunday but would like to help with the grounds we would love to have your help! Just let us know.

Many Blessings,
Satyena Ananda, Director, Starseed Healing Sanctuary
[email protected]

Photo credit: Arianna Alexsandra Collins, June 2014 & 2016

09/28/2022

Starseed Healing Sanctuary is seeking Sanctuary Caretakers immediately. Come live and work on the beautiful lands in rural Savoy, MA

Read all the details here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bwrXME984UVDH9Ae13-mvSs20ExYBDJMeCL3605TFZk/edit

http://www.starseedsanctuary.org/

Founded in 1986, Starseed is an interfaith healing sanctuary, holistic retreat center, and developing intentional community located in the hills of the northern Berkshires, dedicated to personal and planetary transformation.

05/10/2022

Starseed Healing Sanctuary is looking for a ground crew of 2 people to help care for the sanctuary this coming season June - October. This entails groundskeeping, gardening, cleaning, some cooking, and potentially light maintenance work or occasional office work. We can offer room and a small stipend in exchange for 20 hours of work per week, with the possibility of additional pay for additional hours worked over 20 in a week. Please check out the full description and share with people who may be interested: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wEDD9JqpFL5dgNk4ao--tP9nPu0mHi8wYcK-RNqVLXk/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you in advance for helping us find wonderful people to live and work with us this season!

Caretaker Couple sought for June – October at Starseed Healing Sanctuary Starseed Healing Sanctuary is located in Savoy, MA on Mahican territory in the hills of western Massachusetts. It includes 150 acres of forests, wetlands, fields and gardens plus a number of buildings. Founded in 1...