Sacred Sojourn to the Dominican Republic

On the night of 1/11, the Fabulous Five returned from our 7-Day Sacred Sojourn to The Dominican Republic—specifically La Romana in the east, on the Caribbean coast. We stayed in a beautiful, spacious villa resplendent with palm trees, fruit trees, bougainvillea and other flora. The fauna included birds ranging from tweeting to more cacophonous varieties, and a myriad of tiny to small scurrying and hopping lizardy creatures. Like the villa setup, these reptiles believed in indoor-outdoor living! Despite the luxury setting, this trip was not a "vacation," as some family and friends have termed it. As the host, I put in work to facilitate a process that would support transformation and healing for all present, including myself. I will give you a fly--or perhaps reptile--on the wall experience, so you can see for yourself.

We were blessed with the house staff—amazing beings of love who made our stay safe, comfortable and quite enjoyable. Thank all that is good and holy for translation apps, though a few of us got to dust off our Spanish-speaking skills. As a chef who often cooks for retreats hosted by both myself and others, what a joy to allow someone else to lovingly render fresh, local cuisine for me and our group, served al fresco on the patio. And Spirit’s work combined with fresh breezes made us hungry!! If we had issues prior to this Sojourn in allowing others to help us, they were resolved by the end of our week. Surrender, Dorothy. Resistance is futile...

Over the years I have come to appreciate the transformative power of water, and it was no different in the DR. Having mid-80 degree temperatures was a bonus while hearing snow was pending back home in the Washington, DC Metro area. Becoming one with the water was easy in that clime, and the pool and hot tub were common sites for both relaxation and sister circle time. Plus, our day at the beach was ultra delicious. The salty Caribbean Sea was a healing, soaky salve for my arthritic knees, and the sun further bathed our bodies with its warmth. We returned to the womb over and over during our sojourn to receive comfort and sustenance from our mothers/sisters.

A tour was included in the cost of the trip, though Spirit clearly communicated that I was to wait until we arrived to determine what that tour would be. Therefore, as a group, we tapped into Spirit to point us to the best tour for our particular group. We were led to take a day trip to the capital, Santo Domingo, for a guided tour of history and culture, plus a bit of shopping. It was a full day of walking, drinking in 16th century architecture, seeing artisans at work with amber, as well as sampling chocolate, rum, mamajuana (not to be confused with marijuana), and puzzling over the celebration of conquistadors who “discovered” the land. We allowed love and healing, including ho’oponopono, to flow flow through us for the genocide of the indigenous Taino population and culture, the entry of African slaves to the Americas, the colonization by European countries, meddling by the US, the disconnection of the current culture from the African part of their roots, and the continuation of a sense of separation from the Haitians and Dominicans who share the island of Hispaniola. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you...It was a powerful day!

Serendipity and Synchronicity were common visitors in our villa and elsewhere during our Sojourn. To name just a few instances: we each brought items to create our altar that were all different yet complimentary; Angel and or Crystal card draws co-signed our daily readings from “The Book of Awakenings” or our Chakra theme of the day; and we found the perfect pictures and words for our vision boards in only 8 different magazines. My favorite is how a man dropped a sock as we left the beach, which led to a new friendship and wonderful transportation and tour resource; without us speaking it, our tour guide took us to the very museums and experiences we had considered going to on our own.

During our “Journey through the Seven Chakras,” we tapped into so much peace, joy, love, power, laughter, creativity, adventure, truth, and healing. Here are some highlights from our Chakra journey:

1. Root: Grounding and ancestor connecting through earthing and receiving a Blessing of the Feet on the beautiful, lush grounds of the property.
2. Sacral: Womb Conversations, Creating henna art on each other, and pool (vs pole) dancing. 
3. Solar plexus: This chakra continually showed up as we got in touch with our POW-her-full selves, worked with wearing the color yellow and taking turns communing with the citrine crystal. Then to be in a land of amber...
4. Heart: Using essential essences to create personalized love potions (roll-ons, sprays and lotions), as well as the forgiveness work on behalf of the land and its beautiful people.
5. Throat: The almost daily “Hot Tub Conversations” created a sacred space to cover a variety of topics as we expressed our truth, lovingly. We enjoyed our turquoise attire day, and working with the blue lace agate.
6. Third Eye: Creating vision boards for 2019 was fun and a beautiful opportunity to see our oneness. We also got a chance to work daily with divination tools, which was new for a couple of Sojourners. The amethyst crystal made the rounds.
7. On our final full day we returned to the ground to Bless our Crown with healing, oils and crystals, and balance our Divine Masculine and Feminine energies. We followed up with a hot tub "Crown conversation" around our hair journey. That night we had our culminating ceremony in white, where we discussed gems from our journey, shared and consecrated our vision boards, celebrated each sister and her contributions to the experience, and went to the altar for a powerful prayer for the people, the land, those that feel the need to conquer and take from others, the plight of our home country, and for our continuing journey into 2019.

Other juicy deliciousness included my providing each participant with a Sacred Healing Session of her choice, including Reiki, massage, stretching, chakra balancing, intuitive messages, or a combination of some of these. In reciprocity, they poured into me throughout the trip, helping me to be in a space of allowing.

It was a profound retreat, with remarkable women spanning almost three decades, all with beautiful connections to God. We co-created a sacred space that I will cherish forever. I am newly inspired, humbled and grateful to have been called for this work. So vacation? No! Enjoyment? Absolutely!

If you would like to attend a Sacred Sojourn, Rev. Anim A. Bey and I are planning a return to Sedona, AZ in August, 2019, and a return to La Romana, DR in January 2020.

If you would like to attend the 2nd Annual Mind Body & Soul Food Women’s Weekend Retreat, hosted by Robin Bell and me, it will be held on June 21-23, 2019 at Shepherds Spring Conference Center in Sharpsburg, MD.

Other special events:

Winter W.I.T.C.H. Sunday Supper Series:

1/27/19, 2/24/19, 3/24/19 from 3-6 PM in Lanham, MD

W.I.T.C.H. Weekend 3/29-3/31/19 at Neesa’s Home on St. Helena Island, SC

A Taste of Wellness healing events in Lanham, MD

2/9/19, 3/2/19 and TBA monthly

Sacred healing sessions available in Lanham, MD

For a virtual experience, tune in on 2nd Sunday’s at 6 pm EST for Mind Body & Soul Food radio - returning in March 2019!

Contact me at tonya@mbsfood.com or visit my website @www.mbsfood.com for more information