While the setting, accommodations, and food for my retreat with Sacred Waters were all wonderful, this review is about the most important element of the experience: the people who guide you through your most vulnerable moments.

First, Aria. I typically avoid clichés, but it is simply a fact that her voice is angelic. It is gentle yet powerful, soft yet full of emotional and spiritual weight. When she speaks, it is worth leaning in to listen, and for me, that isn't just a metaphor. Even with strained hearing, I never regretted the effort. She is a true nurturer who genuinely cares for everyone in her presence and, just as importantly, is a steady, skilled, and deeply knowledgeable professional.

Then there is Gabe, who shares many of Aria's qualities, making them an incredibly effective team. He brings the same warmth, steadiness, and sincere care to the space. He is a truly earnest person, the kind you never feel the need to second-guess; nothing about him is performative. He shows up with presence and humility, holding space in a way that feels grounded, open, and deeply intentional. He guides the musical aspects of the ceremony with profound clarity and heart.

So, why is this the most important part? Because in these ceremonies, you may visit the most vulnerable places within yourself. In those moments, who stands beside you is everything. You are trusting them with your entire physical and emotional being. You need facilitators who are steady, kind, present, and who possess a deep mastery of their work. That is Aria and Gabe. They are the partners I will continue to seek for my journeys, again and again.