Oaxaca: "Becoming the Supreme Artist of Your Life" Next date to be announced Led by: Dr. Sheri Rosenthal Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom & WITH Forgiveness - Are You Ready?

Our Travel Destinations Bhutan Egypt Guatemala Heli-Hiking, Canada Peru Photography Travel Santorini, Greece Vietnam and Cambodia Sacred Southwest Sites Sedona, Arizona Bimini Dolphins Baja, Mexico Palenque, Mexico Oaxaca, Mexico Teotihuacán, Mexico Tepoztlán, Mexico Tulum, Mexico Yucatan and Belize Journeys by the Month February - Palenque, Mexico March - Tepoztlán, Mexico June - Santorini, Greece July - Photography trip July - Bimini Dolphin Swim August - British Colombia October - Bhutan Receive our Updates! Sign up by clicking here

Of all the grand colonial cities in Mexico, Oaxaca is certainly the shining jewel. We will explore a taste of this lovely place, a mix of cultural influences, foods, art and traditions. Many of the powerful Zapotec and Mixtec places were build over by the Spanish who were attempting to eliminate their old culture. But these places still remain places of power, you can just feel the energy in these beautiful old churches and sacred sites. Here we will practice the old shamanistic technique of Dreaming, using the energies here to transport us deep within ourselves and our stories.

Becoming the supreme artist of our lives involves learning to create from the heart, not the mind which is filled with fear-based beliefs about what we can and cannot do. Here we learn how to connect with the feeling of joy deep in our hearts and to use that feeling to guide us in our lives. Fun and ceremony are the order of the day on this journey! We will visit and shop in the local food markets and learn how to make some local dishes (and eat them too!).

We will merge with the revered Tule tree, a massive ecosystem in and of itself and experience this being who has witnessed thousands of years of human history. In Monte Alban we will experience the powerful energy of this amazing hilltop city and participate in ritual and ceremony to clear our minds of self-limiting beliefs and move to a place of forgiveness both for ourselves and others.

There are so many places to experience here and we are so excited to share them all with you. We will do our best to have you explore as many of these power places as possible along with enjoying the food and art in this #1 rated culinary city! Your heart will surely melt and open in this fabulous place, totally fed by the magic and energy of this land. The state of Oaxaca is located in the south of Mexico and straddles the Sierre Madre mountain ranges. Deep valleys and majestic peaks characterize this geographically challenging state. Ranging from tropical beaches to alpine mountains, Oaxaca's micro-climates are unique among the world's ecosystems. Oaxaca is culturally fascinating with many diverse native ethnic groups and rich craft traditions. The city of Oaxaca has been declared a Cultural Patrimony of the World by UNESCO. The Zapotec village of Teotitlan where Casa Sagrada is located is world famous for its hand loomed rug weaving.

As is typical for a Journeys of the Spirit retreat, you will experience class time daily, time for sharing with the group, reflection and meditation time, and one-on-one personal time with your group leader (along with fun and shopping time too of course!). It is our intent that you return home with an open heart and mind along with the tools you need to make the changes in your life you desire.

Click Here to Send This Page to a Friend and/or receive our newsletter: Receive our Newsletter! Sign up here!

Please take a look at some pictures from out last trip to Oaxaca!
Photographs of the Mound J Astronomical Observatory, Monte Alban, Mexico and the Pyramid temple at Monte Alban, Mexico are courtesy of SacredSites.com

Day 1 - (-/-/d) We leave the US today and meet in Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is one of the TOP TEN "world's best cities", and NUMBER ONE in Mexico/Central and the South American region, based on "sights, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people, shopping, value" - according to TRAVEL+LEISURE magazine issue August 2004. In the evening we settle in and have a lovely dinner at our hotel, Casa Sagrada and enjoy the beautiful countryside in the village of Teotitlan del Valle. Perhaps we will try the chapulines (crispy grasshoppers fried in garlic and lime)! After dinner we gather together as a group and get to know each other and share our intent for our week together.

Day 2- (b/s/d) After breakfast we are off to the famous Sunday market in Tlacalula. In our opinion, this is the valley's most vibrant indigenous market, drawing vendors from remote villages throughout the valley and surrounding mountains. This guided tour was honed from years of seeking out the rare and regional. This is your opportunity to find local chiles and spices, handcrafted housewares and hand-loomed textiles. (Don't forget your camera as this market is exotic Oaxaca at its best.) Once we are finished shopping for food we will return to the hotel to prepare a delicious mole special to Teotitlan, make a salsa with Oaxaca's smoky chile pasilla and try our hand at wrapping tamales in banana leaves.

Then in the afternoon we are off to Teotitlán which is a traditional Zapotec village, famous for the intricate woven rugs produced here. The rugs, and other items are all hand-loomed out of wool. Designs vary from traditional to contemporary. Natural dyes made from indigo, insects, different types of mosses, sea snails, and other earthly sources are still commonly used. There are shops on the small main street devoted to selling the local products. If you really like these rugs (you will), do a little searching and find the homes of the weavers where you can privately browse through the inventory. If you get on friendly terms with the weaver you will probably be able to strike a better deal than in the local stores. (We will have class this evening and each day we are together on this journey to observe our belief systems in action, practice forgiveness, and consciously manifest our intent.)

Day 3- (b/s/d) After breakfast we explore the town of Teotitlan and see the sacred Easter procession. In the afternoon we may visit Mitla or Yagul (and Hierve El Agua if we have time) for some wonderful ceremony and exploration!

In ancient times Mitla was an important Zapotec ceremonial center and home of the Zapotec priestly class. It was inhabited from around 100 AD to it's peak around 750 AD. The ancient city was probably planned and is known for the artistic quality of construction and the beauty of the intricate patterns and designs of some facades and tombs. To date, five large architectural complexes have been found. The main church of the small town was actually built by the Spaniards on some of the ruins.

The Yagul archaeological site was settled at approximately the same time as Monte Albán, but actually outlasted Monte Albán. The site, which is located on a beautiful hillside location, contains three distinct parts and houses the largest ball court in the Oaxaca valley. The architectural makeup is, in many ways similar to that of Monte Albán and also contains parts that resemble parts of Mitla. Yagul contains some incredible facades, engravings and hieroglyphics. This site is easily accessible and makes for some great photography, especially from the hill above the ruins.

Hierve el Agua is a natural warm spring which contains air trying to escape, hence the name "Hierve el Agua"which means “the water boils”. The water is also full of minerals, so as it runs off of the edge of the nearby cliff, calcium carbonate and magnesium in the water create a petrified waterfall, and the sulphur ads nice yellow accents in places. There are only two such sites in the world, the other one is in Turkey.


Day 4- (b/s/d) From the terraces of Casa Sagrada, you can see Guia Betz, the sacred mountain that overlooks Teotitlan. If you want to challenge yourself, participate in this guided hike to the top of the sacred peak. The panoramic views of the valley and the high Sierras are worth every step! We will participate in a beautiful ceremony on the mountain and enjoy the quiet, peace and serenity of this sacred place.

Day 5- (b/-/-) After breakfast we leave Casa Sagrada for the town of Oaxaca. On the way we will stop to visit the Tule tree, "El Arbol del Tule" - but what a tree it is! Even if you are not especially interested in trees this one will blow you away. It is said to be the world's largest tree, and once you see this magnificent natural wonder you will not doubt this claim. El Arbol del Tule, which is actually a Ahuehuete Cypress, is over 130 ft. high, boasts a diameter of over 170 ft., weighs over 500 tons and is approximately 2000 years old. A very impressive ancient being! We check into our next home, Las Bugambilias and enjoy the beautiful colonial town.

Day 6- (b/-/-) Today we explore Monte Albán, one of ancient México's most impressive ceremonial centers. This massive complex of pyramids, terraces and crumbling temples is considered one of the most important examples of pre-Columbian culture in all of México. Constructed by a culture that possessed a genius for building, this spectacular city is one of the most thoroughly explored archaeological sites in México. Throughout the centuries Monte Albán has continued to amaze those who study the site and has never failed to remain both magical and mysterious. Monte Alban sits 1200 feet above the valley floor. This location gave the residents a clear view of the Oaxaca valleys. The city was constructed by the Zapotecs who first moved to this site around 500 B.C. The city experienced its peak or golden age for a period of 500 years, ending around A.D. 600. During this time, the population of the city was nearly 25,000 people with an additional 100,000 people living in the valley below. After this golden age, and for reasons still unknown, the city was abandoned.

If we have time we will make some stops in Arrazola and Atzompa. Arrazola is the village that is home to the renowned wood carvers who are the creators of the Alebrijes, or imaginary, fantasy animals, and the many other objects that are carved out of a local wood named copal. Collectors prize these brightly painted wood sculptures and some have become very valuable. These imaginative carvings come in all shapes, sizes and are usually brightly colored with intricate designs, all panted by hand.

Atzompa is where the green-glazed pottery is produced. It is incredibly beautiful and is in use daily all over México, and other parts of the world. We may stop by the "La Casa del Artesano" on the way back from Monte Albán and see how these beautiful terracotta and green glazed items are made following ancient, ancestral techniques.

Day 7- (b/-/-) This is our opportunity to explore the town of Oaxaca and have a relaxing day to shop, eat and just walk the lovely streets.

Day 8- (b/-/-) Today we leave our beautiful bed & breakfast hotel and make our way back to the airport and get ready for our flights home. We say our last goodbyes, hugs and kisses as we prepare to take our new dream of heaven back to our lives!

Here is a link to a great map of the local area: Map of Oaxaca
And here are two links for our lovely bed & breakfast hotels: Las Bugambilias and Casa Sagrada
For a great resource on Oaxaca: Oaxaca Travel Guide and for info on the ruins: Monte Alban

This schedule is tentative! Due to the remote areas we are traveling to, weather, bad roads and other unseen obstacles may cause us to make changes in the schedule or to visit different sites. We understand that if this happens we were not meant to be where we were planning to go!

Daily breakfast is included in this program along with 4 dinners and 3 mid-day snacks (light lunch). These are noted next to each day in parentheses. Because Oaxaca is a culinary center we will want to try different restaurants other than our hotels - which by the way house some of the best restaurants in the city - when we are in Oaxaca. Non-included lunches and dinners may need to be paid for in cash so plan accordingly. All spiritual teachings,admission fees to the ruins and sites are included. Other non-included items would be spa services and souvenir shopping! All tips for the drivers, guides, and bell boys are included. Tips for the maids are not-included (we suggest planning on leaving $1.00 per day). All ground transportation in Oaxaca is included on this journey. Your roundtrip air flight to Oaxaca is not-included in the cost of the journey.

Please note, I suggest making sure your reservation to Oaxaca arrives no later than 4:00 pm on March 31st and on the 7th of April, do try to leave no earlier than 10:00 am if possible.

The actual schedule of spiritual teachings and what we will be doing day to day is not published. This is because we teach by channeling spirit which comes in the moment. Every day will be a magical experience for all of us, teachers included! Keep you heart and mind open to the experience life brings us.

Some websites to explore: All About Oaxaca and Oaxacan Restaurants

2007 trip cost was: $2157.00 double occupancy. If you desire a single room, please e-mail or call us for the cost. A deposit of $500.00 is preferred by: To be announced. Final payment is due: To be announced. Any cancellation made in writing before To be announced will result in a cancellation fee of $0.00. Any cancellation made after: To be announced up to the date of departure will result in total loss of deposit ($500.00).

Trip cancellation insurance is recommended to cover such issues. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum. If you need a single supplement please let me know and I will let you know the price differential.

Please know that I am happy to create a monthly payment plan - if that works better for you! Just email me and we can charge a specific amount monthly to your credit card.

You may print each form separately, or download all 7 forms at the same time and then print them from your computer. All the documents are in Adobe PDF format. If you don't have Acrobat Reader in your computer (most people do), please go to CLICK HERE to download it. You will find all the information regarding this journey that you could possibly want on these forms. Enjoy!

Dear Spiritual Traveler
Don't Forget Me List!
Statement of Health
Trip Application
Limitation of Liability
Release of Liability
Terms & Conditions
Download ALL forms (not available)

Photograph of the Entrance to the sanctuary, ruins of Mitla, near Oaxaca, Mexico courtesy of SacredSites.com

These are a few books that I feel will help you prepare for your upcoming journey. Please enjoy these recommendations. If you have any of your own, let me know and I will consider posting them! If you click on the book itself it will link you to Amazon.com.

Having experienced many Spiritual Journeys, it is nice to have all the information you might need before you go! I have included a list of online resources that will prove to be useful as you plan and prepare for your next Spiritual Journey. Simply choose a link from the drop down menu below and the corresponding website will open in its own window making it easy for you to return to this site and continue your exploration.

Get more information about... Foreign Currency Exchange Telephone Country Codes World Cyber Cafes USA Airport Status - FAA World Time World Subway Navigator Travel Health Online Weather Info