Dona Berardina Catari Alvarez was born in Ayabiri Puno, Peru. She was orphaned at an early age and took care of herself by tending animals and living with her grandmother. Dona Berna started training as a healer at 9 years old and received her Star Wisdom at 12 years old. Chosen by Nature to be a communicator for Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Sacred Mountains), Dona Berna reads coca leaves, cards, soil, candles, dung and fire.
She is a Kawak (seer) of the luminous body, a Maichera (healer with herbs) and known as an Alto Mesayoc (highest rank of Shaman in Peru). Dona Berna has over 30 years’ experience in natural healing medicine and has successfully treated people with terminal diseases. Dona Berna's heartfelt joy for life and laughter are contagious and all are transformed and elevated in her presence.
Retreat Schedule
September 18th
Arrival and Welcome Dinner
Catered by Randi’s Snack Shack- Build your own ‘Nish Tacos.
Evening Group Despacho Ceremony with Dona Berna
A despacho ceremony is a traditional Andean practice of making offerings to the mountains, Mother Earth, and other spirits of nature as a symbol of gratitude, reciprocity and reverence.
A despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places.
At the deepest level, it is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all things, the living energy of the universe. Despachos offer us a vehicle for moving and shifting the energy of a group, the world, and the cosmos.
The ceremony offers various symbolic representations, including fruits of the earth, sweets, representations of the sea, and the stars to create access to portals or bridges from the ordinary and non-ordinary worlds. A despacho is a gift that bridges the ordinary and non-ordinary realms and establishes new patterns of relationship and possibility.
Celebrate Life! A despacho is created during a celebratory ceremony. In the cosmology of the Andes, all life is perceived as one grand, infinite ceremony. Because physical survival is so hard in the high mountains, life is experienced as a true gift to be lived, not a problem to be solved.
Friday September 19th
Following breakfast Berna will lead a group Munay Karpay Session
Munay Karpay
In the Quecha language Munay- Means Love and Karpay refers to an initiation or a transmission of energy from a Shaman to a student.
This particular initiation specifically focuses on opening the heart to deeper connections, cultivating deeper love and compassion- reawakening what is within you. Berna uses special stones that she has gathered from the Apus (Mountains). This ritual connects one to the energies of the sun, the mountains, and Mother Earth ( Pachamama). This is a powerful ceremony, and can be energetically very intense for some.
Following ceremony there will be time for meditation, reflection, journaling and Individual sessions with Berna will take place throughout the rest of the day. ( please see final section for Individual Session information)
Saturday September 20th
After breakfast we will begin our work today with a beautiful Heart opening meditation lead by Dona Berna using her ritual bells.
Following our meditation we will move into a group session of healing and learning with Chumpi belts.
Chumpi Phuytu
During this healing ceremony a Chumpi- a traditional hand woven belt from the Andes region- is the tool for healing. The weaving of the Chumpi belt is considered a sacred act- often involving prayers, offerings and a deep connection with Pachama.
Dona Berna uses the Chumpi belt to cleanse imbalances, work with the energy centers and facilitate healing.
Following the ceremony participants keep their Chumpi Belt. The belt symbolizes and embodies living energy, acting as a protective field around the wearer and connecting them to the earth. The belt can be worn to protect the wearer, to assist in grounding, helping individuals feel more centered, present and connected to their physical bodies and the earth. Chumpis are used at times to physically support the body, the lower back particularly and can be helpful for menstrual cramps and menstruation.
There will be time for individual healings with Berna and also time for rest, reflection and meditation.
In the evening we will enjoy our final dinner together catered by Randi and Marcus serving ~ Lemon and Honey Local Trout with a Citrus Sauce and roasted local veggies and a special dish of maple wild rice and blueberries for dessert.
Sunday September 21
Following breakfast we will have our final ceremony with Berna - a Water Purification Ceremony ( please plan to wear white, and plan to be in the lake) Using her Mesa ( medicine bundle) sacred plants, flowers and the cleansing properties of the water - Berna offers a beautiful purification ceremony, cleansing away old unwanted energies and bringing in new energies and connection to the natural world around us.
Within the Quechua language, there isn't a direct translation for "goodbye" as a permanent farewell. Instead, phrases like "tupananchiskama" (or variations like "tupananchikkama") are used, which mean "until we meet again" or "until life finds us again".
Following our well wishes~ We will aim for a noon departure.
Finer Details:
Date: September 18th- 21st
Place: Carraig Lodge 203 Silver Lake Rd , Silver Water P0P1H0
Cost: $995 - Please etransfer payment to peacesofyoumanitoulin@gmail.com to hold your space.
Accommodations:
Carraig Lodge has 4 sleeping cabins with 10 beds and we will have a bit of space for camping as well. The beds will be made up for you, there are plenty of towels and extra blankets and outdoor seating. We are so grateful to have a well on the property and water is potable so no need for bottled water! The property details can all be viewed here on Airbnb: airbnb.ca/h/manitoulinislandgetaway
Two catered dinners will be provided with the retreat as mentioned in the retreat schedule, otherwise please bring with you what you will want for breakfasts and lunch and one dinner ( Friday,Saturday, Sunday Breakfast, Friday and Saturday Lunches, Friday Dinner).
Individual Sessions with Berna
Descriptions of the types of sessions are below- however what is needed is determined by Berna once she has had some time to read your energy field.
You will need to bring a few things with you- which she may or may not use.
-An item you have with you most of the time - a piece of jewellery or something you keep on your person most of the time.
-Clothes that you will wear the following day ( underthings included).
You may be required to eat a slice of bread…if you have gluten issues etc- please bring some of your own bread with you just in case.
Session Work:
llamando el Anima
She brings people´s life force back when it has been affected by depression, severe stress, accidents, serious illness recovery like cancers, etc.
If you have a session with Berna and she indicates this is the ceremony you will need - you will need to have the clothes you will wear the following day with you. She will use them to replace the lost energy.
After the ceremony, you must follow the instructions to complete the ceremony itself.
Personal Despachos
Please see above description for Despacho Ceremony- sometimes a personal ceremony is needed- to improve one's luck, health, success, relationships, to bring harmony to one’s life etc.
Personal Healings
With different items and plants brought from Peru~ Dona Berna analyzes the case then does a special healing, cleansing or whatever is needed for healing. These techniques are based on ancient wisdom from the Andes.
Security
Dona Berna creates an energetic protection for people who are vulnerable to things in daily life so they can move forward feeling more of a sense of connection and groundedness.
Looking forward to our magical island time together this September! ~ In Light, Ashley