Dear Friends,
It has been an unusually cold winter at Willka T'ika. My friends and neighbors have told me that the frost has wiped out their flowers and vegetables. The mountains remain covered in snow and the Sacred Valley landscape is brown and barren.
Something magical seemed to happen in the Willkie Tike gardens this cold winter.
Retreat leaders here this winter - yoga teachers Gloria Dryer and Lis-Lotte Mariscal, Venus Rising Association's Star Wolf and Brad Collins, and Pat Miller with our first Zumba dance group at Willka T'ika, and our July Journey to Machu Picchu participants - will attest to the following:
Within our stone walls, despite the cold and frost, Willka T'ika's gardens have remained filled with masses and masses of colorful flowers. Every Chakra garden continues to sparkle and radiate energy. Tomatoes have ripened outdoors and lettuce and veggies have filled our kitchen. I marvel at the fact that we were untouched by frost that decimated crops and flowers outside our walls. I sense a warm invisible blanket of protection covering Willka T'ika at night, and know that the unseen spirit world continues to protect the flowers in each Chakra Garden.
The ancient Lucuma tree is a great protector of Willka T'ika. It brings in the energy of the Crown Chakra 
Garden and as extreme cold descended from the snowy mountains above us, I knew the Lucuma was protecting the most delicate flowers. Pruned roses were budding and flowering, passion fruit that should not even grow here was ripening, and other tropical flowers, fruits, soft herbs and juicy-leafed vegetables continued to ripen and provide us with food. Delighted guests simply wandered from chakra garden to garden, tuning in to the energies while working on their own special soul journey.
Our sacred Lucuma tree is said to be about 1000 years old and was planted in pre-Inkan times in land that still is called Lucmayoc (place of the Lucuma). Each of its many giant knots is said to be at least 100 years old. The Lucuma carries ancient history in its gnarled trunk and roots that are as deep as it is tall. Within those knots lie memories of earthquakes, invasions and times of peaceful living here in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
Botanically, the Lucuma flowers are hermaphrodites, holding both male and female energy. Masses of small delicate white flowers with five petals fall to the grass in midsummer, and eventually large heart-shaped fruits with the five white petals stamped into their bases emerge. Lucuma produces a gift of marvelous golden fruit, the color of the illumination of the sun.
I am currently writing more about our Lucuma, its strong female spirit and my daily encounters around this ancient being during the past 17 years. I am quite honored to have reconnected with this tree in this lifetime and remain its caretaker. A gardener at heart, I look forward to sharing much more on its incredible he
aling properties.
We are about to celebrate the completion at Willka T'ika of four new luxury guest rooms - Urpi, Lucuma, Waka and Willka - with an Andean feast in the new Sacred Plant garden that protects our brand new ñawi (eye of Pachamama), plant medicine ceremonial temple.
Journey to Machu Picchu:
This September, Mark and I look forward to meeting a wonderful, diverse group of participants registered for the Journey to Machu Picchu program based at Willka T'ika. There are surprises in store for everyone!
2012 is almost here:
Next year we expect times of joy, great celebration and spiritual renewal at Willka T'ika. Many retreat leaders with followings have arranged their Magical Journey programs in 2012. Several 9-day retreat timeslots are still available. Perhaps you are a retreat leader, or you know of other retreat leaders who would enjoy leading an adventure to Peru? We cater to a wide range of special interests: yoga, spirituality, shamanism, meditation, art, photography, vegetarianism and clean diet, and beyond. With our fantastic new facilities, we comfortably hold up to 60 guests in luxury accommodation.
Refer a Group and Receive a Free Stay at Willka T'ika
Refer a group leader who brings a group of 1o or more guests on our eight/nine night Magical Journey Special Interest Peru program based at Willka T'ika, and we will reward you with a gift voucher for a four-night stay at Willka T'ika in a single room, with dinner, breakfast, and a solar bath and crystal bed included. If the leader brings 15 or more guests, the gift voucher will accommodate two guests sharing in luxury accommodation. For referrals, please contact our USA office at info@willkatika.com.
Journeys in 2012:
In 2012, I will be working with wonderful spiritual guides that many of you know and love. Together with our Qero pakko, talented Andean healers and friends, we have planned FOUR very special Magical Journey programs, scheduled for August, September, and two in December to honor the high energy Winter Solstice. Plan now and choose your preferred journey ahead of time.
Magical Journey International:
A special journey arranged by Mark to Tanzania and Rwanda in March 2012 is full. Magical Journey will offer return spiritual programs to Nepal, North India, South India, and Israel & Jordan in 2013. Since space may be limited on these journeys, please let Marlena know of your interest so we send you information ahead of time.
We have great news for retreat leaders who have already visited Peru and wish to travel with their own groups to India or Nepal. Magical Journey International has a special arrangement with our Indian and Nepali agents and guides for spiritual programs to Chennai and Kerala in South India and/or Nepal. We will offer a variety of options for our incredible India programs. Programs to India and Peru will also be available for private or small family groups after September 2011.
For more details, including itineraries for the programs mentioned above, visit www.willkatika.com or contact us at info@willkatika.com.
With Andean winter blessings,
Carol
Walking the spiral gardens, Chumpe Pokes boys pause at the center to admire crystals
