“Sprung from the immense depths of the sea, Aphrodite is a symbol of the transformative power that exists within the human heart, reminding us that love, in all its forms, is a force of boundless strength and beauty.
”
A Lakefront Goddess Gathering
Awakening Aphrodite RETREAT
Dates: March 19 - March 22, 2026
Location: Heritage Ranch, CA 92446
Ancient cultures around the world knew the
importance of honoring the wild feminine
Join us at beautiful Lake Nacimiento, CA for a 4-Day 3-Night immersion in ancient medicine ways and the wild feminine. We come together to share sisterhood, magic and the beauty and power of our medicine.
So much is possible when we gather from all walks of life and form circles of love, trust, support and non judgment. Having female bonding time supports our health, wellness, healing and happiness.
During this lakefront goddess gathering, you will have a unique opportunity to trade the demands and busy-ness of our modern day world for the pristine nature and wildlife around Lake Nacimiento. This peaceful lake is a big healing force that can facilitate transformation and growth in and by itself.
You will be able to nourish your body, mind and spirit using a variety of healing tools, including:
Sensual yoga
Shamanic ceremonies
Crystal sound baths
Cacao
Breathwork
Guided meditation
Altar crafts
Jewelry making
Ecstatic dance
Delicious and nutritious organic meals and snacks
RETRIEVING OUR GREAT JOY AND WILD WORTH
We have crafted a retreat program for you with the following goals in mind:
Divine feminine embodiment: practices and crafts that anchor you into your own feminine essence.
Reclaiming balance to your sacral chakra: releasing individual and collective trauma in the sacred seat of the watery womb.
Embracing cyclical wisdom: Fostering a deep connection with the natural world.
Reawaken intimacy with your body: Rather than sexuality, sensual yoga is a process of returning to the internal landscape of your bodily senses.
Bringing the sacred into the ordinary: shamanic ceremonies for spiritual connection and renewal.
Building community: Cultivating a network of supportive individuals committed to ongoing personal growth and truth-seeking.
Strengthening the body: Providing fresh organic meals that rejuvenate, energize, and detoxify.
RETREAT PROGRAM
(Subject to minor changes)
“In a world where the pursuit of beauty often takes center stage, Aphrodite’s archetype reminds us that true beauty emanates from the depths of the soul.”
shamanic ceremonies
Shamanism is the most ancient form of healing practiced by humans worldwide (40 000 years or more) and a way to connect with your deeper self through communion with nature and compassionate helping spirits.
Immerse yourself in the scenic wilderness of Lake Nacimiento and commune with ancestral and elemental forces to heal and reconnect with your inner cycles and seasons.
With Victoria’s loving guidance and many years of experience in supporting healing processes, you’ll be able to safely explore the spirit realms and learn more about healing your sacred womb through the ancient art and practice of shamanic journeying.
sensual yoga
Connect deeply with your body and its innate wisdom through Divine Feminine Embodiment Yoga - a practice that invites you to explore your sensual self in a sacred, grounded way.
Sensual yoga is not about sexuality; it’s about awakening your senses, cultivating presence, and honoring the full experience of being in your body.
Yoga with Ana infuses fluid, powerful yet soft movements with focused breathwork upon the spine, where kundalini resides.
Through gentle, flowing movement and mindful breath, you’ll tap into your feminine energy and embody the essence of self-love and awareness.
sound baths
Awaken your inner Aphrodite in these meditative crystal bowl sound baths - a soft, sacred space to reconnect with your body and feminine energy.
Bathed in sound, breath, and gentle presence, you’ll drop into your senses and remember the beauty of simply being.
This is crystal sound to deepen your self-connection - just presence with your inner knowing and vibrational alignment.
Leave feeling nourished, grounded, and deeply in tune with your radiant self.
crafts & altars
The incorporation of crafts into ceremonies and rituals is a deeply rooted and ancient practice.
Our female ancestors gathered around fires to tell stories, make art, and braid each other’s hair.
Together we will unlock the magic of our wild creative selves and make our own goddess jewelry and altar boxes for healing and manifestation.
We will prioritize self-care and deepen our connection with the Earth Mother.
When you embrace your inner artist and dreamer the wondrous starts to emerge. You begin to experience more joy, abundance, and love.
“Her laughter is like a melody that dances on the wind, awakening the hearts of those who hear it, filling them with an irresistible sense of longing and desire.”
OUR SHARED SPACE
We have leased an enchanting log home with private lake access boasting 30 foot vaulted ceilings, overlooking scenic Lake Nacimiento. This peaceful retreat is the perfect place to commune with nature and enjoy time away from your daily routine.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Victoria Lagerström and Ana Culbertson share a mutual love of the healing arts, Mother Earth, and the rewilding of women. They each bring a unique set of skills that help create an unforgettable experience.
VICTORIA LAGERSTRÖM
Victoria is a shamanic healing practitioner with roots in Sweden and the US. After finding love overseas, Victoria relocated to the beautiful red rock desert of Zion National Park where she married American singer/songwriter Dave Tate.
It was on this new journey of self-discovery and transformation that she was introduced to shamanism and the healing effects of the natural environment.
Victoria graduated from the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition Apprenticeship Program – Peruvian Shamanic Arts For Personal And Planetary Renewal - in 2012. This in-depth two year cross-cultural program led by respected teachers Don Oscar Miro-Quesada and Bonnie Glass-Coffin, Ph.D. emphasizes personal healing as a necessary preparation for client work. More recent studies include “The Art And Practice of Shamanic Healing: A Three -Year Professional Training And Initiation” with renowned teacher Julie M. Kramer.
Mother of Eliot, active member of Central Coast holistic community, Victoria has a private healing practice in Los Osos, CA and teaches the ancient medicine ways of Peruvian and core shamanism through local healing circles and retreats.
“My connectedness to the earth’s healing wisdom and the divine feminine awakened me to my true path. I feel so grateful and excited whenever I have an opportunity to share these ancient medicine ways with others. The time is now to stand for love, hope, and positive change so that we may all experience greater harmony within and without.”
Ana culbertson
After surviving a life threatening battle with cancer and enduring incredibly harsh treatments of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, Ana found yoga as a form of therapy for her battered body, mind and spirit. Ana witnesses every day the profound therapeutic and strengthening effects a consistent yoga practice offers. Now, she strives to give others the gift of a healthy, aligned system.
Ana completed her 500 Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training at Mira Costa College in San Diego. She also holds a certification in Health and Wellness Coaching (CPD Accredited). Her third Certification in Wildcrafting and Herbalism was earned as she lived fully off grid on Hawai’i’s Big Island.
She spent years cultivating and harvesting herbs, fruit, vegetables, and learning about permaculture and herbalism in California, New Mexico and Hawai’i. All the while, Ana deepened her knowledge in meditation, studied and taught yoga and explored the nature of her own consciousness.
Currently, Ana offers beach yoga classes and private yoga instruction on the Central Coast of California. You will see our incredible community of beginning practitioners to advanced yogis following her compassionate and passionate lead. Ringing in the mornings & sunsets with classes focused on mindful breathing, classic Vinyasa and Hatha flows; all in a loving, supportive environment.
WHY APHRODITE?
“Many, many women can feel something stirring within, and they sense something stirring without...A deep need to tell our stories and be heard. A longing to heal past hurts and move beyond them, into something big and bold and fresh and new.”
The Goddess is reemerging and rising again in every woman’s consciousness - awake, alive, and on fire with passionate purpose. She is the embodiment of the divine feminine, in full blossom, no longer restricted to living tight in the bud, enduring too small a life.
Awakening Aphrodite is a journey of self-discovery and remembrance. A wellspring of healing wisdom resides within each of us, as we all spring from the ancestral seeds of our grandmothers, born in this time to share the healing gifts unique to our blood and soul lineages.
The Awakening Aphrodite Goddess Gathering will allow you to reconnect with the timeless wisdom of being a woman, overcoming your perceived limitations, and awakening to the nurturing and unconditional love of Mother Earth.
Lake Nacimiento is a peaceful sanctuary nestled in the scenic hills of Bradley, CA. A special kind of magic and stillness permeates the lake and its surroundings in early spring.
Our retreat is an intimate gathering (space is limited to 12 participants) and a beautiful adventure of the heart.
We can’t wait to weave the magic with you and share this special time at breathtaking Lake Nacimiento.
If you feel guided to say YES to this transformative experience - calling us home to ourselves, each other, and Mother Earth, please register below and we will walk you through the process.
With gratitude and warmth,
Ana & Victoria
ACCOMMODATIONS
prices are per person
LAKE VIEW
Use our lakeside outdoor space and camp
under the stars
$325
MERMAID’S COVE
Communal bedroom, shared bathroom
$525
THE DEN
Sofa beds, sleeps two
$825
LAGOON
Shared bedroom private bath, king bed and single bed
King $1350, single $1125
NAUTILUS
Private bedroom, king bed
$1500
VENUS
Private bedroom, king bed
$1500
ABALONE
Private bedroom, king bed
$1500
REGISTER AND PAY
To register and secure your spot at the Awakening Aphrodite Wilderness Retreat March 19-22 at Lake Nacemiento, CA, please fill out the form below. Make sure to include your preferred accommodations and dietary needs.
We will contact you with next steps as soon as we have your registration.
No refunds or cancellation policy.
We welcome your questions and concerns.
“The ocean is a woman turned to the skies,
spilling her thoughts along a shoreline of sand.
You will never know what hides behind her eyes
by skimming the surface and reaching dry land.
Her soul is silent and runs deeper than deep.
O! How silent and deep her rivulets run!
Her whispers will charm you and lull you to sleep.
Let silence enter and the two shall be one.
Her coral cathedrals give pause to the brave
so eager to dive into the depths of youth.
She hides, yet magnifies, the giver who gave
sweet pearls of wisdom and immutable truth.
The ocean is a woman walking on waves,
wrapped in wind-song between heaven and the shore,
lightly tiptoeing over watery graves
buried deep where the sunlight can reach no more.
She tosses to turn; and she rises to fall,
undulating with her ubiquitous hips.
She dances on decks, over promenades all.
She is the sepulchre of a thousand ships.
Deep in her depths, the ocean is listening;
and my heart is haunted by love for the sea.
Waves are rippling; twilight is glistening.
The ocean is a woman and she is me.
”