She is Softening — Costa Rica, 2024 . Captured and edited by Angelica Bourland

I feel most at home in a circle of women.
I'm rewriting the story of a world which both profits from and disempowers us by programming internalized misogyny, competitiveness, scarcity and judgement.
Loving women is first nature and I am remembering it here and now, again

Circling in heart, in share, in song, in prayer with women has revealed me to myself.
The guiding light on the pathway to discovering my purpose.
What scooped me up and carried me home when the shadows of loss and pain brought me to my knees.
A hall of mirrors showing me that which I disliked in another is where my own opportunity to grow lives.
The relief that comes when I realize that I don't have to carry it all.

When we gather we remember an ancient way of being together.
Our souls know how to be touched in this way.
We gather to remind each other that we are not the same, but all one.
Our minds know how to connect in this way.

Gathering is how we revive our forgotten magic, power and love.

Our bodies know how to express in this way.

I know that I am changing the world when I sit in a circle of women because they are changing mine.

Testimonials from previous retreats

Margo as a facilitator just works. I think you hold a space in a way that allows everything to happen as it needs to. Some people need to preach a lot to get across their message, I’d listen to you preach also, but it isn’t even needed. Just the energy alone opens up the ability to feel. Your SIS workshop was truly something special, I loved that you are someone who seemed unapologetic about your strengths. I love when women show confidence in areas they know they’re good at, and I felt that from you. I was observing how so many girls shared so many different things throughout the week and your expressions and responses stayed very similar across the board, which must’ve been hard! It seemed like you were able to address and acknowledge each expression, without having a reaction that wasn’t thought through. And I think that alone is why you were able to successfully hold the role of facilitator. Not avoidant, but not reactive. You have a gift!

Participant (She is Softening)
Even though I did not know what to expect, this retreat changed who I am as a person forever. The perfect harmony of the group, Margo's space holding and conviction, and the workshops and practices worked together to create a magic that is hard to find the words for. It was five days long but I feel like I did two years worth of healing. Many of these values: slowing down, learning to rest, learning to breathe, asking for what you want, receiving unapologetically, *seem* like easy lessons to learn, BUT THEY ARE NOT, and this retreat actually integrated those lessons into my body. I wish that I could live in that world forever. I will be connected to these women for a long time because of the ancient and prolific healing we all did together and witnessed one another in. I felt love-- love existed in the meals we shared, the looks across the table, the hands held, the tears shed, the desires asked for and received, and the unconditional acceptance of one another despite the time. Margo was the architect of a realm that we all need, but we hardly ever have access to. She cultivated it into five days of pure ecstatic bliss.

CS (She is Softening)
This retreat was transformative. I learned to nurture my relationship to all things I do and am in this life. I felt so safe in the spaces these facilitators held that I genuinely experienced a shift within myself. When I arrived in this space I was nervous how I would be received and if I would get along with other women present, that feeling slowly began to fade as I surrendered to this experience and fell into the warm, loving embrace of sisterhood. I released stories around how I relate to the World and created new ones rooted in my heart centered Truth. Leaving this experience I am confident in who I am as a woman and know I am worthy of being loved. My biggest takeaways is the reflections from powerful women that sent me feeling like the baddest bitch that ever lived

Bella (Sourdough, Silks, Striptease)
I keep smelling my dirty clothes from the trip. The sweet smell of frankincense, sage, tears, and sweat linger on them as I try to breathe in any part of you all that remains. I haven't washed my hair since returning, hoping that the salt from the sea and the magic we made will soak into me through my scalp. I bleed, releasing the version of me that can no longer exist, the love you each showed me cut through her skin and she exploded into a million tiny particles of gold dust. I am releasing old habits, old beliefs, old fears, and old dreams. For I have become brand new. Thank you to each and everyone one of you for holding me in this transformation. Thank you for being exactly as you are, you have all inspired me to live more authentically. Thank you all for allowing me to witness you, you have carved a path for me. And finally thank you for witnessing me, so wild and so free. This was a fear released.

Savannah (Vizua II)
It is hard to find the words to express the significant transformation I experienced throughout body ceremony. I never imagined I could feel so at home in my own body. Every component of the retreat is intentional and flows in a natural manner with each workshop and practice building on the last. I felt so supported by the facilitators and was so inspired by each and every person there. The way that this group loved and accepted all parts of me helped me to love and accept myself. I am so blessed to leave the experience with a newfound love for myself and my body, and a supportive sisterhood. This was my first retreat and very much outside my comfort zone, but this group of facilitators was able to put me at ease and give me the sense of safety needed in order to really let go and embrace the process. I grew so much from this experience and will forever be grateful for the gift of seeing myself with fresh eyes. Truly one of the best weeks of my life, and I have so much love and respect for Margo, Clarke, Adella, Angelica, and Rachel 💕 Thank you, thank you, thank you for being exactly who you are and for providing a safe space for doing this work. It is so needed by so many, and I was inspired by the gradual shifts in every single person throughout the retreat.

Participant (Body Ceremony)
vizua was one giant time-bendy, heart cracking, edge pushing sleepover. the group of women that showed up were all in, and that allowed us to drop in quicker than any circle i have ever been in before. the way i was witnessed and permissed during vizua set a new standard for me in all of my relationships. we giggled and cried and danced our way through transformation. never in my life has shedding old skins been so easeful and welcomed.

Madeline (Vizua I)

I offer retreats quarterly. Join me for the next one this December in Costa Rica.

Please reach out if you’d like to hire me to facilitate or collaborate on your retreat.