A Touch of Spice

What happens when eight multigenerational women gather on the sacred island of Zanzibar? In one word: magic.

In November last year,  we created a space to pause, reset, and step into a new threshold. A place where the land, the sea, and the unseen currents of imagination guided our journey. Together, we moved across culture, story, and lived experience, each of us holding space for our own transformations and witnessing the transformations of others.

I woke early one morning, sipping coffee made lovingly by my co-facilitator, as the sun broke over the Indian Ocean. In the quiet, I realised I was living a dream: not only fulfilling my own rite of passage but walking with others through theirs. The island seemed to breathe with me. I exhaled slowly, smiled, and held that moment, a luminous pause before the final day, a moment I wished to invite often into my life.

The New Moon in Scorpio asked us to descend, while the playful breeze of Sagittarius season teased the sea. In circle, with soft, deliberate ritual, we faced endings and beginnings. Some of us were releasing old patterns, some stepping into new possibilities. Some delved into hidden places, while others perched in gratitude for the beauty of their lives.

What spoke most clearly was the presence of diverse life energies: those carrying the depth of long experience and the wisdom of years, those moving with quiet confidence yet a questioning edge, and those just stepping into the world, blooming with curiosity and fresh vision. We were like mycelium, roots intertwined beneath the surface, different branches reaching into the world above. Across culture, belief, and values, we were simply Women, carrying the sacred through story, ritual, and nature.

The imagery that lingers is cinematic: Like a scene from Mamma Mia. The Elder, Seeker, and Maiden, threads weaving into our collective tapestry. The land itself resembling an Elder: Maasai with ancient roots, spice-laden soils, the rhythm of tides and seaweed farming , and the presence of a new moon illuminating our shadows; a silent witness to our unfolding.

As the retreat ended, the villa faded behind me. Stone Town’s Labyrinthian streets hummed beneath my feet. Impermanence was palpable: each moment, each group, each experience unique and fleeting. To hold this, to let it go, is to embrace transformation. This too is a gift: ephemeral, mysterious, and deeply human.

What happens when women from different generations meet on the shores Zanzibar? The experience cannot fully be captured in these words; you have to be present to feel it. We returned changed, carrying the echoes of ritual, laughter, and shared wisdom. And in knowing that each future journey will be unique, we carry forward the transformative power of thresholds crossed together.

I work with those standing at inner thresholds, listening for what wants to emerge, holding space as a guide through Transpersonal, Creative, and Jungian methods. This retreat was a living reflection of that practice: a sacred container for transformation, rooted in story, imagination, and the mystery of the unknown.

Sacred Zanzibar is a collaborative retreat run by Mary-Rita McGuire & Julie Lewis, in association with Tribal Tourist www.tribaltourist.com.

If you would like to experience one of our Sacred Zanzibar retreats, we are excited to announce we are booked for two retreats in November and December 2026. To be added to our waiting list, please either contact me at maryrita@mymysterym.com or julie@julie-lewis.com.

About Me:

Mary-Rita McGuire is an accredited Creative Depth Coach, Transpersonal Guide, and trained Actor. She partners with individuals and organisations to navigate personal and professional transitions, unlocking growth, resilience, and authentic leadership. Drawing on a BA in Creative Therapies and an MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology, Mary-Rita blends evidence-informed approaches with creative, experiential methods to make Transpersonal practices tangible and actionable in everyday work life. Her mission is to bring depth, self-awareness, and human-centric practices “to the streets,” empowering people and organisations to thrive through change.

You can email me at: maryrita@mymysterym.com

WhatsApp: +971 (0) 56 773 0900