On August 8th, a date known for its powerful energetic and spiritual significance, we celebrated the Lion’s Gate 8.8 Retreat at Spa Natural Center — an experience that blended meditation, ancestral wisdom, and personal growth.
The Lion’s Gate Portal is a spiritual and astrological phenomenon that opens every year around August 8th, when the Sun is in Leo and the star Sirius —considered a symbol of expansion and higher consciousness— aligns with the Earth. Many traditions view this configuration as a moment of profound energetic opening, ideal for activating intuition, releasing blockages, and manifesting intentions with greater clarity. The number 8, associated with abundance and infinity, becomes even more powerful when repeated in this date (8.8), making it a symbolically significant and transformative moment.
Within this energetic framework, the retreat began with a deep guided meditation that set the tone for the experience, followed by a cacao ceremony filled with intention, emotional openness, and genuine connection among participants.
We were honored to have the presence of Flavio Acuña, Founder and CEO of Spa Natural Center, who facilitated part of the dynamics and shared his vision on the purpose of these gatherings: creating spaces of healing, inspiration, and authentic connection.
Joining us from Uruguay, Miguel Ángel Diana, a specialist in alternative therapies with an integrative approach —trained in Reiki, spiritual healing, thanatology, and support for grief and transformative processes— played a key role in the retreat. Beyond his solid professional background, he led much of the experience, masterfully guiding the core activities and holding the energetic space with depth and sensitivity. His voice, presence, and ability to connect with each person created an atmosphere of profound trust, allowing attendees to open up, release, and surrender fully to the process.
One of the most meaningful moments was the intention ritual, where each participant wrote on paper what they wished to manifest or release. These messages were placed in the fire —an element that symbolizes purification, transmutation, and rebirth— allowing the old to dissolve and creating space for the new to emerge. The crackling of the flames marked a moment of surrender and collective transformation.
To seal the experience, a profound Gong session was performed. Its expansive sounds and deep vibrations resonated through every cell, helping integrate everything that had been experienced throughout the retreat. The Gong, an ancestral instrument of healing, acted as a bridge into states of calm and expanded consciousness, closing the circle of the retreat with an energy of harmony and wholeness.
In addition, Mario Hervas shared a deeply personal testimony about his own path of transformation. He spoke about the phases of internal change he has navigated, the moments of questioning and rebuilding, and the tools that helped him rediscover his strength and purpose. He offered honest reflections about the growth that arises from challenges, and how reconnecting with vital energy can open new perspectives on life. His story inspired participants to look within themselves and recognize that true evolution begins with a personal commitment to change.
Beyond the scheduled activities, what unfolded was a gathering of kindred souls —a space where words became medicine, silence became presence, and each ritual opened inner doors to new possibilities. The resonance of this day extended far beyond the moment: participants left with practical tools and deep insights to integrate into their daily lives, strengthening their intention to move toward a more conscious and holistic sense of wellbeing.
The Lion’s Gate 8.8 Retreat 2025 will remain a reminder that when dates, people, and intentions align, the result is nothing short of magic.
