June 7-12
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
The Invitation
We know that when we do our own inner work, the results are exponential, and trickle out into every aspect of our lives, our families, our communities and eventually the world at large. Using the Traditional Medicine of Hikuri (Peyote) you are invited to connect with yourself, to heal, shed layers that no longer serve you and to expand your heart.
Hikuri is a joyful, life giving and powerfully healing medicine. However, what truly sets this retreat apart, is the privilege of working directly with the traditional medicine keepers of this plant medicine, the Maracame from the Waxaritari Nation.
You will be immersed in a world of tradition and contemporary evolution.
Getting to know the Medicine
Hikuri (peyote in the Wixárika language) is a small, slow-growing cactus found in the desert. When consumed, it elicits visionary experiences and insights. When taken in ceremony under the guidance of a Marakame it can be life-changing.
Kayumari, the spirit that protects and accompanies the medicine, manifests as the Venado Azul (the Blue Deer). She is a joyful and playful entity, which many envision even days or weeks before they arrive in Mexico. Others see her vividly during the ceremony. Much of the ancient and contemporary peyote/hikuri art is inspired by Kayumari. You will have the opportunity to get to know her, she is beautiful.
The Wixaritari are the oldest known human guardians of hikuri. Their medicine people, the Marakames, are chosen by their communities when they are still children or at early adolescence. They complete a series of initiations before being given the right to conduct the ceremony. These men and women are sacred knowledge keepers who believe these ceremonies and practices ensure the planet’s — indeed the universe’s— constant balance. They spend their lives traveling throughout Mexico to bring the medicine and ceremonies to those who need it.
We are honoured to sit with two traditional Marakames who will guide the ceremony and who carry the way of hikuri in their everyday lives. We also work with a ceremonial support team who regularly work with the medicine and offer a unique bridge between both cultures and spiritual realms, who can facilitate profound integration.
Ceremony takes place at night around a fire under the open sky, with the stars and the ancestors to look over us. You are invited to bring a few sacred items to make a small personal altar. Nights can sometimes be chilly, a good poncho goes a long way.
The ceremony begins around nine or 10 p.m. and lasts throughout the night until well past dawn. There is singing, dancing, healing, insight, and visions. Purging is not uncommon, but less so than with some other plant medicines.
Throughout the night, expect singing, dancing, healing, profound insights, and visionary experiences that open your heart and rekindle a deep sense of collective oneness.The following morning the ceremony continues with a traditional Temaskal followed by the sharing food, speaking about experiences, and celebrating breakthroughs.
What to expect in ceremony
Embrace Transformation
You may be surprised at how much energy you still have despite the lack of sleep, but that is the magic of Kayumari. You'll feel remarkably lighter, more with sharpened clarity of mind and an open heart. Some liken the experience to a decade's worth of therapy.
The Finer Details
Location
Valle de Bravo is located 2.5 hours from the CDMX airport and 1.5 hours from the Toluca airport. We recommend taking a taxi or Uber from the airport (about 200 USD).
Bus Station Option: From the Mexico City Airport, you can take an Uber to the Observatorio Bus station (approximately 15-20 USD) and take a bus directly to Valle de Bravo. The bus is super comfortable and super fast! and super affordable (18 USD).
Our retreat centre is located 45 minutes from Valle de Bravo. We will organize with you directly as to how to get to the centre, through shuttle and carpool options.
The Centre
Our retreat center spans 35 acres of lush walking grounds, a meandering river, and expansive open fields. In this tranquil setting, you'll encounter 10 gentle horses, playful ducks, and delightful puppies. There are tons of little secret nooks and cranies and hidden pockets of wonder. The flower field is a winter haven for Monarch Butterflies as they come down from the mountains to feed.
We offer shared accommodations, fostering a sense of community and connection among participants. Three private rooms are available, each thoughtfully set aside for couples. If you require one of these private spaces, kindly inform us, and we will ensure your accommodation needs are met.
Heart Offering
$2222- $2888
To honor the diverse circumstances of our participants, we offer a sliding scale payment model. We encourage you to consider the profound impact of your contribution, not only on the retreat experience but also on the lives of our local ceremonial families and the broader community.
Your heart offering directly supports eight local ceremonial families and contributes to the construction of a Ceremonial Temple in the Wixárika homelands of the Sierra in Jalisco. We believe in the transformative power of giving from the heart and invite you to choose a payment amount that resonates authentically with your situation, knowing that your generosity helps sustain our work and the communities we serve.
If this is out of your capacity and you know you need to be here, please send us a message and lets talk.
Payment Plans are Available as well as Discounted Options.
What does the week look like?
‘It’s always darkest right before the dawn’
This is a concept is echoed in our plant medicine work. This week is devoted to transformation and our own metamorphosis. In order to do that, we must shed layers that no longer serve us. Surrounded by thousands of monarch butterflies, we are reminded that death is not the end. While the cocoon provides comfort, it’s time for you to spread your wings and take flight.
This retreat is a jam packed with all sorts of goodness. It’s creative, supportive, powerful and loving. It is your opportunity to invest in yourself, to replenish your own bucket, and to embark on a journey that will empower you to step into the most epic version of yourself.
Mexika Dance
Sharing Circles
Heart Openings
Spending a week with Indigenous Wisdom Keepers
Personal Healings
Storytelling
Limpiezas (Traditional Energetic Cleanings)
Life long friendships
Art Sessions
A little bit more magic and love to bring back home to integrate into your life
2 Hikuri Ceremonies
3 Temaskals
Horseback riding
Visit to the waterfalls
Visit to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Delicious Vegetarian Food (a lot of it from the garden)
Cross Cultural Connections and bridgework for the planet
Pipe Ceremonies
Yoga and Meditation Sessions
What to bring
Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. And although very popular for its extensive beaches and sun, it is full of microclimates. Nights can be cool so don’t forget your sweater at home.
An Open Heart
Warm Cozy Clothes for the nights
A Blanket or sleeping bag to cuddle with in ceremony
A Yoga mat or thermarest to sit on for ceremony (not necessary- although if you can squeeze it in your suitcase, its recommended)
Summer Clothes for sunny daytimes
Clothing for the Temaskal (traditionally women wear long skirts and men wear shorts. Note: the clothing will get dirty)
A Pre-loved special gift to share in the closing circle
A Willingness to try new things.
Personal Items for your altar
Comfortable Walking shoes
A Water bottle
A Journal
Chocolate
Cash for your travel needs; ATMs are available in the surrounding area, but none will be in close proximity during the retreat.
Optional- small gifts to give to new friends
