We are excited you are joining us for ceremony. There is a lot of information to take in. We recommend taking a moment, sitting down with a cup of tea and carefully reading this in its entirety.
There are two forms to be filled out. Read them and be truthful in all your responses in regards to your health. Please do that ASAP as there could be information in there that Helen needs to ask you about.
Waiver of Liability and Release
Dreamtime Healings Church Donation: Shared– TBD | Private– TBD
The two day retreat includes: one plant medicine ceremony, one night of accommodation, dinner & breakfast and 3 group integration sessions (1 in-person, 2 – virtual sessions via Zoom)
To be officially registered for ceremony, please make your deposit of $350 via Venmo, noting it as Dreamtime Healings Church Donation and using the option to send to ‘a friend’ vs ‘services’. If you have already done so, thank you.
Pay via Venmo | Note: Please pay as friends & family vs. as a “purchase”.
Please make checks out to Dreamtime Healings Church and send it to:
Helen Knight
PO Box 39
Taos, NM 87571
Please send the remaining amount by November 20.
Payment in full is also welcome.
Ceremony Information
Please navigate through the buttons to learn more.
TAOS Ceremony Information
Location: Vista Verde Retreat Center, 5 North Rd, Carson, NM
Basic Schedule:
- 10 AM arrival on Saturday, please use GOOGLE maps to get you there accurately
- Unload and get settled into your rooms and into the ceremonial space
- Add your offerings to the collective offerings pile
- Put your sacred objects on the altar
- Everyone will be saged
- Ceremony starts. We will be in the ceremony for about 5-6 hrs.
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6:00-ish an organic, delicious dinner prepared by a holistic chef
- 7:00-ish – Free time to do as you please. There is a lovely fireplace you can all hang out around. You can go for a walk under the stars (they are AMAZING down here), bathe, journal, go to bed, whatever you are called to do.
- Sweet dreams
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8 AM Sunday: 1st in-person Integration Session & an organic, delicious breakfast, prepared by a holistic chef
- Check out at 11 AM. Walk in nature at the retreat if you want.
Important Note: Please refrain from bringing/ingesting any other plant medicine to the ceremony. The plant medicines used in the ceremony are potent and exclusive for the ceremony experience.
Meals
Catered Meal: Meals prepared by holistic chef: dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, will be scrumptious, organic, gluten-free dishes. Please let us know if you have any allergies. Feel free to bring any snacks or food you wish to have, especially if you are arriving on Friday evening. You have access to a full kitchen.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the retreat and is coordinated through Helen. Please let us know our preference of a shared or private room and we’ll so our best to honor it.
Vista Verde Retreat offers a beautiful setting with a range of room options. Please let us know if you prefer a private room or are open to sharing. If you’re attending with a friend or partner and would like to room together, just let us know.
Rates vary based on your choice of accommodation:
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Shared room: $725
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Private room: $770
If you’d like to extend your stay before or after the ceremony dates, please book those additional nights directly with Vista Verde Retreat.
Extending Your Stay- Things to do
As you might know, New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. There is much to do if you want to stay an extra day or two.
If you’re going to extend your stay, you may want to look for accommodation in El Prado (just north of downtown), Arroyo Seco (near the Ski Valley), Arroyo Hondo (north of town), Ranchos de Taos (just south of downtown) and Taos proper.
Santa Fe is another fabulous place you could stay for a day or two before or after.
Here are a few suggestions of things to do in the area:
- Ojo Caliente Hot Springs
- Taos Pueblo
- Abiquiu & Ghost Ranch where Georgia O’Keeffe lived and painted
- The Enchanted Circle
- Taos– so many amazing art galleries, stunning local arts and crafts, New Mexican food, jewelry, clothing, the plaza, chocolate shops and more!
- Taos Ski Valley – great hiking
- Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument – we will be very near it!
- Santa Fe – 2nd after NYC for art!
- Meow Wolf: Immersive Art Experiences– in Santa Fe. Meow Wolf is an arts production company that creates immersive, multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms.
- Taos Earthships
- 10,000 Waves in Santa Fe
- Bandelier National Monument
Flights and Ground Transportation
The closest airport is in Santa Fe (SAF). It’s a small airport, serviced by American and United Airlines, with connections through Dallas, Denver and Phoenix. It’s about an hour and twenty minute drive from Santa Fe airport to Taos.
There is a larger international airport in Albuquerque (ABQ) that has many flight options. The drive to Taos is about two hours and twenty minutes.
And there is Contour Airline, small airline with direct flights right into Taos from three cities: Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas. Flights from Denver are very affordable. And you get a spectacular view of the Rockie Mts, Taos and The Gorge as you fly in!
The easiest option for getting from the airport to Taos is to rent a car, as the public transportation options are minimal. Sharing a rented car with another participant might be an option. We will help you connect with each other.
AND do you know about TURO…it’s like Airbnb but for Car Rental! If a car is available, they will have it waiting for you at the airport.
Private shuttle option, Peter O’Donohue: 575-613-3256. He’s quite reasonable.
Directions
Directions to Vista Verde Retreat Center
Google Maps will get you to the retreat center with ease and grace. The address again is:
5 North Road, Carson, NM, 87517, Vista Verde Retreat
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There is a big sign on the right saying ‘Vista Verde Retreat’.
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Turn right at the Vista Verde sign, go down the driveway, pass the Main House on the left, and
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Park in the clearing on the left between the Main House and the Studio.
For those arriving on Friday, but not staying at the main house, please feel free to come over to the main house to meet the others staying there, cook together, hang out by the fire, whatever you’d like.
Cancellation Policy
If something comes up and you can’t join us, you will receive a full refund of your deposit up to 2 weeks before the ceremony.
If Helen needs to cancel the ceremony for unforeseen circumstances i.e.: bad weather, a full refund of your deposit will be made to you.
Unexpected sickness, events, family situations could come up before the retreat so we highly recommend getting travel Insurance.
Ceremony Guidelines
Here are a few guidelines so you can come well prepared for the ceremony.
Clothing
Wear loose, comfy clothing. Come prepared for the typical temperature changes from early morning to evening. Bring pants, shorts, warm hat, sunhat, raincoat, jacket, boots, sandals, etc. – anything you feel you might need to be comfortable, warm/cool in nature and indoors. Best to bring shoes that are easy to slip on and off since there is a “no shoe policy” in the ceremonial room.
For the ladies, you might want to leave the bras off that day. Dresses or skirts are a great option. Everything can feel very restrictive if it’s not loose and free.
Some people like to have eye covers as well.
Please avoid wearing perfume/cologne as some of the attendees have allergies or fragrance sensitivity. Thanks for understanding.
Weather
Reference Carson, NM for the temps and climate.
Keep it light
It is best to skip breakfast or have an early, light breakfast. The more food you have in your belly, the more nauseous you might feel with the medicines.
Refrain from eating after 9 AM.
Feel free to bring a healthy, light snack to nourish yourself if you are ravenous or have low blood sugar at the tail end of ceremony.
Ceremonial Cacao
Ceremonial cacao is heirloom cacao that is delicious and heart-opening. It also has a fair amount of caffeine in it so if you are sensitive, you might refrain from your cup of tea or coffee in the morning and save your ‘caffeine dose’ for our gathering. Also ceremonial cacao is a diuretic. You will get very thirsty during the ceremony so make sure you have your water bottle with you.
Altar
We will create an altar to honor Spirit, us, and our ceremony. Please bring any sacred objects you feel called to bring. These are items that will go back home with you, filled with the magical, ceremonial energies to infuse into your altar at home. If you are new to this, please see below suggestions of sacred objects that you could bring.
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Beeswax or Unscented Candles (must be in fire-safe container)
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Flowers
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Rose / lavender water
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Currency
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Stones
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Shells
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Photos
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Baskets
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Crystals
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Jewelry
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Food & drink
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Artwork and handmade creations by you that Spirit would appreciate or you make especially for them
Checklist of Goodies to Bring
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Journal & pen
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Water bottle
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Offerings
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Appropriate clothing for the temperature changes indoor and outdoor
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Shoes that are easy to slip on and off
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Sacred objects for the altar
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Electrolytes, Coconut water – excellent form of hydration
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Lip balm (it will save your lips in the dry desert!)
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Musical instruments, if you play them
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Optional: blanket/sleeping bag & pillows if you feel you’ll want them during ceremony
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Optional: Camping chair if you feel like you’d be more comfortable than on the floor/ground.
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Any additional snacks you desire
Remember to leave any other recreational plant medicines at home. We have enough going on with the two we will be communing with.
Bring anything else you feel you might need to be comfortable and warm/cool inside and in nature. Please come over prepared. Better that way than to be missing something.
Where to buy Offerings in NM
If you are planning on getting your offerings once you are here, here are some of the supermarket options in Taos:
- CID’s – like a locally owned Whole Foods… bit more pricey but a lovely shopping experience
- Smith’s is equivalent to king Soopers in Colorado: not quite as nice as the shopping experiences in Colorado, but it has all the basics and lots of flower options
- Albertsons same deal
For those coming up from Santa Fe:
- Sprouts, natural grocers, and Trader Joe’s are good options . Trader Joe’s has a great flower selection.
O fferings: What to bring?
Making offerings is not really part of our culture. So to help people understand and come with amazing offerings, here is a bit more about why we do this and suggestions on what to bring.
Suggestions for Offerings
Let’s feed, give back and energize Spirit well. Pick at least 5-7 items to bring as your offering contribution.
Suggestions:
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Spirits/beer/wine -***
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Sweet red wine – Mother Earth loves it***
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Tequila/whisky- the mountain spirits love these***
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Coconut milk
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Butter
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Milk
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Honey ***
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Maple syrup ***
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Chocolates ***
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Seeds like sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, flax
- Birdseed
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Sugar
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White produce – really enjoyed by the mountain spirits
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Flowers
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Roses ***
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Spices like Turmeric, Cinnamon, Star of Anise
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Millet ***
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Corn/cornmeal ***
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Fresh Garlic
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Oats
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Bee pollen
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Rice
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Candy/Sweets – Mother Earth loves sweet things
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Cookies
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Herbs i.e.: Lavender, rose, sweetgrass, etc.
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Tobacco ***
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Coffee
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Coconut oil
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Buffalo fat
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Chili – dried or fresh
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Ancestral food – Foods your ancestors enjoyed. They will probably come and assist you.
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Food prepared by you or food that you feel Spirit would enjoy.
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Crystals
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Coins
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Fresh Mushrooms
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Essential oils
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White chocolates
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Sardines
We want to come to the ceremony, showing up for Spirit, for the others in the ceremony and for ourselves in the best way. Bringing heart felt offerings is one of the best ways to do that.
Why make offerings? ~ Sacred Reciprocity
There is so much beauty, magic, and potency in offerings. It’s an act of reciprocity with Spirit. We give back, give thanks to Spirit, and show our gratitude for all the support, healing, and guidance we receive.
It also nourishes Spirit. The offerings ‘feed’ Spirit and and give it energy to come in more powerfully; just like we are nourished and energized with food. It is with reverence, honor, love and gratitude that we make these offerings.
For example, if you move through a challenging moment in the ceremony and then pop out the other side with clarity and gratitude, make an offering to Spirit, to say thank you.
If you just get an amazing download or aha around your intention, make an offering and say thank you.
It might sound ‘odd’ as you read this if you haven’t done this before. Rest assured you will experience the energy and gratitude from Spirit when they are well ‘fed’.
You are invited to bring HEARTY offerings to give Spirit throughout our ceremony.
Food & Drink –this is what will be given to Spirit in large quantities. Please bring things you’d happily offer your great-grandmother. She might actually show up as a helping spirit! The ones with stars next to them are the ones that are especially well received.
***Please keep the offerings as healthy and organic as possible, leaving the processed food out. Ultimately what we offer Spirit, is what we are feeding ourselves since Spirit is one with us and we are one with Spirit.
If you are reading this and thinking, ‘I don’t know what they like.’, then go quiet in meditation, and ask. They will share with you.
Bring at least 5-7 items from the suggestion list or what your spirit teams shares with you ie: bars of chocolate, a big bag of seeds, a few cans of coconut milk, a bottle of honey, a bag of coffee, a box of cookies, a bouquet of flowers, artwork you have made, etc.
We give HEAPING handfuls of offerings to the Spirit so quantity is a must. Imagine that we are feeding a horse with all our offerings so I can’t stress enough – QUANTITY, please!
Think of the offerings like a banquet offered to Spirit and you are bringing beautiful, generous offerings to share at this banquet. In the ceremony, you will give offerings to Spirit/the medicine/the fire. It’s part of the connection to the heart.
Preparing yoursel f for our journey…
Do as much clearing, healing, releasing, and meditation as you can. Eat as clean and healthy as possible. Best to cut out alcohol and any recreational drugs between now and our ceremony. This will prepare you to be a better channel for all the amazing insights, healing, transformation, higher consciousness, aha’s, activations, and any other beautiful things Spirit might have in mind for you.
Intentions
Start formulating your intentions for our journey. What would you like to heal, release, expand into, gain new awareness about, access? An intention is like a prayer; it is a statement of your motivation or direction. Your intention directs your journey and communicates to your Higher Self what it is that you are seeking. It helps focus the energies to support you.
Once you say ‘Yes, I’m in’, the journey begins energetically. Be mindful of the things that pop up in your world between now and our ceremony. It might give you some insight into your process.
Pre-Ceremony Sessions
Doing Pre-journey energy work can be very beneficial in clearing blocks and resistance. It can start the healing process and help you get clear on your intentions. Receiving a Shamanic Reiki Sound Healing session before your journey, you’ll feel more centered, grounded, receptive and open for a more potent, transformational ceremony.
60 min. session, sliding scale $150-$180 via Zoom or FaceTime
Self-Care After Ceremony
It’s a powerful all-day experience. There is much healing, transformation, shifts, aha’s, that take place. It is best to have time to process and integrate as you slowly go back into your normal routine.
The integration and processing will continue on different levels and ways for everyone. Being in nature, journaling, baths with Epsom salts and essential oils, nourishing, high vibe foods and good sleep are some suggestions to help with your process.
One Month of Integration Support
Being proactive with your integration process with all the insights, downloads, healings, inspirations, etc. that you received during ceremony is KEY to receiving the full benefit. If there isn’t pro-active integration, all the golden nuggets you got, can seem like a dream a week later as you flow back into your regular routine.
To assist with this, there will be 3 group integration sessions and an integration email thread for sharing within our group. With these tools, everyone from ceremony can continue to be supported, to support and be in community. This all helps you get the most out of your ceremonial experience.
Need more personalize support? You can also do 1:1 Integration sessions for more individualize support. We dive deeper into your journey and what is coming up for you, help process, understand and implement the guidance into your life. It’s a 60 min. session, sliding scale of $150-$180.
Mentorship
The Divine Feminine Reclamation Mentorship online program, is a great way to prepare for the retreat and/or be supported post retreat.
It is an excellent way to help you get the maximum out of the retreat. It’s a customized 6 month, online program to guide, mentor, support and hold you accountable so that you can fully reclaim your Divine Feminine essence and all its gifts. You can find out more here and/or book a Discovery Call with me.