Protocols help us move in harmony, respect, and alignment with one another. They are not meant as rigid rules, but as guides that sustain balance, honor tradition, and ensure our gatherings remain safe and sacred.

Protocol is a way of embodying respect — respect for the elements, for our ancestors, for the teachers who carry knowledge, and for the community we build together. These practices remind us that everything we do has an impact: how we arrive, how we carry ourselves, and how we offer our energy all shape the space we share.

When we follow protocols, we are not just “following directions” — we are participating in a lineage of care. Protocols create the rhythm and container that allow ceremony, learning, and community to unfold in balance. They teach us humility, attentiveness, and reciprocity.

For newcomers, this may feel unfamiliar at first. That is natural. Protocol is learned through observation, participation, and gentle correction. The most important thing is to come with an open heart, to listen deeply, and to ask questions with humility. Over time, these practices become second nature, guiding us not only in ceremony but in daily life.

    • Arrive early. Give yourself time to settle, change clothes if needed, and prepare your offerings so that you can enter the circle grounded and ready. Arriving early ensures that the circle may open together and that you are fully present for the work. If you must arrive late, do so quietly and with awareness so as not to disrupt the flow.

    • Ceremonial attire. For ceremony, members are encouraged to wear white and red, colors that carry sacred meaning in our tradition, or ancestral garments such as huipiles or embroidered blouses. Members may also adorn themselves with flowers, shawls, or jewelry that carries cultural or spiritual meaning.

    • Bring an offering. This may be flowers, herbs, copal, candles, or another item that carries meaning and respect. Offerings remind us that ceremony is reciprocal — we do not just receive, we also give. If bringing a material item is not possible, offerings can also take the form of monetary support or acts of service, such as helping with preparation, setup, or cleanup. What matters most is the spirit of reciprocity — contributing something of yourself to honor the circle and the work.

    • Phones & distractions. Silence or turn off phones and outside distractions so that full attention belongs to the circle and the sacred work. If an emergency requires that you remain reachable, please let someone in the Tlahtokan or ceremony leaders know ahead of time. That way, the community is aware and the flow of the circle remains undisturbed.

    • Listen, observe, and ask. Protocols are often learned through watching and participating. If you are unsure, notice how the circle is moving together, and don’t hesitate to ask for support — guidance is always available, and asking is part of learning.

  • Community care is at the heart of Xochikalli. We are not only responsible for ourselves but for one another, moving as a collective. This does not mean everyone must carry everything — it means we look out for one another and respond with kindness in ways that are within our capacity.


    • Notice with compassion. If you see someone in need, offer support if you are able — whether that’s bringing water, helping with setup or cleanup, or simply being present with kindness.

    • Honor your limits. If you are not sure how to respond, or do not feel equipped in the moment, it is enough to bring your concern to a member of the Tlahtokan so they can help. Care is shared work, and sometimes our role is simply noticing and passing the message along.

    • Contribute what you can. Each person’s offering will look different — some may give energy, others time, others presence. What matters is that care flows through the collective, not that everyone does the same thing.

    • Respect boundaries. Offer support in ways that are welcome and appropriate, remembering that true care is rooted in consent.

  • Cultural integrity means walking with care, reverence, and responsibility for the traditions we carry. These teachings are not only practices — they are living legacies entrusted to us by our ancestors and teachers.


    • We honor and preserve traditions with care. Songs, dances, ceremonies, and stories are carried through generations. We approach them with humility, learning their meaning and context rather than treating them as performance or novelty.

    • Sacred practices are not for casual use. What is given in ceremony belongs to that ceremonial context. It is not to be used for entertainment, commercialization, or personal branding. Sacred elements are offerings — not tools to be borrowed outside of their proper place.

    • We guard against misuse, appropriation, or distortion. These traditions come from Indigenous communities that have survived colonization and ongoing erasure. Protecting their integrity means resisting any attempt to strip them of context, to mix them carelessly with unrelated practices, or to profit from them without accountability.

    • Responsibility as stewards. Every member of the Kalpulli carries a role in safeguarding these traditions. This includes correcting misuse gently when it arises, asking questions when uncertain, and deferring to teachers and elders for guidance.