One of the main emphasis of our Temaskalli Ceremonies is the Tekiyotl (communal work). This includes collective participation in the setup, orientation, the opening ritual, and the shared intention established together while placing the stones and lighting the fire.

A temaskalli requires physical and emotional preparation.

• Drink plenty of water leading up to the ceremony to ensure physical safety.

• Reflect on aspects of your life that you are wanting to release and let go. This is a transformational ritual that requires emotional work in order to renew.

• Wear clothes that you feel comfortable sweating in. Our kalpulli does not uphold patriarchal clothing norms during a temaskalli ceremony and everyone is encouraged to wear what they feel most comfortable in.

• Papalokalli has 2 showers available for community use after the temaskalli ritual has ended. Bring a towel if you plan on showering.

If you are interested in fasting leading up to a temaskalli, check out this guidance here.

Emotional and physical safety are of the upmost importance in this ceremony so please listen to your body and spirit while participating.

During ceremony, we will be guided through reflections to tap into emotions and release. Please feel welcomed to ask for support and care if emotions become overwhelming - we are a community and are here to support each other. Listen to your body and spirit and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

Our ceremony calls for holding sacred space as people tap into emotions and energies. We expect participants to be mindful, present, and intentional about their engagement, and we encourage release of emotions.

At the start of the gathering, newcomers are welcomed and we share an overview of what they can expect.

After ceremony, it is important to be gentle with ourselves and each other as we might experience exhaustion and grief from emotional release. Eating food supports the re-grounding of our bodies and spirit so we gather as a community indoors to take care of ourselves and each other.

Sample schedule:

• 5:00 PM We gather as a community to prepare the stones, prepare an altar, and start the fire. While the fire is burning, we are in community getting to know each other.

• 6:30 / 7:00 PM Once the stones in the fire are ready, we enter the temaskalli to begin the ritual. During the ritual, we will conduct 4 rounds of about 20-30 mins each. During each round, we offer cantos and reflections. In between each round, there is a 5-10 minute break when the doors of the temaskalli are opened. People are encouraged to take care of themselves so if they need to go outside of the temaskalli before the start of the next round, or if they are not able to continue, that is okay!

• 9:30 PM After all 4 rounds, we exit the temaskalli. We gather as a community inside Papalokalli to share food and drink that people brought as contributions.

If you are not able to stay for the whole ritual, we ask that you exit in between rounds.

We ask that you offer something in exchange each time you participate in our community. Whatever you can provide, please offer as we grow our sense of reciprocity as a kalpulli as well as a sense of belonging to this community. We seek to create deeper relationships with one another through these practices, through our shared efforts and through the preservation of this living, breathing Indigenous wisdom.

Some examples are: firewood for burning, flowers for the altar, food/snacks/drinks to share afterwards, shower items (soap, shampoo, conditioner) for community use after temaskalli ritual, monetary donations, building the altar alongside us, carpooling support, etc.

With the continued presence of respiratory illnesses, including COVID, it’s important that we take extra care to protect one another, especially in our sacred space where we come together to connect and heal. Due to the nature of a sweat lodge we can not have folks wear masks inside and we are in close contact with one another. We have accommodations for people who may be immune compromised and still want to participate, please ask! 

To maintain a safe environment for all:

• Please bring a COVID test to take upon arrival.

• Wear your mask while waiting for your test results.

• Label your test with your name.

• After 15 minutes, check your test result, and if negative, you can remove your mask.

We’ll have people present to help track time and keep everything organized, ensuring that everyone has their results quickly and easily.

For more details, please review our full protocol here: https://www.xochikalli.org/respiratory-illness-protocol

As a community grounded in care, we want to create a safe space for all participants. By following these protocols, we are not only safeguarding our physical health but also honoring the spiritual practice of looking after one another. Everyone’s cooperation helps us continue sharing these sacred experiences in a way that prioritizes everyone's well-being.

For the safety, wellbeing, and spiritual integrity of our Temaskalli, all participants must arrive fully sober and free from the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Temaskalli is an energetically intense and sacred ceremony that requires clarity, presence, and respect for the collective space we hold together. Arriving sober ensures that you can care for your own body and spirit, honor the container, and support the safety of everyone participating in the ritual.

Email xochikalli@proton.me to express your interest.