Soludden
Nourishment Temazcal - Laitti & Tchowa - Soludden May 1st
Hello everyone — good morning!
Tchowa has finally arrived in Berlin after a long journey, and today we’re preparing for the Temazcal with our Camino Rojo family, tomorrow here outside of the city.
Since we began preparing to join you in Soludden, Dagomara has kindly shared your questions and some local details about how things work there, including the water situation. Many of your questions were practical and heartfelt: what are the sacraments, what are the dosages and timing, can I leave the tent mid-ceremony, can I attend without taking the medicine, why a mix of plants, etc. Some questions even worried the elders, and others surprised your community.
Before answering specifics, it’s important to emphasize that this is an ancient ceremony — not a modern psychedelic therapy session. For thousands of years, communities have gathered to pray together with a shared intention. Our intention this time is Water: the water of life, the waters of the planet, the waters of Soludden, and our inner waters — the currents that shape our relationships and guide us toward the great ocean of the universe.
Many of these questions can only be truly answered in person, where must meet physically with clear intentions to prepare the proper altar and container for the community. That is what we are bringing: our most precious altar, and an invitation to slow down, quiet the contemporary mind, and enter a different dimension of space and time. Together we will open a large portal to listen, remember, and honor the prayers of our ancestors while creating a new path for future generations.
A few things we can explain from afar:
- The Nourishment Temazcal (different from the Family Temazcal you may know) is one of the most precious ceremonial designs we practice. As the name implies, everything within this womb aims to nurture — you, the community, and our shared purpose: water and life.
- This format is not intended for deep medicine research, very high dosages, harsh work, or extremely long sessions. It is celebratory and life-affirming: we gather to nourish life.
- Although sauna and Temazcal may seem similar, they are distinct; familiarity with one doesn’t replace learning the other. Likewise, our tradition of offering multiple sacraments at the altar may be unfamiliar if you have only experienced them individually. Imagining how these plant spirits meet is difficult until you experience it — comparisons will fall short of the actual encounter.
There is nothing more beautiful than having the full family of plant spirits together — grandfather, grandmother, and grandchildren — in harmony inside the womb of the Great Mother.
On sharing sacraments: I use this metaphor for clarity. If you are in your mother’s womb with a twin and she drinks water, both twins receive nourishment. If one twin receives and the other doesn’t, the flow is blocked and unhealthy. In the Nourishment Temazcal, our first instruction is to ensure the healthy flow for everyone. That is why, if you join, we ask that you participate in the shared, healthy flow of the ceremony.
(If you prefer a Temazcal without sacraments, we have one scheduled in July — Nauhi Ollin.)
About the form you received: it was designed for an international audience and for ceremonies worldwide. Some questions may feel surprising, but they help us understand your background and ensure safety. I have been working with health and ceremonial practices across many communities, and honest - non judgmental - answers allow us to serve everyone better. Unfortunately, substance use is an issue in some communities, so we ask about it clearly.
Guidance for the substance-use section:
- If you have never used substances, check the first box: “I have never used substances.”
- If you have, check all boxes that apply.
- If you used substances in the past but no longer do, check the substances you used and also “Yes, but not anymore.”
- If a substance is still part of your life, answer the question “Do you consider yourself an addict?” and explain your current relationship to the substance.
What to bring (remember this form is for international participants):
- For the Temazcal: natural-fiber clothing, a long sheet, and sandals for moving around before and after. Wrapping in a single cloth is fine if you prefer to be undressed otherwise. Bring warm clothes and socks for after the lodge.
- The ceremony’s final sharing honors the Great Mother with meat, corn, fruits, and water; a soup will be served afterward. You’re welcome to bring contributions for a potluck if you wish.
- We will prepare a Turtle altar before entering. Feel free to bring flowers, tobacco, herbs, seeds, or small objects you’d like placed and charged on the altar.
- Some people offer a small thank-you gift to the ceremony guardians; it’s optional.
Dagomara mentioned camping may be possible afterward — please confirm with her.
Tchowa and I will leave the morning after the ceremony, so we’ll say goodbye then. I will return in July with my Sundance godfather Johnny and his wife Mari for the Nauhi Ollin retreat, when we will spend more time with your wonderful community.
I’m including the link to the form, in case you have not yet filled it out, as well as the full flyer for details and to share with friends — there are still a few spots open.
I hope this message eases worried waters and opens a gentle, magical flow for our arrival. And I promise you, that if I have not answered your questions now, it is because it is not time yet, and we will definitely have a beautiful circle - together and in person - before the ceremony, to do so.
We look very much forward to being with you.
With much love and respect,
Laitti and Tchowa
Google Form // Laitti and Tchowa ~ Planet Water 01.05 complete Invite