People often ask what they should bring to their first ceremony. The honest answer is: mostly yourself, and a clear space for the medicine to work in. Here is how we ask our guests to prepare.
The week before
- Eat simply. Fresh vegetables, fruit, rice, fish or lightly prepared meats. Reduce sugar, fried food, and heavy spice. Many traditions ask for no pork, no red meat, and no alcohol for at least three days before.
- Pause the noise. Less screen time, less news, less social media. Give your nervous system a chance to quiet.
- Tell us about your medications. Some prescriptions, particularly antidepressants, are not safe to combine with certain medicines. We screen every guest before any ceremony; this is not a formality, it is your safety.
The day of
- Eat a light early meal and then fast, unless we tell you otherwise for your particular ceremony.
- Drink water through the day.
- Arrive early enough to settle. Rushing in carries the day’s energy into the circle.
What to bring
- Comfortable, warm layers. Nights by the river get cold.
- A blanket, a pillow, and a mat or cushion.
- Water bottle, and a small towel.
- Something for your intention: a journal, a photo, an object that matters to you for the altar.
Setting an intention
An intention is not a demand. It is a doorway. “I am ready to release what I have been carrying.” “Show me what I need to see.” Keep it honest and keep it simple. The medicine tends to answer the question underneath the question anyway.
After
Integration is where the ceremony becomes real. Plan a slow day after. Eat gently, stay off screens as long as you can, and write down what came through before it fades. We are here to talk through what you experienced; that conversation is part of the work.
When you feel called, request a ceremony. We always speak first.
This article is shared for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Hapé contains tobacco and is for adults 21 and over. Speak with a healthcare professional before working with any plant medicine.
