Initiation of Sahumadores--Sacred Smokes

"When a sahumador is lit, it becomes a receptacle of the divine, it is the place where the cosmic forces are incarnated."

To be a sahumadora is a privilege, an opportunity for sacred service with the purpose of bringing balance to people, spaces, and ourselves. With the aromas of our medicines, we raise prayers to heaven, bless ceremonies, purify, heal, and order what needs balance— supporting healthier, happier lives.

Dear Ones: We invite you to this sacred workshop, supporting you to work with this beautiful sacred instrument, to go through the world Harmonizing, Healing, Joining Heaven and Earth.

The Initiation

This initiation is a therapeutic process, in which the sahumador is the womb. We will journey into our own wombs, working through the stories we carry to help bring balance so that we may work with the sahumador from a place of health. We will work to purify and empower the womb and ovaries with medicinal plants and incense, connecting to the incense burner for ceremonial and daily use to bring harmonisation to people and spaces.

We will learn:

• The history and origin of the sahumador as a sacred tool.

• How to awaken, light and connect with your sahumador.

• How to make purifications of spaces and people.

• Ceremonial and daily use of the sahumador.

• The use of various herbs/medicines,.

• Spiritual protections and practices necessary for the sahumador.

• Introduction to sacred walks and their connection to this ancestral work.

This is an ancestral legacy that transforms you! The sahumarios have more than 5,000 years of history, and our grandmothers have used them for generations as tools for healing and protection. This workshop not only teaches you how to smoke, bus also introduces you to a sacred lineage, a tradition of women who have used this practice as a path of service, healing and connection with the Divine, and to remember the ancestors of the land.

Being a sahumadora implies assuming a commitment to impeccability, becoming the priestess, healer or shaman that connects the material world with the spiritual. You will learn to protect yourself, to harmonise your environment and to use this instrument as a tool for personal and collective transformation.

This workshop is also a space for sacred sisterhood, to support shifting cycles of suffering and walk in joy and purpose. We will recognise together the strength of the ancestors, heal and order the lineages to give them a place in our lives. Through inner transformation, we ignite our inner fires to align and connect with the Divine.

Our Guide:

Roxana Campos Araya - Nur Jahan

Chilean Elder and Medicine Woman

Actress, Activist for Peace and Women's Circles, Grandmother of the Moon Dance, Sahumadora, Fire Bearer and Guardian, Initiated in various spiritual lineages, Healer and Spiritual Midwife, Guide in ceremonies and rites of passage, Leader and Mentor of Dances of Universal Peace and Sufi Master.

She has been initiating women in the Sacred Rites of the Sahumador for over 20 years. There are communities of sahumadoras (women who sahuman) all over the world!

Tentative Schedule:

Friday

5-6pm Arrival & Welcome

7-9pm Opening Circle with the Earth Mother

9.30pm Community Meal Share

Bed/Free Time (hot tub)

Saturday

8.30am Breakfast

9.30am-1.30pm Circle & Teachings

2-4pm Lunch & Free time

4-8pm Teachings & Practice

8.30pm Dinner

Intuitive/free time

Sunday

8.30am Breakfast

9.30am-1.30pm Sacred Walk with the Earth Mother

2-4pm Lunch & Free Time

4-6pm Closing Circle & Farewell

**Pack up for those not staying overnight

7pm Dinner

When:

31 July-2 August 2026

Where:

Peebleshire

Sacred Exchange:

Individual: £288 l With a Friend: £488 (£244 per person)

Sliding scale, pay what you can is available

We strive to keep the costs as low as possible, and want to minimally ensure Roxana’s travel and accommodation costs are covered.

What’s Included:

• 2.5 days of Wisdom teachings, healing, and initiation

• Sacred Circle

• Herbal tea, meals (Breakfast & lunch Saturday & Sunday; dinner Saturday)

• Nature immersion in the beautiful woodlands next to Dawyck Botanic Gardens

• Discount to participate in the Dance for Universal Peace the following weekend.

• And so much more!

What to Bring:

• Please bring a vegan, gluten-free, labelled meal to share for Friday night.

• A notebook and pen to take notes and record your insights, experiences, and personal medicine.

• A mug for tea, bowl, utensils

• Water bottle

• Cushion to sit on

• Weather appropriate layers and sun protection

• Swimsuit for hot tub/swimming

• A sahumador/copalera (your personal sacred vessel/incense burner)

  • There are different shapes and sizes, but the ideal measurements are:

    • Height: about 16 cm
    • Diameter of the opening: between 11 and 12 cm

  • You will notice that all the burners have small holes along the upper rim — these are essential. They should be placed about 2 cm below the top edge.

    • Depth of the cup: approximately 6 cm
    • Base/support height: about 10.5 cm

    **These proportions are what work best: they light easily and help keep the fire burning properly.

  • You can also make your own even with airdry or oven-baked clay.

• Sand for the bottom of the sahumador

• Charcoal burners for incense

• Matches or lighter

• Medicines and Materials for the Smudging Vessel (if unavailable, will have some to share/for purchase):

  • Sacred resins and woods if available: frankincense, myrrh, copal, palo santo, white sage

  • Dried herbs: Sage, Cinnamon, Basil, Cloves, Bay leaves, Anise, Jasmine, Lavender, Rose petals, Fennel, Rosemary, Rue

  • Other materials:
    - Garlic skins (you can collect them from your kitchen)
    - Camphor (smokeless)

  • All herbs and plants should be brought dried and kept separate. Please do not mix them before the workshop.
    **Suggested quantity: approximately 30–40 grams of each herb.

  • These plants, resins, and materials will be used during the ceremony to prepare our sacred blends.
    Please bring enough for your personal use and a little extra to share with the group. Any remaining materials will be shared among everyone to take home.

  • If having difficulty obtaining, let us know and we will have some available for purchase/exchange.

• AN OPEN HEART!!

What to Wear:

In honour of the spirit of this ceremony, we ask that you come dressed in light-coloured, simple, and meaningful clothing:

For the Initiation Day, we ask that you wear white.

• A long white skirt and white blouse, or a white dress. If you prefer, you may also wear white trousers.

• A belt, sash, or waist ribbon, ideally red. If you do not have a red one, please bring whatever colour is available to you.

• A headband or ribbon for your head, ideally red, although any colour is welcome.

During the rest of the workshop, the ideal is to wear a skirt or dress in any colour you wish or have available.

Accommodation options:

It is encouraged to stay locally/on-site if able. There are various accommodation options available for an additional exchange, on a first-come basis. From luxurious king-sized bedrooms, glamping, and camping for £10 per night. Upon registration, accommodation information will be sent to you. Accommodation is available from Friday until Monday.

**For those staying on-site, access to the hot-tub is available.

We would be honoured for you to join us in this amazing wisdom share and initiation! Please reach out with any questions in the meantime.

Blessings,

Doreen & Roxana <3