Info
About the Sacraments
& our Ceremonies
Who is Somos Sanctuary?
We are a team of experienced and highly trained guardians and musicians, dedicated to holding powerful, potent, and safe spaces for our communities. Led by Maya Martinez, Somos Sanctuary is composed of a diverse group of medicine carriers, healers, intergalactic beings, clergy, doctors, musicians, artists, friends, and family. We proudly represent and welcome queer and BIPOC individuals, fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for all.
Our goal is to offer safe, educational, and empowering access to indigenous medicines, natural healing techniques, and sustainable health practices with integrity and care. We unite to help one another realize our fullest potentials through prayer and the creation of a sacred community. We deeply respect and honor the unique gifts, skills, and knowledge that each individual brings to our intentional community. Together, we share, receive, teach, grow, and learn, fostering a profound sense of unity and connection.
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Our Mission Statement:
Through ceremony, prayer, and community support, we aim to activate our best selves, celebrating human experiences at every stage. Committed to global guardianship training, we empower individuals to be stewards of our planet, promoting a deep connection to the earth and sustainable practices. Our dedication lies in awakening the self into sovereignty, fostering interconnectedness, and building a world of harmony, justice, and sustainable coexistence.
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Our Lead Facilitator:
Maya Martinez, founder of Somos Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit plant medicine church, was raised in both Colombia and New York City, and has been on a life-long journey studying with indigenous teachers from Colombia, Mexico, the United States, and Brazil, where she was given the name Sakakatwa ‘Rainbow,’ by her family of the Fulniô Tribe. As a dedicated student, she continuously deepens her studies with the sacraments, and has learned many traditional ceremonial practices that help raise the vibration of the planet. It is with great honor, permission, and care, that she shares the weavings of this knowledge with those who are ready to answer the call and receive the wisdom and downloads that come.
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What is a SomoS Ceremony?
Our ceremonies are magic-filled invocations of pure love, held in sacred silence (no conversing), typically commencing around sunset and stretching into the early morning hours. We center our ceremonies around a sacred altar. With training in music therapy and indigenous practices, we utilize sound frequencies to share songs, chants, ikaros, and prayers throughout the night, many of which have been passed down through generations, embedded with ancient healing codes and frequencies. This meditative container allows participants the space and time to journey through light and shadow, to learn from their own inner knowing, to receive downloads, to find answers, to encounter beings beyond this realm, to experience a vast array of emotions, to release old stories that no longer serve their highest good, to learn how to self-heal, to experience unimaginable magic, and so much more.
The evening begins with our lead facilitator, Maya Martinez, providing an in-depth introduction to the medicines, lineages, and traditions, and answering any questions participants may have. She then shares channeled wisdom and ancestral teachings to support our collective growth and remembrance. With over 10 years of study under reputable teachers and elders from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States, Maya weaves together these valuable wisdom teachings to guide and inspire new ways of being. Following this, there is dedicated time for all participants to share their intentions.
Throughout the night, we periodically burn sacred herbs and tobacco to clear and cleanse the energy in the space. We also may offer ‘limpias’ (energy cleanses) and provide assistance to participants as needed. The evening concludes with integration and our final medicine of the night - a nourishing, electrolyte-rich soup made from potatoes, yucca, and leeks (other options are available if requested).
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What Medicine is Served?
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Known as Jurema in Brazil, Tepezcohuite in Mexico, and scientifically as Mimosa Tenuiflora, this sacred plant teacher shares a similar chemical makeup with Ayahuasca, yet remains relatively unknown in the United States.
Lovingly referred to as “Anahuasca” in some communities, this powerful plant healer and teacher is considered a sister to Ayahuasca due to their similar chemical compounds (DMT) and their roles as master plant guides. In Brazil, she is revered as the ‘mother of all plants,’ cherished for her ability to bring insights, inner healing, and growth to those who work with her. This sacred medicine is derived from the root and/or the bark of a shrub-tree native to regions stretching from Northern Mexico to Brazil. To activate her psychoactive properties, she is combined with Syrian Rue, a seed containing a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which enables the DMT to be experienced within our bodies.
In Mexico, Tepezcohuite is considered the "healer of all wounds" due to her renowned therapeutic and regenerative properties. She is widely used in skincare products for her ability to stimulate skin cell regeneration, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant-rich protection. Her antimicrobial benefits, collagen-boosting effects, wound-healing capabilities, and moisturizing properties make Tepezcohuite a powerful and versatile ingredient in promoting healthy, radiant skin, and her effects are often visible after a night of ceremony, giving participants a light ‘after-glow’.
This plant interacts uniquely with each participant, resulting in a wide range of experiences. For some, she is very relaxing and can induce a dream-like state. Some receive powerful visuals and downloads. She sometimes induces a purgative physical cleanse, prompting the release of what no longer serves, and offering a deep spiritual purification, which we lovingly refer to as 'getting well'. We hold a strong container, encouraging all participants to be a part of the communal prayer, while allowing flexibility for individual's needs and expression. Ultimately, each experience is as unique as the prayers and intentions of the individuals involved.
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Guardianship training is a priority for us, ensuring that our ceremonies are conducted with utmost care. We maintain a loving, safe, organized, and clean space, allowing all participants to explore this sacred plant medicine with trust and respect.
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What is Bufo? (Toad Activation)
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Bufo is a sacred medicine derived from the Sonoran Desert Toad, Incilius Alvarius, known for its powerful compounds, Bufotenin and 5-MeO-DMT. Our family carefully and sustainably gathers this medicine in Mexico, ensuring respect and reverence for the toad and its environment.
Renowned for its swift and profound effects when inhaled, Bufo often leads to deep insights and understanding. Though the immediate experience is relatively short (typically 10-25 minutes), the long-term impact can be life-changing.
Depending on the number of participants, our Bufo ceremonies can last anywhere from 2-4 hours. Bufo can serve as a powerful standalone teacher or work synergistically with Jurema/Tepezcohuite, which is why we often incorporate it into our offerings the day after a Somos Ceremony.
These ceremonies include intention setting, channeled weavings and teachings, and group integration. Participants are guided through this transformative journey with utmost care, creating a sacred space for profound insights and spiritual growth to occur.
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What is Kambo? (Frog Activation)
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Kambo is a sacred medicine derived from the secretion of the Phyllomedusa Bicolor Tree Frog, native to the Amazon regions of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. This profound teacher and guide serves as a powerful ally in breaking cycles that no longer serve us. Kambo helps to activate our sacred biology by restoring balance and equilibrium to our physical, emotional, and spiritual systems.
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In addition to its purifying effects, Kambo is known for its impressive medicinal properties. It contains a unique blend of bioactive peptides, including dermorphin and deltorphin, which are potent analgesics and can help alleviate pain. These peptides also play a role in enhancing mood and promoting mental clarity, making Kambo beneficial for those experiencing anxiety and depression. Moreover, Kambo has shown potential in aiding the treatment of Lyme disease, autoimmune diseases, malaria, and even some cancers, making it a powerful tool for those seeking holistic healing in the West.
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Traditionally used as a hunting medicine, Kambo sharpens awareness of sensory input and improves stamina. Furthermore, many participants find that during the Kambo experience, they can connect with the fearless energy of this frog, which has no natural predators. This connection often inspires courage and resilience, empowering individuals to face their challenges head-on. Overall, Kambo serves not only as a cleansing agent but also as a transformative ally on the journey to personal growth and healing.
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Questions:
If you have questions or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out to our Somos Sanctuary team by emailing info@somossanctuary.org. We're here to support and guide you on your journey.
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Many Blessings Familia!
~Somos Sanctuary Team~​​​