The Sacred Flame of Creativity

The Sacred Flame of Creativity

Plant Medicine & Creativity Retreat

October 20th – 28th, 2023 | Bacalar, Costa Maya, Mexico

with Athena Naia & Graham Fortgang

We welcome you to join us in a powerful transformation in leadership and self expression, combining the potent power of plant medicine and the sacred flame of creativity in a week long medicine retreat in Bacalar, Mexico.

Life is creative. The universe is creative. It is inate to express this quality in our lives, and it is often through the expression of true raw creative energy that we can enter into the sacredness of the present moment.

Creativity as a portal into healing and transformation is one all shamanic and ancient societies understood. This is why many healing traditions around the world use story telling, art, dance and artistic expression to transform wounding into medicine.

As we attune to our natural creative expression, along side the powerful master teacher ayahuasca, we have the ability to step into new ways of relating to ourselves and our world.

This retreat is designed to serve those of you walking this path of Growth and are seeking to come deeper into your true essence.

We will be staying in a beautiful villa directly on the Lagoon, with a private dock and everything you need from kayaks to hammocks to relax in free time. Beautiful nourishing meals will be cooked and provided by a local chef.

This retreat is unique as all participants will be required to work on one creative project throughout the week, which will be shared by the end – be it a piece of personal or creative writing, poem, song, painting, video, or performance of any kind. This is your moment to step outside of your comfort zone in a very safe, sacred space. There is no skill level needed, even those who have never created art are welcome to answer the calling!

We call on the vulnerable, the brave, the keepers of the sacred flame to come together for a week of collective healing. As we grow and learn together, and re-emerge.

You will leave with new tools, practices and group exercises you can share with your clients and communities at large.

There is no prerequisite to join, only a deep will to participate, to use your voice and to step into a position of leadership together. Together, we become the answers to our deepest prayers.

Program includes:

    • 3 Ceremonies
    • Daily Creativity workshops by Graham
    • Channeling session and custom plant remedy with facilitator Jason
    • 3 x 1 hour 1:1 guidance meetings with assigned facilitators
    • Set intentions in beginning of week
    • Work through integration at the end of week
    • Follow-Up Integration Call after Ceremony
    • Dieta friendly food and snacks everyday
    • Full use of property, kayak, private dock on the Lagoon
    • Traditional sweat lodge

This work focuses on connecting with the light of your soul, and rekindling a deep connection with our highest purpose. The program also helps develop skills of facilitation, public speaking and pushing past your comfort zone to awaken the inner leader within all of us.

We ask all participants to work on one creative project throughout the week which will be shared by the end – be it a piece of personal or creative writing, poem, song, painting, video, or performance of any kind. This is your moment to step outside of your comfort zone in a very safe, sacred space. There is no skill level needed, even those who have never created art are welcome to answer the calling!

We call on the vulnerable, the brave, the keepers of the sacred flame to come together for a week of collective healing. Our goal is to grow and learn together, and re-emerge to our respective communities. You will leave with new tools, practices and group exercises you can share with your clients and communities at large.

Above all, is a deep focus on both the intention setting and integration work around ceremony. There is no prerequisite to join, only a deep will to participate, to use your voice and to step into a position of leadership together. Together, we become the answers to our deepest prayers.

Athena Naia

has been studying forms of traditional healing and shamanism for over 15 years. And working with plant medicine since 2010. She has been recognized by the Grandmother Shipibo Maestras she works with and was given the cup to serve medicine after many years of apprenticing.. She has spent countless time learning from Elders, wisdom keepers and guardians of the traditions in North and South America. Athena creates a profound container of healing, inviting you into the world of spirits and opening our minds to the truth that miracles can and do happen.


Graham Fortgang

has worked in community building in the world of arts and entrepreneurship for the last 15 years. He will help guide the group in meditation, song/prayer, creative workshops and teachings on building a business and finding your voice. The week includes two 1:1 sessions with Graham for all participants at the beginning and end of the week to ground intentions and process integrations. As a student of Athena’s, Graham offers his creative and spiritual tool kit to support the plant medicine work throughout the week.

Jason Dornbusch

is an energy healer and shamanic herbalist whose work is akin to the Amazonian vegetalista tradition of physical diagnostics and plant protocols. Following the practice of herbal preparations and remedies for many years, Jason’s deep relationship with the plant nations began at a very young age. He will share his work as a channel, facilitator of ayahuasca and creator a herbal remedies which each participant will receive.


Carolyn Wall

is a compassionate facilitator with a deep calling to plant medicine work. She is a vocal alchemist, workshop facilitator, musician and wilderness explorer who weaves her gifts to be in service to participants’ spiritual growth. She is dedicated to the path of spirit and bringing forth the soul’s calling to live in a harmonious and loving world.