One of the main emphasis of our Temaskalli Ceremonies is the Tekiyotl (communal work). This includes collective participation in the setup, orientation, opening ritual, the shared intention established together while placing the stones and lighting the fire, and clean up and take down of the structure.

A temaskalli requires physical and emotional preparation.

• Drink plenty of water leading up to the ceremony to ensure physical safety.

• Reflect on aspects of your life that you are wanting to release and let go. This is a transformational ritual that requires emotional work in order to renew.

• Wear clothes that you feel comfortable sweating in. Our kalpulli does not uphold patriarchal clothing norms during a temaskalli ceremony and everyone is encouraged to wear what they feel most comfortable in.

  • Bring layers appropriate to the weather:

    • Wet or snowy weather: waterproof shoes/clothing and extra dry garments.
      

    • Cold weather: coat, hat, scarf, gloves, warm layers.
      

    • Hot weather: breathable layers, shade covering, electrolyte water.

  • Bring shoes for entering/exiting (slippers, sandals, or slides) so you are not barefoot on cold or wet ground.

  • Bring extra dry clothing for after ceremony, including warm socks and outerwear when needed. Showers at Papalokalli are available for cleansing after the sweat.

• Papalokalli has 2 showers available for community use after the temaskalli ritual has ended. Bring a towel if you plan on showering.

If you are interested in fasting leading up to a temaskalli, check out this guidance here.

Emotional and physical safety are of the upmost importance in this ceremony so please listen to your body and spirit while participating.

During ceremony, we will be guided through reflections to tap into emotions and release. Please feel welcomed to ask for support and care if emotions become overwhelming - we are a community and are here to support each other. Listen to your body and spirit and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

Our ceremony calls for holding sacred space as people tap into emotions and energies. We expect participants to be mindful, present, and intentional about their engagement, and we encourage release of emotions.

At the start of the gathering, newcomers are welcomed and we share an overview of what they can expect.

After ceremony, it is important to be gentle with ourselves and each other as we might experience exhaustion and grief from emotional release. Eating food supports the re-grounding of our bodies and spirit so we gather as a community indoors to take care of ourselves and each other.

• Temperature Differences: Transitions between the intense heat of the temaskalli and the outdoor environment—whether very cold, warm, or humid—can feel shocking to the body. Please move slowly and mindfully when entering and exiting.

• Outdoor Exposure: You will be outside before and after the sweat. Depending on the season, this may mean exposure to cold winds, rain, snow, or heat. Surfaces may become icy, muddy, or slippery. Extreme heat inside the temaskalli and extreme cold outside can feel especially shocking to the body. Please move slowly and mindfully when entering and exiting to support your safety.

• Physical Demand: Your body works hard to regulate temperature before and after sweating. Weather extremes—either hot or cold—can add additional strain.

• Indoor Space: Papalokalli will always have an indoor area available where participants may stay warm, cool down, or rest as needed before entering the temaskalli. You are welcome to remain indoors and hold space with us if participating inside does not feel right for your body.

If you experience breathing challenges (such as asthma), heart concerns, difficulty with blood pressure regulation, or are sensitive to temperature extremes, please use extra care in discerning whether participation is appropriate for you.

For the safety, wellbeing, and spiritual integrity of our Temaskalli, all participants must arrive fully sober and free from the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Temaskalli is an energetically intense and sacred ceremony that requires clarity, presence, and respect for the collective space we hold together. Arriving sober ensures that you can care for your own body and spirit, honor the container, and support the safety of everyone participating in the ritual.

Item descriptionSample schedule:

• 5:00 PM We gather as a community to prepare the stones, prepare an altar, and start the fire. While the fire is burning, we are in community getting to know each other.

• 5:30 PM Doors lock for security reasons. This is not a secondary arrival window, but the absolute latest time you may join if unavoidable circumstances delay you. We recognize that prompt arrival may be difficult for some due to work commitments or childcare. If you anticipate arriving late, please reply to your confirmation email to let us know your expected arrival time. Clear communication helps us plan the flow of preparation and ensures the fire and ceremony are held with care.

• 6:30 / 7:00 PM Once the stones in the fire are ready, we enter the temaskalli to begin the ritual. During the ritual, we will conduct 4 rounds of about 20-30 mins each. During each round, we offer cantos and reflections. In between each round, there is a 5-10 minute break when the doors of the temaskalli are opened. People are encouraged to take care of themselves so if they need to go outside of the temaskalli before the start of the next round, or if they are not able to continue, that is okay!

• 9:30 PM After all 4 rounds, we exit the temaskalli. We gather as a community inside Papalokalli to share food and drink that people brought as contributions.

If you are not able to stay for the whole ritual, we ask that you exit in between rounds.

We are all responsible for caring for the space we gather in. Please clean up after yourself and take responsibility for any belongings, food, drinks, or materials you bring. Please do not leave food or personal items behind. If you see something that needs attention, please help with it—even if it isn’t yours. Together, we leave the space clean, cared for, and ready for the next gathering.

We ask that you offer something in exchange each time you participate in our community. Whatever you can provide, please offer as we grow our sense of reciprocity as a kalpulli as well as a sense of belonging to this community. We seek to create deeper relationships with one another through these practices, through our shared efforts and through the preservation of this living, breathing Indigenous wisdom.

Some examples are: firewood for burning, flowers for the altar, food/snacks/drinks to share afterwards, shower items (soap, shampoo, conditioner) for community use after temaskalli ritual, monetary donations, building the altar alongside us, carpooling support, etc.

With the continued presence of respiratory illnesses, including COVID, it’s important that we take extra care to protect one another, especially in our sacred space where we come together to connect and heal. Due to the nature of a sweat lodge we can not have folks wear masks inside and we are in close contact with one another. We have accommodations for people who may be immune compromised and still want to participate, please ask! 

To maintain a safe environment for all, every participant is expected to:

• Bring a COVID test to take upon arrival.

• Label test with their name.

• Wear a mask if indoors or social distance outside as waiting for test results.

• After 15 minutes,

  • if test is negative, participant can participate in ceremony.

  • if test is positive, participant will NOT be able to participate in ceremony and will be asked to leave.

We’ll have people present to help track time and keep everything organized, ensuring that everyone has their results quickly and easily.

For more details, please review our full protocol here: https://www.xochikalli.org/respiratory-illness-protocol

As a community grounded in care, we want to create a safe space for all participants. By following these protocols, we are not only safeguarding our physical health but also honoring the spiritual practice of looking after one another. Everyone’s cooperation helps us continue sharing these sacred experiences in a way that prioritizes everyone's well-being.

Email xochikalli@proton.me to express your interest.