Walking With the Medicines Ceremonial Retreat
July 16th -19th, 2026
Santa Ynez, CA (45 minutes north of Santa Barbara)
We invite you to journey home.
This four-day ceremonial retreat is an immersion in prayer, healing, and conscious relationship with the plant medicine teachers of Mother Earth — held in the sacred container of Mayan tradition, under the guidance of Tat Erick Gonzalez.
We will work within the Mayan Calendar days of 6 Tz'ikin to 9 Tijax — a window of time that carries the medicine of vision, spiritual leadership, and the clarifying force that cuts through what no longer serves.
At the heart of the retreat, under the moon and stars, we move through the evening of Wuku (7) Ajmak into Waqxaqui (8) Noj — from the place of forgiveness and the inheritance we carry, into the deep wisdom of the Earth and the ancestors. This is the ceremonial ground where we listen, receive, and prepare to act. Where ancestral knowledge becomes lived responsibility. Where we strengthen our relationship to the healing plant allies of this Earth and deepen our commitment to protect what is sacred.
We hold the intention to receive, listen to, and act upon the wisdom that flows through Her — continuing the legacy of our ancestors as we prepare to carry sacred knowledge and protect the world we live in.
The retreat closes on Sunday with a Community Mayan Fire — prayers of gratitude and a shared commitment to protect what is sacred in a changing world. Learn more about the Mayan Fire here.
Facilitated by Tat Erick Gonzalez. Mayan Spiritual Leader (Aj Q’ij · Kamal B'ey)
Contribution: $650–$900 sliding scale. Offered as one of four ceremonial gifts in the lineage.
This is a private retreat offered by invitation. Space is limited for this intimate retreat -- your early registration is encouraged.
You may Register and place your $100 Deposit
to reserve a place here:
This action will not guarantee a space is available. If we are unable to offer you a space in this upcoming retreat you will be informed and your deposit will be fully refunded.
For support with questions you may have please contact Kirana on her cell at 602.758.1213 or email her at kiranamiller@hotmail.com.
Retreat Schedule
Thursday July 16th (6 T’zikin)
Arrival by 12 pm. Opening Circle and Lunch. Afternoon Teachings.
Evening Sharing following Dinner.
Friday July 17th (7 Ajmak)
Breakfast. Morning Teachings. Set Medicine Altar following lunch.
All-night Ceremony following dinner.
Saturday July 18th (8 Noj)
Rest and Integration day. Sharing and Integration Circle before Dinner.
Preparations for Community Mayan Fire Ceremony.
Sunday July 19th (9 Tijax)
Breakfast followed by Community Mayan Fire Ceremony at 10 am.
Community Potluck Feast to close. Depart by 5pm.
About the Space
The retreat will be held at Aj Xic Jay Sanctuary, which translates to "House of the Hawk People" in Kachikel Maya, in a beautiful home in the Santa Ynez Valley just 2 1/2 hours north of Los Angeles in Santa Ynez, CA. The Mediterranean style home sits perched atop 9 lovely acres of hillside, dotted with large old oak trees and expansive views of the Santa Ynez mountains. Those who come to stay and do deep work here, feel deeply held and nourished by the home and the land itself. A luxurious, fully-equipped kitchen, large living room, and large veranda provide for beautiful dining and relaxing both indoors and out.
Accommodations are both indoors and outdoor. Indoor accommodations will be in shared sleeping spaces, with outdoor camping available for those who prefer to cozy up under the stars. The Medicine gardens lovingly created and scattered throughout the property contain White Sage, California Mugwort, Rosemary, Lavender, and Tobacco, growing alongside Sacred Medicine Teachers at the sanctuary. The wildlife is equally vibrant - with hawk, owl, deer, coyotes, mountain lion, bobcat, tarantula, lizards, and rattlesnake medicine roaming the land.
For 15 years, the land has served as a setting for ceremonies, community gatherings, and prayers, guided by elders from many nations and lineages. As a result, it is deeply infused with the energies of healing and transformation. The property features two ceremonial spaces: The Barn Altar, designed for indoor ceremonial work, and the Fire Arbor, intended for outdoor work.