The Plants and our Relationship to them

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Over the last few years, certain sacred medicine plants have made a strong come back to society. Almost as if the planet is recognising the troubling  situation the modern world finds itself in.

Although these plants have a strong traditional heritage that should be respected, we feel that it's important to recognise that we are modern humans living in modern times with a whole new set of modern problems. We must accept the situation we are living in, and not become attached to the ways of the past. We feel that these plants are a gift from Mother Earth to help us clean our own personal inner pollution, reconnect with ourselves and raise our collective vibration and consciousness. After all, all external change starts from within.

At The Lighthouse we have decided to work solely with the San Pedro / Huachuma medicine. This is because it is gifted in abundance by nature and can be grown and harvested ethically and globally.

Huachuma is a cactus used for healing in parts of south America for over 3000 years. It's related to Peyote  which has a long history of use as a traditional medicine.  

Huachuma is a cactus used for healing in parts of south america for over 3000 years. It's related to Peyote  which was used  by tribes in Mexico and North American. San Pedro can produce visions just similar to  Ayahuasca. On small doses, it has a light meditative feeling. The experience with these plants is long and requires patience, but once you connect, it's teachings can be deeply profound and long lasting. They can reveal to you personal hidden traumas as well as glimpses of generational ones too. It guides you in to the heart-space, leaving the rational and egoic mind in the distance. From the heart space we can let the medicine go to work, heal and let go of the things that no longer serve you. These plants are great for giving you clarity, focus and true purpose. They are known for giving you back strength, confidence and a feeling of completion.  “Grandfather” San Pedro can give you deep yet practical insights into your daily life. 

San Pedro and  Huachuma, are  gentle yet deeply transformative plant medicines that opens the heart and softens the boundaries of the ego, allowing for profound inner insight and emotional healing. Unlike more intense visionary plants, San Pedro tends to work through subtle shifts in perception, a heightened sense of connection, and a quiet unveiling of truths that often lie beneath the surface of our everyday awareness. Its medicine encourages us to slow down, to feel more deeply, and to listen—to nature, to our bodies, and to the whisperings of the soul. This heart-centered opening can lead to the release of long-held grief, the reawakening of joy, or a reconnection with a deeper sense of purpose and love.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. When consumed, it can induce altered states of consciousness, enhancing perception, emotion, and introspection. Recent clinical research has shown that psilocybin has significant potential in supporting mental health, particularly in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. In a safe and supportive setting, it can offer individuals profound insights, emotional release, and a renewed sense of clarity and connection to self.

A private sitting at The Lighthouse Retreats in Portugal offers a deeply personalised and therapeutic experience with psilocybin. Set in a tranquil, nature-rich environment, each session is guided with care and respect by experienced facilitators. Private sittings allow for focused emotional support, tailored guidance, and a safe space to explore your inner landscape without distraction. This intimate setting enhances the potential for meaningful transformation, making it ideal for those seeking healing, self-discovery, or spiritual insight.

  Cacao ceremonies have actually been around for thousands of years, originating all the way back to Mayan and Aztec traditions in Central and South America, used for spiritual, medicinal and ceremonial purposes for inner awakening and creative guidance. Pure cacao is used as a heart opening medicine for people to safely experience awakening, revelation and inner healing. Cacao is used in a sacred medicinal ritual, where intentions are set and once consumed, euphoric states are unlocked, negative emotions are released and we are able to connect to ourselves and the loving energy in our body.  

 Kambo is known for its powerful cleansing properties, helping to purge toxins from the body and reset the immune and nervous systems. However, using it in close succession with other plant medicines, such as ayahuasca or iboga, can place unnecessary strain on the body and nervous system, as each substance carries its own intense physiological and energetic impact. Combining these medicines without sufficient integration time can overwhelm the system, potentially leading to confusion, emotional dysregulation, or physical complications. Despite this, some retreat centers promote multiple medicines in a short time frame to attract clients. This approach can prioritize sales over safety, often disregarding the importance of personalized care, proper sequencing, and the deep integration work required for each medicine to be truly effective. 

There's plenty to be said about Ayahuasca and it's powerful healing qualities online. We have decided do not work with Ayahuasca. You can read why in this blog.

 Meditating before the ceremony helps to settle the mind,  increase focus, and develop awareness and discipline over emotions . Exposure to nature beforehand can help people retain a more calm state.  Set clear intentions and goals as to what you want to achieve.   Try to let go of any specific expectations you have. Prepare your mind  to welcome the insight you will gain during this experience. It’s  important to surrender to wherever the journey leads you. 

Note: if you book a retreat with us we will send you a confirmation booklet with more information on how to prepare.