The Evolution of the Circle: Why We Are Changing the Way We Ceremony

When I first began hosting ceremonial cacao spaces in 2018, the landscape was completely different. Back then, almost nobody in the UK really knew what a cacao ceremony was! My opening circles were naturally quite long, filled with necessary health and safety preambles, an explanation of what to expect from the experience, the spiritual lineage of Mama Cacao and how I uphold the sacred traditions of my Mayan Elder teachers from Guatemala to a room of curious newcomers.

Fast forward to today, and cacao culture has beautifully blossomed across the UK—especially right here in our vibrant corner of Kent. It has been a joy to watch this medicine weave its way into the mainstream. I see so many beautiful regular faces returning to my mats, and some who travel from afar just once or twice a year to step back into our circle.

Because our collective understanding of cacao and ceremony has grown so much, I’ve spent time reflecting on how I hold space. As the community evolves, the ceremonies must evolve too.

I am incredibly excited to introduce a brand-new way of working together in our Sound Healing and Ceremony Studio. Here is what is shifting, and why:

Less Chat, More Space for Presence

In the past, our ceremonies spanned two and a half hours, with a large chunk of time spent talking at the beginning. I want these spaces to be entirely about you, your intentions, and your direct experience with the medicine.

To achieve this, we are streamlining the opening circle from 1 hour to just 20 minutes. All of the essential health, safety, and preparation notes will now be sent straight to your inbox when you book. This means we can gather, step into the space, and dive straight into the magical medicine of the ceremony and the gongs. The sessions will therefore be shorter, concluding slightly earlier (1-hour-45-minute to 2-hour flow), making them more focused, deeply restorative, and beautifully unhurried.

Absolute beginners are still completely welcome—the new format is simply easier to understand, gentler to step into, and gives you maximum time relaxing under the blankets!

Stepping Beyond the Moon Cycles

For years, I have used astrology and the new and full moons as our guiding anchors. But over time, I’ve realised a simple truth: Mama Cacao doesn't need a specific lunar alignment to be profound, healing, or visionary.

Her medicine is just as potent, heart-opening, and strong any time of the year, and any time of the day. Instead of chasing the changing dates of the moon cycles, we are anchoring our ceremonies on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 PM. Sundays are a natural, golden window for collective rest, allowing us to reset our nervous systems and realign our hearts before the busy working week begins.

By Popular Demand: Pure, Unadulterated Sound Healing

So many of you within our local community have asked me for one specific thing: “Sorrell, can we just have a sound healing session? No cacao, no ceremonial steps—just pure gongs?”

And honestly, who am I to argue? As the great master Yogi Bhajan once said: “The Gong is God.” It is the ultimate tool for deep mental clearance and physical rejuvenation.

To honour this request, I am launching a second standalone event format: Sunday Sanctuary Sound Baths. Once a month on a Sunday afternoon, we will gather for a dedicated 75-minute immersion of pure therapeutic sound. No plant medicine processing—just you, a comfy space, plenty of cosy blankets, seven planetary gongs, shamanic percussion instruments and antique Himalayan singing bowls.

Because this session is streamlined, it comes at an incredibly accessible price point of just £22 per person, making regular sonic self-care a beautiful, easy habit to maintain.

A Garden Sanctuary Awaits

Whether you choose the heart-opening warmth of our traditional Mayan Cacao and Sound Ceremony (£39) or the deep, vibrating stillness of our monthly Pure Sound Sanctuary (£22), our dedicated studio nestled in the healing herb garden is ready for you.

As you lie back and let go, the gentle song of our resident garden birds—our blackbirds, wrens, and thrushes—weaves beautifully into the gongs, helping you connect deeply to the peace of nature.

Both circles are strictly limited to 8 participants to ensure you are in a safe, spacious, and supportive environment.

Our new Sunday circles are now live — both the monthly Cacao & Sound Healing Ceremony and the brand-new Sunday Sanctuary Sound Healing sessions. Spaces are strictly limited to eight participants. Find all upcoming dates and book your place.

I cannot wait to welcome you down the garden path, through the arches, and into the studio for a brand-new season of rest.

With love and blessings,

Sorrell

Medical Herbalist, Sound Healer, Teacher & Plant Spirit Medicine Woman


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