Taos, NM, April 2026

Thank you for heeding the whispers and calls of your soul to be held in allowing grief to move through you. Your presence is a gift to the space. We are so glad to come together to feel, move, write, immerse in nature, drum, dance, sing, and create a village together to be with our grief and open to life. 

Please read the information below carefully. It is important to prepare and bring all the items listed as they are key to the success of the ritual.

Be tender with yourself as you prepare. For many of you the ritual has already begun upon your registration. 

(Please take note of the video shared below, and take this in sometime before the ritual.)


LOCATION:


ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 17th, 5 pm
Sunday, April 19th, 6pm

*To support the integrity of the container and the journey, we ask for your full attendance for the entirety of the event.


COVID SAFETY:
Please do not come if you are feeling ill, or have had any known exposure.


LOGISTICS & PREPARATION:
Weather can fluctuate so be prepared for a range of temperatures and potential rain. Dress in layers and clothing that will allow you to move, stretch and breathe easily during the weekend. Consider wearing clothing that is beautiful and feels ceremonial to you. The temperature drops down to the 20’s/30’s at night and can get up to 50’s/60’s during the day.

We will spend some time out on the lands Saturday morning. Bring warm clothing for the brisk cold of the morning.


MEALS, BREAKS, SNACKS:
Please bring your own lunch, one that can be easily warmed up. There is a refrigerator, stove, and microwave available for our use and places to store dry foods. Tea and light snacks also provided. We invite you to bring your favorite snack to munch and share if you feel so inspired.

Please bring a reusable, closed-top water bottle and/or mug. 


ALTITUDE:
For those of you who are coming from out of town, Taos is at an altitude of 7000 ft. To prepare for this transition to high altitude, it is recommended that you get liquid chlorophyll and magnesium. Also very important is to stay hydrated before you arrive and during your stay. Coconut water, or other hydrating minerals drinks are recommended.


WHAT TO BRING:

For the Ritual:

  • Flowers or greenery in a vase (important as offering of beauty)

  • Photographs of loved ones including ancestors, pets, yourself, your childhood, beloved places, meaningful symbols

  • Special and cherished items to place on altar

  • Handkerchief-sized fabric of your choice (something non-synthetic, as this will be burned or buried in the ceremony)

  • Drums and rattles (optional)

  • Veil or shroud (optional)

  • An offering of dry staple foods that kept your ancestors nourished for our mandala. We have used beans, wheat, rice, lentils, seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, corn, etc.), nuts, favorite spices, honey, and so on.

For yourJourney:

  • Journals and pens, pencils, markers

  • Blanket, Slippers, Socks, and anything else to support your comfort - Water bottle, mug, travel mug

  • Any special food items and snacks that are important to you

  • Comfortable and ceremonial clothing

  • Walking shoes

  • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)

  • Umbrella, rain shoes, rain jacket

PREPARATION AND AFTERCARE

If possible, please create dedicated time of stillness to receive this powerful teaching before the ritual from Sobonfu Some. Click Here

If this is something you do not resonate with, or you want more, we recommend Francis Weller’s book ‘The Wild Edge of Sorrow’ and Martín Prechtel’s book ‘The Smell of Rain on Dust’. If you are not able to buy the book you may be able to find them for free at your local library. Some libraries offer free audiobooks as well. 

Marijuana, alcohol, and all other drug usage is prohibited at Taosatva. If this is something you are used to using on a regular basis we recommend that you slowly taper your usage. This will also help prepare you to grieve as these substances are often used to suppress and mask our grief. 


SELF CARE

Grief Ritual is deep inner work. It is an emotional labor. We are opening our hearts, voices, subtle and physical bodies to release stuck energies and emotions. We are shedding old identities. Our brain and nervous systems are re-wiring themselves towards a sense of safety and connection. This can be the first time in our lives we are doing so. 

Oftentimes the days leading up to grief ritual can feel full and extra rest and integration time is needed afterwards. It’s helpful to plan for this ahead of time. To take the day after ritual to move slow, listen to the body, drink lots of water, and be restful if possible. The very basic and most potent care for our bodies is to:

  • stay hydrated

  • get good sleep

  • be in nature

  • Movement

  • Breathe

Other Supportive Practices

  • Epsom salt bath

  • Dip into natural waters

  • Journaling

  • Singing

  • Dancing

  • Snuggle time with loved ones

  • Bodywork

  • Meditation

  • Yoga, Qigong, or other physical/energetic practices

This section of prep and aftercare was inspired by Ahlay Blakely, a grief tender in the Pacific NW, who also shared the following in terms of grief ritual prep and aftercare.

‘Besides having access to a friend or therapist to support you in the continuation of your process, another thing to be mindful of is when and how soon you share your experience of ritual with others. As you re-organize that shape, consider allowing the wisdom that you have excavated to sink into your tissues before you articulate it to the people around you who are curious. This allows for you to get clear on your own embodied experience first before other people's assessments get added in.‘

We highly recommend coming to this ritual with a friend and/or a loved one. It’s helpful to have someone in your day to day life with whom you shared the experience with and can be a further resource in your integration and after care. We will also be having an integration circle online in September. 


QUESTIONS:
If you have any questions, contact us by email at SubrosaSanto@gmail.com or mhambley91@gmail.com or by text/phone: Mikyö Black-Wangmo at (575)-224-6611 or Micaiah Hambley at (209) 540-9350.


SUPPORT CONTACT DURING WEEKEND:
If you should experience any delays in arriving at the meeting location or need to contact us during the weekend, please text/call Micaiah (209) 540-9350.

We look forward to coming together to be with the medicine of grief. Come exactly as you are. All of you. Your grief is sacred. Your presence is celebrated.

Please confirm that you've read and understood this preparatory material so we know you have everything you need to create a powerful experience together.

With Vast Love,

Mikyö Black-Wangmo & Micaiah Hambley