Three Paths Retreat: Bwiti, Kambo & Holistics

Join us for this retreat in the beautiful location of Shrewsbury, UK. This unique retreat merges the traditional Bwiti sacred root ceremony with Kambo and various holistic treatments to foster profound healing and transformation. Hosted by Audrey and Roger from Bwiti Roots, Vic from The Soul Sanctuary and Keith from Kambo Green Room, we believe in the alignment of mind, body, and soul for overall well-being. Our offerings include sound therapy, intuitive massage, myofascial release, Hopi ear candle therapy, cupping, and the powerful synergistic benefits of the Bwiti sacred root and Kambo. Experience a supportive, safe space to heal, clear blockages, and reconnect with your true authentic self.

Ceremony Overview

  • Kambo Ceremony Preparation – Synergistic Healing: We will begin with a Kambo ceremony to prepare the body, mind, and spirit for the Bwiti Sacred Root journey. Kambo helps to detoxify, reset, and energize, providing a solid foundation for the deeper work with the sacred root medicine.

  • Traditional Bwiti Sacred Root Plant Medicine Ceremony: Our Bwiti practitioners come from a Bwiti Fang lineage, ensuring an authentic and profound experience. The ceremony will guide you through deep spiritual healing and transformation.

  • Holistic Treatments: Throughout the retreat, we will offer a range of holistic treatments to complement the ceremonies. These include soothing sound therapy, intuitive massage, myofascial release, Hopi ear candle therapy, and cupping with massage, all designed to heal the body, soothe the mind, and rejuvenate the soul.

  • Safe and Supportive Environment: Our retreat is designed to provide a safe, supportive space where you can heal with love, clear any blockages with patience and understanding, and become your true authentic self. 

The Intention Behind Offering the Retreat

The intention behind this retreat is to facilitate profound healing and transformation by aligning mind, body, and spirit. In traditional Bwiti initiation ceremonies in Gabon, participants follow a strict diet of plants and undergo purging for at least a week before the Sacred Root plant medicine ceremony. This preparation is crucial to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit, allowing the sacred root to work deeply and effectively at the root level.

Recognizing the importance of this preparation, we incorporate a Kambo ceremony at the beginning of our retreat. Kambo’s potent detoxifying properties provide the same benefits as a week of plant regimen, effectively cleansing and readying the body for the journey with the sacred root. We have observed that participants who undergo Kambo before the Bwiti experience a much smoother and more profound healing process.

Our retreat also includes a variety of holistic treatments designed to complement the ceremonies. These treatments, such as sound therapy, intuitive massage, myofascial release, Hopi ear candle therapy, and cupping, help solidify the transformation initiated by the ceremonies. By addressing physical, mental, and energetic blockages, these treatments enhance the overall healing experience, ensuring participants leave feeling rejuvenated and aligned with their true selves.

Bwiti Fang practices

Our Bwiti Fang practices are deeply rooted in a rich heritage of healing and spiritual exploration, brought to life by our dedicated facilitators, Audrey and Roger. Audrey hails from a long lineage of Bwiti Fang female healers, embodying centuries of knowledge and tradition. Roger, who married into the Bwiti community in the 1970s, brings his unique perspective to our ceremonies, together following the rites practiced in their family’s village in Gabon for thousands of years.

What sets Bwiti Fang apart from other branches is its unique way of integrating Christian deities, such as Christ and Angels, into its practices, as well as its distinctive methods of consuming Iboga. These elements are woven into our ceremonies, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of our cultural and spiritual practices. During the retreat, there will be ample opportunity to delve into the intricacies of our rites and traditions, providing a deep dive into the Bwiti Fang way of life.

Our approach to sharing these practices is designed to be accessible and engaging for all, regardless of background or prior knowledge. We aim to demystify our traditions, making them easily understandable and relatable, thus ensuring that everyone can connect with and appreciate the depth and beauty of our ancestral rites. This openness and inclusivity are at the heart of our teachings, inviting everyone to explore the richness of Bwiti Fang spirituality.

About the Bwiti Sacred Root Medicine

Two Bwiti Plant Medicine Ceremonies:

Our retreat features two sacred root bark plant medicine ceremonies. These ceremonies are designed to facilitate deep personal growth, healing, and spiritual enlightenment, guided by experienced facilitators who honor the sacred traditions of the Bwiti Fang.

Commitment to Sustainability:

The medicine used in our ceremonies is sustainably sourced directly by our family. We ensure sustainable harvesting practices that leave enough of the sacred tree in the ground, promoting regrowth and the ongoing vitality of the sacred tree population.

A portion of the retreat's revenue is dedicated to our own Iboga plantation projects. This initiative not only supports the ecological sustainability of the Iboga plant but also contributes to preserving this sacred tradition for future generations.

Wide-ranging Benefits of the Sacred Root:

The Bwiti sacred root is renowned for its vast array of benefits, including significant improvements in mental health, discovering life's purpose, and breaking cycles of addiction and toxic habits. Participants report experiencing enhanced spiritual connection, paths to enlightenment, and a clearer mindset.

Beyond mental and spiritual benefits, this medicine is known for its potential in healing physical illnesses, resolving ancestral trauma, treating PTSD, and facilitating overall spiritual healing. Its powerful properties also extend to the removal of entity attachments, offering a holistic approach to wellness and transformation.

Educational Aspect:

During the retreat, participants will receive in-depth education about the multifaceted uses and benefits of the Bwiti Sacred Root medicine. This includes understanding its healing properties, its cultural significance, and the importance of sustainability and ethical sourcing practices.

This structured approach ensures participants not only undergo a transformative experience but also gain a deep appreciation and understanding of the Sacred Root's profound impact on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

In the Bwiti Context

In the Bwiti tradition, we consume the Sacred Root bark as a sacred act for spiritual and physical healing, enlightenment, and to forge a profound connection with our ancestors, spiritual guides, and Nzame (God). This practice is central to our ceremonies, offering a pathway to transcend the physical realm and embrace the wisdom and interconnectedness of the universe.

Kambo Frog Medicine

Kambo is a powerful, natural medicine known for its ability to reset the body, mind, and spirit. It works on physical, mental, and energetic levels, possessing an innate intelligence that directs it to where it is most needed in the body. Traditionally used by tribal people in the North Western Amazon rainforest, including Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, Kambo is utilized for ‘hunting magic’ and to promote health, strength, well-being, and the removal of ‘panema’ or bad luck.

This remarkable medicine comes from the skin secretion of the Philomedusa Bicolor, commonly known as the Giant Waxy Monkey Tree Frog. The secretion is collected by indigenous tribes, who call the frog from the jungle and scrape the waxy substance onto a stick, where it sets almost like varnish.

In our retreat, Kambo is applied to very small superficial burns on the skin, known as gates, which expose the subcutaneous layer. Once applied, the medicine works through the lymphatic system, initiating a biological and energetic reset process. Participants can expect to purge stored toxins, stagnant energies, and trapped emotions, leading to a calm and focused mind. This deep healing process can result in a significant shift in well-being and a lasting change in perspectives.

The effects of Kambo take hold as the body undergoes profound detoxification and rejuvenation, making it an ideal preparation for the deeper work with the Sacred Root bark medicine in our retreat.

About Kambo

How is kambo administered?

Kambo is applied on very small superficial burns to the skin, known as gates, which expose the subcutaneous layer of skin. After a short while the medicine will be working through the lymphatic system. This is the beginning phases of a biological and energetic reset process.
 
During the process you can expect to purge stored toxins, stagnant energies and trapped emotions the mind becomes calm and focused. This can result in a huge shift in your sense of well-being and a long lasting change in your perspectives.
 
The effects of kambo medicine take hold and the person receiving it goes through a process of deep healing

Kambo Benefits:

There are numerous benefits of kambo outside of tribal use and people treated report great improvements. Many of the peptides kambo contains have antibiotic, immune strengthening properties. Kambo is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and could potentially improve eyesight, help Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, depression, improve blood circulation and vascular health, assist with organ disease, cancer and hepatitis.
 
In our experience Kambo has been useful to also help with addictions.
On a spiritual level it is said that Kambo realigns the chakras.
 
Kambo is a superb detox; it assists healing and can restore joy and well-being back to your life.
 
The molecular and energetic properties of the medicine will continue to work with you in the days or weeks preceding a session. This will bring clarity and teachings that support your physical health, mental well-being and quality of life.

Synergy of Kambo and the Bwiti Sacred Root Bark

When used as a single energy, these shamanic medicines work synergistically and exponentially accelerate the healing process that takes place within us. We need energy in order to focus our intent and deepest aspirations, kambo provides the energy necessary to face the challenge of the ego, this prepares us well for going into the process with the sacred root bark.
 
Kambo makes the physical process set in motion by the consumption of the sacred root bark more manageable. Moreover, kambo helps you to better manage the process that follows ingestion of the sacred plant, both physically and emotionally.
 
As stated you will get a very deep cleanse from kambo that eliminates toxins and clears blockages, this provides a beautiful platform that eases the burdens of the physical process of working with the sacred root bark. One can then be better positioned to go very deeply into the spiritual aspects of the medicine, for example to have visions, receive messages or observe patterns, Kambo will clear the detritus of things that need to be removed from the body both physical and energetic, this allows the auto-immune system to work without hindrance, the energetic balance of the bodies both physical and energetic are more aligned. This is perfect for clearing the way for the sacred root medicine to go to the root and work in the deepest parts of the mind or root, kambo has already done the heavy lifting.
 
Kambo is the energy of fire. The Bwiti sacred root is the energy of earth.

Date and Location Details

Our Three Paths Retreat will be held from 09th to 13th March 2025, just before the spring equinox—a perfect time for change and transformation.

Located in the serene village of Pitchford, retreat space  is a beautiful converted barn set on private grounds. It features a charming kitchen/diner, a grand dining room, and a cozy sitting room with an open fire. The games barn offers fun activities like a football table and basketball hoop. Accommodation includes four ground-floor bedrooms with en-suites, a first-floor king-size bedroom with an open en-suite, and two additional upstairs bedrooms with luxurious bathrooms.

Day by Day Schedule

  • Morning/Afternoon: Arrivals & Settling In
  • Evening:
    • Kambo Ceremony
    • Dinner & Rest
  • Morning: Light Breakfast
  • Late Morning/Afternoon:
    • Bwiti Consultations
  • Evening:
    • Bwiti Preparations: Spiritual Plant Baths & Confession Ritual
    • 1st Sacred Root Bark Ceremony
  • Morning/Afternoon:
    • Recovery & Holistic Treatments
    • Sound Bath & Additional Bwiti Consultations
  • Evening:
    • 2nd Sacred Root Bark Ceremony (All Night)
  • Morning: Group Breakfast
  • Afternoon:
    • Bwiti Consultations & Holistic Treatments
  • Evening:
    • Group Dinner
    • Fire Closing Ceremony
  • Morning: Breakfast & Check-Out

Group Size

Limited Participation:

We limit our retreat to no more than 10 participants. This ensures that each person receives the attention and care they need, as the deep spiritual work we engage in thrives within small group dynamics.

Personalized Attention:

Our approach is to ensure ample one-on-one time with facilitators, which is essential for the depth of transformation we aim to achieve.

Careful Selection of Participants:

Each guest is carefully vetted, not just for their readiness for the experience, but also to foster a harmonious group dynamic where meaningful connections can flourish.

Who is This Retreat For?

  • People drawn to Bwiti culture who feel called to connect deeply with this sacred medicine and its teachings.
  • Those feeling stuck or blocked in life and seeking a powerful reset to gain clarity and direction.
  • Anyone looking to deepen their journey with the medicine, moving beyond initial experiences for a more profound transformation.
  • People interested in undertaking a thorough detox preparation, both physically and mentally, in order to optimize their readiness and receptivity to healing.
  • Seekers of a holistic approach to well-being, who wish to explore a blend of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing modalities.
  • Those desiring authentic experiences in a supportive, intimate setting, free from commercialization, allowing for personal and communal growth.
  • Individuals ready for self-reflection and introspection, open to exploring themselves and their life patterns with honesty and bravery.
  • Individuals prepared to let go of toxic habits, searching for support and a conducive environment for transformation.
  • Spiritual adventurers open to exploring the intersections of diverse shamanic traditions and modern healing practices.

Preparation and What to Bring

Mentally and Physically Preparing for the Journey

Intention Setting: Begin your journey even before your arrival by contemplating your intentions. Reflect deeply on the changes you seek and the growth you aspire to achieve. Your intentions will be the guiding light of your experience, illuminating your path towards transformation.

Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments: Embrace a period of purification at least one week prior to the retreat. Abstain from alcohol, recreational drugs, and opt for a diet rich in wholesome foods. This preparation is essential for cleansing both your body and spirit, preparing you to fully engage with the initiation process. Fasting on the day of the Kambo is very important.

Acknowledging and Releasing Toxic Habits: As your ceremony approaches, you might notice an amplification of your toxic habits. This visibility is a crucial step towards healing, allowing you to confront and release these patterns during your retreat.

Communication with Your Ngangas: Keeping an open line of communication with the facilitators, or Ngangas, is key. Your honesty helps us tailor the retreat to your spiritual needs, ensuring a deeply personal and transformative experience.

 

Essential Items for Your Retreat

  • A Red Top and a White Top: Essential for the ceremonies, reflecting the sacred Bwiti colors
  • Swimsuit: For spiritual showers.
  • Small Offering to the Ancestors: A personal item or token to contribute to the ceremonial space, connecting with the ancestral spirits.
  • Comfortable Clothes: comfortable and warm clothes suitable for the UK  March weather
  • Journal and Pen: For recording insights, reflections, and experiences throughout your journey.
  • Sleeping bag: To use during the ceremonies

The Venue Gallery

Facilitators

Audrey Braddock Ndjogo

Nganga
Audrey comes from a long lineage of Gabonese Bwiti female healers, with both her mother and grandmother revered as Nimas within their community. She was initiated by her aunt who is also a Nima, marking the continuation of her family's spiritual heritage. Having grown up between the West and Africa, she possesses a unique perspective that allows her to bridge cultural divides, bringing balance to the ceremonies she leads. She infuses a gentle, feminine energy into her gatherings, creating a welcoming space where participants from all backgrounds can comfortably connect. Her approach is deeply rooted in the nurturing strength of her Fang lineage, ensuring each ceremony is a profound experience of healing and growth.

Roger Osingui

Nganga
Roger is our cherished facilitator and a profound pillar within our community. His journey with Bwiti began in 1974 when he became initiated with his late wife and Audrey's mother Seraphine. Since his initial visit in the 1970s, Roger has been a steadfast supporter of our village. Over the years, Roger has worked closely with our Nima, dedicating himself to the initiation of newcomers into our spiritual family. His role extends far beyond that of a facilitator; he is a spiritual father in every sense, guiding individuals through initiations that connect them deeply with Bwiti's rich heritage. Roger's presence is characterized by his kind and open heart—a trait that endears him to everyone he meets. To those who have had the privilege of joining our ceremonies, he becomes more than a facilitator; he becomes a father figure, offering guidance, support, and unconditional love. Roger's dedication to Bwiti and our community makes him a beloved figure, and his impact on the lives of many is immeasurable.

Keith (Kambo Green Room)

Kambo Practitioner
Keith, from Kambo Green Room, began his journey with kambo in 2015 after being guided to the Amazon rainforest, where he spent time with indigenous healers. In a beautiful ceremony, he heard the sound of frogs growing louder in the night, his first introduction to the spirit of the frog that would lead him to kambo. This experience marked the start of a deep journey with the medicine, which healed and changed his life in countless ways. Grateful for the goodness kambo brought, Keith felt a calling to share it with others, leaving his career to follow this path. In 2022, he became a certified kambo practitioner, and by 2023, he created his own healing space, designed for others to experience the full benefits of this powerful medicine in a safe and supportive environment.

Vic (The Soul Sanctuary)

Shamanic Practitioner
Vic, from The Soul Sanctuary, believes that true wellbeing arises when mind, body, and soul are in harmony. This philosophy drives the range of therapies offered, each designed to heal the body, soothe the mind, and rejuvenate the soul. Vic's spiritual journey began in childhood, and after an awakening in 2016, the call to follow a healing path grew stronger. In 2020, Vic embarked on Shamanic Practitioner training, gaining skills in both spiritual and physical healing modalities to treat individuals holistically. At the retreat, Vic offers group sound therapy with instruments like gongs, crystal and Tibetan bowls, creating an immersive experience aimed at enhancing mood, reducing stress, and deepening spiritual connection. Additional offerings include intuitive massage, myofascial release, Hopi ear candling, and cupping therapy, each designed to promote relaxation, release tension, and support authentic healing.

Pricing and Inclusions

The retreat is priced at £1,400 per person, offering an all-inclusive experience crafted to support each participant’s healing and transformation.

Included in the retreat price:

  • Sacred Root Bark and Kambo Ceremonies: Engage in powerful ceremonies guided by experienced practitioners, designed to facilitate deep healing and connection.
  • Sound Baths: Relax and rejuvenate with immersive sound bath sessions, included in the price to support your emotional and energetic journey.
  • Holistic Treatment: Each guest receives one complimentary treatment, such as a one-hour massage or cupping session, to enhance relaxation and integration.
  • Meals & Accommodations: Enjoy nourishing, plant-based meals and comfortable accommodations throughout your stay, creating an ideal setting for rest and reflection.

Optional Add-Ons:

For those wishing to further enhance their retreat experience, additional treatments are available at £40 per hour.

Please Note: Transport to the retreat location and any extra treatments beyond the one complimentary session are not included in the retreat price.

Deposit and Payment Plans

To secure your place in the retreat, we require an initial deposit of £500. This deposit is the first step in confirming your commitment to this experience and ensures your spot is reserved.

Understanding the need for flexibility, we offer a customizable payment plan for the remaining balance. This approach allows you to decide the number of payments and the rate at which you are comfortable proceeding, provided that the full balance is settled before February 1st 2025. Whether you prefer to spread the cost over several months or make larger payments less frequently, our goal is to accommodate your financial planning needs.

How to Apply/Register

  • Email Inquiry: Start by emailing us at info@bwitiroots.org. Please mention the specific ceremony you are interested in joining.
  • Provide Details: In your email, kindly include a brief description of why you feel called to this particular ceremony and any previous experiences with plant medicine if applicable.
  • Wait for Response: Our team will respond to your inquiry within 48 hours with more information about the ceremony, including dates, availability, and the next steps in the process.
  • Schedule a Consultation Call: We'll schedule a Zoom consultation call. This call is an essential part of the vetting process to ensure alignment and readiness for the experience.
  • Confirmation of Interest: Following the consultation call, if both parties feel aligned and ready to proceed, you'll receive a confirmation email outlining the next steps to officially join the ceremony.
  • Deposit Payment: To secure your spot in the ceremony, you'll be required to pay a deposit. The email will include details on how to make this payment.
  • Final Payment and Logistics: You'll be advised on when the final payment is due (if applicable) and provided with logistical details about the ceremony location, transportation options, and accommodation arrangements if needed.
  • Welcome to the Family: Congratulations! You're now officially part of the upcoming ceremony. We look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you

Initiation Retreat FAQ

Absolutely. If you have specific dietary needs, please let us know in advance, and we’ll ensure your meals align with your requirements. Our focus is on providing nourishing, plant-based meals that support your detoxification and healing journey.

Participation in all activities is entirely voluntary. The accommodation offers many tranquil spaces where you can rest and relax if you choose not to join in on certain activities.

Becoming a Nganga (Bwiti Iboga provider) is a profound and extended journey. While the retreat offers valuable learning experiences and could be a step toward this path, becoming a true Nganga requires being chosen by the ancestors and receiving permission from the elders. The training takes many years of dedicated work.

Safety is our top priority. We conduct a thorough screening process to ensure this experience is suitable for you. If there’s any concern about safety, we will recommend waiting until you’re ready or exploring alternative options.

Yes, fasting is required before the Kambo treatment. On the day of the Kambo ceremony, please refrain from eating until after the session. For your arrival day, we recommend only a very light breakfast, such as fresh fruit, to ease you into the experience.

Please refer to our packing list, which includes essentials like a red and white top for ceremonies, swimwear and an offering for the ancestors.

Inform us about any medications you are taking as soon as possible. Some medications may interfere with the treatments.

Yes, there are certain contraindications for both Kambo and the sacred root bark. To ensure your safety, we arrange a 1-on-1 Zoom call with each participant before the retreat. During this call, we’ll review your medical history and address any health concerns, ensuring it is safe for you to take part in the ceremonies.

To ensure you gain the most from your retreat experience, we recommend arriving in the best possible health. If you can, try to reduce or eliminate alcohol, red meat, and greasy foods from your diet prior to the retreat. Additionally, dedicating time to meditation can significantly strengthen your intentions. Journaling is also a powerful tool to observe and record any signs or signals indicating areas of your life that may need change or improvement.

Absolutely. Many of our guests choose to join the retreats solo, and we take great care in the screening process to ensure that the group dynamics foster a sense of unity and connection. Going through this experience as a group is incredibly powerful, often resulting in strong, lasting bonds among participants. We’ve thoughtfully designed excursions and activities to encourage friendships and genuine connections. Those who join our ceremonies don’t just attend a retreat; they become part of our family.

Get involved

For information on how to get involved or on how to sign up to our retreats , please contact:

Bwiti Roots

+44 7445 499 504

Email: info@bwitiroots.org

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