My first Temazcal: A Journey of Purification, Rebirth, and Inner Healing
- Solarys
- Mar 20
- 6 min read
The Sacred Tradition of Temazcal
The Temazcal is an ancient Mesoamerican sweat lodge ceremony, a ritual of purification, rebirth, and deep spiritual connection. Rooted in pre-Hispanic traditions, this practice has been passed down for thousands of years, similar to the Native American sweat lodge, Russian banyas, and other global sweat purification rituals. It is a sacred space, a “womb of Mother Earth”, where participants are guided through an intense experience of physical, emotional, and spiritual release.
Temazcal ceremonies are performed inside a dome-shaped lodge, representing the womb of Mother Earth (Tonantzin). Inside, volcanic stones (Abuelitas or "grandmothers") are heated in a sacred fire and placed in the center of the lodge. Water infused with medicinal herbs is poured over them, creating steam that purifies the body, mind, and spirit. The intense heat, prayers, drumming, and chanting work together to break down the ego, bringing one closer to their true self.
The Four Elements in Temazcal
The structure and process of the Temazcal are deeply connected to the four elements of nature:
Earth: The stones, representing wisdom and ancient knowledge.
Water: The steam, symbolizing emotional purification.
Fire: The heat, signifying transformation and renewal.
Air: The breath, prayers, and chanting that carry intentions into the universe.
Each round of the ceremony (“puerta” or door) is dedicated to a different aspect of healing, aligning with the four directions:
East – Birth, new beginnings, divine masculine energy.
West – Death, transformation, release of trauma.
North – Wisdom, guidance from ancestors.
South – Inner child, love, and emotional healing.
The experience is both physically demanding and deeply spiritual, encouraging participants to surrender, trust, and let go of past pain.
My first Temazcal Experience: An Emotional and Spiritual Purge
The Temazcal took place on February 9th, 2025, the very first day I arrived in Cabo San Lucas. This trip was completely unplanned—a serendipitous calling that I followed after a year of intense spiritual awakening. After my father’s passing, I had spent a year dedicated to healing—fasting, practicing yoga, meditating, connecting with nature, and tending to my garden and the hummingbirds. But I still felt blocked, sensing a deep childhood wound hidden beneath my subconscious, just out of reach.
A friend of mine had just experienced a Temazcal and described it as profoundly transformative. The invitation to attend one arrived in perfect timing, as if the universe had orchestrated it. With the loving support of my husband, who stayed home with our two children, I booked my flight to Cabo San Lucas and followed my intuition to this sacred ritual. Throughout my journey, the universe sent confirmations: angel numbers on license plates, flight seat numbers, and even a rainbow reflecting off a stranger’s shirt. Each sign reminded me that I was on the right path, divinely protected, and exactly where I needed to be.
The Ceremony with Rossy, Max & Brenda
When we arrived at the Temazcal, a tranquil oasis hidden in the middle of a busy street, I felt immediate peace. The space had an earthy, sacred presence—a circular fire pit in the center, the clay dome of the Temazcal on one side, and a beautifully arranged flower mandala on the ground where we gathered before the ceremony.
Rossy, our healer and shaman, was barefooted and radiated warmth and deep wisdom. Her husband, Max, chanted medicine songs, and their assistant Brenda, who had traveled from Oregon to learn this practice, helped facilitate the process.
We began by gathering around the sacred fire where herbal water was brewing. Rossy and Max led prayers and songs, offering dried tobacco to the flames as a symbol of gratitude and intention-setting. One by one, we stepped forward, whispered our prayers to the fire, and made our offerings.
Next, we sat around the flower mandala, passing around a single flower as each of us spoke our intentions. Max then led us through prayers to the four directions, honoring the elements and ancestors before we proceeded to the smoke cleansing—a powerful purification ritual using Copal resin. As I inhaled the aromatic smoke, I imagined it clearing away all stagnant energy and opening my heart to receive healing.
Inside the Temazcal: Surrendering to the Fire
One by one, we entered the dark, womb-like hut, asking for permission to enter, bringing all our emotions, pain, and intentions with us. The intense heat and pitch darkness quickly stripped away my ego’s defenses. As Rossy poured herbal water over the red-hot Abuelita stones, the steam enveloped us, cleansing us from the inside out.
Each round had its own energetic focus:
Divine Masculine Energy – The first round was powerful. I reflected on my father’s presence in my life, the lessons he left behind, and the unspoken words. I whispered my gratitude into the steam, letting the heat soften my heart.
Divine Feminine Energy – The second round brought up emotions I didn’t expect. I thought of my mother, my grandmother, the strength of the women in my lineage. The heat intensified, mirroring the deep emotions rising to the surface.
Inner Child Healing – I closed my eyes and saw my younger self. I held her, reassured her that she was safe, that she was always enough. This was the round where I sobbed, my heart releasing years of wounds I didn’t realize I still carried.
Death & Rebirth – The final, hottest round pushed me to my edge. My breath felt like fire, but I surrendered. The red clay smeared on my skin felt grounding, a reminder that I was being reborn into something new.
When I crawled out of the Temazcal (yup, I literally did), I looked up and saw the full moon shining down on me. I sat in silence, absorbing everything. Then, my eyes caught something on the wall—a massive hummingbird wall art. Tears welled up in my eyes. It was as if my father, my guides, the universe itself, had placed it there for me to see at this very moment.
Integration & Post-Ceremony Guidance
The effects of a Temazcal ceremony vary widely for each person. Some people experience physical detoxification, losing cravings for certain foods, while others undergo strong emotional releases. Some may even have visions or spiritual insights. The heat, prayers, and chants peel away our layers like an onion, healing us from the physical to the emotional, then the spiritual. Each experience is deeply personal and will meet you where you need healing most.
For me, the effects were profoundly emotional. I felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from my chest, allowing me to see the world with childlike wonder and less seriousness. I noticed a shift from my usual hyper-independent, action-driven energy into a more balanced, divine feminine essence—a state of ease, receptivity, and flow.
Listening to my body was crucial. I wasn’t craving heavy foods, but instead felt drawn to fresh fruits, plant-based meals, and deep rest. I also started walking barefoot in my garden more often, grounding myself in nature. On top of daily yoga practice, I started to incorporate meditation and breathwork to help me anchor the new vibrational shifts within me.
Final Reflections: The Fire Within
My experience in the Temazcal was deeply transformative and profoundly healing. I invite anyone seeking healing to consider this ritual as part of their journey. Many come to the Temazcal seeking physical healing, yet often, the true transformation happens emotionally and spiritually. Healing is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. I know I will return to the Temazcal again—to peel away more layers, to listen more deeply, and to continue on this sacred path.
Rossy has dedicated herself to this sacred work, making it affordable and accessible compared to many hotel-hosted Temazcal events, which are often significantly higher in cost. This was a raw, beautiful, and intimate way to reconnect with an ancient tradition—one that awakens our connection to Mother Earth, the elements, our ancestors, and ourselves.
If you ever find yourself in Cabo San Lucas, I highly recommend experiencing this with Rossy (@herbocali on Instagram). We are also planning group Temazcal spiritual retreats in the near future, for those who feel called to dive into this profound healing experience. Stay tuned for more details!
With so much Gratitude & Love,
Solarys
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