The Vine with a Soul
Micro-dosing & Ceremony
Looking for a natural, legal and gentle way to support your mental health or deepen your connection to spirit, without doing an intense trip? I'm honoured to be able to hold a group initiation ceremony in Glastonbury once a month, for those who want to explore working with the spirit of Ayahuasca in a micro-dose extract - Banisteriopsis Caapi -the legal part of Ayahuasca and the part believed to carry the actual soul essence or spirit of Ayahuasca. (Please contact me to arrange a date if you can't make the group ceremony, as I'm happy to also hold space for 1-1 ceremonies too. More details below...)
We'll begin the ceremony in a gorgeous candle lit space within the Glastonbury Goddess House (though the ceremony is for both men and women despite its name of course!) Here, we'll come together to make our alter- an indoor nature mandala- which is a beautiful offering to show our gratitude and give something back to mother Earth. You'll have a chance to ask questions and be given advice about what you can expect when you begin working with the extract. Following this, we'll each pick an Oracle card, set healing intentions as part of a talking stick share and cast anything we wish to let go of to the fire as part of a healing ritual. Finally, I'll be offering a guided shamanic drum journey with sung light codes and a meditation to connect us with the spirit of this sacred plant medicine.
You’ll then receive a 15ml bottle of 3 months worth (10 ml) of Banisteriopsis Caapi extract/ B.Caapi mixed with 5ml honey to take home for therapeutic micro dosing purposes, where you'll begin walking the path with the spirit of this magical Earth Mother.
We'll set up a whatsapp for the group with me added in , so you can share your experiences and support with one another during the 3 months. Having started this as a group, you’ll all be invited to come back for a free integration ceremony 3 months later to share your reflections and any wisdom gleaned, closing your healing journey all together.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS?
Health studies and reports have suggested that B. Caapi can promote wellbeing and feelings of calm inner peace, improve levels of empathy, relieve anxiety and depression, and even improves motor symptoms and problems found in Parkinson’s disease. Studies on rats have found that it also decreased inflammation and helped to promote stem cell repair and neurogenesis in the brain. Other people have reported sleeping better, improved awareness, focus and presence. Though it's important to note, (as with most plant medicines) that this extract is not FDA approved for any medicinal, cosmetic, dietary, or supplemental use, nor approved to cure or prevent any diseases.
HOW WILL I FEEL?
Of course, everyone is a unique individual and so everyone will have their own unique experiences whilst journeying with Caapi. Many people report feeling a greater sense of gratitude and connection to nature, appreciation for the beauty of life, and a better connection to the loving presence of spirit. You may find that you have a lot of useful realisations about yourself and can look at things with a whole new and wiser perspective. It can be a good time for setting new habits or inspiring you to start a new chapter of your life/ helping you to move on. Those who might have previously been feeling lost, may suddenly realise they know which way they want to go. For many, B. Caapi also brings them more earthy grounding and yet also more joy and energy, more zest for life. Though it isn't hallucinogenic, some people experience vivid dreams full of meaningful symbolism too whilst taking B.Caapi.
IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE WHILE TAKING CAAPI?
The physical effects of B.Caapi are so discrete that it should be fine to operate machinery and drive without any concerns. However, it's always best to err on the side of caution for your first day taking the extract incase of a rare allergic reaction.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO A FULL AYAHUASCA EXPERIENCE?
While some people might enjoy the 6 hour visual blast off into the 12 dimensions that a DMT based Ayahuasca ceremony invokes, for many others that might not be their cup of tea! In fact, the idea of losing control like that might be terrifying for some. Instead, micro-dosing with B. Caapi offers the same healing realisations and mental health break throughs but gradually and without any of the visuals or physical purges. Some people feel a slight and very subtle energetic or positive mood shift about 15 minutes after taking the drops, but nothing significant enough to change the way they function normal day to day tasks. Despite having very subtle effects physically, many people find the overall depth of emotional healing is just as significant compared to the big ceremonies they've sat through with DMT based Ayahuasca. In many ways, microdosing B.Caapi gives us an opportunity to truly invite the Spirit of Ayahuasca to walk gently alongside us on our healing journey for a prolonged period of time, instead of a quick, intense, 6 hour trip. Thus, we give ourselves more time to slow the process down and to really listen and process what she has to teach us.
WHAT ACTUALLY IS CAAPI?
Banisteriopsis Caapi is a large tropical vine which grows in South America. It's known among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest as 'the vine with a soul', a sacred plant teacher and is believed to hold the spirit of Ayahuasca within it. The major components in Banisteriopsis caapi are B-carboline alkaloids (such as Harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmin), which are alkaloids with MAOI type properties. Banisteriopsis caapi is also rich in antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, epicatechin and procyanidin B2.
IS IT LEGAL IN THE UK?
Although B. Caapi is 50% of the brew which makes up Ayahuasca (which is a hallucinogenic brew made from two plants mixed together), it does not include the other illegal plant (Psychotria Viridis) which is banned due to its psychoactive composition (DMT). Because B.Caapi is classed as a non psychoactive substance, it is classed as legal in the UK as long as it's taken by itself.
Some other countries have sadly banned Banisteriopsis Caapi, such as Italy. So please do be very careful to independently check if you'll be allowed to bring the extract across the boarder when travelling abroad, way in advance of any planned holidays.
HOW IS IT MADE AND SOURCED?
The plant extract you'll receive is 100% B.Caapi and sourced from the Peruvian region of the Amazon rainforest by the safe keepers of the jungle, who monitor the harvest and make sure new vines are planted to maintain the plant species. The vine is harvested on the full moon then prayed over and blessed by the plant gatherers. The harvest is then sent to California where the drops are made from the vine with a distilled water extraction method to make a 100% plant extract liquid. Finally, they are sent to me here in Glastonbury, where I add 5ml of honey to 10ml Caapi to sweeten in a 15 ml bottle.
HOW DO I TAKE THE EXTRACT?
The way we're working with the plant kingdom is forever changing and as the demand for healing with plant medicine increases, so should our approach to work mindfully with our plant allies. For this reason, I deeply advocate micro dosing instead of consuming large amounts. It's believed that the spirit behind each plant will work with us just as powerfully when invited into the body, even when consumed in extreme moderation. In many ways it feels like a more respectful (and sustainable) approach to working with such sacred plants . For this reason, the dose i'll be recommending for you is 4 drops per day in the morning followed by a short meditation. This is to be taken under the tongue, 5 days a week (with a 2 day break) for 3 months. It's believed the mind takes 3 months to re-wire and form new brain pathways, beliefs and habits, which works perfectly in alignment with the course of micro-dosing this extract. It can also be really helpful to keep a dream diary and journal any thoughts / realisations which arise during this time.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE CAAPI?
Only adults over the age of 18 should be taking this extract.
Banisteriopsis caapi is a natural MAO inhibitor and should not be taken while taking or while coming off from any MAO or SSR inhibitors, antidepressants, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, sleeping medications, any supplements or herbs that contain MAOIs or SSRIs. Blood pressure medications should also be avoided when micro-dosing Banisteriopsis Caapi since it can lower blood pressure. Please always exercise caution and consult your doctor before you use this plant extract, especially if you have any known mental or physical health diagnoses such as seizures, for example. This extract should not be taken by anyone breastfeeding or pregnant. Additionally, please avoid stimulants, alcohol or drugs when working with this (or indeed any) sacred plant extract.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Tickets are £57 per person and include...
- Your Initiation Ceremony , which starts at 6pm on your chosen date and ends between 8 and 8.30pm.
- Your 15 ml bottle (10 ml Caapi and 5 ml Honey) / 3 month supply of Banisteriopsis Caapi extract.
- 3 months of support via the Whatsaap group.
- Your Closing / Integration Ceremony in 3 months time (see available dates- integration ceremonies start at 8.30pm on the same day as the Initiation Ceremonies and end by 10pm. You don't need to book in for this one).
WHAT CEREMONY DATES ARE AVAILABLE?
All initiation ceremonies are 6pm-8/8.30pm and are held at the Goddess House.
Tues 20th Dec
Mon 30th Jan
Mon 20th Feb
Mon 20th March
Mon 17th April
Mon 15th May
Mon 19th June
Mon 17th July
Mon 21st Aug
Mon 18th Sept
Mon 16th Oct
Mon 20th Nov
Mon 18th Dec
HOW DO I BOOK?
If you feel called to join the next group Caapi ceremony, tickets can be found here.
Please note: By purchasing a ticket, you are agreeing that you have read and understood all of the information above and take full liability over your health and wellbeing.
WHAT IF I CAN'T MAKE THE GROUP CEREMONY?
I'm also happy to do 1-1 Caapi ceremonies any time you choose but the cost will be £70 per person if you're visiting me by yourself and £57 per person if it's for 2 or more. For 1-1 ceremonies, text me on 07986460011.
HOW SHALL I PREPARE AND WHAT SHALL I BRING ALONG ON THE DAY?
- Please make sure you have avoided drugs, stimulants and alcohol for 3 days before and throughout taking Cappi (and ideally caffeine and meat too, where possible). For those coming off prescribed medication, please consult your doctor about the correct amount of time needed before taking B.Caapi.
- Please bring along something you'd like to contribute to the Nature Mandala such as flowers, conkers, feathers, crystals etc.
- A bottle of water.
- A Journal and pen.
I look forward to working with you !
Lots of love,
Kubi May xx
(For more information about my work as a space holder, click here)
