// Ritual
Group Cacao Circles
In group cacao gatherings, we place more focus on the cacao ritual itself, guided by Mayan inspiration. It is not a traditional Mayan cacao ceremony — as I am not Mayan, and because traditionally, people did not sit in circles and drink cacao in this way. This is more of a modern expression, weaved by the ancestral guidance.
I love working with groups, because there is something truly beautiful that unfolds when people come together — the group dynamic becomes its own entity, its own living field.
I believe that the group that gathers always comes together for a reason — that there is always something we can teach one another, and something we can learn from each other.
In group cacao gatherings, we place more focus on the cacao ritual itself, guided by Mayan inspiration.
It is not a traditional Mayan cacao ceremony — as I am not Mayan, and because traditionally, people did not sit in circles and drink cacao in this way. This is more of a modern expression.
However, cacao has always been deeply present in their daily lives. For example, the Mayan people of Tabasco, Mexico, have 13 sacred beverages made from cacao and/or corn, which are shared during different life moments — before and after harvest, during weddings, births, and deaths.
The way my work is inspired by Mayan culture is through Mayan cosmovision.
In our cacao rituals, we follow the Mayan calendar and connect to the energy of the day.
We explore the nawal — the energy or spirit animal — and the number that accompanies it, which together create a unique energetic signature for each day.
For example, the energy of the Dog represents loyalty, truth, and unconditional love, while the number 5 represents center and focus.
So a day like 5 Dog can be a powerful moment to reconnect to unconditional love within yourself, and reflect on how your inner truth is expressed through your actions.
Of course, this is just one way to interpret the energy — it always depends on the group and what is alive in the space.
Mayan cosmovision becomes a guiding thread throughout the gathering, which is then woven together with music, silence, meditation, embodiment practices, and space for authentic expression.
This may look like:
- sharing from the heart
- singing
- offering a prayer
- expressing emotions
- or simply being witnessed
These gatherings are a space of connection, reflection, and collective presence — where something greater can unfold through the group.
I am available for group cacao gatherings, both in person and online.
If you feel the call to bring this experience into your community, event, or space —
I invite you to reach out and co-create together. ♡
// Moments from the circle
Rituals, in motion
// Words from the circle
Shared experiences
Rada bi podelila nekaj besed v imenu sebe in svoje babice. Izkušnja s Špelo je obema resnično pripomogla k veliki notranji spremembi. Občutek varnosti, ki ga je ustvarjala njena prisotnost, nama je pomenil ogromno. Najbolj nama je v spominu ostal trenutek pri Lunini piramidi, tam se je za naju en cikel zaključil in bilo je res nekaj posebnega. Hvala, ker delaš to, kar delaš, res se čuti, da delaš s srcem.
I am so grateful to have experienced my first cacao ceremony with Spela in Siargao. Through thoughtful planning and genuine touches, Spela created an inviting and supportive space for participants to explore, learn, share, sing, and grow. Her knowledge and desire to share it created a beautiful cacao ceremony and meaningful connection with kindred spirits.
Draga Špela!
Tvoje vodenje cacao obredov je nadvse avtentično in v stiku z samim izvorom te prečudovite rastline in medicine. Velika inspiracija si mi ~ hvala, za vse dosedanje izkušnje 💛 In na več njih!
I’ve been working with Špela for quite some time now, across different projects, and it’s honestly always a pleasure.
There’s something very special about her presence — she’s grounded, gentle, and carries this soft feminine energy that makes people feel safe almost instantly. I’ve seen how she holds space on our journeys to the Bosnian Pyramid Valley, and how naturally people open up around her.
At last year’s Guardians Festival, she led the opening cacao ceremony and was preparing cacao throughout the event, both with so much care and intention.
This year, I felt completely at ease trusting her with an even bigger role as Head of Space Holders at Guardians Festival 2026. It just feels right.
I can truly recommend her to anyone who values authenticity, presence, and heart in this kind of work.
A truly beautiful and transformative experience🌀
Being part of Spela’s retreat in Ibiza was such a gift for my heart and my path.
Spela is a truly beautiful, pure soul who brings so much light, love, and joy into everything she does. The way she created and held this retreat was absolutely incredible. She brought Tata Walter all the way from Lake Atitlán in Guatemala to share the wisdom of the Mayan cosmovision, creating a very special and powerful space for connection, learning, and transformation.
Throughout the retreat, we experienced beautiful ceremonies, including cacao, water, and fire ceremonies that connected us deeply with nature, our ancestors, and ourselves. Every moment felt meaningful, and the energy of the place was truly magical. There was something so special about the land, the space, the people who gathered, and the beautiful place where we slept. Everything felt carefully and lovingly held.
The food was beyond delicious, organic, fresh, and prepared with so much love. Taking a break from our phones and reconnecting with ourselves, nature, and each other was such a beautiful and nourishing gift for our mental and emotional well-being.
Spela also shared her beautiful yoga practices with us, bringing even more depth and magic to the experience. She has so many gifts, and you can truly feel how much love, wisdom, and dedication she pours into what she creates.
I am honestly amazed by everything she brought together to make this retreat happen. It takes such a special person to create a space where people can feel so connected, safe, inspired, and free to simply be.
I left this retreat feeling different, carrying something beautiful within me that is difficult to put into words. I feel deeply grateful to Spela, Tata Walter, and everyone who was part of this experience.
Thank you, Spelita, for sharing your light, your gifts, and your heart with us. What you create is so much more than a retreat. It is an invitation to reconnect, remember, and come home to ourselves. 🩷✨
Spela is such a natural guide, and took us on such a beautiful, immersive dance journey - that allowed us to drop deeply into the body and explore the depths of ourselves and life on this planet, before breaking out into the most fun and electric dance in community that left us feeling so free. I wish everyone could experience her magic!! ✨
Špela is not only my friend, but also my co-creator, business partner, and co-facilitator.
What inspires me most about her is her dedication to her work, her drive to bring visions into reality, and at the same time her loving approach, intuitive flow, and deep trust in the process.
With Špela, it always feels as though she acts from the place that is most supportive in that moment, both for herself and for everyone involved.
She continuously inspires and grounds others through her wisdom, life experience, and presence. She has a remarkable ability to see the bigger picture and approaches everything she does with great responsibility and care.
One of the most memorable experiences we shared was the fire ceremony during our journey to the Bosnian Pyramids in the autumn of 2025. The way she created a supportive space, gently guiding us into relationship with the fire and our prayers, touched me deeply.
And it wasn't only my experience. You could feel the entire group gradually opening with each prayer, becoming more vulnerable, authentic, and connected. From that moment onward, a softer and more heartfelt dynamic emerged within the group. Personally, I felt a profound release of a weight I had been carrying up until that point.
Špela is a true space holder in every sense of the word, and any ritual facilitated by her is an experience that unfolds on both a profound and elevated level.
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