Sacred Waters Sanctuary
Atmosphere
Features
Sacred Waters Sanctuary Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in United States
Sacred Waters Sanctuary is a spiritual community in Kalama, Washington, led by founders Aria and Gabriel Sky, offering plant medicine ceremonies with Sacred Acacia (not traditional ayahuasca). The retreat operates as a registered spiritual nonprofit under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
๐ฏ At a Glance
- Locations: Riverside sanctuary setting in Kalama, Washington near the Columbia River, offering connection with natural water elements and forest environment
- Approach: Small intimate groups, Sacred Acacia ceremonies (acacia-based brew), strong emphasis on music and sound healing with guitar and vocals during ceremonies, comprehensive integration support including 1:1 sessions and group Zoom calls
- Suitable For: Individuals seeking spiritual awakening and community connection, those drawn to musical ceremonial experiences, people wanting extensive integration support
- Costs: Pricing not publicly disclosed, appears to require application and approval process for retreat access
- Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: B+ (notable for strong integration support and intimate community feel, flagged for using acacia-based brew marketed as plant medicine rather than traditional ayahuasca).
๐ฌ What Guests Are Saying
Reviews consistently praise the intimate community atmosphere and exceptional integration support provided by founders Aria and Gabriel. Participants frequently mention feeling deeply cared for throughout the process, with multiple attendees describing the experience as life-changing and noting the strong post-ceremony support system. The small group sizes allow for meaningful connections between participants, and the musical component during ceremonies receives particular appreciation. Several reviewers emphasize becoming part of an ongoing spiritual family rather than just attending a single event. Some participants specifically highlight the effectiveness of Sacred Acacia ceremonies for personal healing work.
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๐ฉ Incident Report
Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no safety incidents, criminal activities, or misconduct allegations were found regarding Sacred Waters Sanctuary.
- Theft: No theft allegations found across checked sources.
- Sexual Misconduct: No sexual misconduct allegations found across checked sources.
- Crime: No criminal activities or arrests reported across checked sources.
Search results did reveal another entity called Sacred Sanctuary that experienced legal issues including raids and DOJ involvement, but this appears to be a completely separate organization from Sacred Waters Sanctuary based on different locations and leadership.
New update as of March 2026: No incidents reported.
๐ Critical Notes
Sacred Waters Sanctuary demonstrates strong commitment to integration support and community building, with founders appearing genuinely dedicated to participant welfare based on consistent review themes. The retreat maintains active social media presence and appears to operate transparently regarding their spiritual mission and approach. However, a significant concern is the use of Sacred Acacia rather than traditional ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis), which may mislead participants expecting traditional ayahuasca ceremonies. The retreat operates in Washington state where plant medicine legality remains complex, though they claim protection under RFRA as a registered spiritual nonprofit.
๐ Screening & Mental Health Risks
The retreat requires an application process for participation, though specific medical screening protocols are not detailed on their website. Given their emphasis on spiritual rather than medical ceremonies, participants should carefully evaluate their mental health status and any medications that might interact with plant medicines. Always consult with healthcare providers before participating in any plant medicine ceremony, especially those involving psychoactive compounds.
๐งช Brew Substance
Sacred Waters Sanctuary works with Sacred Acacia, which is not traditional ayahuasca but rather an acacia-based brew that may contain DMT and other compounds. This represents a significant deviation from traditional ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi vine with Psychotria viridis or similar DMT-containing plants). The marketing and positioning as plant medicine ceremonies may be misleading to those expecting traditional ayahuasca experiences.
๐ Location, Setting & Style
- United States: Located in Kalama, Washington, along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest region known for natural beauty and spiritual retreat centers
- Setting: Riverside sanctuary property emphasizing connection with water elements and natural surroundings, designed for intimate ceremonial gatherings and spiritual community building
- Style: Ceremonies incorporate extensive musical elements with guitar and vocals from Gabriel Sky, emphasis on devotional practices and community connection, integration of Hindu and Buddhist wisdom traditions alongside plant medicine work
Practical guidance: Retreat is accessible to drive to from Pacific Northwest population centers, exact location shared after booking approval, application-based attendance rather than open booking system
Should You Book?
Sacred Waters Sanctuary may be suitable for individuals seeking a community-oriented spiritual experience with strong integration support and musical ceremonial elements. However, those specifically seeking traditional ayahuasca ceremonies should look elsewhere, as this retreat uses acacia-based brews instead. The retreat appears well-suited for people wanting ongoing spiritual community connection rather than a one-time ceremonial experience.
The Team & Story
Founded by Aria and Gabriel Sky, who present themselves as spiritual guides with backgrounds in corporate leadership (Aria) and music/meditation training (Gabriel). Aria’s background includes spiritual initiations in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Peru, while Gabriel trained with Nฤda Yoga masters and has personal experience overcoming addiction through spiritual practice. Their approach combines Western therapeutic frameworks with Eastern spiritual traditions and plant medicine work.
Prep & Integration Tips
The retreat emphasizes comprehensive integration support including individual sessions with Aria and group Zoom calls following ceremonies. Participants report extensive pre-ceremony preparation and ongoing community connection through various events and practices. Specific dietary requirements and preparation protocols are not detailed publicly but appear to be communicated during the application process.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional integration support with individual and group sessions | Uses acacia-based brew rather than traditional ayahuasca |
| Small intimate group sizes fostering deep connections | Limited transparency about pricing and specific practices |
| Strong musical and sound healing component during ceremonies | Application-only access may create exclusivity barriers |
| Ongoing community support and spiritual family atmosphere | Legal status of ceremonies in Washington state remains unclear |
Book Your Ceremony
Booking requires completing an application process rather than direct registration. Interested participants must be approved before receiving retreat invitations and specific details about ceremonies and costs.