Review: Herbal Communion Cannabis Ceremony with Tori Rerick
We all love the plant for different reasons. Some smoke just for fun, others use it to socialize. For oracle artist and spiritual guide Tori Rerick, cannabis is about spiritual connection. We recently attended her Herbal Communion Cannabis Ceremony in Northern Colorado, and it was indeed an elevated spiritual experience.
Hosted on a private family farm just north of Fort Collins, the evening started with a short journey through the woods, where attendees crossed a creek on a single plank bridge before arriving at the site, a quaint open-sided, rustic utility shed, just feet from the river and a flower-embellished fire pit. We greeted one another, and enjoyed some delicious fruit and cheeses provided by the hosts, and then gathered around a thoughtfully built ceremonial altar of talismans, crystals, candles, and of course some hand rolled joints. Each person shared about themselves and their current relationship with the flower. After settling into the communion space, Tori led a blessing and non-denominational prayer, after which a the joints (each with a different effect) from different local cultivators were shared.
While we were reminded that inhalation was not a requirement of the ceremony, all of the attending adults chose to partake in the cannabis offerings, and then shared a moment of quiet reflection to the sounds of Tori’s thoughtfully curated playlist. She kneeled before each attendee, placing a card from her *highly* inspired oracle deck for us to hold and reflect on the hand-drawn symbolism to anchor the high. Eventually, conversations sprouted up and we enjoyed the human connection that cannabis often facilitates.
After the moment had passed, and the sun had set, the gathering was moved outside to the fire pit, where attendees were encouraged to further reflect, and each let go of a personal attachment by tossing a symbolic blend of herbs into the fire. We enjoyed group song, chants, and prayers before mingling further around the fire and in the shed at our own leisure, before the closing of the ceremony back in the shed.
Admittedly, I’ve spent a lot of time smoking weed to escape the pressures of life, rarely taking the time to appreciate the introspection it can provide, and the empathetic sentiments it can bring about through conversation and connection with others. Tori’s ceremony provided a potent reminder of the ancient use of the plant, and the healing that can occur when it’s used in intentional ritual. In the thousands of smoke sessions l’ve been a part of, this was unlike any other, and it was a truly peaceful experience that will forever impact my perception of the plant and its place in my life. We highly recommend that any lover of the plant who is seeking spiritual expansion or healing attend one of Tori’s events if you have the chance to do so. We certainly will be back for the next one!
A portion of proceeds from the event were donated to support Expunge Colorado and Plant Buddies Inc.
-Nick Torres
