FLORES PARA RECORDAR- An Autumn Gathering of Plant Medicine, Remembrance & Rest

As the seasons shift, we invite you to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with the wisdom of plants, the memories we carry, and the people who came before us.

Inspired by the traditions of Día de los Muertos and the ancestral symbolism of cempasúchil (marigold), this intimate, hands-on gathering explores the relationships between plant medicine, remembrance, grief, and embodied care.

Together, we’ll journey through the stories, cultural histories, and traditional medicinal and spiritual uses of seasonal plants. Through herbal preparations, creative floral offerings, storytelling, and intentional massage , we’ll explore the many ways plants can help us connect with ourselves, our ancestors, and the natural cycles of life.

Participants will create their own herbal and floral offerings to take home, with opportunities to honor loved ones, celebrate memories, and make space for reflection.

We’ll close with a guided head-and-neck massage (+ hot towel!) exchange, inviting warmth, relaxation, and care into our bodies.

Whether you’re honoring an ancestor, navigating grief, celebrating life, or simply seeking a moment of connection and rest, we welcome you into this space.

A gathering to remember, create, connect, and be cared for. 🌼

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🌿 THE THREE EXPERIENCES you will receive~

1. CONNECT — Plant Medicine & Stories | Betsy

An introduction to the plants we’re working with, centering cempasúchil, cinnamon, and mugwort.

We’ll explore their botanical and cultural histories, traditional medicinal uses, spiritual associations, and connections with grief, remembrance, dreams, and seasonal transitions.

Participants will engage their senses through herbal tea blending and a demonstration of preparing infused botanical oils.

2. HONOR — Floral Offerings & Remembrance | Benny

A hands-on floral arrangement experience using cempasúchil and other seasonal flowers.

Participants will create a floral bundle or garland to take home for their altar or personal space, incorporating storytelling, memories, gratitude, and intentions into the creative process.

3. RESTORE — Restorative Touch & Integration | Bert

A guided head-and-neck massage + hot towel guided partner massage experience focused on stress relief, seasonal shifts, warmth, and restorative care including a hot towel.

Participants will work in pairs, learning techniques from Bert, practicing on one another, and switching roles so everyone has an opportunity to give and receive care. Participation in touch will be consent-based.

DETAILS

🌼 Date: Sunday, November 8th, 2026

🕥 Time: 1pm-4pm

📍 Location: Aligned Wellness

⏳ Duration: 3 hours

😷 Accessibility: Masked indoor gathering, with tea and seasonal refreshments available outside. We’ll also work through plant-related safety considerations and alternatives.

🕰️ TIME FLOW

1:00-1:30PM

Arrival, registration, welcoming, tea, and seasonal snacks.

1:30-2:10pm | Betsy

Plant medicine, herbal tea preparations, and infused botanical oil demonstration.

2:15-2:55pm | Benny

Floral arrangements, garlands or bundles, remembrance, and storytelling.

3:00-3:45| Bert

Guided head-and-neck partner massage and restorative care.

3:45-4:00pm Group reflections

Massage portion flow:

Settling , Names, Pronouns, Pairings

Boundaries, Consent, Indications & Contraindications

Notes on the neck & head anatomy

Massage Techniques for neck and head

Demo & Guidance for Giver 1 / Receiver 1 rest

Switch and settle

Demo & Guidance Giver 2 / Receiver 2 rest

Reflections, questions & closing

We’ll finish with collective reflection and integration. reflections, integration, and gratitude.

These practices are one way to learn how to care for each other in a practical & accessible way that can be replicated in your home or community. These are ancestral, familial, community based healing practices that all of us deserve access to. It is not required to come with someone- you can continue building knowledge and techniques, and giving and receiving beyond this class.

In an effort to create information and access to those of us who are deeply underserved and at deeper risk of harm in the wellness community. This is a BIPOC CENTERED, Allies welcomed event (Black, Indigenous, People of color + their allies).We are striving to hold safer somatic spaces for our nervous systems.

About Your Facilitators

Betsabé Castro Escobar is a daughter of the Earth, a Caribbean bruja, mother, wife, dancer, and community builder whose life is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for the natural world. A botanical educator and researcher in ethnobotany and medicinal plants, she weaves together scientific knowledge, herbal practices, traditions, and ancestral wisdom to explore the many ways plants connect us to healing, memory, and one another.

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Beni is a queer, transmasc Bay Area florist whose work is rooted in the belief that flowers hold memory. For him, flowers are a portal to grief, beauty, and home. Through each arrangement, he creates offerings of care and connection, expressing what words sometimes can’t.

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Alberta (She/They)  identifies as a Black, Indigenous/Seminole, Queer Bodyworker, Energy worker, & Dancer. She was originally licensed in NYC and is now practicing in CA. With a fascination for the body, it's patterns and changes, Bert has spent the past 10 years massaging in a range of settings -now landing in private practice focusing on the wellness of BIPOC, Queer & Trans bodies. It is a pleasure for them to share what they've learned along the way through massage instruction/ guidance & to extend the skill outward. Clients have most described their touch as warm, fluid, focused, attentive and intuitive. Bert currently works at their private practice at Aligned wellness where this event is held and does in home sessions on a case by case basis, as well as sound healing & partner massage events for the community with a focus on QTBIPOC & survivor safer affirming space. @bodysoundsoul

Notes on Accessibility: It is a 1st floor space which is ADA accessible however the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. Low lighting.

Notes on Covid 19: Masks required, Air purifiers being run. Please stay home and practice community care if you have any symptoms & consider gifting your ticket in the event you are sick.

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