It’s time to awaken and evolve: Revival, the transformative wellness festival in Eden, Utah, is here to ignite change during the summer solstice season.
Supported by esteemed organizations like The Divine Assembly, a psilocybin church, and TRUCE (Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education), a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for safe access to medical cannabis in Utah, this event offers a sanctuary for exploration and growth.
Through a diverse range of activities, including meditations, sound baths, yoga, breath-work classes, panel discussions, and engaging talks by medical professionals and thought leaders, participants can ground themselves physically and tap into the potential of psychedelic and medical cannabis-assisted therapies.
With over 75 workshops, presentations, and lively evening performances, Revival promises a transformative experience from June 22-25 in North Fork Park.
This year, Revival embraces the concept of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with powdered gold, celebrating the beauty found within imperfections.
Mormons On Mushrooms: Podcast and Tent Area at Last Year’s Revival Festival in Eden, Utah
Each day begins with workshops centered around cooking, nutrition, balance, movement, yoga, breath work, and other practices that foster a deep connection with one’s physical self and surroundings. As the day progresses, workshops shift focus towards relationships, self-care, healing, education, science, activism, and other thought-provoking subjects that encourage dialogue, open minds, and explore new concepts.
Revival co-founder and chairwoman Andy Silva explains, “We provide a safe space for individuals who are curious about our psychedelic workshops. It’s a place where people can learn about these experiences before diving into them. The community aspect combined with health and wellness has been truly remarkable.”
The opening ceremony, led by the charismatic Master of Ceremonies Madazon Can-Can, sets the stage for an immersive journey. The first day is packed with numerous workshops and activities, starting with “A Newcomer’s Introduction To Experiencing Psychedelics.”
This is followed by “Moving Mountains, One Spoonful at a Time,” delving into Utah’s medical cannabis narrative, and an enlightening session with The Divine Assembly from the psilocybin church, featuring J. Seth Anderson, Ph.D., and Michael Ferguson. The night concludes with a meditative experience inspired by medical cannabis.
The following day features the captivating “Summer Solstice Sunrise Ceremony,” followed by a range of workshops throughout the day, including “Mushroom Growing For Beginners” and “How Entheogenic Medicine Is Used to Treat Mental Health and Addiction.”
Participants can also engage in discussions on grief tending as soul medicine and end-of-life therapy.
The third day offers a diverse selection of workshops, including explorations of ketamine-assisted therapy, the use of entheogenic medicine for mental health and addiction, and many other engaging topics.
Revival provides a sneak peek into the array of workshops and activities awaiting attendees this year, ranging from captivating performances to a mesmerizing silent disco and a captivating drag show.
Unlocking Trauma with the Help of Psychedelics
Silva has been in touch with countless patients who are breaking free from the restraints of their illnesses through medicine or seeking community support to overcome various types of trauma.
Addressing grief and trauma is a central focus at Revival, featuring ceremonies and workshops aimed at understanding the intricate architecture of grief, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Francis Weller. The festival recognizes the potential of unorthodox approaches in the journey of healing.
“We have received tremendous feedback from individuals who have utilized ketamine treatment to overcome depression or trauma,” Silva shares. “This has created its own community within Revival. Depression and grief are areas where people seek healing the most.”
In Utah, psilocybin-assisted therapy is gradually gaining recognition as individuals explore micro-dosing and alternative healing methods. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake City) introduced Senate Bill 200 on Feb. 9, aiming to legalize the medical use of psilocybin mushrooms in Utah.
As Revival evolved, it expanded beyond its roots with The Divine Assembly, a psilocybin church, and established itself as an independent nonprofit, enhancing its credibility and purpose.
Medical Cannabis’s Role in the Path to Healing
In addition to the exploration of psychedelics, Revival also delves into the realm of cannabis, which, as a mild psychedelic, holds its own transformative potential. Workshops at the festival shed light on Utah’s “compromise” bill, the Utah Medical Cannabis Act, passed in 2018 with the support of TRUCE.
The act allows patients with verification from healthcare providers to access medical cannabis. However, many patients express discontent with the bill’s restrictive provisions, such as limited pharmacies and other shortcomings. The original bill approved by voters was significantly altered by the Utah State Legislature, resulting in a fundamentally different program.
“In Utah, we have our pharmacies and medicinal legalization in place,” Silva explains. “But there are other aspects of using these substances that we aim to showcase. We offer cannabis-inspired meditation and breathwork, encouraging individuals to incorporate plant medicine into their practice. Moreover, we provide captivating workshops on entheogens and psychedelics, exploring their historical significance in different religions.”
As the summer solstice approaches on June 21, Revival represents an opportunity to celebrate the solstice, rejuvenate, and embark on a new chapter. Overcoming grief, trauma, and mental barriers can be facilitated by the profound potential of psychedelics to rewire the mind.
Silva reflects on the ongoing revolution, stating, “Psychedelics are bringing about their own cultural shifts, and we are part of this transformative journey.”
