SAMHAIN — a descent within
Women’s Cacao Ceremony

October 31st, Align Now, Amsterdam, 18:00-21:00

price: €75 (incl. tax)
early sister: €68 (incl. tax)

As the evenings darken and the earth begins her winter rest, we gather as women. With warm cups of cacao, candlelight, and time to listen. Samhain marks the threshold into the darker months. A time to honour endings, remember those who came before us, and enter into relationship with the mystery of what we cannot yet see.

Together, we descend into the symbolic underworld, gently turning towards the feelings, memories and longings that ask for our attention. We honour the wisdom we have inherited, notice what we wish to carry forward, and feel into the patterns we may be ready to lay down.

Around us, the leaves fall and the branches become bare. Nature reminds us that there is wisdom in letting go, and that not every season asks us to bloom. As the earth draws inward, our bodies are invited into that same movement. Into warmth, slowness, softness, sisterhood and deeper listening. Held in the presence of other women, we remember that we do not have to move through these thresholds alone. Let’s descend. Together.

WEAVING IN

  • Mama Cacao Medicine

  • Samhain Ritual

  • Gentle Somatic Healing practices

  • Breath & Movement

  • Guided Meditation & Visualisation

  • Sharing Circle, Intention Setting & Journalling 

  • Deep Sisterhood Connection

Every woman is welcome. No matter your age, experience or background. If this is your first time attending a Women’s Circle, you’ll find more insights & history in this article.

JOIN THE SAMHAIN CEREMONY

DETAILS

October 31st — 18:00-21:00
Align now — President Kennedylaan 681, Amsterdam
Price: €75 — EARLY SISTER €69

SCHEDULE

Walk in 18:00
Start 18:15
End 21:00

SAMHAIN — a descent within
Women’s Cacao Ceremony

Price: €75 incl. VAT

EARLY SISTER €68

JOIN THE CIRCLE

HOW TO PREPARE & WHAT TO BRING

  • Journal & pen

  • Please wear comfortable clothing you feel beautiful in.

  • A small offering for the altar — something that represents this season for you.

  • In preparation for the Ceremony and the medicine, it is best to eat lightly beforehand.

  • It is advisable to refrain from drinking coffee (or other stimulants) before the ceremony.

  • Staying hydrated before, during and after the Ceremony. 

REFUND POLICY
All tickets are non-refundable as we have limited spots available. However, feel free to pass your spot on to another sister. Email connect@manoukdebijl.com

SLIDING SCALE
If you feel called to join and the ticket price is beyond your current means, please reach out. We can explore a contribution that feels possible for you. Please e-mail connect@manoukdebijl.com.

Meet Manouk

Hi love, my name is Manouk. It is so lovely to have you here. 

For much of my life, I moved through the world performing, perfecting, and pleasing — disconnected from my body, my cycles, and my truth. Years of numbing eventually led to chronic dis-ease, inviting me into a deep journey of healing, feeling, and remembering. Through reconnecting with my womb, my heart, and the wisdom of feminine cycles, I began to soften, to listen, and to return to myself. Over the past years, I’ve held space for hundreds of women through various settings — and it continues to be the fire of my heart. A space to empower, reconnect, soften, and embody the radiant, abundant woman you truly are. Through my many paths (that lead back to one // Remembrance) as a Trauma-Informed Somatic Mentor, Space Holder, Women’s Facilitator, Energy Healer, Retreat leader and Community weaver —  I am here to guide you home. This decade long holistic journey is the womb of all creation and the inspiration behind my deep-felt offerings and spaces, a Sacred Remembering. This is the space I now hold — a space of remembrance. Of coming home. A journey of heart coherence, sisterhood, and truth.

READ FULL STORY

Love Notes

  • Manouk is one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met. Her way of holding space is just so unique and special. Her tone of voice, choice of words, the way how she makes you feel safe and be seen are just one of a kind. Her presence is really magical and I feel so inspired by her. I truly love Manouk’s way of teaching and passing on all the tools she has learned over the years during her own journey. Attending the Sacred Woman’s Retreat was a real blessing for me and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. I would describe her as an empathetic, genuine, profound, touching, inspiring, heartwarming, wonderful, soulful, beautiful inside and out space holder or in other words: I love her <3 I am beyond grateful for the experience and for the time at The Sacred Women’s Retreat. I am so happy our paths have crossed and I am glad that we connected on such a deep level.

    Vanessa, Germany

  • I’ve never met someone who is so intuitive with herself, other human beings and nature. It is one of the most extraordinary things to witness and it was a privilege to be apart of that. The Sacred Women’s Retreat felt like a coming home and a remembrance. I still feel very deep emotional ties with all the women who were there. It brought me things I didn’t know I needed, but I am all the more grateful for it.

    Britt, Netherlands

  • Ohhhh where to begin! This was Circle was an absolute dream. My heart is so so full for these beautiful women Manouk & Eefje. The moment I arrived, I felt immediately so safe and loved. They made you feel seen & heard. The energy from Manouk & Eefje felt so authentic, pure and almost angelic that everything just fell so beautifully into place just the way it had to be. Thank you beautiful sisters for hosting this and giving this to the world. I would highly recommend this for those who wants to experience some deep pure love and be more connected within herself and share this with other sisters. I truly believe in Manouk & Eefje. A big smile of gratitude and love for all those sisters who participate when I think back on this day.

    Lisa, Netherlands

  • Practising Yoga with Manouk is like stepping into my inner world of peace and grounding. Her absolute grace and warmth helps me connect to my own beauty within, as well as making me feel so comfortable, so seen, so at home, just as I am. She creates such a beautiful safe space for everyone to surrender into, and I have felt like a completely new person at the end of each Yoga class - so much more grounded, so much more alive, so much more calm, so much more connected to my essence. Thank you for shining your light so brightly through everything you do.

    Anja, Austria

  • I came to Manouk exhausted, frustrated and depleted. I had a few private Yoga and healing sessions with her and each one was really special. Manouk is a special soul with a unique ability to meet you where you are. She is kind, calm, thoughtful with a light emanating from her. I came home rejuvenated and recharged. I feel lucky and blessed to have met her.

    Minky, New York

  • Manouk has a kind-hearted and compassionate energy as a space holder. This energy was reflected by the group creating an intimate, loving and open (online) space to show up together. It was special how the sense of a little community arose so quickly (especially online). A space to check-in with each other and yourself during the morning and evening rituals together. Where Manouk skillfully guides you through a Meditation or Yoga practice with joy and playfulness. Also, giving you the tools, such as journal prompts, to integrate your experiences. All together, this online retreat facilitated by Manouk gave me the routine I sought in my daily life. To slow down and show up for myself with compassion. Also the feeling of community, showing up together, felt very powerful and valuable to me. After the retreat I felt more recharged and ready for the new season. Thank you Manouk <3

    Pien, Amsterdam

  • Manouk was a blessing to have as my co-lead in my first ever Meditation Retreat. She brings a vibrance with her everywhere she goes that made myself and my guests feel seen, felt, and supported throughout their entire journey. Alongside that, she brought her "old soul" style of wisdom and guidance to her Yoga classes, workshops and general conversations throughout the weekend. I will definitely be having her as my co-lead again. Not to mention, I may even create a retreat specifically with her. I truly could not have done what we did without her.

    Marcello, Connecticut

  • The Secret Women Retreat 2023 felt to me like a nice soft place where all emotions could be. A magical place in a valley where I could be honest with myself. The retreat came my way after a breakup and a busy time at work. Manouk has inspired me so much. Not only with her beautiful knowledge that she shared daily in the ceremonies and with wonderful yoga lessons that felt like a warm blanket every day, but also by being there, without judgement. With so much love, strength, honesty, cheerfulness, room for playfulness and beauty. The delicious fresh and vegan food every day and the soft beds in the Lodge for a good night's sleep really made me feel healthy and strong. I now practice yoga and meditate weekly to return to these pleasant feelings within myself. I recommend it 100% to every woman, you deserve it!

    Denise, Netherlands

  • In 3 words: connection, relaxation and empowerment, that is what you can expect. Manouk and Eefje were the best hosts I could have hoped for for my first Women's Circle. I recommend it to every woman, especially those who find it a bit out of their comfort zone and are open to new and enriching experiences.

    Teresa, Portugal/ Amsterdam

  • I love how safe and joyous it feels to practice Yoga with Manouk. The soft yet powerful approach in her class is a true reflection of her personality. She has a very warm and radiant aura which shines trough in her way of holding space. Manouk has helped me a lot in my healing journey and I feel so grateful to be friends with such a beautiful, funny, soft hearted woman.

    Vera, Amsterdam

  • Manouk facilitated the Yoga for a week at our surf & Yoga holiday in Biscarrosse, France. Once I arrived at the first class I immediately felt safe, something I find very important in Yoga. Because I also teach myself, I can be a bit critical at times…Even though she has a beautiful voice, it wasn't necessarily what made me such a fan of her, it was more her presence, the relaxed energy she radiates. You feel seen but not seen, heard without having to say anything. The lessons were wonderfully relaxed, and doable for everyone, regardless of your level, also something that can sometimes be difficult as a teacher. I felt really inspired during the lessons.

    Sanne Lepelaar, Netherlands

  • If you are living on this planet at the same time as Manouk, I highly encourage you to take advantage of it. My belly-issues have been put in perspective and she gave me hope that I can heal. I can recommend the juice-cleanse-retreat, not only if you have severe gut-issues, but also if you crave a reset of the mind and soul. She guides you through movement and Meditation that helped me connect and communicate with my body on a deeper level and in such a patient and attentive way. I really felt seen.

    Francis, Amsterdam

  • Manouk has a beautiful presence that captivates, gives space to the other and empowers. She brings a lot, beyond words, in her interaction and in her classes. Her classes go beyond postures, involve us in such a beautiful and powerful, liberating energy.

    Elizabeth, Portugal

  • This Circle was… magical. Never before has a Women's Circle affected me so much and that is partly due to the sincere and authentic energy that both you and Eefje radiate. At first I thought I would find 3 hours too long but it was perfect time wise. I feel so much love for myself, fellow human beings and I feel hopeful since the Ceremony. You all did that!

    Luka, Amsterdam

  • I had the pleasure to meet Manouk during a Yoga Retreat in Spain. She guided us through Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra classes. With her warm, feminine, soft, calm and welcoming energy, she is really made for these kind of Yoga styles. It's really easy to let go and feel at ease when she's around. Thank you for bringing these gifts into our world and let others experience the love you've already found!

    Judith, Germany

  • In Manouk’s classes you feel she is teaching with all her heart, while bringing us with her to “another galaxy”! She is full of energy and wakes up all our Chakras, in a way we can really feel the strength of our bodies. It was a good challenge to do her classes, where she made us feel confident and empowered! Both her voice and the music player during the class helped us feel more relaxed, and energised simultaneously.

    Maria João, Portugal

  • Manouk’s Yoga classes were an extraordinary experience of emotional and bodily awareness, super adaptable to the purpose of the 4 days we lived in unity and in full empowerment during our Trauma Healing retreat in Portugal. Thank you so much for your sensibility and hope see you soon.

    Maria, Portugal

  • The Sacred Women's Retreat - Manouk is one of the kindest, purest, most loving, caring and inspirational people I have met in my life so far. Her beautiful heart and light can be felt the second she walks into a room, even without seeing her. She has what seems like an endless well of knowledge and knows how to teach and tell everything in such ways that they stick and have a true impact. Whether it is a yoga class, ceremony, retreat or circle, this goddess knows what she’s doing and makes everybody feel seen and welcome.

    Fem, Netherlands

JOURNEY WITH US