Sacred Burial Ritual
Ritual of the Earth’s Embrace
Residential 4-day Shamanic Intensive
August 20th – August 23th, 2026 – Orval (Belgium)
“Shamanism is a path of direct revelation, from personal experience, connection, and power. There is no sideline. Earth is a fundamental teacher; she heals, reveals, and transforms. Her power is there for everyone willing to receive it. This time asks us to remember and walk upon the path of the Earth renewed.
This is an in-depth initiation ritual with enormous potential. What Earth will bring you on this night of ceremony and embrace is something that cannot be expressed in words. You will walk the path of mystery and the ancient path of healing.” – Roel Crabbé.
The Ancient Tradition of the ‘Earth’s Embrace’
The Sacred Burial is a powerful ritual for healing and initiation, found worldwide. The ritual of the Sacred Burial is an ancient tradition that has been practiced for many centuries as a means of healing, renewal, and transformation, often serving as a Vision Quest or rite of passage.
Roel is one of only a handful of people trained to facilitate a Sacred Burial ritual in Europe. He has guided this powerful ritual over 12 times since 2008.
This is an intense, authentic initiation ritual that very few people get to encounter. If the deep mystery of Earth, its teaching and healing powers, call to you, we welcome you to join us in this ancient ceremony.
Ancient, life-changing ritual of transformation
In the Sacred Burial ritual, you dig your own grave, where you will spend a night of darkness, silence, surrender and prayer.
It is an authentic ritual of stillness, transformation and deep communion with the spirit of the Earth.
The Sacred Burial is for people who are called to connect further and deeper with the healing power of the Earth or want to use this intensive transformation ritual as a Vision Quest.
Mother Earth is filled with healing powers and spending a night in the embrace of her deep healing power was recognized by ancient traditions as a strong, transforming discipline. The Earth carries endless magic and grace within it.
The Sacred Burial ritual is for those who want to listen deeply to her messages and open themselves to her profound healing.
The Sacred Burial teaches
- Recovering your true power through surrender and openness.
- Opening yourself to a deeper and more harmonious relationship with the Earth.
- Releasing inner resistance, negative thought patterns, and negative energies that block you from living your true potential through humility and surrender, which are vital in this ceremony.
- Returning to stillness as a gateway to the dimension of the heart and soul.
- Opening to the embrace of the Earth and her lessons of silence and healing.
Preparing for powerful ritual
During the preparation period, you will work with several methods of the Toltec tradition, fire ceremony, work in nature, meditations and silence. These preparations will guide you into deeper and deeper openness and give you access to inner silence. You will work with your connection to Mother Earth, the powers of nature, and allow the embrace of life’s mystery to teach you about your true potential.
During this time, you can focus on what is important for you at this moment in your life.
When we go into the Earth, we go with clear intention and surrender.
Held in the pristine nature of Orval, in the South of Belgium, the ritual is performed with the utmost care and in accord with the spirits of nature. Together, we will make sure that the site that is taking care of us will be left behind in pristine condition.
This ritual is only for those who are ready. This will open the door to the soul and carry you into new realms.
If you are dedicated to the path and are ready for this initiation into the Wisdom of the Earth, Roel and his team welcome you. They will guide you and keep watch over you during the entire ritual and your night in the Earth’s Embrace.
This workshop is limited to a small group of participants, so sign up early. Knowing Roel’s work method as well as the willingness to surrender to working in silence and on inner preparation are requirements for participation.
What our students are saying
Penny Hamelton
“I am so happy that I am in tears. I am not able to do something, I can only be.
I am new in this world and I look with eyes full of wonder. I have so much energy that I can only lie down on the earth and connect. I am the life in this body and my body is strong and powerful. This is who I really am and I am everything.
I am so thankful for the wisdom, the healing and the love of the earth. I am so grateful for the process of the Sacred Burial, I am so thankful for Roel, for your love and devotion”
Kristina Verhoeven
“The Sacred Burial, what a beautiful gift! The simplicity, the love, the caring and most of all, the power you place in each of us…
I felt safely protected in the Great Mother, as if a new life energy began to trickle in, that whispered to me: it is okay to be who you really are, LIVE, follow the call of your heart, feel the love that has always been there, look with the eyes of the soul and see the abundance…
And the trickling in became a small stream and holds the promise of becoming a powerful current. The beginning of everything…”
Luc Vanwelden
I am very grateful that we went deeper and deeper into silence during the days of preparation. This made me strong enough to experience such a night in full surrender.
The whole night I felt carried and guided in my deep process of rejuvenation, transformation and surrender.
Now, after a few months, when there is a storm around me, I can easily go back to the silence deep within!
That is just indescribable and that experience is just getting stronger and stronger!
It is by far my most beautiful experience ever!!!
May all the good light your path!
Sophie C.
“While digging my grave I felt, most of all, dignity growing inside of me, a feeling that was pretty nonexistent in my life before.
Many deep fears and concerns have died before, during and after the Burial.
Since the Burial I take my life very consciously in my own hands. And I enjoy a new kind of freedom, of observing every tree I come across and of the mud on my hands.
I have learned to take in the life-force and have let go of resistance.
I opened myself to the love of Mother Earth. And I am so happy for it.
I have felt so much more warmth and love around me than before.
Thank you for this!”
Veronika Novotna
”Dear Roel and Griet, Till today the Sacred Burial ritual is alive within me. It was the most powerful experience I have ever had.
The silence, the rituals, the focus, were strong preparation. It helped me empty myself, letting go, coming home in the silence of just being.
The night in the earth was so special. I experienced 8 hours of intensive healing, as if every cell was shaken by Mother Earth’s powerful but loving energy. There were moments fears showed themselves, but the preparations we did in the days prior made sure I was ready for this and they flowed away.
I felt myself being carried by you the whole night. It was so beautiful to feel you watching over us.
The Sacred Burial let me experience how Mother Earth is alive and how important it is to be loving in everything we do. I left my grave with a deep appreciation to be able to live on this magical planet.
Everything was different, wonderful, peaceful, and serene. I felt so strong and pure.
Since that night I haven’t smoked a cigarette, after 15 years!
The Burial has become a part of me and I have a feeling that this will stay that way. I am very grateful that I was able to experience this ritual! I am grateful for everyone who was there and for Roel and Griet who were guiding us.
Thankful Thankful Thankful!”
Marianne
“A bird sings
deeply felt
joy and tears.
As a larva I was in prayer
there was no grave
more a royal temple the earth,
so close so protected I lay
in an unlimited space full of life,
and then the night is over
the Sun rises
a new day. Every day
grass trees earth
why am I here
and life is singing!
What moved then and yes, woke up,
moves still every day.
Thank you! ”
Luc
“By far the most beautiful experience I ever had!!!”
About Your Teacher and Guide, Roel Crabbé
Roel Crabbé has been practising shamanism since 1995 under the guidance of both traditional and Western teachers. He has been personally trained and authorized to teach Shamanic journeying and healing by Sandra Ingerman, former education director of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and author of “Soul Retrieval” and “Medicine for the Earth,” among others.
Apart from this work, he has developed numerous practices and facilitates shamanic rituals and ceremonies for transformation and healing. He has been recognized by several traditional shamans for his ability to bring in very pure energies and tap into ancient songlines from the Spirit world. His work with ancestral healing songs, which are often only sung once, has become an intrinsic part of his teaching and healing work.
Since 2004, Roel has taught thousands in shamanism and healing in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Italy and France. His work has been published in publications such as “Bres” and “Change.”
You can find his work and that of his colleagues at ShamanicTeachers.com
Praise from Roel’s Teachers, Peers, and Colleagues
“Roel Crabbe’s work is exquisite. His life experience has led him to be a brilliant and compassionate shamanic healer and teacher. I have known Roel since 2004 and had the opportunity to watch him work many times. His work is really beautiful, and touches deep into the soul of his clients. His communication is clear and his work is truly innovative. Anyone attending a workshop with Roel will come out with a wealth of teachings, healing, and inspiration.”
“The teachers who have impacted my life in the most profound way have all had a number of qualities in common: compassion, intelligence, and integrity. Above all they, they walked their talk. In other words, they lived their lives from their principles. In my experience, Roel Crabbe has the qualities that set apart a true teacher in abundance. The Sufis call their teachers Spiritual Friends; I believe you could find no better Spiritual Friend than Roel.”
“Roel’s commitment and passion for supporting people to connect to spirit is a true blessing for this world. His soulful songs evoke ancient healing and open the portals between the worlds. When he creates ceremony, you can truly feel the presence of the loving, healing ancestors and spirits. This is powerful work!”
“Roel Crabbe is a powerfully talented shamanic teacher, musician, and deeply creative innovator in our field. His ceremonies, healing modalities, and therapies are one-of-a-kind and profoundly transformative. His many gifts and strengths make him exceptional, and he is a true stand-out among his peers.”
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Your stay at the La Ferme du Bois-le-Comte
La Ferme du Bois-le-Comte (the farm of the count’s forest) is situated in the Ardennes, in the south-east of Belgium, on the French border.
The farm enjoys a superb position amid nature at one of Belgium’s most beautiful, quiet and energetically powerful sites. It is located at the intersection of footpaths, near the famous Abbey of Orval and the GR 129.
The sheltered position of the courtyard (and the famous micro-climate of the region!) often makes it possible to eat outside from early Spring onwards, which of course is great!
The grounds cover 10 hectares: gently sloping hills with old oak trees, full of nice corners to read, lie in the sun, or meditate. The old apple tree and the labyrinth are favourite spots. Our horses have lots of space and we love to see them gallop over the hill crest.
About the accommodation
The retreat center offers single rooms and shared rooms of 2 or 3 beds. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will keep men and women separated.
About the food
At la Ferme du Bois-le-Comte, the kitchen moves with the rhythm of the seasons. Fresh vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, berries, and mushrooms come straight from the organic garden, and are complemented by regional ingredients. All meals are 100% certified organic.
The food is fully plant-based, lovingly prepared without any animal products. If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, please let us know in advance.
