Meet Eve Gaines

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eve Gaines.

Eve, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
The inception of Rituel began with my vocational dedication to creating spaces and experiences that assist in connecting with one’s soul’s path. As a seasoned ceremonialist, I have a deep love for curating ceremonies particularly for creating beautiful and meaningful life-cycle rituals. I hold an honors degree in medical and psychological anthropology, focusing on rites and rituals. My passion for design and creating beautiful spaces led me to pursue a master’s in organic design and sustainable architecture. I’ve worked for decades as a designer of spaces and healing experiences. Additionally, I studied ecopsychology and learned traditional healing practices from elders in a myriad of traditions. All these elements have contributed to the creation of what Rituel is today. 

I’ve long held the vision of creating a place and designing experiences that offer truly integrative opportunities for healing and personal development. In 2019, I met Trinity Rose (Rituel’s Brand Director), and together, we began building the foundation of Rituel’s brand and programming. Together, we continue to follow this mission through the exploration of healing, connection, and enrichment towards the journey of self-discovery and wellness. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Fortunately, the path has been relatively smooth. Though we have encountered the challenge of discerning what opportunities to embrace and when to shift focus. Upon our launch during Covid, the demand for our services exceeded our expectations, leading us into what we refer to as our testing period. During this time, we welcomed numerous opportunities driven by the community’s pressing need for our services. This surge in business, while initially exciting and welcome, was unsustainable in the long term, guiding us to refine and focus our offerings, shaping the foundation of our current services. This period also provided invaluable insights into our audience, including an unexpected celebrity clientele. This revelation helped us navigate another challenge: balancing delivering our services to those most in need with maintaining a sustainable business model. Our resolution lies in catering to a clientele capable of supporting our pricing structure, thereby enabling us to offer full or partial scholarships to those in true need of our services but lacking the financial means. This approach ensures the sustainability of our business while upholding our commitment to accessibility and healing. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a seasoned Life Passage Ceremonialist, I am devoted to creating ceremonies, especially in beautiful and meaningful life cycle rituals. I am someone who thrives on bringing people together in meaningful ways and supporting individuals on their journeys. I believe the revival of the dormant art of ceremony can be a means to guide individuals through pivotal transitions in their lives, whether it be entering a new phase of life such as adolescence, adulthood, motherhood, or one’s wisdom years. Or addressing specific hurdles that may present themselves, such as moving on from an unhealthy relationship, recovering from illness, or exciting new thresholds such as launching a new project or pivoting in one’s career. Time and again, I have witnessed the transformative power of honoring and providing guidance to people during significant life transitions. In addition to my ceremonial path, I have also studied ecopsychology and had the privilege of learning traditional healing practices from elders across a myriad of traditions. This blend of knowledge and experience enriches my approach to supporting and celebrating the crucial passages in people’s lives. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The wellness, retreat, and hospitality industry is witnessing a meaningful shift towards deeper, more impactful and deeper experiences. This evolution reflects a growing demand among individuals for offerings that go beyond superficial relaxation to provide deep healing and impactful results. In this changing landscape, Rituel’s customized programming, with its focus on depthful healing experiences, and my ceremonial offerings are perfectly aligned with these emerging trends. Our approach is designed to meet the needs of those seeking authentic, soul-nourishing experiences that genuinely facilitate growth and healing. By combining the art of ceremony with the wide variety of integrative healing modalities facilitated by our exceptional practitioners, we offer a sanctuary for meaningful transformation. Our commitment to providing profound and meaningful experiences not only sets Rituel apart but also places us at the forefront of the industry’s shift toward offerings that truly resonate with the evolving desires of those we serve. 

Pricing:

• 90 min session $270
• Themed Passage- 1 month mentoring and ceremony $2000
• Rituel Immersions – $550-770
• Wellness Sabbaticals – depend on program
• Day Retreats – reach out for quote

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rituelretreats.com
• Instagram: rituellife

Image Credits
Claire Andrew
Lauren Purves