Offering to Pachamama
(Mother Earth)
Following a three and a half day arduous trek across the Andes Mountains on the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu awaited my arrival. A sacred place in many ways, Machu Picchu holds a key to my spirit that cannot be explained.
The Quechua Indians in Peru have strong spiritual beliefs, with many ancient rituals still in use today. Andean Shamans offer a number of ceremonies, but one of the most revered is the one for Pachamama or Mother Earth. Mother Earth, the strong and undeniable force that both gives and takes away life. Honoring her presence and thanking her for life’s bounty is integral in the Indian culture in the Andes Mountains.
It was to be a special ceremony, and a way for us to thank Pachamama for allowing us a safe journey along the Inca Trail. Meeting our Shaman on the grounds of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, we were as close to Machu Picchu as we could be.
After blowing our secret wish onto three Coca leaves, we began to create the “Despacho” or large offering. Beginning with flowers with energetic powers, and asking permission from the Apus or Great Mountain Spirits of the Andes, the Despacho was slowly created. Throughout incense burned and the Shaman blew incense smoke over the Despacho frequently.
Chanting in Quechua, each one of us at last held the Despacho to our chests. Inhaling and then blowing out three times and pushing the offering towards the sky, our spirits were lifted along with the Despacho for the Gods to hear. All the while, the Shaman blew incense smoke all over our physical being with Condor feathers to cleanse our spirit. The true renewal happened when the Shaman took a large sea shell and blowing it in, drew out my spirit, cleansed it and then blew it back into my physical being.
A true sense of spiritual renewal and reverence to Pachamama and the Apus.
For more information on this ritual:
http://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/despacho-peruvian-earth-ceremony/
http://www.ayahuascainperu.com/en/offering-to-pachamama/offering-to-pachamama.php
http://ayahuascainperu.com/en/offering-to-pachamama.php
Categories: Foot Prints, Peru and the Inca Trail, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
What an Experience – thanks for sharing! Have a Beautiful Weekend:)
Thank you so much Renee ! It was quite special to me. You too on the weekend.
That must have been an amazing scene to witness and to take part in, Emily.
It truly was such a beautiful and spiritual ceremony. He truly did have the gift of moving Chi. Perhaps one day you can participate in a similar ceremony.
So much spirituality! What a wonderful experience to have : )
It truly was one of the most special moments in my life. Truly spiritual and a renewal of the inner spirit.
Very interesting post… 🙂
– it’s on my future travel list… 🙂 😉
If you go..I’ll be there!! Just tell me when Drake!
Surely I will… 🙂
Very interesting read! And great pictures, as usual! 🙂
Thank you so much Calee! So happy that you enjoyed this.
Very interesting…and colorful!
Thank you so much Sue, and hope to see you back soon! Bella
how lucky for you to experience such a thing… WOW. so very beautiful.
I WISH you could have been there. You would have really appreciated this spiritual experience. Perhaps next time?
OH yes… i would have given my eye-teeth to have been here, for this completely special event. you are SO lucky to have witnessed it…
Wow how cool is that?! I always enjoy seeing other cultures and their rituals. So glad you got to experience this!