This vast landscape is experienced through visions, sounds, insights, vibrations, sensations and feelings. 

By journeying inwards in a guided, spiritually secure space, we are able to dive deep into the layers of our psyche, memory, energetic reality, emotional world and the soul for the purpose of spiritual growth and healing. Just like gardening, in ceremony we can actively sort through the complexity of our inner realms with intention and awareness. Releasing destructive thoughts, false belief systems, toxic emotions and negative energies is like pulling out weeds and getting rid of parasites in order to clear the land for new growth. 

Our innate wisdom now has space to manifest, and from here we transform. 

Clearing our inner landscapes allows us to cultivate new realities. When consciously communing with the self, one is able to transmute the unloved, unrecognised aspects of his being into higher awareness and wholeness. By shedding light into the unconscious, that which previously was hidden, now is authentically met. In this manner Ayahuasca guides us to re-experience trauma memories objectively through a broader perspective — and thus the painful sense of victimhood is released. Letting go of resentment allows us to open our heart once more and heal our inner child. 

Ceremonial use of Ayahuasca with a trained and initiated healer opens the possibility for several spiritual operations, including soul retrieval. 

Because the medicine of Ayahuasca works beyond the limits of time and space, it allows us to journey into the moments of our lives where overbearingly painful experiences caused parts of the soul to escape — known as soul loss. These spiritual wounds cause one to create many masks, psychological defence mechanisms and dysfunctional behaviours like addiction.  By consciously identifying the birth of any reoccurring negative thought forms and belief systems we carry— like “I am not loved” or “this world is a bad place and I am not safe” — we can pinpoint the trauma and the root of the soul loss. From this place of higher awareness, with the help of the medicine, one can rewrite the negative thought forms with love and call the fragmented parts of the soul back home. Modern brain imaging has already scientifically proven that Ayahuasca is able to rewire the neural connections of our brains.

Ayahuasca can also awaken us to heal the wounds and burdens of our ancestors which get passed down to us through the bloodline. 

Until healed, these unresolved issues may continue to negatively affect the subconscious from generation to generation, for example as sleeping problems, fertility issues, unidentified fear or anger. It is not uncommon for people to encounter beautiful serpents in their visions of Ayahuasca, like the two coiling strands of our DNA.

Ayahuasca is often referred to as ‘Mother’ or ‘La Madre’ because of the loving and nurturing quality of her spirit. 

Another way she helps us heal is by revealing long forgotten, positive memories — for example the times we were deeply loved and cared for, but for some reason were unable to feel it. Through visionary experiences, she can take us on a journey to the true essence of our spirit, and remind us of the interconnectedness of each other and the entire Universe. These insights manifest as newfound creativity, security and sense of purpose in life. 

With proper preparation and ceremonial use, this ancient medicine has been shown to significantly improve and in many cases heal all manner of psychological, physical and energetic issues. 

Tobacco

Tobacco is affectionately known as ‘Abuelo’ or ‘The Grandfather’. 

We are not talking about the tobacco most Westerners are familiar with - this is a different plant altogether. Nicotiana Rustica is one of the most sacred plants to many indigenous cultures around the world, and for good reason. Once cured and dried, Tobacco can either be cut into smokable “Mapacho”, pulverised or infused with water. When smoked, this powerful plant can be used to clear a space or a person of negative, unwanted energies, especially in a ceremonial context. When snorted as liquid or powder, Tobacco will produce an immediate sense of clarity and grounding. 

Tobacco ceremonies, where a stronger concentration of the liquid is drunk, are a very powerful way to cleanse the physical and energetic bodies. 

These guided ceremonies invoke the tough, yet unconditional love of the Grandfather. Upon drinking, Tobacco will begin working on one or more chakras (energy centres of the body). For example, experiencing sensations around the throat chakra during ceremony means that the medicine is working on issues and blockages related to communication and authentic self-expression. 

Tobacco will oftentimes take the participant to the root of their fears, insecurities and the destructive element of the ego, known as ‘the saboteur’. 

Once negative elements have been addressed and cleared, many people describe a feeling of heart opening, renewed confidence and clarity. 

Although not considered psychedelic, Tobacco is a very strong medicine in its own right and can induce visions and altered states of consciousness, leading to profound healing. For this reason, multiple ceremonies or Tobacco retreats can be a superb alternative for those who are unable or not ready to participate in Ayahuasca ceremonies. 

Because of its excellent cleansing properties, Tobacco is also a very effective preparation for Ayahuasca.

Kintuchalla

This beautiful little leaf is one of the ancient master plants of Perú. It has very rich cultural roots, and it is still venerated in the Andean cultures across South America. The Inca considered it holy, and it is with the help of this plant, that their entire civilization was able to flourish and develop in the high altitudes. The backpackers of today all come to know this herb as they hike the Andean trails, as it is an amazing remedy for preventing and treating altitude sickness. 

The leaf is known for its alkaloid rich properties, including energising, anti-inflammatory, digestive and oxygenation increasing effects on the body. It has virtually no contraindications, but is an all-around healing plant. Kintuchalla is one of those amazing companion plants, that can be chewed, eaten and drunk on a daily basis, similarly to the way the Asian cultures take green tea or us Westeners drink coffee.

Beyond the superb biological effects, there is a deeper dimension to this plant, which opens when taken in a ceremonial way.

Traditionally Kintuchalla has been given as a blessing to the land and sacred sites. It is a way to honour the Earth and the living altars created by the ancients to commune with the natural and celestial forces. The Q'ero Inca shamans, or Paqos, carry the art of Kintuchalla divination, and know how to heal damaged land and restore communal harmony with specific rituals done with Kintuchalla. Shamanic initiations in the high mountains are performed together with the offerings of this revered leaf. 

What makes it an amazing spiritual teacher, is its ability to enhance clear thinking, clairvoyance, communication and introspection, while filling the physical and auric body with light. Through the higher mind, one is also able to pray and connect to the Divine in a whole other way.

Kintuchalla is an ancient key to unlocking the comprehension of Natural Law and the hidden forces that govern this realm. 

As this leaf is the medicine of light, it helps to illuminate the subconscious and unconscious, thus granting us subtle access to the hidden aspects of our being. By communing with this leaf, one is able to begin to understand causation and connect the seemingly separate struggles and challenges of their lives with underlying causes. Kintuchalla is not a psychedelic, its mystical effects are more refined and gentle. Therefore, this herb provides a wonderful way to dive into the spiritual realms while allowing one to remain fully rooted in one's body and present with one's environment. In fact, Kintuchalla can restore your connection with the Earth and repair the thread of light that connects you to the brilliance of Life. 

People who struggle with exhaustion, fear, despair, terminal conditions, brain fog, memory issues, loneliness and confusion can greatly benefit from working with this luminating and revitalising leaf. It is for these qualities, that we invite Kintuchalla to support us in our sacred gatherings. 

K’akaw (cacao)

Known to many as the beloved chocolate, K'akaw originally hails from the Amazon rainforest. The evergreen tree that blesses us with her tropically sweet fruit containing the bitter cacao beans is known as Theobroma cacao – literally meaning food of the gods. 

Some six thousand years ago this wild jungle tree became the apple of the Mayan eye, as they first began to domesticate and cultivate the cacao. Through impregnating the beans with the fermenting flesh of the fruit, the Mayan knew that the cacao bean would absorb all of the medicinal properties of the fruit, thus transforming it into a superfood rich in antioxidants, vitamins and magnesium. It is also the highest plant-based source of iron known to man.

The Mayan people adopted this potent medicine as their cultural companion. K'akaw – meaning bitter strong in Qʼeqchiʼ – became their most revered ceremonial ally, as it taught them how to access the sacred realms of the heart.

They knew that through the thick brown bitter brew, the sweetness within is awakened.

We call the fermented ceremonial K'akaw the little sister of Ayahuasca, for it has such amazing healing potential. It has always been taken collectively, ceremonially, to strengthen the unity and heart connection of the community. In accordance with its traditional roots, this medicine works as a wonderful healing balm for families, couples and friends in crisis. By activating the resonance of the heart, the K'akaw unlocks deeper connection, compassion and listening. These qualities facilitate overcoming traumatic events, healing grief and restoring safety. Especially in cases where a family or a couple has been struck by a death of a loved one, a difficult separation, a financial crisis or any other kind of shared painful event, K'akaw can support in reconciliation and reconnection. 

On an individual level, K'akaw offers tremendous support in reconnecting with the inner child. Through the heart warming energy, K'akaw reminds us how to give and receive love. Depression, anxiety and patterns of self-sabotage often result from loss of self worth.

By inviting the inner child back into our lives, through the beauty of the heart, deeper meaning and joy can naturally return to us.

Through this humble cup of "hot chocolate", made with love and shared in a ceremonial context with icaros, one is able to evoke the wisdom within. As there is no purging or visionary states opened with this plant, even a child can drink this medicine and participate in the ceremony. Also other people in a fragile state who due to pregnancy or particular contraindicating medical needs cannot approach the strong jungle plants, are able to embark on their journey of healing together with this gentle yet powerful ally. The healing properties of K'akaw remain in its viscerally felt heart opening effects.

Icaros

Icaros are sacred healing songs and songs of prayer. 

These songs are personal tools of the healer, used in ceremony to transmit the living, healing frequencies of the plants and spirits. The vibration of the medicine song can work as a surgeon’s knife performing complex spiritual operations, as a stethoscope enhancing energetic diagnosis and as a purgative, for example. 

Icaros are also fundamental in guiding a person through their ceremony, creating a beacon to follow home or a comforting blanket in the midst of sometimes overwhelmingly powerful experiences.

Some Icaros can sound like chants, others can be sweeping, emotive melodies. We sing our Icaros in a variety of different languages: Shipibo, Quichua, Spanish and Finnish. To the person getting treatment, it is not important that they understand the words being sung - they will feel the energy.