DESPACHO CEREMONY
For centuries, the “paqos” - the high shamans also known as the “wisdom keepers” from the Q’ero lineage of Peru have practiced the Ayni Despacho Ceremony. The word Ayni means balance and the Q’ero people believe that when humans are imbalanced, the world reacts to this and becomes imbalanced as well. The creation of an “Ayni Despacho” is like a large Mandala where participants gather sacred objects placed upon a white piece of paper that acts as a wrapping for the gift to mother earth.
The intention of this ritual is to bring the individual, the community into a place of harmony, union and balance with the natural world. Each ingredient is given breath, prayers and the ritual becomes a living prayer.
This is effective when you feel imbalanced in your emotional, physical, and emotional body. (stress, anxious, exhausted, unclear, or healing from illness to name a few) Listen for the call to shift your inner being and to step into a new way of living.
Coca leaves or bay leaves are used to hold prayers. Sugar and various sweets bring sweetness and love to the prayers. Corn and other grains are used to nourish participants and the Pachamama- the Earth.” Once the Despacho is prepared, the Shaman ties it together in a bundle and cleanses the energy bodies of the participants. It is then offered to a ceremonial fire, to sacred waters or buried in the earth.