What does Andean Medicine Work mean?
- I suspect, like many spiritual things, the
answer to that question is very individual.
For me the Andean path is almost an
extension of my own childhood and
bloodline. Being from the foothills of the
Appalachian mountains finding a path
where the primary group of beings that we
work with that are not human are the
mountains felt more natural than anything
else I had ever seen.
I carry a bundle of stones that I have
collected from various power places that I
have worked with over the years. These
stones carry a connection to those places
and build a reflection of myself.
The work itself is something that depends
not only on a connection with the
mountains, but also with myself, the spirit
realm,the people I work with and the Earth
itself.
There is a lot of vocabulary that exists
because of the place and language of
origin of the people that brought the
tradition to the "West." However, it is a living
tradition with native peoples of the Andes
still practicing, as well as westerners such
as myself adapting the traditions to the
society in which we live.
The tradition itself is hard to place into
words. Though there is a book that I give to
each of my students because I feel it
captures the spirit without being too long.
Chamalú: The Shamanic Way of the Heart:
Traditional Teachings from the Andes
Dreamingclaw Shamanic Consulting
The Tradition Itself
Ceremonies
An Ayni Despacho is a traditional
Andean Ceremony.
Fire ceremony is based on a
mixture of North American Native
ceremonies.
An Ayni Despacho is a traditional
Andean Ceremony.
Fire ceremony is based on a
mixture of North American Native
ceremonies.
The Tradition
What I practice is based on the
teachings of the Quechua people
of the Andes Mountains, with
acknowledgement that what I
practice is also influenced by my
own culture and upbringing, as
well as what I have learned in
more traditional western
schooling.
What I practice is based on the
teachings of the Quechua people
of the Andes Mountains, with
acknowledgement that what I
practice is also influenced by my
own culture and upbringing, as
well as what I have learned in
more traditional western
schooling.
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