AYAHUASCA JOURNEY

High in the Andean mountains
The vista of Cusco below,
Above the stars twinkling blue, white and gold,
Mama Quilla* in half-light,
Besides the Temple to the Moon,
How fitting for Wawa Quilla,
Child of the moon,
In a hexagonal temple to the Madre* Ayahuasca
We began.

Seven souls came together
To journey to other dimensions,
To look into their being,
To seek answers,
To know the connection to the Cosmos, Pachamama*, to ALL.

It began with a pago to Pachamama,
An offering of the sacred coca,
An offering to Pachamama,
An offering to the Apus,
An offering to Viracocha*,
A connection to the Andean spirits.

Then the medicine began to dance
In vivid colours.
Purple, blue, green.
Shapes, designs of another dimension, another world.
Colours, shapes, and designs to anchor your connection to ALL.
Why am I here again?
You are here to connect.
You are here to be activated.
You are here to know this place.
You watch and laugh.
Your heart filled with joy.
You know this place and feel the energy.
The answer comes, fleeting and quickly
You are on the right path.
You know! Why ask?

The purge is strong and forceful!
Cleansing and purifying.
Now the bodywork begins.
It comes on strong and in waves.
Sensations to numerous to describe.
To different for words of this world.
Tingling, pains, hot, cold,
Pulses of energy that shake and vibrate the physical.
Sensations in your auric field.
Same sensations you have had all week.
I recognise this. What is happening?
Yes, you have been going through this, but we are completing it more quickly.
Why?
Your vibration must be increased for what lies ahead.
Time to move further beyond the physical.
The only way to deal with what lies ahead.
Thoughts, to survive the change or to finally go home?
No answer!
Just a feeling of total and complete bliss.
Knowing once more that all is well.

Venturing outside
To talk to Mama Quilla and the Star People.
Stars blue and intense.
Radiating their message of love and connection.
Letting me know I am not alone.
Yes, there is home.
Connecting the energy of the Cosmos to Pachamama,
Pachamama to the Cosmos.
Feeling the two come together in my crystal heart.
Feelings of intense LOVE!

How can one person be so very, very blessed?
How can one person feel such intense love for all?
A whole life of blessings!
The body is about to burst with feelings.
A sense that my whole life has had the purpose of
Sharing love and calm with all who crossed my path.
A sense that this was all I was supposed to do here.
A sense that maybe my work is almost done.
A feeling of completeness, job well done.
How can one person be so very blessed?

The icaros* strong, uplifting
Beautiful rays of colourful energy spiralling up and connecting all to the ONE.
Icaros of the Shipibo.
The Shipibo of the Amazon.
The Shipibo guardians of the medicine.
The icaros,
The language of the medicine.
The language of the elements; fire, water, earth, air.
The language of the Creator.
The language of the connection to ALL.

Connection complete.
Activation done.
The song fades.
A deep sleep comes.

*Mama Quilla =Grandmother Moon
*Madre Ayahuasca = Mother Ayahuasca
*Pachamama = Mother Earth
*Viracocha = Supreme God of the Andes
*Icaros = Songs sung during the Ayahuasca ceremonies

Love and blessings,

Wawa Quilla

La Coca No Es Droga or Coca is not a Drug!

• Coca leaves, or erythroxylum coca, have been used in the Andes for thousands of years as a nutritional supplement, as an herbal medicine, as part of social interaction and as a ceremonial offering. The use of coca leaves is an integral part of the Andean tradition in Peru and Bolivia but the coca plants are also found in other parts of the world. Plants are found in Columbia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Cameroon in Africa, Pakistan, India, and on the Islands of Java and Sri Lanka. It is only in Peru and Bolivia that the tradition of coca has carried on since time immemorial. Today these people face an on-going battle to defend their cultural use of coca against a western campaign, lead by the United States, which sees coca as cocaine and uses extreme methods of aerial fumigation and forced eradication by biological methods to stop the use of coca. For further reading on the eradication methods and its effects please see www.mamacoca.org. The ethnic groups that continue the tradition of coca have launched their own campaign “La coca no es droga or coca is not a drug”.
  
  The sacredness of the coca plant stems from the Inca mythology, when Tayta Inti, father sun, saw that the people of the world were living no better than animals he sent his son, Manco Capac and his daughter, Mama Ocllo, to guide and teach the people. As part of the teachings Manco Capac, the first Inca, taught the people the many uses of the coca plant. For this reason the people of Andes believe that the plant is sacred. It is believed that the first to use the coca plant were the Aymara people from the Lake Titicaca region, the area from which Manco Capac first appeared and then spread to the Quechua people found the other regions of the Andes. Coca was used throughout the Incan Empire, which stretched from present day Ecuador, Columbia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and parts of Argentina and Brazil, although it is only in present day Peru and Bolivia that use of coca remains strong.
  
  The people have always known of the great nutritional value that is within each coca leaf, although they may not have been able to give you a list of the all vitamins and minerals that are found in the coca leaves. They did know that it helped them to live at high altitudes with ease and that when they chewed the leaves it increased their energy enabling them to till their gardens and follow their herds of llama and alpacas up and down the mountain paths. In addition to this it also staid their appetite and thirst helping them to live and work at altitudes from 2,000 to over 3,000 meters above sea level. These people were also aware of the many curative properties of the coca leaf and use them as salves, compresses, and poultices.
  
  Today through scientific research we know of the great nutritional value and healing properties of coca. “Studies done by the University of Harvard in 1975 entitled ‘The Nutritional Value of Coca Leaf’ has show that coca leaf contains the following nutrients.
  
  Each 100 grams of Coca Leaf contains:
  Total Nitrogen = 20.06 mg
  Total in volatile alkaloids = 0.70 mg
  Fat = 3.68 mg
  Carbohydrates = 47.50 mg
  Beta Carotene = 9.40mg
  Alpha Carotene = 2.76 mg
  Vitamin C = 6.47 mg
  Vitamin E = 40.17 mg
  Thiamine (vitamin B1) = 0.73 mg
  Riboflavin (vitamin B2) = 0.88 mg
  Niacin = 8.37 mg
  Phosphate = 412.67 mg
  Potassium = 1739.33 mg
  Magnesium = 299.30 mg
  Sodium = 39.41 mg
  Aluminium = 17.39 mg
  Barium = 6.18 mg
  Iron = 136.64 mg
  Strontium = 12.02 mg
  Boron = 6.75 mg
  Copper = 1.22 mg
  Zinc = 2.21 mg
  Magnesium = 9.15 mg
  Chromium = 0.12 mg
  
  In addition to the above nutrients, coca also contains 14 natural alkaloids that are beneficial for their digestive, circulatory, anti-fatigue and calming qualities. These natural alkaloids are:
  ·
• Cocaine: has an anesthetetic and analgesic property.
• Ecyonine: a carbolic derivative of an atropine has the capacity to metabolize fats, glucose and carbohydrates. It also thins bloods.
• Pectine: is an absorbent anti-diuretic which when joined with vitamin E helps regulate the production of melanin in the skin.
• Papaine: this product of protein (which is found in its greatest quantity in papaya) is very similar in structure to animal cathepsin that aids in the fermentation to accelerate digestion.
• Hygrine: excites the salivatory glands when there is a deficiency of oxygen in the environment.
• Globuline: It is a cardio tonic that regulates the lack of oxygen in the environment that helps improve blood circulation and aids in altitude sickness.
• Pyridine: improves the functioning of the brain by increasing blood flow through the pituitary glands.
• Quinoline: with the aid of phosphorous and calcium aids in preventing tooth decay.
• Conine: is an anaesthetic.
• Cocamine: is an analgesic.
• Reserpine: regulates pressure in the arteries and prevents hiccups and hypertension as well as helping in the production of cells in the formation of bones.
• Benzoyne: has a therapeutic property for gastritis and ulcers.
• Inuline: refreshes and improves the functioning of the liver, the secretions of bile and its accumulation in the vesicle. It is a diuretic, which helps to eliminate toxic substances. It also helps promote the production of healthy blood cells.
• Atropine: is a neurotransmitter, whose function is to mediate the synaptic activity of the nervous system.
  
  These fourteen alkaloids, the amino acids they contain, the acids, and vitamins A, B1, C and E, thiamine, niacin, and riboflavin make coca a plant with the highest quality of non-proteinic nitrogen in the world. The combination of these helps to eliminate toxins and pathogens from the body. It also has solubility and hydration properties.” (The above nutritional and alkaloid information taken from http://www.mamacoca.org/feb2002/art_coca_no_es_cocaina_en.htm)
  
  When considering that many of the people in the high altitude rural areas of the Andes have a very basic diet of carbohydrates and meat and lacking in fresh fruit and vegetables, one can see how important coca is to their dietary needs. It also may account for the low incidence of cardiovascular diseases among the indigenous population of coca chewers.
  
  The coca leaf is not only an important part of the Andean diet; it also serves as a fundamental part of their social structure and interaction. In the Andean culture they practise a form of reciprocal interchange called ayni. The concept of ayni is based in the idea that you help me today and I will help you tomorrow. This concept can take many forms and plays a part in many different social interactions, but one thing you will find in all these transactions is a sharing of coca leaves before the transaction is completed.
  
  One of the main activates in which the principal of ayni takes place is in the planting, tending and harvesting of crops in the rural areas. This work is often done as a community and not individually because much of the labour is still done by hand or with the use of oxen pulling a wooden plough. Each day before the labour begins the people of the community will sit together, share some food, chew coca leaves and discuss what needs to be done that day. This process of sharing coca leaves will continue throughout the day as the group takes breaks or finishes for the day. This same process of ayni and sharing of coca leaves also takes place when building a home for community members.
  
  In the Aymara communities around Lake Titicaca coca is used when asking for ayni. If a man or a woman asks for ayni from someone they will offer a handful of coca. If the person being asked the favour takes the coca then he or she agrees to the ayni.
  
  When visiting someone’s house or when sitting around in a social gathering coca leaves are passed around. In a manner of bonding, trust and goodwill each person will bring out their coca bundle and prepare a kintu (three perfect coca leaves placed one on top the other) for each person in the group. These are presented to each person by holding the kintu with the thumb and forefinger of both hands with the shiny side of the leaves up. The person being offered the kintu also takes it with the thumb and forefinger of both hands holding on to the end with stem. Still holding it with both hands the person then offers an invocation to Pachamama (Mother Earth), to the spirit of the mountains, to the ancestors, to the creator and to all those gathered. They then gently blow on the leaves three times before putting them in the mouth for chewing. After each person has presented a kintu to each other person in the gathering, they then freely select and add leaves to the wade that is forming in their cheek. Once this sharing of leaves has taken place, conversation flows and a bond has been created with all those gathered.
  
  All Andean rituals are celebrated around the coca leaves. They are offered in thanks for blessings, as offerings to Pachamama (Mother earth) for a good growing season and harvest, to the various Apus (spirits) for watching over them, for a good luck, to bless a marriage, business, or birth and the list goes on. Offerings can be in the form of a kintu, a hand full of coca in which an innovation is said or in a more formal despacho (offering) ceremony where a very special offering is made by first laying down a bed of coca leaves and then adding a wide range of others things including grains, incense, bits of llama, sweets and various items representing symbols for whatever the despacho is being offered. Coca is present for all the important moments of ones life.
  
  Coca is not only part of the Andean people’s survival, but it is a sacred part of their lives, their culture, and their heritage. Mama Coca is not a drug but a part of thousands of years of a cultural heritage for the Andean people. To deprive them of this cultural heritage is to deny them their right to live and practise what they hold most sacred. The western world needs to view the use coca leaves with different eyes and see it’s many benefits and not focus solely on the production of cocaine, which is a chemical concoction far removed from the use of the fresh leaves.
  
  Love and blessing,
  Wawa Quilla
  
  

The Magic of Machu Picchu

All of my life has been a spiritual journey.

I’ve been all around the world on this journey and when it finally led me to Machu Picchu, Peru, I knew I had found my spiritual home. And now it seems natural that I personally guide others who also want to explore the mystical powers and gifts of this ancient sacred site.

I have always had psychic abilities and been drawn to nature. Yet the practical side of me pursued two degrees in Education and Educational Management. In 1983, I left Canada for a two year job in Nigeria. This turned into 20 years of wandering around the globe working in international schools in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

During these years exploring different cultures and places I developed more compassion and understanding for all the people on Earth, a greater trust in my intuition and the many synchronicities that flowed in my life, as well as a deep respect and love for Mother Earth. So it was a natural step for me to become interested in shamanism which holds that we are connected to all people, plants, animals, rocks and earth on this planet as well as all things in the universe.

Over the years my interest in shamanism led me to work with shamans in Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil and Peru. But it was in March, 2003 that this interest changed my life very drastically. While working with a shaman in Brazil I had a powerful vision that showed me very specifically that it was time to go to Peru and more specifically to Machu Picchu. I was shown that if I followed this path it would be necessary to step outside my comfortable world of international education with all of its perks and devote myself to the path of spiritual understanding. It was an enormous decision but I knew within that this was what I had to do. So in June, 2004 I found myself in Cusco with only my vision and trust in a higher force to guide me.

A short while after arriving in Peru I made my way to Machu Picchu. The moment I had my first view of the sanctuary of Machu Picchu I knew that after 20 years of wandering I had come home. With tears running freely down my cheeks the site spoke to my heart in a way that no other place on Earth had.

It was during this first visit that I met the Guardian shaman of Machu Picchu. From that first meeting we both felt like we had known each other all our lives and a strong connection was made. Since then, with the help of this man as well as a few others, I have learned to walk the path of the shaman and share my knowledge with those who come on my guided journeys.

Although I am considered a shaman, it is only a label, for everyone is a shaman waiting to be awakened and once the spirit is awake then the learning, growing and expanding continues as long as we walk on this Earth. The label is not important, rather it is the integrity with which one walks the path that is most important.

Andean shamanism is like shamanism the world-over in that it is nature based. The essence of Andean shamanism is a strong connection to Pachamama or Mother Earth, all the elements of nature and a respect for the divine creation. By connecting with all the elements of nature and the divine flow of the universe we also learn to flow and create. We literally become part of the oneness of all things.

Andean shamanism teaches us that all things have energy and properties beyond the material and physical and when we learn to work with them we discover their hidden powers as well as the great powers hidden within ourselves. When one uses the techniques of the Andean shamanism, one is able to connect and transcend the physical and enter the realm of the spirit world.

Since the Andeans believe that all the Earth is sacred the whole planet is considered a sacred place. But there are places that are considered special or sacred based on location, the combination of various elements of nature such as the relationship between earth, air, and water or those considered to have special powers or spirits.

Machu Picchu is considered one of those sacred places because of its location within concentric circles of mountains, the river circling the base of the mountain it stands upon, the great quantities of quartz crystal found there (which is why it is also called the Crystal City) and the fact that it was constructed in complete harmony with the physical and cyclical aspects of nature.

The most important spirit in the Andes is the Apus or the mountains. The Apus represent the Hanac Pacha or the upper sphere and act as antennae to other dimensions. There is an inner and outer ring of mountains which act as guardians and create a power circle with Machu Picchu at the centre. Each of these mountains has special properties and energies. To those who come with a clear and pure intent these ancient mountains will open up and share their energetic powers with you.

Machu Picchu sits at 2,450 metres above sea level and around its base flows the waters of the Wilkamayu River that eventually flows into the Amazon River. In the Andean shamanic tradition, water is a great purifying force.

We begin our journey in Lake Titicaca because by working with the water to wash and balance us we begin to clear away any heavy energy we are carrying around with us. It also helps to open us to the work we do with the other elements in the different locations.

Lake Titicaca is also considered sacred because it is from Lake Titicaca that Wiracocha, the creator, brought the sun, moon, stars and planets out of the lake to take their place in the sky thus providing light for a dark world. With time the sun and the moon had children who also arose from the lake and went on to populate the four corners of the world.

Another sacred place is the ‘Gate of the Gods’ or Amara Muru Doorway. This inter-dimensional portal, which faces Lake Titicaca, lies in a wonderland of strange natural rock formations that are in stark contrast to the surrounding area. Legend says that Amara Muru stepped through the portal leaving this three-dimensional world forever. There are many legends in the area telling of people who have gone through the portal never to return (although I do know one person who entered the portal and did return).

The area within the triangle of Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu and the Amazon is considered a power vortex. The jungle of the Amazon basin is also considered sacred because of the great life force that lies within it. Within these three areas are strong energy lines that connect the various sites and the regions.
In addition to these energy lines, each of the areas we visit on my guided tour connects us to the four main elements. Lake Titicaca represents the element of water that washes and balances us. Machu Picchu represents the element of air that purifies and enlightens us. The Amazon represents earth that cleans and transforms us. Above us, Tayta Inti (or Father Sun), shines on us representing the element of fire that transmutes and sanctifies us.

I had a very powerful experience working with the earth element. We do a ceremony where we ask Pachamama to take or absorb something in our life that we no longer want to carry around. In this instance, I wanted to be rid of a fear I was carrying. In this ceremony each person runs around a circle stating the thing that that they wish the earth to rid of them of. Then after some time we lay on the ground in the exact middle of the circle with our belly buttons pressed into the earth and feel what ever it is we are getting rid of the flow into the earth. As I lay there feeling the earth take my fear I began to feel my self enter the ground and Mother Earth wrap her arms around me like a mother would do for a child. As my fears left I felt the intense love that Mother Earth has for each us. This experience made me realize the earth is a living breathing soul.

I had one client who was carrying around great amounts of anger and frustration. After leaving the lake and proceeding along to Machu Picchu and then the Amazon, the source of the anger and frustration began to reveal itself and she was able to acknowledge and clear them. Upon returning to her home and work, her friends and family thought that a new person had arrived home. Since then she has made changes in her life to incorporate what she learned on this trip.

I had another client who, after the tour, left a job that he disliked and found the courage to pursue a career more in line with what he really wanted to do.

The tour is designed specifically so that awareness opens gradually so that there is some time for reflection and integration. Each place and each step leads to the next level. This is more than a tour it is an experience! See my website at www.andeantriangle.com.

As published in "Mosaic Mind, Body and Spirit Magazine". May 2007 edition

Love and blessings,
Wawa Quilla