Despacho is the Quechua word for Offering. It is a prayer offering to God, the Apus (mountains) or Pachamama (mother earth) in reciprocity, and thanksgiving.
It is an act of Love and a connection to the Unity we share with all. There are many different kinds of Despachos. While there are certain elements common to all Despachos – bringing harmony and balance to the earth, honoring new beginnings, or getting rid of an illness or a particular healing intention, the issue presented determines the design of the offering, the contents, and even the order in which the offerings are added. The ceremony brings participants into alignment with the group intent, gratitude, and honoring Creator. The traditional Despacho is assembled by the Shaman who is aligned with the Universe and has the Spiritual power to maintain this alignment.
In Prayer and Ceremony (Sacred Ritual) items of a symbolic nature are prayed over and assembled on a Mestana. (symbols for the elements, weather, clouds, rainbows, stars, money, etc… ) When the building of the Despacho is complete, the offering is folded, in the Mestana. The Shaman cleanses the luminous bodies of each participant removing any heavy energy, and blesses everyone. In Ceremony the offering is then buried or burned. (These heavy energies, become part of the offering. When the Despacho is buried, the earth eats these heavy energies and mulches it. When the Despacho is burned in Ceremonial fire, the fire transmutes these heavy energies into the light.) Participants are not to watch the offering as it is burning, because it is believed that the spirits come down to eat the offering & bring our prayers up to Heaven (in the smoke) to be manifested.
Please read additional information on the “Classes” page and scroll down and read Fire Ceremony Etiquette before joining us.