A Ceremony at Tipon

The way of things in Peru is often described as "hurry up, and wait". This sums up their attitude to getting things done: set off with purpose and then be prepared to stop and take your time.

Today we visited the sacred site of Tipon, where the Incas created an amazing water system which is still working 600 years later. (Queue photos to impress my engineer husband, who constantly has issues with the plumbing at his work)!

We were invited to bathe in the water, connecting with Yakumama "water mother" the bringer of life, before taking a long climb even higher into the mountains. Our guide encouraged us not to rush. To really slow down, enjoy the journey and feel the energy of the sacred place.

I'm not sure I felt a specific energy myself, but all of Peru feels welcoming and beautiful so it was a welcome reminder to walk mindfully and observe our surroundings rather than head down, puffing my way to the top!

Waiting to greet us were two Quero shamans who lead us in ceremony. This ancient ritual was an offering to Mother Earth (Pachamama), designed to help us connect more with the land and space on a personal level. The ritual itself was very elaborate, lasting almost 2 hours in the full sun.

During the ceremony many offerings were made to the earth: herbs, decorations, incense, fat and sweets to name a few. Each of us were given 3 coca leaves called a "K'intu" which you hold in the shape of a fan. Each leaf represents a different aspect: mind, body and heart or spirit.

After prayers and blessings, we got to make our own wishes for our lives, health and loved ones. One by one, we brought our K'intu to the shaman to be blessed which was very powerful. Slowly, our offering to the earth began to take shape as each of our leaves were intricately arranged.

After, the women were invited to lay flowers on the offering and the men scattered confetti, before it was wrapped up in paper. The shaman then came around blessing each of us in turn with the bundle, praying in his native language of Quechua.

It was an incredible experience being high in the mountains on ancient lands, being prayed upon and blessed. Having everyone connected and thinking of home, felt wonderful.

After the ceremony was complete (our part anyway, the bundle would later be burned), the shaman pulled out a bag of wares from his tribe so we could all buy something from his shop. Such is the way in Peru!

photos: Quero shaman, rituals & Tipon

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