Skip to Main Content

Shamanic Mysteries of Peru

The Heart Wisdom of the High Andes

Published by Bear & Company
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

An experiential guide to the sacred places and teachings of Andean shamanism

• Explores the cosmology and core shamanic beliefs of the Andean people, including Pachamama and power animals such as condors, snakes, hummingbirds, and pumas

• Takes you on an intimate journey through the sacred sites, temples, and power places of Peru, including Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán, Písac, Lake Titicaca, and more

• Shares initiatory rites and shamanic journeying practices to allow you to integrate and embody the wisdom of each sacred place

The Andes Mountains of Peru are rich with ancient shamanic traditions, sacred places, and heart wisdom passed down from the Inca and safeguarded for generations by the Q’eros nation. In this experiential guide to the wisdom and practices of the Andean people and their sacred land, Vera Lopez and Linda Star Wolf take you on an intimate journey through the sacred sites, temples, and power places of Peru, including Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán, Písac, Lake Titicaca, and more. They show how each of these powerful sites holds an ancient wisdom--an initiation left behind by the Inca--and they share initiatory rites and shamanic journeying practices to allow you to integrate and embody the wisdom of each sacred place.

The authors explore the cosmology and core shamanic beliefs of the Andean people, including Pachamama, the Sacred Law of Reciprocity, the Serpent of Light, the Chakannah, and power animals such as condors, snakes, hummingbirds, and pumas. They examine healing practices and sacred plants of this tradition, including a look at the shamanic use of ayahuasca and San Pedro.

Offering direct access to the gentle heart of wisdom found within the ancient shamanic land of Peru, the authors show how the Andean shamanic tradition offers an antidote to the modern epidemic of Soul Loss by connecting us back to our authentic self and the universal principles of love, reciprocity, and gratitude.

Excerpt

From Chapter 4: The Three Worlds of the Andean Cosmology

In shamanic traditions all around the world, we see shamans viewing the Universe separated into three different levels of existence--an Upper World, a Middle World, and a Lower World. In each shamanic culture and society, the role of the Shaman is to walk between these different worlds, connect with the spirits and energies that reside within each of these realms, and bring the multidimensional wisdom and medicine that they find in these other worlds back to their tribes and communities.

In the shamanic tradition of the Andes, the shamans believe that the Universe is comprised of three different pachas. “Pacha” is the Quechua word for “earth” or “world.”

The three pachas of the Andean cosmology are:

• The Ukhu Pacha--the Lower World; its guardian is the Snake.
• The Kay Pacha--the Middle World; its guardian is the Puma.
• The Hanna Pacha--the Upper World; its guardian is the Condor.

The Hanna Pacha and the Upper World

High above the mountain peaks, hidden behind the mists, resides the unseen world of the Hanna Pacha--the Upper World of the Andean Cosmology. To the Andean people, the Hanna Pacha is the realm, or “earth” of the heavens. Within the realm of Hanna Pacha resides the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, and all things that live above and outside of the Earth. This is the place of the Great Above, and it is the home of Great Mystery, God/ddess, and the I AM presence. The Hanna Pacha is the home of the Gods.

Because this dimension is believed to be the world the realm of the Gods, Hanna Pacha holds a deep source of wisdom and knowledge. When we journey to the Hanna Pacha, we can access this great spiritual wisdom and use it to enrich our lives, the lives of our families, and the lives of all those within our tribes and communities. The Hanna Pacha is the place we journey to pray and to commune with the Gods, and receive the wisdom from the Unseen World. When we journey to the Hanna Pacha, we can see all of Life through the eyes of the Gods.

The Condor

The Guardian of the Hanna Pacha is the Condor.

Similar to the Eagle in the North American Shamanic Traditions, the Condor embodies a majesty and regality to the Andes people. Because the Andes people witnessed the Condor flying to great heights within the skies, and swiftly disappearing in the mists of the tallest mountains, they believed that the Condor was the only creature that could journey between this world and the world of the Gods, the Hanna Pacha.

They believed that each sight or visit from the Condor was a direct message from the Gods of the Great Above, and with each sighting, they believed they received a blessing from the Hanna Pacha.

Medicine Journey to the Hanna Pacha

Take a deep breath and exhale fully. Close your eyes and breathe deeply into your lungs, filling your body with oxygen and chi. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Lay down and allow yourself to get comfortable.

In your Mind’s Eye, envision yourself high up within the Andes mountains, sitting upon a rock ledge that has been there for millennia. Looking out in front of you, you can see an ocean of mountains extending out as far as your eyes can see them. Carefully looking down below, you can make out the Urubamba River moving throughout the base of these mountains. From high up this ancient powerful river snakes through the mountains, looking like a silver snake winding its way through the Andes Jungle. Above you the mists and clouds gently descend down from the skies above.

As you breathe and take in the surroundings upon this high mountain ledge, you notice a condor flying off in the distance. You watch this majestic bird fly through the clouds and mountain tops, gliding through the currents of the wind. Moving with such grace and ease, you notice the condor is getting closer and closer to your ledge. You stand up and the condor flies in closer and lands upon your ledge. You and the condor exchange glances. Looking deep into the eyes of the Condor, you feel and know that you are in the presence of a divine being. This condor is large. Spreading out its wings, you realize that this condor is large enough to hold and carry you--a mythical creature from the other world.

The Condor turns back to look at you, welcoming you too jump upon its back. You approach and climb upon the giant condor and once you are settled and comfortable the condor leaps off the ledge and flies into the mists and into the ocean of mountains.

Flying high above the mountains and soaring through the mists, the condor shows you the portals and doorways to the hidden realms of the Great Above--the Hanna Pacha. The Condor takes you to the first door way, the door way of your Past. You and the Condor both fly through the portal and enter a scene from your past--perhaps this is a memory or experience from your childhood, or a series of events from a past life. Take note of where you are, what you are experiencing, what are you witnessing? Are there any feelings associated with this past memory? Take some time to drop into this past experience.

After you’ve allowed yourself to revisit this past experience, see if there is any medicine that wishes to come back with you from this past experience. Perhaps there is a symbol, a color, a message--whatever wants to come back with you, do not judge it just allow it to come back with you for further integration. Thank this portal to the past and climb upon the Condor once again.

About The Authors

Vera Lopez is the founder of Spirits of the Earth, a travel company specializing in spiritual journeys to sacred sites. She is a transformation teacher, shamanic minister, and Andean priestess, who has received direct initiation from shamanic elders in several traditions, including the Q’eros of Peru. She lives in Illinois.

Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D., has been a visionary teacher and shamanic guide for more than 35 years. The founder and codirector of Venus Rising Association for Transformation and the founder and president of Venus Rising University for Shamanic Psychospiritual Studies, she is the creator of Shamanic Breathwork® as well as the Shamanic Ministers Global Network and the Wise Wolf Councils. A spiritual granddaughter of Seneca Wolf Clan Grandmother Twylah Nitsch, Star Wolf is the author of Shamanic Breathwork and co-author of Visionary Shamanism, Shamanic Egyptian Astrology, Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt, and The Anubis Oracle.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Bear & Company (November 17, 2020)
  • Length: 240 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781591433750

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

“Few books on shamanic traditions transmit ancient knowledge the way this one does. It is a sacred artifact with the capacity to unveil hidden wisdom of the Incas. For those who want to unlock such mysteries, for the bold and adventurous reader, and even for the curious bookworm, open your heart and mind and prepare yourself for an intimate spiritual journey.”

– Kristin Marie Harris, Ph.D., author of Consciousness Explained Better

“An extraordinary book that will have every reader feeling deeply connected to and transformed by the spiritual wisdom of the Andean people. With grace and beauty, Lopez and Star Wolf share fascinating teachings garnered through three decades of facilitating magical and mystical journeys to the area. This book will open your heart, expand your consciousness, and light the way to a more peaceful way of being.”

– Tammy Billups, author of Animal Soul Contracts

“In this beautiful and inspiring work, the authors share a call to remember an important spiritual legacy. Most importantly, this book contains a transmission of the deep feminine wisdom of the Q’eros nation, whose vision and rooted earth connection with the Earth Mother is needed now more than ever. Every page is a pilgrimage, taking you on a mystical and heart-opening journey of remembrance.”

– Seren Bertrand & Azra Bertand, M.D., authors of Womb Awakening and Magdalene Mysteries

“What wonderful gifts Shamanic Mysteries of Peru gives us! The authors take the reader on a magical journey to access the wisdom and love of the Q’eros people, who have held on to their 5th dimensional frequency and have so much wisdom to help heal our world. This is a must-read for all spiritual seekers.”

– Judith Corvin-Blackburn, LCSW, DMin., author of Activating Your 5D Frequency

“Star Wolf and Vera have adeptly opened the doors to the inner sanctuary of the mysteries of Peru, inviting the reader on a path of transformation, alignment, and coming home. Shamanic Mysteries of Peru is a profound opportunity of heart-initiation that will contribute to many during the evolution into higher consciousness.”

– Danielle Rama Hoffman, author of The Tablets of Light

“The combination of Vera Lopez’s years of saturation in the magical realm of Peru with Star Wolf ’s decades-long experience with shamanic practices and principles has produced a deeply moving exploration into the mystical foundation of shamanic Peru. This journey is not to be missed!”

– Ruby Falconer, coauthor of Shamanic Egyptian Astrology

“The authors share with us the ancestral wisdom of shamanic Peru to heal our heart-mind disconnect and help us move forward with precision and purpose. If you feel called to make a sacred inner or outer journey to the high Andes, this book is your ticket.”

– Thea Summer Deer, author of Wisdom of the Plant Devas

“The sacred land of Peru will hold you in its heart as soaring peak meets sky, clouds dance with forests at 13,000 feet, and Condor and Hummingbird soar. The deep, transformative medicine of the land and the wisdom of its people are what our world needs right now. Lopez and Star Wolf lead us on this journey with compassion and insight, guiding us along the path of initiation so that we too may soar!”

– Anna Cariad-Barrett, DMin, M.S., MFT, coauthor of Sacred Medicine of Bee, Butterfly, Earthworm, and

“Taking you on an intimate journey of discovery, the authors share their personal experiences of one of the world’s most enigmatic power centers. From exploring the Serpent of Light and the feminine energy rising from the Andes, you will gain deep knowledge and wisdom with every page that is turned. A new best seller!”

– Maria Wheatley, founder of Esoteric College and author of Druidic Soul Star Astrology

Shamanic Mysteries of Peru reads like a prophetic text! The words on the page connect with your soul--you will soon find yourself immersed in the otherworldly mysteries of Peru. Truly an essential read for any spiritual seeker. If you are traveling to Peru, this book is a must: it will transform your journey. It is your companion guide!”

– Carley Mattimore, coauthor of Sacred Messengers of Shamanic Africa

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Linda Star Wolf