The Despacho, which is an Andean Shamanic Tradition, is a gift or ‘soul offering’ to The Universe and connects us to the source of all Creation. It brings healing, balance and can help us to co-create and manifest by coming into alignment with the Spirit World.  It is the practice of making offerings to Mother Earth (Pachamama), The Ocean (Mama Cocha) and other Nature Spirits in reciprocity, reverence, and gratitude. A Despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places. At the deepest level, it is an opportunity to enter into Unity Consciousness with all things.

There are many forms of Despacho but they all have common elements in the way they are created and their purpose such as bringing harmony and balance to the earth, honoring new beginnings, or getting rid of an illness or negative issues.

The ceremony brings participants into alignment with their personal intentions, the group intent, and gratitude to the Earth, which supports us in all our endeavors.  A base is created on which we place ’qintus’ - 3 leaves in the shape of a fan into which we blow our prayers.  We then talk to Pachamama as we feed the prayers with offerings – each offering representing a different quality. 

Once complete, the Despacho is either buried (for slow, steady results), burned (for quicker transformation) or fed to running waters ceremonially within a reasonable amount of time after it was prepared. When the Despacho is placed into the fire, participants generally do not look towards the flames until after the offering has burnt symbolizing non-attachment to the outcome.