The San Pedro Ceremony is preformed with a medicinal cactus that is used the heal the mind, the body and the spirit. The Shaman carries out three different ceremonies to open the spirit. These 3 ceremonies are to prepare the spirit to receive and accept the San Pedro and receive a more deep experience. Lastly drink the specila San Pedro brew, this is prepare by the Shaman, its effects will last all day. Later when everyone has taken the medicine, offerings are made to Pachamama to give thanks and gratitude.
San Pedro is a tall narrow cactus native to the highlands of Peru, Ecuador and northwestern Bolivia. It has since been brought to other regions of the world including the Canary Islands, Mainland of Spain, and Central Chile. San Pedro has a color ranging from a deep green to a pale blue. Typically, the cactus has between 6 and 8 ribs but can have as few as 4 and as many as 10.
Archeological evidence suggests San Pedro has been used for approximately 3000 years. Ritual uses of San Pedro have been depicted on ceramics in pre-Columbian and pre–Incan Peru dating back to around 1300 BC. The plant has been widely used in spiritual practices across the region and in 2022 the Peruvian Ministry of Culture declared the traditional use of San Pedro as cultural heritage.
Known by various different names throughout South America and worldwide the traditional Andean name for San Pedro in Peru is Wachuma. Although the Catholic church tried to eliminate it’s use in the years following the Spanish conquest, their efforts failed as shown by the Catholic influences in the common name “San Pedro”. The name “San Pedro” is believed come from the fact that just as Saint Peter holds the keys to heaven, the cactus San Pedro allows its users to reach heaven while still on Earth.
Taking San Pedro in a ceremony setting with a master Shaman will give you a more profound and authentic spiritual experience. The Shamans have extensive knowledge of the medicinal uses of San Pedro passed down thousands of years. It’s highly recommended to take San Pedro in a guided ceremony setting especially for your first time.
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