Tobacco or Mapacho: Extraordinary Shamanic ally
The spirit of Mapacho is an extraordinary shamanic ally. This sacred tobacco is totally organic. It is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and does not contain any of the toxic additives used in commercial cigarettes. Tobaqueros are not alone in the use of this sacred plant. Mapacho is used extensively in Peruvian shamanism (in both Ayahuasca and Huachuma ceremonies). The tobacco is used to provide protection for individual participants and for the ceremonial space. It is used to open participants to receive positive energies and seal participants from negative energies. It is also a powerful means to convey intention. While acknowledging that many people have an aversion to tobacco smoke, we respectively request those participating in shamanic ceremonies at Dawn of Eden, embrace Mapacho as a sacred ally during the course of their ceremonial work.
The spirit of mapacho helps to invoke the power of other medicinal plants. The Indians speak of other “spirits” of plants sympathetic to the spirit of tobacco. Anyone who participates in the Ayahuasca ceremony, for example, often sees the Shaman smoking tobacco and often participates in the smoking ritual among all. The spirits of plants are helped by Mapacho. The tobbaco can clear the ceremonial space of energies and allow the Shaman to enter a space where healing can occur. Hence, the tobacco can literally increase the experience of the Ayahuasca ceremony.
Tobacco is also ground to a fine powder and aspirated with the nose. This was actually the most common way of taking tobacco for a time between Americans and newly arrived Europeans.
