The despacho ceremony is a ceremony of where we create a prayer bundle & give thanks to Pachamama and the organizing principles of the Universe.

​

The despacho is the living embodiment of the landscape of life, that which meets at the level of the soul and ultimately connects to the source of all creation.

 

The despacho ceremony, in its physical beauty, is a journey to the soul of nature, and with the assistance of the spirit world, we explore the energetic inner workings and symbolism of each element of our offerings.

 

Each item of offering represents a prayer and a gift of power that sparks the momentum for energy shifts and healing.

​

We begin with passing the Qintus (leaves) around, blowing into each Quintu as it is passed, so each one is blessed by all participants and then we begin to create our own Despacho.

​

 

-CREATING A DESPACHO-

​

​

• Begin with a large piece of biodegradable piece of square paper. This will be the “wrapping” for your offering – think of it as a present.

​

• Fold the paper into thirds one way and then thirds the other way so you have nine squares.
   

• Working within the center square, you begin to layer your objects & ingredients.
   

• Make a cross to honor the four directions and a circle that connects us all with sugar in the center of the sheet of paper to open the despacho.
   

• Take an offering and allow it to speak to you. You may intend to do this despacho with a specific intention (i.e. to honor the end of a relationship) or it may be open ended.
   

• Speak the gratitude's that come up in your heart in relation to the intention for the despacho (or whatever gratitude emerges in the moment) then blow the prayers into your offering.
   

• Each item that you offer into the Despacho, represents something in your life that you are giving thanks for as well as your vision for yourself & for the Earth.
   

• Blow that prayer & intention into the objects & place it in the prayer bundle in a way that is meaningful to you.
   

• Add your ingredients (see below).
   

• When you have placed all your items in the despacho, the corners of the large paper are then folded over the contents so that they all overlap at the center to form a smaller square.
   

• Tie the despacho without flipping it over so that all the prayers are sustained.
  ​​​

• Wrap the despacho and invite all participants to lift their Despacho up to offer it to Pachamama.
   

• When complete, bring your hands to your heart to a moment of silence to say Thank You together.

​

​

-INGREDIENT SUGGESTION & THEIR MEANING-

​

​

• Large piece of white paper: Envelope of dreams in which we “write” our prayers.
   

• Sugar: Represents sweetness and love.
   

• Small leaves from trees native to your area.
   

• Red and White Flowers: Red for the Earth & White for the Mountains.
   

• Place one open shell in the middle of the prayers, representing the womb of the Earth, our source and birthplace. This holds us, nourishes us, and provides opportunity & safety.

​

• Rice: Fertility and abundance, to bring your prayers into fruition
   

• Grains/ Nuts/ Seeds/ Beans: Sustenance, Protection, Abundance
   

• Corn: Sustenance, gift back to the Earth for what we have been given
   

• Cacao/ Chocolate: Pachamama LOVES chocolate
   

• Loose sage or other incense: To feed the elements of the Earth
   

• Herbs
   

• Flower petals for healing

​

-OFFERING THE DESPACHO-

​

• Offerings made to a despacho are offered to the Earth in one of three ways - given to a body of water, given to a fire, or buried in the ground. You have the choice to offer yours in any way you feel.
   

• Despacho can be either buried (for slow, steady results), burned (for quicker transformation), or fed to the running waters ceremonially within a reasonable amount of time after it is prepared.
   

• When the despacho is placed into the fire, participants generally do not look towards the flames until after the offering has been burnt. This symbolizes non-attachment to the outcome and release of all claim to that which has been given away.