Peruvian Shamanism

Contained within the pages of this book are the sacred teachings and guiding principles the Pachakuti Mesa Shamanic Tradition. Founded by kamasqa curandero don Oscar Miro-Quesada from Lima, Peru, this traditional wisdom is expressed through the ceremonial use of a complex altar system, known as a Pachakuti Mesa. This book functions as a compendium of this altar’s ceremonial use amidst the backdrop of Peru’s rich pre-Columbian history, cosmology, mythology, and centuries of healing artistry.

The Pachakuti Mesa tradition is a living, breathing, evolving, holistic spiritual practice that is designed to build bridges between cultures, while honoring the universal wisdom of nature itself. This book seeks to unveil the methodology of this particular form of tribal shamanic practice in a way that is accessible to the western aspirant by offering parallels and cultural comparisons as well as references from leading scholars in the field of anthropology. Ultimately this book is designed to provide a “behind the scenes” account of the ritual practices and teachings of this tradition, while also offering the reader practical and pragmatic tools for applying this traditional wisdom to one’s modern day life.

Note: This book (originally published in 2002) was written over the course of four years while immersed in a direct shamanic apprenticeship with renowned Kamasqa Curandero don Oscar Miro-Quesada from Lima, Peru. This current version has been recently updated and fully revised (2017) to include over 100 pages of new information, photos, diagrams, and illustrations.