#the three principles of andean medicine I wrote about a while back

[songsofbloodandwater]

Some of My Notes on Sahumos, or Smoking [a person, object or place].

The Medicine of Sahumos is supported by the Medicine of the Jaguar, the Full Moon and Earth, in the sacred herbs used and their effects in our bodies. It is supported by the Medicine of the Snake, the Waning Moon and Water, in the libations offered and the blood we carry. It is supported by the Medicine of the Qori Kinti, the New Moon and Air, in the cry of our songs and the prayers whispered. But more importantly, it is the Medicine of the Kuntur, the Waxing Moon and Fire, of our Energy and our Spirits. The Fire is the Vulture eating at our flesh, cleansing us of impurities, to be reborn anew from it's smoke.

"The Medicine of Sahumos will tear you apart. It will show you the beautiful parts of yourself, and the painful. It will shed light on parts of yourself you'd rather not see, but you must look and eat at them with your fire. It can't be just lighting an incense stick. All elements must be present. The Mesa must be laid out and your Yanapaq called. There's offerings and permissions. There's prayer and song. (...) And we must be able to identify what is sámi and what is hucha in ourselves first if we want to help others with our smokes. We must recognize and make space for our own emotional and spiritual state first, respect our own processes. (...) The growth is well worth the pain, and it is our responsibility, in order for us to walk this path with Integrity."—words from an experienced Sahumadora Andina, Andean Smoke Medicine Carrier, and whom I'm learning this Art from. Translated by me.