Ancient Songs and Green Magic

A Search for What Is Real in the Amazon Jungle of Peru

by David P. Crews___

9-18-06 Monday – First Ayahuasca Session

It rained softly through the night.

A misty sunrise - I took some photos and met Don Rober coming from the kitchen tambo. What an amazing man. He looks so "normal" and nondescript, but I know he is a master shaman and will be in full control tonight.

I'm glad Howard structured our experiences this way. Originally, I assumed we would do the first ceremony last night, but he wanted us to have time to get fully into the Ayahuasca diet and psychic space here and to integrate as a group. I think that by tonight, we are all going to be ready for this, but it still seems quite intimidating.

We had a good breakfast of eggs and fruit and potato fries (unsalted, of course). This meal is larger and more protein oriented than lunch, which will be light - fruit only. No dinner tonight as we head into the sessions around 8 pm. Ayahuasca is a strong purgative and any excess food in our systems can be problematic during the sessions.

I went to take a shower (cold water) and get a shave. It feels good to get cleaned and put on my ceremonial clothing for the rest of the day and night. This is mainly a request to wear white or very light colors, especially for a shirt or blouse. I feel like I am going to church for the first time for real.

Howard called in each of us to meet Don Rober personally and express our intentions and needs for healing during tonight's session. The formulation and stating of authentic Intentions is crucial to the work with Ayahuasca. It can strongly affect the way the plant works with you to heal and to teach.

My emotional self is apprehensive about the intensity of what is to come, but I am in Peaceful Warrior mode, using my power to choose and to Do in order to gain information and power. Not power over others, but power over my own self-limitations and self-deceptions. The sacred space of this place and the ritual of the pacing, activities, and food have been very helpful to calm me and let me focus on the work to be done. This will not be easy. It may be very difficult at times. This is part of the medicine and the work that is to be done.

This Mandala textile was made by the Shipibo tribe women and depicts a cross section of the Ayahuasca vine (in red here).

The intricate designs depict the visions that they see under the spell of Ayahuasca and can be thought of as an overlain spiritual/physical matrix that becomes visible in the non-ordinary vision space of the brew.

Where the matrix appears distorted, disease or negative emotions are present and need to be healed or corrected.

The ceremonial Mesa (table) with a loop of Ayahuasca vine segments, and other ritual items.
Note the Shipibo textiles and Shipibo designs on the pottery.

(Shipibo is pronounced shi-PEE-bo)

The ceremonial room set up for the Ayahuasca session.

It is recommended to sit during the session to prevent drifting into sleep and losing the vision space or becoming lost. We made our spaces as comfortable as possible with pillows and blankets (as body temperature can vary erratically).

Purge bowls are provided for each person. The attendants half fill each with water for us. Ayahuasca is noted for its purgative effects, but not everyone does purge. I only purged once in three sessions, and it was a very cleansing and healthy process when it did happen.