Yage or Ayahuasca caught my attention back in 2011. I was struggling in life and was looking for answers. I researched the medicine for months and also learned about the great plant medicine Iboga. I knew Ayahuasca had something for me, it was said to cure depression, traumas, addictions and even cancer. I was astounded! You mean to tell me that drinking a cup of brew can do all of that and we’re stuck in the U.S. with all these expensive harmful treatments and pharmaceuticals that are much less successful at getting the job done. I couldn’t wait to save enough money to go to the Amazon.
Well I didn’t have to wait until then, two years later I was able to obtain the medicine myself. When I received it, I just meditated on it and sat it near my alter because I didn’t have the slightest idea how to make it correctly and I really wanted to experience it under a shaman who worked specifically with the medicine. I respected the spirit of the plant too much to go at it alone. So I waited and a few months later I learned about Ramon, a shaman from Columbia who had been taking Yage since he was a baby. In his tradition they give it to the baby so they would never forget who they are, and he was also born into a lineage of shamans. Ramon was having a ceremony in New York so I signed up. Although the nervousness kicked in, I knew I had been longing for this experience so I set my intentions which were to meet my ancestors and spirit guides, and prepared my self mentally, physically, and spiritually as much as I could.
No words can authentically describe the immense amount of love and power that I felt during this ceremony.
During the ceremony
It was about twenty-five of us in a dark room with blankets and yoga mats with lights flickering off the walls from lite candles. The ceremony would last all night until day break. I wore all white to help protect my energy, as I had heard some stories of people having frightful experiences. I was prepared for whatever I would see and surrendered to the experience because I knew there would be a lesson through it all. I brought some crystals and a hand rattle with me for music. The well experienced guy sitting next to me introduced himself and wished me well on my 1st journey. Ramon stood up and spoke so very genuinely about what we might experience. He said that purging by way of vomiting and number two’s would be a good sign of the medicine taking effect. I felt a since of comfort and light-heartedness in his presence and I knew I would be ok. I got in line to take the medicine and Ramon was doing prayers over each cup. I drank and although I’d heard so many stories about the pungent taste of the brew I have to admit that mines was sweet. I went back to my place on the floor and sat in silence as it was suggested we do. About thirty minutes or so had passed and I heard the gut wrenching sounds ailing vomiting around me, I was just waiting for my turn. Then approximately an hour later I still hadn’t purged. I decided to lie down and relax, I kept repeating in my head affirmations of love, beauty, healing, light, and positivity. Then I started to feel as if I was loosing control, I could still feel my body but I felt like I was going somewhere and I was moving fast. My heart started to pound in my chest and I began to feel quite anxious, so I asked the spirit of the plant to please slow down and take it’s time with me. I began doing some deep breathing and immediately became grounded again. “Wow she heard me”, I thought. I started to drift off to sleep when I felt a spritz of water on my back it was fragrant, perhaps it was rosemary. Immediately something awakened within me and my body sat up in an upright position. I say my body sat up because I had no control over it, some other beautiful energy was moving it for me. My arms started to wave in the air and I emotionally I was elated. My body stood up and started laughing uncontrollably and twirling around. One of the shamans assistance came over and ask me to be quite for a little bit longer for the hour of silence. I was able to sit down with my happy self and then the music started. My body got up in the middle of the floor and started dancing, tribal dances that I had never seen before. It was if I was channeling an African Goddess. I danced for hours upon hours, sweating, laughing and crying from being so overjoyed and grateful. That was my purge, wow the medicine was so gracious and gentle to me. Now I know that I had channeled the spirits of my idlozi (elevated ancestors) and other divine guides that night and I was shown some amazing things about my life to come. No words can authentically describe the immense amount of love and power that I felt during this ceremony.
I had managed to get back to my seat and realized that the kind gentlemen next to me was experiencing some sort of death (perhaps of ego) and for the rest of the night I tried to hold the energetic space for him to move through his process. I had no idea what that meant but the ancient wisdom of the spirit sitting inside me knew.
Ayahuasca helped me come out of my depression for good, however it did not happen over night. I had to continue the work after the ceremonies and implement the gifts, insights, and tools that the medicine offered. What it did do was initiate me to the world of the spirits which open the door to some serious healing and aligned me closer to my calling.
Tribute
Since that day I’ve experienced more ceremonies with Ramon, my dear brother of whom I still have a very deep connection with and I plan to learn the ways of Yage and pass it on to the communities that need it most. It is a part of my journey and I honor Ramon’s spirit for opening the way for me. Continue to dance with the stars my brother! Love you always and forever. Ekhaya
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If this is your first time hearing of Ayahuasca there is a wealth of information online for you to research. I won’t give any links here as I feel your experience in researching should be organic and led by your own spirits.