Grandmother climbing her way to the heavens!

Ayahuasca and the Shamans’ tambo

During the April Mythic Voyage, Ruben, our Shipibo Maestro and Head of Ceremony, brought with him dozens of living Ayahuasca vine and Chacruna cuttings to be planted all over our property. With the help of Bruce and Abel, two of our dedicated workers, Ruben set out to plant two Ayahuasca vines at the base of many trees surrounding Baboushka (our outdoor ceremony space), the Shamans’ tambo, and various locations hidden by the thick jungle foliage.

Growing off of the beaten path…

A look at the original vine cutting.

At first glance the Ayahuasca cutting looks like an unassuming stick protruding out of the ground at an angle leaning against its tree, but if you look closely it is possible to see small little green nodes growing out of the lifeless brown bark. These nodes are the site for new vine growth which will quickly climb and braid their way up the tree and ascend up above the jungle canopy to the sky. A few of our baby Grandmas are already flourishing in their new home and have gifted us with multiple vine sprouts and leaves reaching up over 30cm. Over many years, these small vines will grow to weigh hundreds if not thousands of kilos and be thicker than most human arms!

Ayahuasca braiding herself upwards.

The small Chacruna cuttings are much more difficult to see and are easy to step on unknowingly, so each planting has been placed between two sticks protruding out of the ground to act as barriers and locators for the tiny bushes. Dozens of little Chacruna cuttings have been planted and spread along the stream-bank just below the Shamans’ tambo, where they can enjoy moist soil from the water flowing its way down from the mountains above. Soon the stream and surrounding hillside will be covered with Chacruna bushes reaching 2-3 meters high and 2 meters wide!

Basking in the sun.

Little Chacrunita

Chacruna with a view of the locator sticks.

Over the next year during every subsequent trip Ruben makes from his home near Pucallpa to Tierra Mitica, he will bring us even more Ayahuasca and Chacruna cuttings – we will soon have hundreds of vines climbing the trees of Tierra Mitica, and in 2 to 5 years when they have matured, we will be able to brew our very own Ayahuasca with the vines and Chacruna growing from our own soil! Not only will we be able to enjoy the best brew for our ceremonies, we will also be one step closer to self-sufficiency as well as doing our part in offsetting the current issue of the over-harvesting of Ayahuasca that has resulted from the Ayahuasca tourism boom in recent years.

Come join us for the June Mythic Voyage – less than two weeks away! Tierra Mitica

Ascension