The Full Circle Initiation lived up to its name in ways that I couldn't have guessed last year when I was first inspired to focus on the feminine aspects of the Andean Spiritual Tradition, offering initiations without the vertical, hierarchical levels with which my shamanic teachers initiated me. We were full in numbers, full in diversity and full in activities.

Thirty-two participants from 21 different countries around the globe, sat in a circle in our round, glass conference room on August 1st, calling the names of our parents and grandparents along with our own, as we set the altar with our special objects from home and voiced our intentions. We gathered from north and south America, eastern, western and northern Europe, the Middle East and South Africa – from countries like Paraguay, Iran, Serbia, Lebanon, Palestine, Norway, Chile and Ireland. Dona Juanita and her husband Don Francisco from the Q'eros were with us from the high mountains of Peru for the first six days. On the eighth day, Dona Paulina and her husband Victor came down from their community near snow-capped Ausangate mountain to do ceremony with us.

Our diversity was expansive in other ways as well, with the youngest participant being 12, accompanying her mother for a special coming-of-age experience. Several women were in their 60s and all the other decades in between were amply represented. We had seven men and three couples. There were gay, lesbian, straight, black, white, Latin, Jewish, Arab, Christian and Indigenous. We were a beautiful rainbow of variety yet together we beat as one pulsing heartbeat, in tune with the mountains surrounding us. It was a full and auspicious gathering.

During our eight days together we worked with the four elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire. We received initiations every day and learned how to share them with others in the form of the Munay-Ki (which means “I love you” in Quechua). The nine Munay-Ki initiation Rites are a new way (since 2006) to spread the power and essence of the ancient shamanic Rites of the high Andes. The first day with each element, we were based in Pisac at the Paz y Luz. The second day with each element we went to a sacred Inka initiation site unknown to most tourists. There Francisco, Juanita, Paulina and Victor gave us a specific traditional priestly initiation to integrate with the energy of the place. Afterwards we practiced giving that Rite to each other in the Munay-Ki form.

The first day, after our opening ceremony, Juanita and Francisco performed a despacho – a ritual offering for Pachamama (mother earth), which we buried at sunset. Juanita gave us the first rite called the Nusta (feminine high priest energy), which was blown into our hands. We talked about the Earth element's cleansing power and laid on our bellies outside to give all our heavy energy to Pachamama (who received with joy this “fertilizer”). Later we received the first of the Munay-Ki Rites, called the Healer Rite, which we then shared around the circle with each other.

The second day we went to a special womb-like cave to continue our connection with the Earth. After emerging, we received the Pampa Misayoq Rite (feminine earth energy) from Francisco and Juanita in a breathtaking spot looking down on Cusco. This Rite is called the Daykeeper in the Munay-Ki. The third day we began our work with Water, in a ceremonial dance allowing this element to wash us. We did more meditations by the river outside Paz y Luz. The rest of the day was spent receiving and sharing the Harmony Rite.

Continuing our work with the Water, on August 4 th we went to another little-known initiation site with a beautiful mountain stream flowing over rocks where a seven-sided chakana (Inka cross) is caved into the mountainside. There we received the Alto Misayoq initiation (masculine mountain energy), known in the Munay-Ki as the Wisdom Keeper Rite.

The 5 th and 6 th day we worked with Air, first in Pisac, then in Ollantaytambo at the “wind gate”, allowing our breath and the spirit of the wind to purify and enlighten us. We continued to receive and share the Munay-Ki. We climbed a steep hillside to reach another initiation place with a “throne” finely caved out of one piece of granite. There we received from Francisco and Juanita what was until recently the highest initiation in the tradition called the Kuraq Akullaq transmission.

Our last two days together we worked with the Fire, rising at dawn to catch the first ray of the sun. We received the Star Keeper Rite, which activates the luminous energy field in us and anchors the future in the now. On 8/8/08 we climbed to the Sun Temple in the Inka ruins of Pisac where we received special permission to meditate there. In one of the antechambers of the temple we received our final Rite from Victor and Paulina, kneeling on the ground facing east. This initiation is called the Creator Rite and connects us with the “time to come” after 2012 when the prophecies tell us we will live with a new consciousness recognizing our oneness. This Rite brings cellular realization that Spirit is not only acting through us but is us. We are the ones we are waiting for.

In our closing ceremony, we shared how our work with the elements, in the powerful sacred sties we visited had touched us in unique and special ways. The Rites we received and shared were just beginning to germinate. As a group and as individuals returning to our various parts of the world, it was our intention to share these experiences and Rites so others too can benefit from them.

Victor and Paulina made another despacho (ritual offering) to give thanks for our time together, which was burned in the fire. As we stood around the dancing flames, we threw in a stick of our own, allowing the fire to transmute and manifest the last of our intentions. One of the participants shared an insight she received in a meditation toward the end of the workshop: that we had known each other before in other lives and had contracted to come together in these special days, to meet again and activate our collective vision for the future. This sense of knowing and connection was shared by everyone around the circle. The Full Circle.

Eight years ago, inspired by a vision of my Andean teacher, I moved to Peru to develop a spiritual center where people from around the world from different traditions would come together to help create what the Inka prophecies call the taripaypacha – a new golden age of balance, unity and peace. These eight days with this group felt like the vision made manifest.

PARTICIPANTS COMMENTS

“My patience was tested (in a good way!), my emotions were transformed and I made the realization during this retreat that there are more spiritual light beings trotting around this globe than I ever could have envisioned. So while I may still look and act like that "girl next door", I am forever changed because of this experience. I am seeing the world for what it is, what it has the potential to be and manifesting peace, love and light within my own environment now.”

“The experience in Peru was amazing. I do feel that my whole energy body has changed. I don't even know a small fraction of what I might do with the teachings, though there are a few of the rites I plan to share with clients in the very near future.”

“ I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity. My heart is full with love, light, and peace that I will carry with me my whole life. I have learned to listen, be still and quiet, which is a much needed gift I have gained from this experience.”

“Since I've been home, I feel different and certainly my work is different, for example I can “travel” and accompany my clients at the Holotropic sessions more easily than before. I also feel more grounded and in a deeper contact with my soul.”

“Thank you for creating a space that supported transformation. When your intentions are strong, that's really all the help you need. Two days after the workshop ended, I was able to bring up and release even more. I went deeper into myself than at any other time in my life. I can feel the difference now that I'm home; I am definitely a changed person.”