Shamanic Mysteries of Peru: The Heart Wisdom of the High Andes

by Vera Lopez, Linda Star Wolf

An experiential guide to the sacred places and teachings of Andean shamanism

• Explores the cosmology and core shamanic beliefs of the Andean people, including Pachamama and power animals such as condors, snakes, hummingbirds, and pumas

• Takes you on an intimate journey through the sacred sites, temples, and power places of Peru, including Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán, Písac, Lake Titicaca, and more

• Shares initiatory rites and shamanic journeying practices to allow you to integrate and embody the wisdom of each sacred place

The Andes Mountains of Peru are rich with ancient shamanic traditions, sacred places, and heart wisdom passed down from the Inca and safeguarded for generations by the Q’eros nation. In this experiential guide to the wisdom and practices of the Andean people and their sacred land, Vera Lopez and Linda Star Wolf take you on an intimate journey through the sacred sites, temples, and power places of Peru, including Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán, Písac, Lake Titicaca, and more. They show how each of these powerful sites holds an ancient wisdom--an initiation left behind by the Inca--and they share initiatory rites and shamanic journeying practices to allow you to integrate and embody the wisdom of each sacred place.

The authors explore the cosmology and core shamanic beliefs of the Andean people, including Pachamama, the Sacred Law of Reciprocity, the Serpent of Light, the Chakannah, and power animals such as condors, snakes, hummingbirds, and pumas. They examine healing practices and sacred plants of this tradition, including a look at the shamanic use of ayahuasca and San Pedro.

Offering direct access to the gentle heart of wisdom found within the ancient shamanic land of Peru, the authors show how the Andean shamanic tradition offers an antidote to the modern epidemic of Soul Loss by connecting us back to our authentic self and the universal principles of love, reciprocity, and gratitude.

240 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2020

Reviews

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m interested in ancient mythologies and belief systems, so I read this book wanting to learn about the religion and culture of the Incas. In that regard I wasn’t disappointed, since some sections explain how Inca cities were designed, their spirit animals and their beliefs in other realms. Their technology was amazing and their legacy impressive. But I should have read the synopsis more carefully, because the main part of this volume is devoted to the authors’ personal experiences and beliefs. Now, their experiences were interesting, even if some parts were too new-agey for me. But the detailed guides to meditation based on the Incan belief system were wasted on me. People who like this practice might find it useful, I’m just not that kind of person, which means that I’m the wrong reader. I still found a lot to enjoy, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bear & Company!

[Helen Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting teaching and guiding book about Sharmanic practice.

The book comes following the authors trip to Peru. I really enjoyed the chapter about Andean Cosmology, including guided Sharmanic journeys and exercises which were very comforting (these exercises would really lend themselves to being in audio book format) but they were enjoyable anyway.

I found the layout of this book (on kindle) quite tricky. Not in terms of content - which was fine, but in terms of page layout. This could just be because I received this as an E Arc. Certain photos didn't appear and the "For review only" littered throughout the book - in the middle of sentences - made it almost impossible to read it easily.

Overall (discounting the layout issues - which I imagine will be sorted before publication) I give this book 4*. An interesting read for anyone who has an interest in Sharmanic practice or just spirituality.

With thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for the ARC.

[MelsLittleBookNook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some good information but was very repetitive. I also wished all the personal stories and anecdotes were in one section rather than throughout. I was expecting this to be about the Incan culture, myths and legends. I wanted more about the deities and spiritual teachings but it was more of a personal journal with some background information of what the authors experienced. Not bad, just not what I was expecting.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always heard of this place and had read some things about it years ago in National Geographic magazine, but here the author shares her experiences and the teachings that she learned that give us another way to experience it without traveling there. I have found it a good source at times to refer back to this book to disconnect from all of the noise that goes on. A really good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book regarding the Shaman practices and traditions of the Andes. Some of the images did not show with my Kindle, and at times the cursing felt out of place. Also, the voices in the author's head at times felt odd. A notion or feeling would have seemed more likely than an actual voice of a long ago goddess. Just saying. Otherwise, I liked the book overall and would recommend it.

[Esther Haasnoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take in this medicine for the heart. The book "Shamanic mysteries of Peru" by Vera Lopez and Linda Star Wolf Ph guides you lovingly on a journey to sacred land, full of magic and wisdom, with lessons and experiences that open the heart and deepen the spirit. This book is easy and fascinating to read, highly recommended. May your heart be filled with the blessings of this ancient land.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, enjoyed reading wisdom of the Andes

[Lindsey H Hulet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up on a whim before a trip to Peru. Gave a good introduction to indigenous beliefs of ancient and modern Peruvians. Latter half of the book wasn’t for me, personally.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to visit Peru. I found myself referring to Google and You Tube to see the sites described. I found it interesting to read about Shamanism. I have visited places that felt very spiritual to me and I enjoyed reading about the history and meditative spirituality of this book.

[Johanna Beachy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been very interested in exploring the myths, lore and spiritual practices of other culture in recent years. One of which I have not yet had the opportunity to explore was the traditions of Peru. I had been very interested to learn about spirituality, healing and lore from the Shaman’s of Peru. Shaman tend to be old and their practices are passed down over generations and are rarely affected by the world around them (I.e. industrialization, modern politics and economy, technology). There are rumors ( I don’t know what else to call them) of Shaman who live in the Andes and continue to practice the same rituals as their ancestors from a century ago. To me this is fascinating and I was eager to learn more. However, had I known this was more of a first person account or a collection of other peoples experiences, I would not have chosen this book.

If you are looking for a more scientific approach, or analysis on Shamans in Peru, I do not recommend this book. I would place this book more in the memoir category than in science and history, or education.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure! We’ve stepped away from our connectedness to the earth and it’s proven in so many ways, yet we fail to do something with the messages we’re sent from the universe.

If you enjoy history, especially temples and shamanic lands, you’ll definitely want to pick this title up. Unlike my traditional novels, this took me on a journey through ancient lands that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced.

5 BIG Stars for this!