Elements of an Ayahuasca ceremony

Physical Sensations
The physical sensations after drinking Ayahuasca can vary among individuals. Typically one can feel heat descending to the toes and rising up the body (and other variations in body temperature, ranging from very hot to very cold); shaking; accelerated heart rate (typically associated with fear); lack of breath (typically associated with hyperventilating); nausea (extreme); dizziness; loose bowls; ecstasy; and tingling. Long, slow, deep breaths will slow the heart and alleviate hyperventilation. You can also use the breath to guide energetic release, which can ease nausea and help grounding. We recommend breathing in, long and slowly, to a count of four and breathing out to the same count of four. If the ceremony is very intense, we may pour cold water over your head to decrease the intensity.

Purging
Vomiting and diarrhea are common in ceremony. We provide each guest with a bucket in which to vomit. The ceremonial house is equipped with six toilets for the lower purge. If you are having difficulty walking, there are trained helpers who do not drink Ayahuasca and are available to take you to the bathroom and back.

Emotional Sensations
Extreme emotions are common as the cleansing is taking place. If you experience extreme emotions, let them flow. The ceremony is a safe environment to allow the emotional body to cleanse and release. Many times, suppressed or trapped emotions are elements of our spiritual suffering or distress. Allowing them to be cleansed is an important part of the ceremony. It is common to experience intense fear. The fear is the foundation for suffering. To transcend the fear, focus the mind on pure light, strength, and calm. Work to open the heart center. We need to learn to release the fear and stay calm when working with it.

Icaros
The doctor spirits teach the shamans icaros. Icaros are expressed in the form of song and are a major system of delivery of the shamans’ spiritual energy. They are used to bring on mareación (the visionary effects of the Ayahuasca), take mareación away, call in different plant spirits, call in the spirits of others or the deceased, take away dark spirits and dark energies, and manage the ceremony. Icaros are either whistled or sung, and can be expressed in any language. The shamans at Blue Morpho generally sing in a spirit dialect that is a mixture of Spanish, Quechua, and different sounds. Icaros represent a system of communication between the shaman and the spirits, and the shaman and the participants in the ceremony. The shamans believe that every living thing has an icaro and that these icaros can be learned.

Venteada
If necessary, a shaman or apprentice will come to you in ceremony and sing icaros and play the shacapa over you. This will help to smooth out difficulties and continue the process of the ceremony.

Concentration and Focus
Concentration is very important in the visionary space. By concentrating or focusing on the icaros, like really trying to listen to the lyrics of a song, you will be able to be guided and find strength in the mareación. The focusing of the mind is one of the most important tools in the Ayahuasca ceremony. Maintain focus on your own personal process within your medicine journey and avoid other distractions within the room.

Visions
It is possible to see all different kinds of spirits in ceremony. If you see any spirits that are scary, dark, or demonic, blow at them and tell them to leave. If they do not leave, then ask one of the shamans for assistance. Seeing colors and patterns are visions with meaning. They represent different medicine forms. Having very imaginary experiences are visions. Being in dark places and hearing voices talk to you are visions. Feeling your consciousness held in a space of knowing or self-reflection is a vision. Any experience that is different from ordinary consciousness in ceremony is visionary. All of the varied experiences in ceremony offer different kinds of spiritual interaction.

Shamanic “Seeing”
Shamanic seeing is multi-sensory. It can take the place in a visual sense, intuitive knowing, hearing, and feeling. The more you can focus the mind and concentrate, the clearer the “seeing” is. We recommend that you try to maintain your concentration during the ceremony and refrain from activities that create linear thought, such as conversation.

Invoking Spiritual Assistance
Receiving assistance and help from spirits is imperative in ceremony. Invoke the medicine spirits of the Ayahuasca, divinity, spirits of light, angels, guardian spirits, power animals, and guardian angels to help manage and transform during the ceremony. Call out to the spirits. Ask them for help. This can be as directly as saying mentally, “Ayahuasca, help me.”  You can ask to have any ailment or discomfort released. Sometimes it requires asking over and over until the change takes place. Do not give up! Continue to ask for help. You can call on the maestros for help, too. The shamans will be able to help you by singing icaros and by the transference of energy.