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Despacho Ceremonies

In the words of Q'ero Elder Don Manueal Q'espi

"The despacho is a gift - a giving back of what we receive every day in our lives. We seek, through the despacho ceremony, to bridge the ordinary and non-ordinary realms; to establish new patterns of relationship and possibility"

The simplest way to understand a Despacho is that we give offerings of gratitude and prayer to the Earth, the Sun, the Moon and the Waters.

Frequently this involves some biodegradable paper laid flat on the ground or on a table and surrounded by small containers full of biodegradable offerings.

These can include:

- Flowers
- Nuts/Seeds/Beans
- Cacao/Chocolate
- Rice
- Leaves
- Shells
- Corn
- Rice/Other Grains
- Sugar
- Herbs
- Dried Sage or other incense

Offerings made to a Despacho are offered to the Earth in one of three ways - given to a body of water, given to a fire, or buried in the ground.

Given the sensitivity of our ecosystems at this time, it’s important to consider the impact of your offering on the living world to which you give it.