the shamanic journey...
Some basic instructions on how to go on a Shamanic Journey...
weaver + laughing wolf...
Shamanic Journeying is a classic and ancient technique that has been practiced by healers, shamans and shamanic practitioners all over the world for over 40,000 years in many cultures on every continent.
You may remember accounts of journeying in our fairy tales and stories... Alice in Wonderland journeyed deep into mother earth down a rabbit hole and went on one amazing journey... Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz journeyed up through a funnel in a hurricane's eye to the upper world into the shamanic realm of Oz and oh, what a journey she had!...
Journeying is really 'active day-dreaming or imagination'... enabling you to mindfully intend and send your awareness into the hidden realms of your consciousness - to connect with your own inner wisdom, teachings, receive healing and answers to problems or to discover information that can facilitate your personal growth and understanding.
A shaman is one who can go into an altered state of consciousness at will. While in this altered state, s/he makes a conscious choice to journey to another reality, a reality which is outside of time and space. This other reality is composed of three realms...
The shaman is able to establish relationships with these spirit-guides and to bring back information and healing for the community or the individual.
Shamanic journeys are always undertaken with a specific purpose and intent in mind. The classic way of entering the spirit world is by using a steady rhythm of drumming or from a rattle. This encourages theta brain waves that induce the altered state of consciousness required to travel to the spirit worlds.
In some cultures, the drum is also known as "the shaman's horse" where the shaman "rides" on the drumming rhythm-wave or pulse to enable him/her to travel to the spirit world and like a lifeline, to find their way back quickly and easily to the middle-world.
You may remember accounts of journeying in our fairy tales and stories... Alice in Wonderland journeyed deep into mother earth down a rabbit hole and went on one amazing journey... Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz journeyed up through a funnel in a hurricane's eye to the upper world into the shamanic realm of Oz and oh, what a journey she had!...
Journeying is really 'active day-dreaming or imagination'... enabling you to mindfully intend and send your awareness into the hidden realms of your consciousness - to connect with your own inner wisdom, teachings, receive healing and answers to problems or to discover information that can facilitate your personal growth and understanding.
A shaman is one who can go into an altered state of consciousness at will. While in this altered state, s/he makes a conscious choice to journey to another reality, a reality which is outside of time and space. This other reality is composed of three realms...
- the lower world of our unconscious
- the middle world we live in or...
- the upper world of spirit and is inhabited by helping spirits or guides
The shaman is able to establish relationships with these spirit-guides and to bring back information and healing for the community or the individual.
Shamanic journeys are always undertaken with a specific purpose and intent in mind. The classic way of entering the spirit world is by using a steady rhythm of drumming or from a rattle. This encourages theta brain waves that induce the altered state of consciousness required to travel to the spirit worlds.
In some cultures, the drum is also known as "the shaman's horse" where the shaman "rides" on the drumming rhythm-wave or pulse to enable him/her to travel to the spirit world and like a lifeline, to find their way back quickly and easily to the middle-world.
basic instruction on how to Journey...
new! shamanic rattle journey music - click here >>
*Note: these steps can vary depending on the type of journey - my below info, a general guideline...
• Create safe, sacred space in a private, quiet place...
- When we create mindful, sacred space before beginning to journey... we create a safe container from which to do our inner work... remember that you are always in charge of your own journey...
• Lie or sit down, get comfortable and get relaxed...
- it's important to really relax when learning and taking shamanic journeys and to be in a place where you won't be disturbed... don't be discouraged if you don't "receive" anything the first few times while attempting to learn how to journey at the beginning...
Learning to take or go on a shamanic journey does require some practice like any new skill - think of it as "exercising" a part of your self that hasn't been accessed before - the more you practice, the easier it will become...
Be patient with yourself and trust your own inner guidance... what has worked for me is to really trust that "first hit" that you receive while journeying...
Become presently aware of ALL your senses... what is it that you are smelling?... hearing?... feeling?... seeing?... what does your body sense?... what is around you, behind you... above or below you?... if you're still having trouble receiving... you may need to learn how to relax more deeply - practice relaxation techniques first before journeying...
Also know that not everyone "sees" while journeying... some people just feel information through their body or they only receive scents... others hear sounds... know what works best for you and go with it... also after much practice, you will receive more and more as time goes by...
• Relax, cover and close your eyes and start sound of drumming...
- it reallly helps to cover your eyes or be in a darkened room while journeying - being in complete darkness really assists you to go within deeper... especially if you want to be able to "see" or "sense" better during your journey...
I also recommend that you learn to journey sitting up instead of lying down... lying down runs you the risk of falling asleep... although, also know that when you sleep while journeying sometimes that can also mean that you are going very deep... but you might not remember much either...
Use a shamanic journeying CD like the one i offer journey with laughing wolf or shake, rattle + roll click click rattle journeys or tape yourself drumming for some drumming to listen to...
You can also drum for your self to journey but for beginners, this might be a bit difficult and requires practice with much concentration to do both drum and journey - listening to a journeying CD can be much easier when starting to learn how to journey...
What i do when i drum for myself is, sometimes, is, to sit up with the drum resting vertically on the floor and then i gently rest my forehead gently against the side-rim of the drum... where the sound of the drum really focuses me within - my mind is literally physically "riding" the drum... drumming with a quick pulse (108 beats per minute is recommended) works best for journeying than a slow beat...
• Formulate a clear question you wish to ask before you journey...
- to really receive a clear answer, be really clear with your questions and intent - be specific and keep your questions simple... and you will receive answers...
• *Visualize/picture an opening in the earth...
- be creative... go to a place in your mind where you have gone to before or dream of a place and let it be a special, safe and private place that is calm and serene...
Some of the places that i go to enter the earth to journey are... an old favourite apple tree that used to be in my back yard wher i grew up - i enter the earth by through the base of the tree's trunk where it meets the earth... another place i enter is by walking up to, parting with both hands, to step through a very large beautiful spider web into the spirit world - like, parting a veil... or i walk through a large cave at the beach... i always stop for a moment before entering and ask the spirits for permission to enter first... it is my way of honouring and respecting the spirits and the process... journeying is a gift...
• *Enter the opening, journey either down a tunnel to the underworld or "fly" up to the upperworld...
- after you have entered down into the earth... imagine going down some sort of tunnel... be acutely aware - use all of your senses as you journey and travel down... what does the earth smell like?... what do you see?... what direction are you going... staight down or in a spiral?... is it cold or warm?... what do you feel or touch on the way?...
- to fly to the upperworld can happen in many ways... if you wish to journey to the upperworld, state your intent clearly before you begin... when i journey up, i often visualize myself riding on the back of an eagle, snowy owl or any other type of bird or animal - mythic or of the middle world...
A friend of mine often journeys on a winged-horse... again, be creative... it could a magic carpet... or holding out your arms and simply float up... or go up the rungs of a ladder or climb some stairs or up through, as part of tall tree... i have often journeyed to grandmother moon and the stars...
• Find yourself at a river or clear running spring...
- once you enter the spirit world, go to and into a river or spring to wash and "cleanse" yourself - as you are entering sacred space within your inner realms of consciousness... to also further your respect your own intent of why you are there... you come out refreshed having left remnants... letting go of ego and your linear mindset...
• Meet a guide or ally...
- a guide or an ally can be a animal totem of any kind or a being from another realm or an ancestor that you have once known or not known... be respectful when your guide or ally shows up... they are meeting you in this realm for the first time and wish to know your intent and why you are there... offer them a sacred gift like tobacco, a sacred stone or chocolate, etc... give gratitude for the gift they will offer you of information or an answer to your question...
- We are taught while going through the teachings of the traditional Inca/Inka Medicine Wheel journeying-process that we always call-for to work with an archetype-being "gate-keeper" named Huascar (pronounced "wascar")...
• Create safe, sacred space in a private, quiet place...
- When we create mindful, sacred space before beginning to journey... we create a safe container from which to do our inner work... remember that you are always in charge of your own journey...
• Lie or sit down, get comfortable and get relaxed...
- it's important to really relax when learning and taking shamanic journeys and to be in a place where you won't be disturbed... don't be discouraged if you don't "receive" anything the first few times while attempting to learn how to journey at the beginning...
Learning to take or go on a shamanic journey does require some practice like any new skill - think of it as "exercising" a part of your self that hasn't been accessed before - the more you practice, the easier it will become...
Be patient with yourself and trust your own inner guidance... what has worked for me is to really trust that "first hit" that you receive while journeying...
Become presently aware of ALL your senses... what is it that you are smelling?... hearing?... feeling?... seeing?... what does your body sense?... what is around you, behind you... above or below you?... if you're still having trouble receiving... you may need to learn how to relax more deeply - practice relaxation techniques first before journeying...
Also know that not everyone "sees" while journeying... some people just feel information through their body or they only receive scents... others hear sounds... know what works best for you and go with it... also after much practice, you will receive more and more as time goes by...
• Relax, cover and close your eyes and start sound of drumming...
- it reallly helps to cover your eyes or be in a darkened room while journeying - being in complete darkness really assists you to go within deeper... especially if you want to be able to "see" or "sense" better during your journey...
I also recommend that you learn to journey sitting up instead of lying down... lying down runs you the risk of falling asleep... although, also know that when you sleep while journeying sometimes that can also mean that you are going very deep... but you might not remember much either...
Use a shamanic journeying CD like the one i offer journey with laughing wolf or shake, rattle + roll click click rattle journeys or tape yourself drumming for some drumming to listen to...
You can also drum for your self to journey but for beginners, this might be a bit difficult and requires practice with much concentration to do both drum and journey - listening to a journeying CD can be much easier when starting to learn how to journey...
What i do when i drum for myself is, sometimes, is, to sit up with the drum resting vertically on the floor and then i gently rest my forehead gently against the side-rim of the drum... where the sound of the drum really focuses me within - my mind is literally physically "riding" the drum... drumming with a quick pulse (108 beats per minute is recommended) works best for journeying than a slow beat...
• Formulate a clear question you wish to ask before you journey...
- to really receive a clear answer, be really clear with your questions and intent - be specific and keep your questions simple... and you will receive answers...
• *Visualize/picture an opening in the earth...
- be creative... go to a place in your mind where you have gone to before or dream of a place and let it be a special, safe and private place that is calm and serene...
Some of the places that i go to enter the earth to journey are... an old favourite apple tree that used to be in my back yard wher i grew up - i enter the earth by through the base of the tree's trunk where it meets the earth... another place i enter is by walking up to, parting with both hands, to step through a very large beautiful spider web into the spirit world - like, parting a veil... or i walk through a large cave at the beach... i always stop for a moment before entering and ask the spirits for permission to enter first... it is my way of honouring and respecting the spirits and the process... journeying is a gift...
• *Enter the opening, journey either down a tunnel to the underworld or "fly" up to the upperworld...
- after you have entered down into the earth... imagine going down some sort of tunnel... be acutely aware - use all of your senses as you journey and travel down... what does the earth smell like?... what do you see?... what direction are you going... staight down or in a spiral?... is it cold or warm?... what do you feel or touch on the way?...
- to fly to the upperworld can happen in many ways... if you wish to journey to the upperworld, state your intent clearly before you begin... when i journey up, i often visualize myself riding on the back of an eagle, snowy owl or any other type of bird or animal - mythic or of the middle world...
A friend of mine often journeys on a winged-horse... again, be creative... it could a magic carpet... or holding out your arms and simply float up... or go up the rungs of a ladder or climb some stairs or up through, as part of tall tree... i have often journeyed to grandmother moon and the stars...
• Find yourself at a river or clear running spring...
- once you enter the spirit world, go to and into a river or spring to wash and "cleanse" yourself - as you are entering sacred space within your inner realms of consciousness... to also further your respect your own intent of why you are there... you come out refreshed having left remnants... letting go of ego and your linear mindset...
• Meet a guide or ally...
- a guide or an ally can be a animal totem of any kind or a being from another realm or an ancestor that you have once known or not known... be respectful when your guide or ally shows up... they are meeting you in this realm for the first time and wish to know your intent and why you are there... offer them a sacred gift like tobacco, a sacred stone or chocolate, etc... give gratitude for the gift they will offer you of information or an answer to your question...
- We are taught while going through the teachings of the traditional Inca/Inka Medicine Wheel journeying-process that we always call-for to work with an archetype-being "gate-keeper" named Huascar (pronounced "wascar")...
Huascar Inca - Image courtesy of the Inca Glossary - thank you!
Huascar was a 13th Inca emperor (ruled 1526-32), having seized the throne after the sudden death of his father, Huayna Capac. Huascar was captured and executed by his brother in 1532 and didn't complete his "ayni" (right relationship) and went to the lower world, the Ukhupacha, to complete his ayni.
When we journey to the lower world, we always ask for Huascar's guidance and permission to enter the lower world of the Ukupacha.... Huascar as archetype can be male nor female showing up as many forms...
Huascar usually shows up for me as a wild and old shaman-like character, with very long hair in ragged clothes with all kinds of "stuff" hanging off of him - and he has a large horned-headdress... and he communicates with me telepathically with no sound...
Another guide that i work with is a grandmother white wolf who is very old, wise and a guardian of light... i welcome you to journey to your own inner spirit to ask who your guide is...
• State or ask about problem or question to guide...
- again, during your journey, be specific and clear about what it is that you seek... with respect... keeping your questions simple is more effective...
• Follow the guide's lead and instructions implicitly...
- trust their wisdom even when their message or gift to you doesn't make any sense at all... Once, information that i was given during a journey didn't make any sense to me until almost 4 years later...
- It's interesting to note... If you ever visit Peru and receive a soul-retrieval or journey-message from a shaman there, they often only "through their breath, blow" the information or message they received into one of your chakras, not telling you any information they received - they believe it is up to you to discover what the teaching/message was for yourself! ...it was "your" journey not theirs...
• Return from the journey via the same route you came from the start when you hear the drum "call-back"...
- 7 beats together 4 times...
- it's important to have some kind of call-back when returning from your journey... the shamanic journey takes you very deep into a trance... a call-back helps you come back into the middle world and back to life as it is... if you don't use a call-back with the drum...
Pat your body, legs and arm and clap a few times to wake you up to return back... do not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery during or right after a journey... give yourself time to return fully... other ways that hep is to also burn some smudge (sage/cedar) incense or drink some water...
• Offer and give thanks to your guide and close sacred space...
- be appreciate and mindful of the gifts and sacred knowledge you have received... and honour and thank your guides in some way... when they know you come with a pure heart of spirit they will honour and respect you back.. and always know that your guides and allies are always there for you... ask them for their name and they will tell you... ask them anything—all you need do is ask!
• You may choose to journal your experience to deepen your understanding...
- writing down the teachings and learnings we have recieved "grounds" our experience and also opens the way for more understanding and also keeps a record of your path and journey...
• Special Note...
If you meet or see something while journeying that is uncomfortable or fearful - a good practice to remember is to NOT ENGAGE with whatever you sense or see—knowing this journey is your journey and you are not available to be manipulated... a good practice to journeying is to be in the role of the "observer" - especially when first learning...
• Happy journeying to you!... weaver x (((o)))
If you live in the Vancouver, BC area and would to gather with us to explore and practice your shamanic journeying - we meet on the new and full moons... please join us >>
• copyright © 2009-2015 carol weaver - all rights reserved... please do not copy, it's really not great for your karma... please know that my work is my living and my source of income - i thank you for your support!
If you've found my work helpful and of benefit, please feel free to show your support - with much appreciation, love + light...
When we journey to the lower world, we always ask for Huascar's guidance and permission to enter the lower world of the Ukupacha.... Huascar as archetype can be male nor female showing up as many forms...
Huascar usually shows up for me as a wild and old shaman-like character, with very long hair in ragged clothes with all kinds of "stuff" hanging off of him - and he has a large horned-headdress... and he communicates with me telepathically with no sound...
Another guide that i work with is a grandmother white wolf who is very old, wise and a guardian of light... i welcome you to journey to your own inner spirit to ask who your guide is...
• State or ask about problem or question to guide...
- again, during your journey, be specific and clear about what it is that you seek... with respect... keeping your questions simple is more effective...
• Follow the guide's lead and instructions implicitly...
- trust their wisdom even when their message or gift to you doesn't make any sense at all... Once, information that i was given during a journey didn't make any sense to me until almost 4 years later...
- It's interesting to note... If you ever visit Peru and receive a soul-retrieval or journey-message from a shaman there, they often only "through their breath, blow" the information or message they received into one of your chakras, not telling you any information they received - they believe it is up to you to discover what the teaching/message was for yourself! ...it was "your" journey not theirs...
• Return from the journey via the same route you came from the start when you hear the drum "call-back"...
- 7 beats together 4 times...
- it's important to have some kind of call-back when returning from your journey... the shamanic journey takes you very deep into a trance... a call-back helps you come back into the middle world and back to life as it is... if you don't use a call-back with the drum...
Pat your body, legs and arm and clap a few times to wake you up to return back... do not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery during or right after a journey... give yourself time to return fully... other ways that hep is to also burn some smudge (sage/cedar) incense or drink some water...
• Offer and give thanks to your guide and close sacred space...
- be appreciate and mindful of the gifts and sacred knowledge you have received... and honour and thank your guides in some way... when they know you come with a pure heart of spirit they will honour and respect you back.. and always know that your guides and allies are always there for you... ask them for their name and they will tell you... ask them anything—all you need do is ask!
• You may choose to journal your experience to deepen your understanding...
- writing down the teachings and learnings we have recieved "grounds" our experience and also opens the way for more understanding and also keeps a record of your path and journey...
• Special Note...
If you meet or see something while journeying that is uncomfortable or fearful - a good practice to remember is to NOT ENGAGE with whatever you sense or see—knowing this journey is your journey and you are not available to be manipulated... a good practice to journeying is to be in the role of the "observer" - especially when first learning...
• Happy journeying to you!... weaver x (((o)))
If you live in the Vancouver, BC area and would to gather with us to explore and practice your shamanic journeying - we meet on the new and full moons... please join us >>
• copyright © 2009-2015 carol weaver - all rights reserved... please do not copy, it's really not great for your karma... please know that my work is my living and my source of income - i thank you for your support!
If you've found my work helpful and of benefit, please feel free to show your support - with much appreciation, love + light...
*top/right photo of laughing wolf + weaver by jp wright © 2009
shamanic journey sample...
Below, a 3-min journey drumming sample of weaver's 2nd track: "riding the wave" from the CD/mp3 Album, Journey with Laughing Wolf ... (includes rattle and please note: NO crows on the album/mp3 - just drum + rattle!)...
• to hear actual sound clip without the crows, scroll down below...
• to hear actual sound clip without the crows, scroll down below...
a shamanic journeying CD - mp3 Tracks...
• Scroll down to hear a sample of weaver's journey drumming...
journey with laughing wolf...
Journey with Laughing Wolf...
- A Sacred Drumming CD mp3 for the Shamanic Journey...
- drummed by carol weaver, reiki-shamanic practitioner...
This unique CD was recorded in real time (in sacred space) with no looping on a powerful 27-inch Qilaut frame drum made of a very thin goat hide and a white oak frame named "laughing wolf"...
From weaver... "i am honoured and awed to be the caretaker and carrier of grandmother "laughing wolf"... who is a powerful 27-inch qilaut wind drum... this CD was created to assist those on the shamanic path who wish to journey with her strong, sacred voice... the sound of this sacred large frame drum will take you to very deep places and spaces in the shamanic landscape..."
Kalaallit elder and teacher Angaangaq shares a deep teaching of the qilaut drum...
"Qilaut, the Eskimo wind drum, is a circle that has no beginning nor ending, in which we all belong... the great creator who made us—holds the handle and every time creator touches upon the rim, creator hears the heart-beat of humankind. The stronger the heartbeat the healthier humankind is." - Angaangaq
This CD has three movements of shamanic journey drumming tracks...
Shamanic Journey Tracks - including mp3 sample/download...
• journey one: a rising wind, 10 min with call back
• journey two: riding the wave, 20 min with rattle + call back << Click to hear a sample mp3 clip
• journey three: diving deeper, 30 min with call back
• Journey with Laughing Wolf © copyright 2007
• all rights reserved • SOCAN • 60:00
• produced & arranged by carol weaver
• carol weaver, all vocals, drums, rattle, shaker, & the qilaut wind drum
• Recorded & engineered by Matthew Walsh
• cover photography by kathryn learie of www.owen-imaging.com
• inside photo by joan wright
Buy this CD at cdbaby now >>
Download option of mp3 tracks available...
What others have said about Journey with Laughing Wolf...
"Sacred drums for the shamanic journey... carol weaver's music is so expansive that it leads to places and spaces never explored before... The drumming (on this journeying CD) is powerful, deep, and rich with light-filled energy. I use this CD with all my clients who need to journey or rest in the sacredÉthank you weaver! May we all experience journeying with laughing wolf."
- Mary Anne Flanagan, Toning the OM, New York City
"Incredible Work! What a way to clear the mind after a stressful day at the office. Kick back relax and take a 20 minute journey. Perfect Thank You carol!!!
- Jim Davis
"One great journeying CD! I love how this CD offers 3 different journey options. The 1st journey is great when you want a quick perspective on something and the other 2 let you go much deeper when you have more time -very versatile. Highly recommended!"
- A. Mackay, Prince George, BC, Canada
- drummed by carol weaver, reiki-shamanic practitioner...
This unique CD was recorded in real time (in sacred space) with no looping on a powerful 27-inch Qilaut frame drum made of a very thin goat hide and a white oak frame named "laughing wolf"...
From weaver... "i am honoured and awed to be the caretaker and carrier of grandmother "laughing wolf"... who is a powerful 27-inch qilaut wind drum... this CD was created to assist those on the shamanic path who wish to journey with her strong, sacred voice... the sound of this sacred large frame drum will take you to very deep places and spaces in the shamanic landscape..."
Kalaallit elder and teacher Angaangaq shares a deep teaching of the qilaut drum...
"Qilaut, the Eskimo wind drum, is a circle that has no beginning nor ending, in which we all belong... the great creator who made us—holds the handle and every time creator touches upon the rim, creator hears the heart-beat of humankind. The stronger the heartbeat the healthier humankind is." - Angaangaq
This CD has three movements of shamanic journey drumming tracks...
Shamanic Journey Tracks - including mp3 sample/download...
• journey one: a rising wind, 10 min with call back
• journey two: riding the wave, 20 min with rattle + call back << Click to hear a sample mp3 clip
• journey three: diving deeper, 30 min with call back
• Journey with Laughing Wolf © copyright 2007
• all rights reserved • SOCAN • 60:00
• produced & arranged by carol weaver
• carol weaver, all vocals, drums, rattle, shaker, & the qilaut wind drum
• Recorded & engineered by Matthew Walsh
• cover photography by kathryn learie of www.owen-imaging.com
• inside photo by joan wright
Buy this CD at cdbaby now >>
Download option of mp3 tracks available...
What others have said about Journey with Laughing Wolf...
"Sacred drums for the shamanic journey... carol weaver's music is so expansive that it leads to places and spaces never explored before... The drumming (on this journeying CD) is powerful, deep, and rich with light-filled energy. I use this CD with all my clients who need to journey or rest in the sacredÉthank you weaver! May we all experience journeying with laughing wolf."
- Mary Anne Flanagan, Toning the OM, New York City
"Incredible Work! What a way to clear the mind after a stressful day at the office. Kick back relax and take a 20 minute journey. Perfect Thank You carol!!!
- Jim Davis
"One great journeying CD! I love how this CD offers 3 different journey options. The 1st journey is great when you want a quick perspective on something and the other 2 let you go much deeper when you have more time -very versatile. Highly recommended!"
- A. Mackay, Prince George, BC, Canada
song to the apukuna - a 50-min shamanic meditation CD/mp3...
song to the apukuna - apu song...
- for Journeying, Meditation and Ceremony...
• Click to hear/buy mp3 version >>
..."song to the apukuna" is a 50-minute meditative song-prayer and journey in honour of the sacred apu (mountain) spirits. Sung in Quechua & English and played entirely on the rim of the qilaut wind drum named "laughing wolf"... a sacred mountain drum... the apu song...
"Apukuna", the plural of "Apu"...in the indigenous Quechua language of Peru means "mountain spirit"—a sacred being that not only gives presence to the physical mountain but offers dialogue with a "paqo" (one who walks a spiritual path) who is in service to that apu/mountain... one can be in service to more than one apu...
Apus are the highest level of nature energy and are the most important spiritual guides within the Andean shamanic system... "humpui, humpuay" loosely translated means, "come to me, come to me"...
• Click to hear/buy mp3 version >>
..."song to the apukuna" is a 50-minute meditative song-prayer and journey in honour of the sacred apu (mountain) spirits. Sung in Quechua & English and played entirely on the rim of the qilaut wind drum named "laughing wolf"... a sacred mountain drum... the apu song...
"Apukuna", the plural of "Apu"...in the indigenous Quechua language of Peru means "mountain spirit"—a sacred being that not only gives presence to the physical mountain but offers dialogue with a "paqo" (one who walks a spiritual path) who is in service to that apu/mountain... one can be in service to more than one apu...
Apus are the highest level of nature energy and are the most important spiritual guides within the Andean shamanic system... "humpui, humpuay" loosely translated means, "come to me, come to me"...
don Manuel Quispe
What weaver says about her writing of "song to the apukuna"...
"The vision of "song to the apukuna" comes from a very deep place from within our blessed earth mother, Pachamama and the Apukuna mountain spirits - this is their song... a teaching and a gift... it is their call to us to remember who we truly are... to dream our becoming into being... to return to Ayni of right relationship and, once again walk in balance with all... within, around, above and below... "
"I dedicate this movement of music and song to don Manuel Quispe (1905-2004) and the Q'ero mountain people of Peru who have freely shared their medicine & love of our blessed earth mother, Pachamama... it has been truly an honour and a blessing to share this with all of you, my beautiful Ayllu..." - weaver (((o)))
"The vision of "song to the apukuna" comes from a very deep place from within our blessed earth mother, Pachamama and the Apukuna mountain spirits - this is their song... a teaching and a gift... it is their call to us to remember who we truly are... to dream our becoming into being... to return to Ayni of right relationship and, once again walk in balance with all... within, around, above and below... "
"I dedicate this movement of music and song to don Manuel Quispe (1905-2004) and the Q'ero mountain people of Peru who have freely shared their medicine & love of our blessed earth mother, Pachamama... it has been truly an honour and a blessing to share this with all of you, my beautiful Ayllu..." - weaver (((o)))
Note: This movement of music can be used as ceremonial music for the ceremony of rites of passage (rites of the altomesayok - wisdomkeeper's rites) given during the North Direction of the Inca Medicine Wheel or the Munay-Ki rites ceremony.
This CD can also be used for shamanic journeying as well...
• song to the apukuna • © copyright 2007
• all rights reserved • SOCAN • 50:01
• arranged and dreamed into being by the Apukuna mountain spirits and carol weaver
• carol weaver • vocals, rattle and the qilaut grandmother "laughing wolf" wind drum
• Recorded and engineered by Matthew Walsh
What others have said about song to the apukuna...
"Everytime I listen to carol weaver's "song to the apukuna" it takes me on a musical journey. This unique musical piece weaves my mind through a story. Each time I indulge, the story changes depending on my mood and what's happening at the moment in my life. I highly recommend this CD to the musical and/or spiritually conscious.
- J. DeTracey, Vancouver, BC Canada apu song
"Oh my God!!!!!!!!! Your voice... it is, it becomes, something way more than a human voice, it sounds to me as the voice of something that does not live here, but in some magnificent dimension that we are all seeking to reach... well, I'm not quite sure how to explain, but now this piece has surpassed heart level mantra/puja to something even bigger... I heard power, strength and also sweet soothing feminine. You sang to those mountains like a sweet celestial lover."
- M. Metcalf, Victoria BC Canada
"From my heart to yours, thank-you weaver for "song to the apukuna". This truly is a work inspired. It reasonates with the ancientness of my soul. Grounding me to the Mother while calling to the power and strength of our sacred mountains. It is vast, yet deeply intimate. Be it for ceremony or meditation, "song to the apukuna" honor both."
- In munay, love P. Jensen , Heffley Creek, BC Canada
"I began my journey into shamanism when I fell in love with Apu Ausangate in 1996. Sitting in the lap of that mountain, with the Southern Cross wheeling above me, I listened to the Q'ero medicine people sing their love, and their profound respect and honour to their Apu. In this CD, carol weaver has captured the essence of that heartfelt love for all of our great Apu sprits. Ho!"
- L. Summerlot Zammuto, Melbourne, Australia
"Hi carol... Have "song to the apukuna" playing here, again and just wanted to say that I think it is a really extraordinary piece. Your freedom from "performing" and "the song" is palpable and the flow of it all is pure magic. Thanks so much for doing it - it's fast become a real favorite, right up there with some of TKs sound work.
- Love, R. Ellis, Victoria, BC Canada
"I am preparing a talk...on the Spirit of the Drum. When I listened to "song to the apukuna", I thought immediately of using it to introduce the drum as sacred partner on the journey to the word of spirit.
- J. Millen, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
This CD can also be used for shamanic journeying as well...
• song to the apukuna • © copyright 2007
• all rights reserved • SOCAN • 50:01
• arranged and dreamed into being by the Apukuna mountain spirits and carol weaver
• carol weaver • vocals, rattle and the qilaut grandmother "laughing wolf" wind drum
• Recorded and engineered by Matthew Walsh
What others have said about song to the apukuna...
"Everytime I listen to carol weaver's "song to the apukuna" it takes me on a musical journey. This unique musical piece weaves my mind through a story. Each time I indulge, the story changes depending on my mood and what's happening at the moment in my life. I highly recommend this CD to the musical and/or spiritually conscious.
- J. DeTracey, Vancouver, BC Canada apu song
"Oh my God!!!!!!!!! Your voice... it is, it becomes, something way more than a human voice, it sounds to me as the voice of something that does not live here, but in some magnificent dimension that we are all seeking to reach... well, I'm not quite sure how to explain, but now this piece has surpassed heart level mantra/puja to something even bigger... I heard power, strength and also sweet soothing feminine. You sang to those mountains like a sweet celestial lover."
- M. Metcalf, Victoria BC Canada
"From my heart to yours, thank-you weaver for "song to the apukuna". This truly is a work inspired. It reasonates with the ancientness of my soul. Grounding me to the Mother while calling to the power and strength of our sacred mountains. It is vast, yet deeply intimate. Be it for ceremony or meditation, "song to the apukuna" honor both."
- In munay, love P. Jensen , Heffley Creek, BC Canada
"I began my journey into shamanism when I fell in love with Apu Ausangate in 1996. Sitting in the lap of that mountain, with the Southern Cross wheeling above me, I listened to the Q'ero medicine people sing their love, and their profound respect and honour to their Apu. In this CD, carol weaver has captured the essence of that heartfelt love for all of our great Apu sprits. Ho!"
- L. Summerlot Zammuto, Melbourne, Australia
"Hi carol... Have "song to the apukuna" playing here, again and just wanted to say that I think it is a really extraordinary piece. Your freedom from "performing" and "the song" is palpable and the flow of it all is pure magic. Thanks so much for doing it - it's fast become a real favorite, right up there with some of TKs sound work.
- Love, R. Ellis, Victoria, BC Canada
"I am preparing a talk...on the Spirit of the Drum. When I listened to "song to the apukuna", I thought immediately of using it to introduce the drum as sacred partner on the journey to the word of spirit.
- J. Millen, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
weaver with laughing wolf at Deer Lake, Burnaby, BC...