“Plant spirit medicine is the shamans way with plants. It recognizes that plants have spirit and that spirit is the strongest medicine, it can heal the deepest reaches of the heart and soul” – Eliot Cowan

Tomorrow I will step into a sacred space of deep transformation: two plant medicine retreats, each with its own unique spirit and healing gift. First, I will sit in ceremony with San Pedro (Huachuma), the gentle heart-opening cactus of the Andes. Some days later, I will surrender into the deep soul work of Ayahuasca, the powerful visionary brew from the Amazon. Both guided by a Peruvian shaman I trust deeply.

This journey is not one I take lightly. It is a call from Spirit, a whisper from within, and a commitment to listen more deeply to my own soul.

The Spirit of San Pedro: A Path of the Heart

San Pedro is known as a wise and loving teacher, which I really love. It opens the heart gently yet profoundly, creating space for compassion, clarity, and connection with the natural world. For many, this medicine brings a sense of lightness, inner peace, and heightened perception of beauty — within and around us, it will for some also help you to connect with those soft wounded parts of yourself. For me it felt like I was in pure bliss for twelve intense hours, (and it lasted more light several days after) I was so deeply connected with nature, myself and those I love, which a good reminder for your priorities in life.

What I seek in this retreat and ceremony:
As always I want to remember the wisdom of my heart. To let go of fear and open myself to love — soft, fierce, honest love. Welcoming clarity in my path, and I invite the medicine to help me harmonize my energy with nature and with my own truth. I think its your responsibility to work with yourself to be able to help other people, seek those darker places in yourself, find different paths to feeling connected with your soul and spirit.

The Depth of Ayahuasca: Soul Work and Shadow Healing

A few days after my San Pedro retreat, I will sit with Ayahuasca — a much deeper and more intense medicine. It is often described as “la abuela,” the grandmother spirit, because of its wise and sometimes stern nature. This sacred brew works on the body, mind, and soul, often through emotional release, visions, and powerful insights.

What I expect is not comfort — but truth.
Ayahuasca is known for bringing up the shadows — what has been hidden, denied, or suppressed — so that healing and release can occur. She asks for surrender. She asks for trust. And she offers transformation. Because this is my second retreat with ayahuasca I both know what kind of experience I am entering, and on the other side I am still feeling a little anxious because it is said Aya is more gentle the first time, and the second time it can be pretty rough and you dive really deep in to the darker hidden stuff. What I comfort myself with is that I have already opened my heart those 4 days with San Pedro, so some stuff have already been done before I surrender 4 more days in to Ayahuasca and the deeper and perhaps more difficult things. Or perhaps I will enjoy 4 good days.

How I Prepare for the Retreats

This kind of journey begins long before the ceremony itself. The preparation is part of the sacred work. And the minute you sign up for this kind of retreat the works begins, actually it begins by a kind of inner calling, you know its time, Aya is calling you from within to do some strong inner work. And then there is the other preparations like :

1. Diet & Body Cleansing

I’ve been eating simply, avoiding heavy foods, alcohol, sugar, and processed products, meat and spices. This helps my body become more sensitive to the plant spirits and supports the energetic purification.

2. Mental & Emotional Grounding

I’ve been spending more time reflecting, calming myself, and reducing negative and dramatic screen time. Creating space for reflection allows emotions to surface gently and helps me connect to my deeper self.

3. Setting Clear Intentions

Intention is everything in this work. I’ve been asking myself:

• What am I truly ready to release?
• What am I ready to receive?
• What part of me is longing to be seen, healed, or remembered?

My current intention is:
“I open to the wisdom of my heart, and I trust the unfolding of my soul’s path. I surrender to love, and I invite healing in all layers of my being.”

What I Hope to Receive

I do not go with expectations — but with openness. Yet I do hold a prayer:

• To connect deeper with Spirit, which I really look forward to reconnect with ind a profound way (last time I asked them to stay right next to me and look after me, it really helped during the demanding experiences)
• To trust the medicine and the process
• To receive guidance about my life, my purpose, and how I can be of service in the world
• To come back more whole — and more true

Integration: The Real Work Begins After

Pearls on a string, these retreats are not isolated experiences — they are part of a longer unfolding. I know that after the ceremonies, I will need time to rest, reflect, and integrate the teachings. Integration is where the medicine truly begins to root itself in daily life. This time I am very blessed having a psychologist helping me to integrate deep emotional and spiritual parts of myself, she herself is deeply knowledgeable to this plant medicine path, so there is no coincidence finding each other right now in this time and space. We are helped and looked after by spirit and the loving life force itself.

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If you are called to this path too, I encourage you to walk it with reverence, humility, and curiosity. These plants are not a shortcut — they are teachers. They will meet you exactly where you are, and they will show you what you are ready to see.

I walk into these ceremonies with gratitude.
For the plants.
For the guides.
For my body and soul.
And for the mystery that moves through us all.

From my heart to yours,
Aviâja

Listen to this little beautiful piece of music which I feel is so Ayahuasca and check out the artist he creates beautiful music.

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