“Tobacco allows us to see things as they actually are.”
When he finished the dream of creation, Buinaima [the Creator], left us something to remember him by. He left us tobacco. In this way we can dream like He dreamt. This plant grew alone by the mound where Buinaima sat, dreaming throughout the night. That’s why, when we take tobacco, we concentrate in meditation and think of the gods, and they advise us through our dreams.
Tobacco can be smoked, inhaled, and also chewed when it’s prepared in a paste made from crushed leaves. We use it with respect and caution, because tobacco is a great traveler. Those who have envisioned him in dreams say that he is a very thin man, almost like a skeleton. He walks in space, aided by a cane where his leaves grow, and he wears a necklace of skulls and knees. They are the bones of our ancestors, so old and ghostly like his white smoke. He looks like he’s tired, but he keeps walking, always carrying for us the memory of all that has happened since the earth and her creation formed.
In dreams we reconnect to Buinaima, the Creator, to Jusíguna, the tree-child, and to Buiñaiño, the mother of water from whom was born all that exists when Buinaima blew and illuminated the water with his white saliva. Since then, Buinaima wears a rainbow in his head of hair and dreams in color, and we also dream, because life is the dream of colors from the creator. We live and we dream in all the colors with which Buiñaiño is dressed when she stands up, holding the heavens to save us from storms and make the sun rise and shine again.
Witoto creation myth from Rember Yahuarcaní
Tobacco holds a unique place among plants. It was the crop most widely cultivated, used, and traded throughout the Americas. Tobacco has been found in antiquity from the southern tip of South America all the way to the Northern territories of North America and everywhere in between.
For the indigenous peoples of the Americas, tobacco was considered a sacred plant; for many peoples it was their most sacred plant. Many creation myths center around the tobacco plant.
Tobacco is a plant in the nightshade family. There are many varieties of tobacco but today only two are prominently used: Nicotiana tobacum is the species that dominates the tobacco industry and is what most of us think about when we imagine tobacco. The other, nicotiana rustica (wild tobacco), an heirloom varietal grown almost exclusively in the Amazon, is a much stronger variety.
Nicotiana rustica is an old variety of tobacco that has been cultivated in the Amazon for many thousands of years. This variety is very potent, often containing up to ten times the amount of nicotine that a standard leaf of nicotiana tobacum may have. Nicotiana rustica was actually the original tobacco that was planted as far as North America. But, probably do to its commercialization, nicotiana tobacum eventually became more profitable as its smoother, less harsh quality lent to people being able to smoke more.
The Grandfather [architect of the Universe] sent tobacco to take his place among men. Smoking, the people talked with God.
Carirí creation myth
Tobacco, or mapacho as it is called in the Amazon, is a sacred medicine of people all throughout the Americas, where it is indigenous to. It is often said that tobacco is the grandfather plant, from which all other plants sprung forth. In the Amazon, tobacco has an almost universe appeal as medicine, spanning most indigenous groups. It is taken in different ways, either smoked, snorted, or drunk. When smoked it us used as a way to clear energy; both of a space and of a person. In North America the passing of the pipe is symbolic of this type of use. When important decisions were to be made, before any man spoke, he and the entire group would first inhale tobacco from the pipe. In this way it was said that a man would speak from his heart, and he would speak the truth.
Tobacco is also said to help invoke the power of other plant medicines. The indigenous people speak of other plant ‘spirits’ liking the tobacco spirit. Anyone who partakes in an Ayahuasca ceremony, for example, usually sees the curandero smoking tobacco and often partakes in the ritual smoking themselves. The curandero believes that the plant spirits are aided by tobacco. Tobacco can clear the ceremonial space of energies and allow the curandero to enter a space where healing can occur. On a scientific level, this could be explained as tobacco contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors which help the dimethyltryptamine in the Ayahuasca brew take effect. Hence tobacco can literally enhance the experience in an Ayahuasca ceremony.
Tobacco is also ground to a fine powder and taken as a snuff. This was actually the most common way to take tobacco for a time amongst the newly arrived North Americans and Europeans. The tobacco can be taken pure or mixed with other plants to produce desired results. The tobacco is often applied using a long tube where one person blows the tobacco into another’s nostril. A common name for this snuff is rapé (pronounced ha-peh or ra-peh). Taken this way, the tobacco has a purging effect on the sinuses, releasing mucous and phlegm, and also tends to ground the recipient, clearing their mind and bringing them more to their center.
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The woman and the man dreamed that God was dreaming about them.
God was singing and clacking his maracas as he dreamed his dream in a cloud of tobacco smoke, feeling happy but shaken by doubt and mystery.
The Makiritare Indians know that if God dreams about eating, he gives fertility and food. If God dreams about life, he is born and gives birth.
In their dream about God’s dream, the woman and the man were inside a great shining egg, singing and dancing and kicking up a fuss because they were crazy to be born. In God’s dream happiness was stronger than doubt and mystery. So dreaming, God created them with a song:
‘I break this egg and the woman is born and the man is born. And together they will live and die. But they will be born again. They will be born and die again and be born again. They will never stop being born, because death is an lie.
Makiritare creation myth
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The other way tobacco is taken, and by far the most potent, is when it is blended into a tea-like concoction and drunk. When we speak of tobacco as medicine, as a teacher, and its ability to cure disease, this is the manner where it has the most power. The drink is an extremely powerful purgative and very effective in cleansing the intestines, the blood, and the body including killing parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Whats more, on the mental/emotional level, the tobacco has a very grounding and clearing effect. When people drink they often speak of a great clarity. Unlike other powerful plants such as Ayahuasca, which often tends to transport people to other states of consciousness, tobacco, taken this way, leaves one feeling extremely present and grounded, with a very strong clarity and insight into the nature of life and oneself. Blocks can be undone and answers to questions we have had are made simplistically clear. Partaking in a tobacco ceremony is considered by many indigenous people to be the most powerful way of learning from the plant world. Tobacco is considered the great teacher and the great healer. The ceremonies can be quite intense and difficult to endure as tobacco has a very strong effect. But when completed it leaves the participant grounded, clear, strong, connected to the Earth, and often with great insight into the nature of themselves and the world around them. Caution must be taken to only work with someone who has experience working in this manner as the effects can be potentially dangerous if not administered correctly.
For better or worse tobacco has become a much maligned plant. Sadly, when people speak of tobacco what they are often referring to is cigarettes. Cigarettes are usually made with reconstituted sheet tobacco of very low quality. The tobacco leaves are often grown with a tremendous amount of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Cigarettes also normally contain around 70% tobacco, leaving an additional 30% of fillers and chemicals. In fact, the standard cigarette has over 600 added chemicals to it. When combusted, these 600 turn into 4,000. This doesn’t include the chemicals and bleaches and dyes that are added to the paper and filters. A little known fact, when filters were first introduced, they were actually made of asbestos! This melange of chemicals is what a person inhales into their lungs every time they light up a cigarette, often many times per day throughout one’s lifetime. Many of the chemicals that are contained in cigarettes are know carcinogens, substances know to cause cancer. Tobacco has been used medicinally for thousands of years, if not many many more. Its sacred nature and medicinal properties have been used to learn and heal for many peoples throughout time. Pure, natural tobacco, has never been associated with disease; quite the opposite, it is associated with the sacred, with the divine, with learning and healing. The chemicals contained in cigarettes are know to cause disease. And so we must ask ourselves, who is the culprit for disease, 4000 added chemicals, or a plant held sacred by countless people through time immemorial? The answer, when investigated, and more so when experienced, should become quite clear.
As with any and all strong medicinal plants, the quote of Paracelsus is true, Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy. We must always approach all plant work with honor, respect, and knowledge and with a true desire to learn and be healed by the powers of the plant. In this ceremonial space, true transformation can occur.
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In the beginning there was nothing but nights, and other Indian words call them the two nights—man and woman. They tried to create, to produce a child, but the child was lost before time for its birth. For four times the same happened. Then with a flash of lightning (num yum a wit) came strong twin boys.
The name of the first one was Mo-Cot, and the name of the second was Mo-Cot-tem-ma-ya-wit, meaning creator. These were the first people. They were sitting in the air. There was no earth, no water, no light, nothing but darkness; so they could not see each other, but they could hear each other. They did not call each other “brother,” but “my man.”
Now this Mo-Cot, he asked, “What are we going to do, my man ?“
Mo-Cot-tem-ma-ya-wit answered, “You should know, my man.”
Mo-Cot said, “We must create now.”
Then Mo-Cot created first tobacco. And Mo-Cot-tern-ma-ya-wit invented the pipe and gave it two names: man and woman. This pipe they filled with the tobacco, and not having light of fire or anything of that kind, they drew on the pipe with their mouths, and fire and smoke came into it.
Cahuilla creation myth
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Tobacco and Ayahuasca Ceremonies
The plant ceremony is a form in which participants are able to experience the power and healing properties of the sacred plants. It is important before deciding to join that you do your research and understand what it is you are getting yourself into. If not, you could be in for a surprise! These strong medicinal plants have been used for a very long time. The exact origins of them are still being debated and perhaps will never be known. But their origins go back many many generations, perhaps and probably long before history as we know it began to take shape. The ceremony was an integral part in the lives of indigenous peoples around the world. It wasn't isolated to just certain parts of the world but was truly a world-wide phenomena. The ceremony was a chance for people to join together and to experience something that was quite out of the boundaries of their normal day-to-day lives. It also acted as a sort of test for the human will. In many cultures this was performed when a boy or girl 'came of age.' It was an initiation ceremony where the young person was able to test themselves and see the strength that lay dormant in them. And for everyone, working with these plants was a chance to experience realms of our consciousness, realms of reality that for most of us, lay dormant in most of our waking lives. And it is important to remember that what we experience when working with these plants is indeed reality. It is our experience. And it may be so different and fantastic from our normal state that we may be in disbelief. But much in the same way that our eyes can only see but a small part of the spectrum of light, there is much to this universe that, in our normal state of consciousness, we can overlook.
These plants offer us a chance to join together and to experience what they have to offer. These plants are medicine. They can help us to heal on both a physical and mental level. And whats more these plants are life. And in this way they share their life with ours; there is a bonding of plant and man, of energies, of consciousness, or of spirit as it is often referred to in native languages. This may seem a bit hard to grasp for us at first, but once we begin to work with these plants, we need not debate or get lost in ideas, the experience of the plants gives us a knowing that is perhaps irreversible. How the actual mechanisms work when we partake with these plants is just beginning to be studied in our modern age. And while it is surely of benefit, the intricacy, complexity, and ultimately knowing of how and why is perhaps beyond our intellectual power. It may reside in that space of the Great Mystery, that from which we come. And working with these plants has the potential to bring us closer to that, that which we are, our truest self, that which always has been, always is, always will be.
Inquire into what these plants are. Do your research. And if you decide to partake, come in with an open heart and mind. Approach the work with respect, humility, and honor, and in that way you will receive back from the plants what you have put in. The ceremony is no easy feat. It very well may test your strength, your endurance, your patience, your courage, and many of your beliefs. And this is part of the challenge and the experience of the ceremony. It tests our will. It opens us up to question everything we have come to believe. And as we let go, the answers we had been looking for become clear. The traumas that we had been holding onto begin to soften. The fear that we had is examined. And the essence of who we are is brought to light.
No two ceremonies will be the same. And no ceremony will be the same for two different people. Certainly each ceremony will challenge you physically. All of these plants tend to induce a big purge. This is most often in the form of vomiting, but could also be defecation, sweating, shaking, crying, laughing, heat, chills, or any number of other ways the body releases. It is very common to feel discomfort in the body. This will come and it will go. Learning to accept and allow it to be will greatly aid in the process. Our mind may also begin to travel, to places of fear, of joy, of the past, of other worlds perhaps. And, as people in control, this can be very confronting. The experience can seem overwhelming. But truly it is not. And if we can be at peace knowing that it is ok, then this will help tremendously. Some of the best advice I received before my first ceremony I still give to others today. It is that these plants always give us exactly what we need, and that they never give us more than we can handle. So remember that if things get tough, that the plant is indeed giving you exactly what you need in this moment, and that whatever that is, it is within your power to handle it. And perhaps handle isn't the correct word. It implies control. Perhaps a better concept is to allow it to be, to release into the experience and simply to observe it, knowing that everything is as it should be.
Ceremonies are generally held at night. Usually the ceremony will commence around eight o'clock. The space will be cleared (smudged) and all participants will come together in a common area, sitting in a circle amongst each other. I will begin by doing a bit of work with my pipe. One by one each participant will come and drink a cup of the medicine. Depending on the number of people this could take between a few minutes and an hour. Once everyone had taken their medicine, usually I will commence by working more with my pipe, using an oración or prayer, and begin singing. After a time has passed, usually around a half of an hour or whenever I feel participants are ready, each will come forth one by one. If working with tobacco, each will then partake in singuiado, or the taking of liquid tobacco through the nose. Then I will sing and usually use my chacapa (rattle) on each person. After everyone has completed this, they will be able to relax and go into their own experience. I will continue to work with the pipe and sing. The actual length of the ceremony can vary widely in time, mainly depending on how many participants there are. The ceremonies can range in size of two people to up to ten. Everyone is encouraged to spend the night in the space. The space is where the work is happening. And even if we feel like we are ok at some point and can get up and leave, it is in our best interest to stay. The effect of the plants can come in waves, and therefore it is best to stay in the space for the night. In the morning everyone in the group can share their experience if they like, or I will be available in private to speak as well. Once day comes, participants can return home when they please.
If you are interested in participating, please subscribe at the bottom of the page with your email so that you will know when and where upcoming ceremonies will be held.
Here are some tips and guidelines to follow in preparation for the ceremony:
•It is very important to follow dietary and lifestyle restrictions before participating in ceremony. For at least one day before ceremony and preferably a week, one must follow a dieta, or diet. The following should be observed:
•No eating of: meat (especially pork), alcohol, spice, ice or iced foods, salt, sugar, fats, processed foods (packaged, canned, smoked, cured), ferments, dairy. Basically the diet should just consist of vegetables and perhaps a bit of fruit.
•No sex (including masturbation)
•No drugs of any sort at least one week before! This is very important. Taking drugs can have a very negative impact on the experience. Our bodies become very sensitive during ceremony and if drugs are in the system it could cause very severe side affects. Prescription drugs should also be avoided. If you are unable to go off your prescription medication for a week beforehand please inform me beforehand.
•Try and go inward as much as you can. This can include staying away from computers and cell phones, no gossip or chit chat, being alone as much as possible, being in nature, meditating, etc. The more centered we are coming in the more we will gain from the experience
•Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. Its is good to dress in layers and the body can alternate between states of heat and cold during ceremony
•Bring a bucket to purge into
•Bring at least one big bottle of drinking water
•Bring a blanket and pillow
•Bring tissues or a roll of toilet paper
•One mapacho (pure tobacco cigar) will be given to each participant. You can bring your own tobacco if you would like to smoke more, but please make sure it is pure tobacco. No commercial cigarettes will be permitted. Also don't forget matches or a lighter.
•Please don't wear any perfumes or colognes as the sense of smell can become quite heightened during ceremony and others may be sensitive to it.
Tobacco maestro Ernesto