Rapé Ceremonies
Rapé is legal sacred shamanic snuff medicine, which is pronounced ‘ha-peh’ in English.
They are very rare, sacred, powerful, precious, profoundly healing and cleansing miracle medicines. They are made in a very sacred and labor intensive process, and consist of various Amazonian medicinal plants, trees, leaves, seeds, and other sacred ingredients. Some types of rapé are made by various indigenous tribes, who originate from different South American countries – primarily Brazil and Peru.
Rapé contains Nicotiana Rustica, a type of tobacco also known as mapacho. Mapacho is different from the tobacco used in cigarettes. Although it contains tobacco, Rapé is not smoked but instead administered through the nose. Rapé isn’t snorted or inhaled.
The fine powder is forcefully blown up each nostril of the participants using a two-way pipe called a Tepi.
More experienced Rape´ practitioners can self-administer using a special pipe, or Kuripe, which fits over the nose and mouth in a sort of triangle shape, but this is usually for solo practice. In a ceremony, the shaman will administer the snuff to each individual nostril for you.
Snuff goes back to the time of the Incas. Many people believe rapé may date back to the discovery of tobacco’s psychotropic properties.
It’s frequently used in spiritual practice by shamans and tribes in Brazil and Peru and now across South America in ceremony. The use of tobacco in these cultures tends to be different than around the globe: since it is used in ceremony, rather than in mindless chain-smoking.
The frequency and intention of using rapé vary by group or tribe. It’s used before breakfast and dinner by some, in a rapé-only ceremony by others, and many ways in between.
HISTORY
Rape´ should not be mixed with recreational drugs as the effects of the combination is unknown and cannot be controlled. If you’re on medication, make sure you’ve told the shaman ahead of time to ensure the ceremony is right for you. Because Rape´ contains a very strong form of nicotine, repeated use in a short time span can be addictive. Rape´ is intended as a form of healing, but like all medicines, misuse can be problematic.
THE EXPERIENCE
Before experiencing a Rapé ceremony, it is important to have an intention in mind when taking Rapé. It might be to clear your mind, answer a question you’ve been asking, or deepen your meditative state. When Rapé enters your nose, it immediately permeates through your mucous membranes into your bloodstream.
The constituents attach to nicotine receptors, resulting in increased production of dopamine, acetylcholine, and epinephrine.
These chemical processes cause the person to feel relaxed and calm, yet aware and alert. It happens quickly and often feels like a jolt, yet it typically doesn’t cause anxiety or fear.
You should close your eyes, breathe slowly, and focus on your intention when the effects quickly start to set in. Most people experience watery eyes due to the sensitivity of the nose, and also due to the fact that Rapé is a purgative for many.
That said, sometimes people experience crying, extra salivation, sneezing, vomiting, or the need to have a bowel movement. This is normal and part of the process, as one of the purposes of Rapé is to cleanse and purify the mind and body.
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BENEFITS
Keep in mind there are different types of Rapé because shamans use different plants to create the powdery mixture.
Mental and Spiritual Effects
Rapé brings you to a place of acute attention and awareness. The mind becomes quieter, negativity clears our, and emotional tensions release.
People often feel more grounded during the experience, allowing them to clear up confusions or discomfort about an issue they may have been experiencing.
If you focus on the intention you set, you may easily find what you were looking for, be it a state of consciousness or an answer to a question.
Your mind gets purged of everything it needs to let go of. The body often follows suit.
Physical Effects
Through forcing a release of toxins, mucus, and other unwanted things in the body, Rapé helps purify your system. This strengthens your immunity and especially helps with congestion problems.
Along with this, the body can release physical tensions, resulting in a relaxed, peaceful state.
ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR
Paul Grosso is a certified sound healer and Rapé Ceremony facilitator with a deep passion for the transformative power of sound and indigenous traditions. With over three years of experience in facilitating ceremonies, Paul has dedicated himself to creating sacred spaces where individuals can embark on profound journeys of healing and self-discovery.
In his ceremonies, Paul integrates the power of sound with the sacred medicine of Rapé. Through the rhythmic beats of his drum, the soothing melodies of the flute, and the primal vibrations of the didgeridoo, he guides participants on a profound journey of inner exploration and healing. His rich and resonant voice adds an ethereal dimension to the experience, carrying participants through the realms of sound and consciousness.
With a compassionate and intuitive approach, Paul creates a safe and nurturing environment for participants to release blockages, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and access deeper states of consciousness.