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Post by Travis on Jun 10, 2015 12:49:56 GMT -8
Morning hape ceremony today (technically spelled rape', but pronounced like hop-eh). Grounding meditation to start the day! This medicine just recently arrived in the mail from the Amazon and I am already loving it and seeing the benefits. The blow-pipes are used to blow the powdered snuff into the nose. The hape' snuff is made by tribal people in Brazil and includes Mapacho (stronger version of wild tobacco) and sacred tree ash. Today's blend (I have a few) also included chacruna and yopo seeds. This medicine is still very new to me, but I am so excited to get to know it better! And also excited to share it with others when the time is right! It's helpful for grounding, opening up for shamanic journeys, opening spiritual vision or energy centers, connecting to higher power or spirit guides, connecting with nature, clearing and releasing harmful energies, and it also clears the sinuses and increases awareness and mental clarity. Each blend has it's own specialty as well. I received my products from shamanicsnuff.com/ and couldnt be more happy with my order! They even included some free extras which I appreciate, and the pipes I received from them are very beautiful. Pictured below is a picture I took before my ceremony one morning (some ritual tools I used for setting space and then snuffing the hape', and then another picture of a Brazilian tribe using the snuff traditionally (found the second photo online).
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Post by Travis on Jun 7, 2016 7:19:23 GMT -8
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Post by Travis on Nov 17, 2016 10:28:38 GMT -8
Below is a copyrighted article I wrote which will soon be published in Kindred Spirit and Hoop magazines:
Tobacco is a very misunderstood plant in our culture. Many people associate it with addiction and death, and considering it is one of the top killers in some countries this is understandable. But for thousands of years tribal societies worked with tobacco as medicine and considered it to be one of the earths greatest healing plants – while there was some danger associated with the plant, in most cases the plant was revered as powerful medicine. There were tobacco shamans who would ingest huge amounts of the plant on a regular basis without getting sick, and using the tobacco these healers could cure illnesses of many different kinds.
There could be many different reasons for these different perspectives of tobacco, but my understanding is that the main difference is intention and respect. Tobacco is considered an amplifier of intention, prayers and thoughts. So when you ask the plant for medicine and protection that gets amplified. If you are smoking angrily and habitually to relieve frustration and desire – that amplifies something else. So this being said – I want to suggest that anyone who feels called to work with this plant be mindful of how they use it. It is a very powerful plant capable of great wonder and miracles as well as great destruction.
There are many ways to work with tobacco but I want to focus on one tobacco tradition that is very close to my heart. Rapé is the name of a dried and powdered tobacco snuff that comes from the Amazon – where it is used as a powerful and beautiful healing medicine. It is pronounced “ra-pe” in Spanish or more commonly “ha-pe” in Portuguese (the snuff is found in both Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries but is most popular in Brazil which speaks Portuguese). It also has many other names in other indigenous tongues from the Amazon region. I prefer the spelling rappé with an extra “p” because some people misread the word rapé and confuse it for something else (traditionally it is spelled with only one “p”).
Rappé is a dried and powdered snuff which is usually blown into the nose through a blow pipe. You can use a special blowpipe for serving yourself called a kuripe, but most often a larger blowpipe called a tepi is used to serve a partner. The main ingredients of the snuff are usually tobacco and tree ash, but often times other seeds, leaves and plants may be added for additional properties or even just for aroma. Sometimes a rappé can be made without the tobacco and tree ash, but this is uncommon – generally the first ingredient is always the cured jungle tobacco mapacho. This species of tobacco (Nicotiana Rustica) is different than common tobacco found in cigarettes – it is often 8-20 times stronger and it is processed with zero additives and with lots of prayer and intention. Ashes from sacred trees are also added to the snuff as an alkalizer which balances the tobacco, and then in personal recipes people may add whatever plants they want to get specific desired effects. Seeds like yopo or wilka may be added to increase the visionary properties of the snuff, or flowers might be added to instill a more feminine and nurturing energy – many different plants can be added for personal recipes. The snuff is made during a lengthy and intensive ritual process to invoke the maker’s medicine and the spirits of the plants used.
There are many reasons one might wish to work with rappé and there are many ways of working with it as well. Because so many different cultures in the Amazon region use rappé a number of different traditions and practices have revolved around its use. The benefits of rappé use range from physical and psychological to energetic and spiritual. Rappé clears and focuses the mind and thoughts, centers and grounds your energy, opens up your physical and spiritual senses and awareness, cleanses and purifies your body and energy, connects you to your spirit allies and medicine and much more. It can be used in almost any situation a ceremony might call for and can function or pair well with many other rituals or medicines. Traditionally it is used as its own ceremony or also within other ceremonies (such as Ayahuasca or kambo ceremony). It is also used for hunting, before warfare and even for recreation. Sometimes you mostly feel energetic and physical sensations from the rappé, but other times it can even create visionary experiences despite not being a classically visionary medicine. It is possible to do different styles of journey work using the rappé as an aid to help you communicate with your spirit guides and allies for healing or guidance.
To work with rappé you will want to get some quality product. These days there are a number of online shops which sell tribal rappés gathered in the Amazon, so luckily those of us not living in South America can still have access to this medicine. It is also possible to make your own rappé by drying, powdering and mixing the plants you want to use. You will probably also want a blowpipe for serving the rappé. While the medicine can be snuffed directly off of your hand or a small scooping device, the pipes really add a nice dimension to the ceremony and also get the snuff further into your nose where it absorbs better. You can get a more profound effect from the rappé by using it in an intentional and ceremonial manner. There are many ways to do this as each culture using the medicine developed its own rituals. I will share my method of working with rappé and the symbolism behind it. You may wish to open sacred space or begin with your usual style of beginning ceremony. It is also nice to take a little time to pray, think about your intentions, and if you feel called to sing a medicine song or two or play a little ceremonial music. When you are ready you can put a single serving of rappé into your hand – for beginners this might be a pea sized amount (that amount will serve both nostrils). You can use less or more depending on your experience level and your intention – someone with more experience or who needs deep cleansing or healing might do a much larger amount. Scoop half of the rappé in your hand – this amount will serve your first nostril. I like to then take 3 breaths to focus and ask for blessings – if sharing rappé with a partner I like to do these 3 breaths together as a way of connecting with each other’s energy before serving the medicine. The first breath I hold the rappé and the blowpipe towards the earth and breath in the blessings of Pachamama (Mother Earth). The second breath I hold the pipe towards the sky and breath in the blessings of Creator. The third breath I hold the pipe at my heart asking my personal allies to bless my medicine and for these blessing to all come from my heart (these 3 breaths represent the 3 worlds to me: lower, upper, and middle). I blow the rapé into my left nostril first. If blowing for someone else I will tell them to hold their breath before blowing it in, and then to breath from the mouth afterwards. As soon as possible I scoop the remaining rappé into the pipe and serve the right nostril. In this way the left nostril is a symbolic death while the right is a symbolic rebirth. This balances the yin/yang energies of your body and mind.
After the rappé is in the nose try to mostly breathe through the mouth and keep all the medicine in your nose. Try to sit with it and observe any sensations that arise without reacting to them. You may wipe your nose if some snot drips out, but try to wait at least 20-40 minutes before blowing your nose. If you feel anything drip into your throat from the rappé you can spit it out – some tribes view this as a type of purge while others actually swallow it so as to not waste any medicine (you can make your own judgement call here).
Mostly I sit and meditate while under the effects of the rappé but sometimes I will sing medicine songs to deepen or guide the effects of the medicine. This is also a great time to pray or ask for guidance and healing. Most times the rappé puts you into a deep meditative state, but sometimes it causes more profound cleansing and purging – while not always common with the smaller amounts of rappé it is possible to experience purging, bowel movements, energetic or emotional releases and so on. This is a powerful medicine and usually these are signs of deeper healing and releasing – I once saw someone purge out physical parasites during a bowel movement initiated by the rappé.
Besides different recipes of rappé and different medicine songs you can use to empower and guide the medicine, there are also different breaths you can use to focus your intention. There are many types of animals and other spirits you can call on to empower your breath and generally each one of these breaths takes time to get to know and learn correctly. Generally you learn these breaths either from spirit allies directly or from other rappé shamans. The most common and basic breath is the deer breath. You start by taking a deep breath into your stomach, connect with your power and medicine, and then blow long, then at the end blow hard while closing your throat at the same time.
This is just the beginning of what you can learn about rappé and the real benefits come from experiencing it yourself. This medicine can be a very powerful way to cleanse your body and energy as well as connect with your spirit allies through prayer and ceremony. The real beauty of this medicine is that it can be used expertly in the hands of a master but is still effective when used by a beginner learning on their own. Just remember to be mindful and respectful of the medicine and pray from the heart.
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Post by Travis on Mar 7, 2017 13:16:57 GMT -8
As an update for those who want to order rappe online or work with it at home.... So far I have found 2 good websites to order from that have quality rappe.
I mentioned shamanicsnuff.com above - they were the first people I ordered from. Good products, though they take a long time to ship and are sometimes a little annoying to order from.... First batch of rappe I got from them was really good but recently their product got stronger and is even better. A few of their rappes are very strong and potent.
A few of my favorites from them include: Kutanawa - this is my current favorite as the last batch I got from them is very strong. Feels like a powerful cleansing but also opens up your crown chakra so you feel real connected to wisdom and meditation..... Yawanawa - Also very potent, but I feel more emotional then other ones - really good for working through emotions or for help when you need to cry. Nukini - also strong and really good for cleanings. All 3 of those have a very strong tribal energy and could be good in all situations. I also like Warrior blend - a little less intense then these other 3 but very balanced and still strong. Jungle Magic could be another good one that is still strong but not as overwhelming as the first 3 - really nice with Ayahuasca especially.
I also really like Matses Extra or the Visionary rappe. These two are good for opening up your senses or inner visions and are great for going deeper with other plant medicines. The Matses Extra has toe' added to it so it is also a good gentle way to work with that plant.
Apurina is another one I like - while it doesnt have any tobacco it is still powerful. If taken with other plant medicines it can sometimes feel slightly psychedelic as it helps you open those medicines better.
I have also found a second website that I like called katukina.com These guys specialize in small batches of unique rappes and they have a huge variety that is always changing. Really good for finding unique rappe's. Also very easy to order from and your package arrives pretty quick. A couple of their rappes are as strong as the shamanicsnuff ones, but I generally find that most of the katukina ones are a little less overwhelming.... They also have some really great smelling rappes that are nice and flowery.
So far from these guys my favorites are Nukini Tsunu (very strong and deep - very cleansing and maybe the only one so far I think is as strong as the tribal ones from shamanicsnuff). Canela de Velho is another one which is pretty potent. Yawanawa Nawashahu is a really good balanced rappe that isnt too overwhelming but has a beautiful energy - very good for working through emotions. Yawanawa Murici is also good. There is another called Alfavaca de Mata which I love - it smells great and while it feels like it does a good job cleaning energy it also feels like a little blessing comes in with the cleaning.... I also like their Orchid Fever one (very balanced and smells amazing) or their Katukina Forca which is pretty strong but not overwhelming.
So far after trying a lot of rappes from both companies as well as trying ones from other stores in Peru or other people I meet these are my favorites. A lot of variety in there too - some are more cleansing, some are more opening, some smell different or just have a different personality..... You can find detailed explanations of each rappe if you read the websites descriptions, I am just offering some small personal observations to help you know which ones you might want to look up. You could certainly do a lot of powerful work with these rappe's.
Does anyone else have any favorites?
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Post by sarahnya on Jul 21, 2017 6:13:42 GMT -8
Very useful post. I've never tried it before but have ordered some from Tribuspirit.com.
Do I definitely have to use the little pipe btw, can I not be totally untraditional and use a straw or something for now or should I wait till I get the proper pipe?
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Post by Travis on Jul 22, 2017 8:53:52 GMT -8
One way of using rappe is to pour some on your hand and then sniff it off your hand. This is how it was generally used in Europe.
You wont get as good of an effect as you can with a good blowpipe though. The blow pipes add more ceremony and get the snuff deeper. Doesnt mean they are necessary - just beneficial.
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Post by sarahnya on Jul 24, 2017 0:34:01 GMT -8
One way of using rappe is to pour some on your hand and then sniff it off your hand. This is how it was generally used in Europe. You wont get as good of an effect as you can with a good blowpipe though. The blow pipes add more ceremony and get the snuff deeper. Doesnt mean they are necessary - just beneficial. Thanks, I'm going to order a pipe shortly but at least if my snuff turns up I can try it in the meantime. I've never sniffed anything up my nose except pool water and that was bad enough, am I going to find this really painful?
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Post by Travis on Jul 24, 2017 14:16:51 GMT -8
I didnt sniff things up my nose before rappe.... Wasnt interested in doing it either.
First time I did it just because a friend brought it over and suggested I try it - I thought I could at least try it once.... I was so thoroughly impressed I ordered some an hour later.
I share it with many people - 95% of people really like it. A few are not into it. It will likely burn a little bit when you first do it, but smaller amounts dont burn as much.... Eventually you feel left out if you dont get a little burn with it - it becomes enjoyable in some ways....
The burn isnt overwhelming unless you do a huge amount. It is usually pretty mild and only lasts a few seconds.
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Post by sarahnya on Jul 25, 2017 4:14:50 GMT -8
That sounds fine, I don't mind a bit of discomfort.
I was reading a few accounts of Yopo too and that did scare me, intense pain seemed to be the order of the day.
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Post by sarahnya on Jul 27, 2017 11:53:11 GMT -8
I've ordered a pipe and the following Rapé from shamanicsnuff as well as a tester pack from Tribuspirit so I've got a nice selection to try.
Tornado Apruina Visionary Matses Extra
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Post by Travis on Jul 28, 2017 8:39:17 GMT -8
I hope you enjoy the rappe'. I just visited the shamanic snuff shop while I was in Pisac a couple weeks ago..... Every year they sell the same rappe but different batches of each one and sometimes they are surprisingly different.... Usually pretty strong though.
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Post by sarahnya on Jul 30, 2017 8:45:31 GMT -8
It says that Tornado and the Visionary one can give you visions at higher doses, do you find this is the case and what can I expect?
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Post by Travis on Aug 1, 2017 7:48:59 GMT -8
Any rappe can give you visions sometimes. None of them are what I would call "visionary medicines" or "psychedelic" (not even the Visionary one), but they have a spiritual force that can sometimes provide visions. Maybe this would be slightly more common with very large doses of those two.....
Mostly I use those ones for help opening up other blocked medicines.... For example, if someone drinks San Pedro and it isnt opening up for them I may serve them some Visionary rappe to help open up the San Pedro a little bit. Also good to do before something like shamanic journey meditation or astral projection type stuff.
If used with cannabis sometimes the experience is pretty visionary for me - cannabis is already a bit visionary for me and rappe helps push that further in many cases....
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Post by sarahnya on Aug 2, 2017 10:14:39 GMT -8
Okay, I just tried the Nukini and Jesus did it hurt. I had intense pain for a few seconds over the top of my head and nose. Fortunately it didn't last long (the pain) and I felt really relaxed after, like a calm running downwards through my body.
Does the sniffing bit get easier? I literally looked like I'd been crying for hours lol
I will have to try it with Pedro as I do find it hard to get it to work well on me.
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Post by Travis on Aug 2, 2017 11:20:26 GMT -8
Ya, it can burn sometimes. In general the burning goes down as you get more experienced - you build a small tolerance if you use it often. It also burns a lot more when you have some energy to purge or thoughts to purge.... (doesnt necessarily mean puking - just letting go of) When you have more heavy energies it usually burns more, and when you have less heavy energies it often burns less. Some rappe's are also gentler then other ones and wont burn as much, and you can also use smaller or larger amounts depending on what you think you need.
Luckily when it does burn the burn doesnt last very long.... After using rappe for a while you even start to crave the burn when you do it - it becomes part of the experience and is even enjoyable in a way.... As your tolerance builds you may even feel guided to use larger amounts.
It combines very well with San Pedro. I often like to do rappe 90min-2 hours into the experience to help open up the San Pedro more. Any rappe is helpful for connecting with San Pedro but sometimes it especially helps to use a Visionary type of one, or even Visionary type mixed with Apurina (Tornado or Matses Extra might work in place of Visionary since they are also visionary rappe's too).
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