This past week has been particularly special for for the Chacana Spiritual Center. On Sunday the 21st, we gathered as a community to create a beautiful Ayni Despacho to celebrate the Winter Solstice. As the sun stood still and we entered the shortest day of the year, we came together to honor the return of the light and plant the seeds of our intentions for the coming year.

This ceremony held a deeper weight than usual, as it marked our last solstice celebration at our current location. As we prepare to move to the new Chacana Center location, we felt a profound sense of gratitude to have this final opportunity to gather and honor the spirits in the space that has held us for so long. It was a beautiful moment of reflection and collective prayer, perfectly illustrating why this ceremony is so central to our path.

What is a Despacho?

In the Q’ero tradition of Peru, a Despacho is a ceremonial gift—a sacred prayer bundle offered to the spirits. Instead of just using words, we use the language of symbols and nature to communicate our deepest intentions.

The Q’ero believe that everything in nature is animate and alive. We don’t just live on the Earth; we live in a constant dialogue with the Apus (the spirits of the mountains) and Pachamama (our Mother Earth). When we create a Despacho, we are weaving our prayers into a physical form to honor the guidance of the mountains and the sustenance of the Earth.

The Heart of the Ceremony: Ayni

At the core of every Despacho—especially our Solstice ceremony this past Sunday—is the vital principle of Ayni. In the Quechua language, Ayni means "reciprocity." It is the understanding that the universe exists in a delicate balance of giving and receiving.

Ayni reminds us to give back. When we facilitate a Despacho ceremony, we are practicing "Right Relationship." We are thanking Pachamama for the life she gives us and the Apus for their protection. It is our way of honoring the flow of energy that sustains us all.

Creating the Bundle

A Despacho is a natural work of art. We carefully select items that represent the intentions of the group. Traditionally, these bundles include:

• Seeds and Grains: Representing potential and the "planting" of new dreams.

• Sweets and Candies: To call in the vibration of sweetness and joy for the new year.

• Flowers and Herbs: Petals that carry prayers for healing or love.

• The Qinto (Kintu): Three leaves (traditionally coca, but we often use bay leaves here in Florida) held together to represent the union of the three worlds.

As we assembled our Solstice bundle, we remained completely present, infusing every shell, stone, and petal with our focus and gratitude for the light's return and the memories we’ve made in this sacred space.

Releasing the Prayer

Once the Despacho is wrapped and tied, we decide how to release. While placing it in the earth can represent gestation or releasing it to the water can be purifying, we typically burn our despacho remaining conscious of the environment and our safety here in Brevard County. Fire allows for a rapid transformation, sending our collective prayers into the ethers to be answered by the universe in its own mysterious way.

Join Our Circle

At The Chacana Spiritual Center, we believe that community is the heart of healing. We offer these ancient practices as living tools to help you navigate your own shadow, release limiting beliefs, and step into the best version of yourself.

Whether you join us for one of our free community moon ceremonies, embark on our Shamanic Practitioner training, or travel with us on one of our retreats to Peru, the Despacho is a reminder that we are all connected.