What is a Shaman?

The Paqo: An Andean Shamanic Practitioner

A Bridge Between the Human and the Sacred

At Ancient Awakening Wellness, we honor the wisdom traditions of the Andes, where a Paqo—an Andean shamanic healer—serves as a bridge between the human and spiritual worlds. Rooted in the lineage of the Inca and pre-Incan civilizations, Paqos work to restore harmony and balance within individuals, communities, and the natural world through sacred ceremony and energetic healing.

The Andean Way of Seeing the World

In Andean cosmology, all of life is seen as alive and interconnected. The mountains, rivers, winds, and stars are not objects—they are conscious beings infused with spirit. A Paqo works in relationship with these living forces, maintaining balance between the seen and unseen worlds.

Guiding every act of service is the principle of Ayni, meaning sacred reciprocity—the natural flow of giving and receiving that sustains harmony among all beings.

The Role of a Paqo

Intermediary Between Worlds

A Paqo serves as a messenger and bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Through deep states of connection, prayer, and ritual, they receive guidance from nature spirits, ancestors, and sacred mountain beings known as Apus.

Healing and Restoring Balance

When energy becomes heavy or stagnant, imbalance manifests as physical or emotional distress. A Paqo works to clear this hucha (dense energy) and invite in sami (refined, light energy), helping the individual return to a state of harmony and flow.

Ceremony and Ritual

Ceremonies led by Paqos honor life transitions, fertility, abundance, and protection. Rituals often include offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the use of sacred tools such as coca leaves, crystals, and the mesa—a sacred altar that represents their spiritual lineage and connection to the natural world.

Working with Living Energy (Kawsay)

In the Andean understanding, all of existence is made of Kawsay, or living energy. Paqos work with this energy to harmonize relationships between people, nature, and the unseen realms, supporting well-being on all levels—spiritual, emotional, and physical.

Core Andean Principles

Pachamama (Mother Earth):
Honored as the great nurturer and source of life, Pachamama is revered through offerings, prayers, and acts of gratitude.

Ayni (Sacred Reciprocity):
The essential principle of balance—maintaining harmony through mutual respect, generosity, and conscious exchange with all living things.

Andean Cosmology:
The Andean universe is composed of three sacred realms:

Hanan Pacha – the upper world of light and divine beings
Kay Pacha – the middle world of human life and experience
Uqhu Pacha – the inner world of ancestors and hidden energies

The Mesa (Sacred Altar):
A mesa is a portable altar containing sacred stones, crystals, and ritual items that embody the Paqo’s relationship with spiritual forces. It serves as a focal point for healing and ceremony, bridging the human and spiritual realms.

The Integrity of the Paqo Path

While some traditions distinguish between the Layqa (one who may misuse spiritual power) and the Paqo (one who serves in integrity), the heart of the Paqo path is service, humility, and alignment with Ayni. A true Paqo works only for the highest good of the individual, the community, and the Earth.

The Living Tradition

The teachings of the Paqo offer timeless guidance for living in balance with the natural world. These practices remind us that healing is not separate from the Earth—it is born from our relationship with it.

At Ancient Awakening Wellness, we honor this sacred lineage and the living wisdom it carries. Through ceremony, healing, and community, we continue to cultivate harmony between the human spirit and the natural world.