We continue with more testimonies, this time from Samuel, who is 53 years old and has been practicing for 25 years, gathered from the Andean Notebooks 16, a saga directed by Carlos Candia and collaborators.
Testimonies of Childhood
When his grandparents moved from the community of Ccapi to the city of Paruro, he was not yet born.
He studied elementary school in a small school and secondary school at the National College.
Then he came to Cusco to retire to a family home. Applied to San Antonio Abad University, and entered the Faculty of Education.
He studied for a year and married a classmate, who had poor health. Her health deteriorated after giving birth to their second child.
Samuel was left alone and abandoned his studies to return to his parents’ home with his two children.
There, he started working at the post office, but due to the low salary, he looked for a side job at his uncles’ restaurant.
From this uncle, Samuel learned about the use of medicinal plants and other healing remedies. Through his work as a healer, he connected with every herbalist or Paqqo who came to the city.
San Pedro Trip
On one occasion, he received some herbs brought by someone from the north, and among them was the San Pedro plant.
This cactus is abundant in northern Peru known for its extrasensory and hallucinogenic properties. It has been integral to many testimonies of healing and spiritual experiences.
After preparing the brew, Samuel observed a strict fast for 24 hours, and the next day he drank it.
An hour after ingestion, the effects were immediate; he felt his stomach boiling. He experienced a looseness throughout his body that forced him to sit down.
He noticed a tingling all over his skin and became completely pale while feeling clearly how the blood flowed through his veins
The light of Andean knowledge was opening before his eyes. He could clearly see the ancient symbols of his lost culture and understood their significance.
The chacana, the four suyos, the trapezoid, the stairway, and the intihuatana regained their true dimension before him. The first revelations of a great message began to arrive.
Twenty-four hours after taking San Pedro, Samuel felt his spirit returning and, exhausted and thirsty, went to sleep. This experience transformed his life. He never drank alcohol again and dedicated himself to meditation and studying Andean medicine as a means of outreach.
Other Testimonies
No one seeking healing from him leaves disappointed. Some more testimonies:
When a woman knocked on his door for a coca reading, he initially felt unprepared.
However, her concern heightened his sensitivity. He saw celestial rays emanating from her body, indicating she had only about three months to live.
He advised her to sell her properties in Paruro and move to Cusco to be with her children. She ultimately passed away surrounded by loved ones.
In another instance, a man sought advice on a business decision.
Samuel described the two options the man had been considering, recommending one.
The amazed man gifted Samuel his poncho as a sign of gratitude, which Samuel still uses as his table today.
It should be noted that the images used are merely a tool to narrate the testimony. The people or places depicted do not accurately reflect the story; however, the story itself is real.
