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Shipibo Maestra Ercilia (Photo: F. Sammarco)
Maestra Ercilia
“She is an amazingly powerful shaman who is a constant generator of unconditional love and acceptance. I felt healed, supported, loved and encouraged. It was profoundly beautiful! At every moment and in every ceremony Doña Ercilia was an impeccable, wise and powerful shaman. She is not caught in the “ego trip” so common to medicine men and women of her calibre. This is simply ‘her work’ and she does it all with love, honour, humility and respect. I witnessed her create and hold sacred space that was filled with energy and love. Her ability to cast a shield of protection is beyond compare. Once inside sacred space with her, she tunes into your journey and your energy. She knows exactly what you need. Her icaros are capable of soothing, energizing, transforming, purging or accompanying depending on what you need at the moment she tunes in to your body and spirit. In an Ayahuasca ceremony she also knows when you need help or energy and moves from person to person as required. I was also able to witness her profound personal healing powers. I was privileged to observe her conduct two extractions on one of the guests. No ‘fan-fair’, no ego, no show. . . just good, clear, amazing healing work. In our western world it is not every day you see a shaman suck foreign objects out of the human body. The procedure was successful, simple, and quick; leaving no exit wound. I wish everyone could spend some time with her and experience the true Shipibo healing with love.”
John Paul Fischbach, Shaman & Film director, Australia
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Shipibo Maestra Ercilia (Photo: S. Von Hoff)
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The above testimonial may serve better than any other presentation the purpose of explaining Maestra Ercilia’s character and shamanic work!
Training and Lineage
Born on Christmas Eve, in 1964 in the native community of Santa Lucia, she apprenticed since a very young age under the tutelage of Shipibo shamans Don Jorge Ahuanari Pisango, Don Ilogio Brito Fasando and Don Antonio.
Plant Teacher Dietas
Maestra Ercilia underwent extensive dietas (spiritual apprenticeships) with numerous plant teachers.
She committed to one full year of dieta for each of the following powerful plants:
- Ayahuasca
- San Pedro
- Clavo huasca
- Piñón colorado
- Ayahuma
- Remocaspi
- Chullachaqui caspi
- Huimba
- Sirena caspi
She also completed dietas lasting three to six full months with:
- Piri-piri
- Sacha Locrero (known in Shipibo as shonioron Noi rau)
- Sacha Locrero (known in Shipibo as shonioron Noi rau nishi)
- Lengua de perro
- Shimi pampana (Maranta arundinacea)
- Renaquilla
- Sacha Pijuallo (known in Shipibo as Huanin caya rau)
- Marosa
- Motelillo
- Catahua blanco
- Ajo sacha (Mansoa alliacea)
- Piñon blanco (Jatropha curcas)
- Patiquina colorado
- Patiquina hembra
- Achiote
- Sharo masho
- Rosa cisa
- Toé (Brugmansia sp.)
Special Toé dieta
Doña Ercilia undertook her first Toé dieta for two months, followed by a second lasting three months, and a third of four months. She is currently dieting Toé in a way that differs from most Amazonian curanderos. Rather than drinking the freshly pressed juice of the plant, she smokes Toé blended with black jungle tobacco. She maintains that, even with this method, one can still receive visions and revelations from the plant’s mother spirit. According to her, this approach may feel gentler and more relaxing – particularly for prospective candidates, especially men – compared to the intense, full visionary experience typically associated with drinking fresh Toé juice.
In addition to plant teachers, she completed dietas with powerful spiritual elements: Agua de Florida cologne for five months, Alcanfor for two months, and the Huaringa perfume for seven consecutive months.
Specialities and Healing Work
Maestra Ercilia is highly specialised in several areas of traditional healing:
- The extraction of virotes (spiritual/energetic darts) from the body.
- Treating sorcery-related or magically induced illness.
- “Trabajos de amarres”: magical work aimed at reuniting separated couples.
Ayahuasca Preparation
Following the strict Shipibo tradition, her Ayahuasca brew is prepared using only:
- Cielo ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) vine cuts.
- The leaves of the Chacruna (Psychotria viridis) shrub.
The mixture is traditionally cooked for a period ranging from 8 to 12 hours.
Maestra Ercilia specialisation
Maestra Ercilia’s healing services will be offered especially for Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Tobacco and Toé dieta retreats and for dietas with the Ayahuma master tree.
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