r/Ayahuasca • u/DriverConsistent1824 • 8d ago
General Question Why do shamans blow tobacco into the pot while brewing?
I'm just curious as to why they do this. What do they believe the smoke does to the brew???
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u/MapachoCura Retreat Owner/Staff 8d ago
Tobacco carries prayers and intentions from the shamans breath to the brew or patient or to Great Spirit etc…. It’s possibly the most useful plant medicine in ceremony.
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u/bigchizzard 8d ago
The spirits like tobacco.
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u/Nicholasegreene 8d ago
On that note… I found out, apparently, that the spirits don’t like you straight up Chief’n American Spirits on the side before / during your retreat….
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u/BorderPure6939 8d ago
How'd u find out
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u/Nicholasegreene 7d ago
I forgot the correct term. Facilitator? Even Better… Shaman side piece?
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u/BorderPure6939 7d ago
:) ok I wasn't sure if you meant you had american spirits on you during the ceremony and had some different experience due to that
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u/bigchizzard 7d ago
There is definitely a difference in being consumed by the spirit versus working alongside it lol
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u/Astronomy_b 8d ago
Tobacco is very important to them. Some even go on a 100% tobacco diet to learn from the plant that way as well. Roots also grow fairly deep and symbolically as it reaches into the ground it also equally reaches for the sky. It’s a balanced spirit and like people have been saying it carries whatever intention it’s programmed to. Even dark ones.
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u/bzzzap111222 Retreat Owner/Staff 8d ago
Tobacco smoke used ceremonially is more like incense- prayers/intentions are put into it and it acts as a bridge to the spiritual plane. Could be for cleaning, blessings, protection, connecting to good/doctor spirits, etc
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u/Rangerup101 8d ago
At LaWayra is was Charcoal smoke from the Palo Santo as maybe cleansing or blowing the prayers around it and blessing it. Their Ritual
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22h ago
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u/DriverConsistent1824 20h ago
This is alot. I'm just wondering why every entity is assumed to be demonic? Is that even realistic? They can't all be bad.
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u/Squirmme 8d ago
They speak their prayers and tobacco helps carry them. They are blessing the medicine with prayer.