Intention: Expressing Collective Grief and Making Space for Restoration with a Despacho
In the spirit of healing and renewal, we gather to create a Despacho—a sacred three-dimensional mandala of intention and gratitude, deeply rooted in the Peruvian folk healing tradition. This collective ritual serves as a powerful vessel for expressing our shared grief, allowing each participant to honor their emotions and those of the community.
As we thoughtfully assemble offerings from the plant, animal, mineral, and human-made realms, each item is placed with mindful breath, and heartfelt intentions upon white paper. The completed bundle is then offered to the fire or earth, symbolizing our willingness to release sorrow and invite restoration.
While Paqos—Andean folk healers—dedicate years to mastering the energetic art of Despacho, anyone can participate by approaching the process with sincerity and reverence. Through this ritual, we acknowledge the burdens we carry, honor our collective losses, and intentionally create space for the healing of body, mind, and spirit.
What to bring: Self -contained water bottle and snacks to nourish yourself. Wear comfortable clothing. Bring any finger food you would like to share in community after the event.
Cost: By donation. Suggested donation $25
Must RSVP and register by 3/7/26
Here is the link to register:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/creating-a-despacho-for-grief-and-restoration
About the facilitator:
Audrey Bennett has over the past 30 years studied, practiced and taught various science based and ethno spiritual helping & healing traditions. She formally apprenticed with many medicine people in the North, South & Central American medicine traditions. She is a sanctioned teacher of Cross Cultural Integrative Shamanic Arts. Audrey is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
She identifies closely with a “Hampicamayoq” - Quechua term for a folk medicine person who incorporates diverse methodologies in practice.
Some of her teaching lineage includes huachumero don Celso Rojas Palomino from Salas and Andean Paqokuna shaman/priesthood, kuraq akulleq don Benito Corihuamán Vargas from the village of Wasao as learned in part from don Oscar Miro Quesada Salas, don Martin Pinedo, the twins Doña Ysabel & Doña Olinda , Dr. Alberto Villaldo, Don Laurencio from Oaxaca Mexico, Robert Vetter curandero, Wilbur Whitemouse Lakota, David Swallow, Jr., Steve Utzy Stonearrow Lakota medicine men, and Sequoia Trueblood of Choctaw and Cherokee medicine lineages as well as many Grandmother healers in all traditions. She brings the living connection of ancient wisdom ways as a healing modality for the modern problems of a detached world.
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