Rapé (pronounced Hape) is a sacred shamanic medicine used by tribes of the Amazon as well as other South American Brazilian indigenous cultures for thousands of years. It is a snuff made of various tree ashes, combined with fine tobacco. The latter is not the common type used in cigarettes, but rather Nicotina Rustica which is highly potent. The resulting powder is highly refined.
When applied and served in a manner that honors the tradition it is coming from, Rapé is a powerful medicine. It can provide insight, guidance, protection, cleansing and healing. It is a holy sacrament, not a substance, and thus should be treated accordingly. When working with Rapé, we work with the Rapé Spirit. Each blend has a different spirit associated with it.
In a Rapé ceremony, we first honor the spirit of smoke (Defuma,) and then conduct an opening prayer handled by the facilitator. The participants are asked to have an intention in mind before receiving the Rapé which is served individually. The snuff is then administered by a special blow pipe called Tepi, one nostril at a time. Instructions as to the process are provided during the ceremony.
The experience of Rapé is quite powerful and can last anything from a 30 minutes to several hours and days.
Over the past few years Maisa had been working with several Rapé Spirits. She is familiar with Plant Medicine and is a seasoned facilitator.
Notes:
For clarification purposes: Rapé is legal in the USA i.e. it does not contain any hallucinatory agents. It is a mean to focus the mind, release "stuck" energies that do not serve us, ground the roots and much, much more.
Maisa works primally with natural products from the Amazon Indigenous Tribes, Several types of Rapé are available for purchase at https://queenoftheforest.org .