Icaros, the Magical Chants of the Ayahuasca Shamans
I recall one night time Ayahuasca ceremony, held in a small clearing in the Amazon rainforest. It was a beautiful clear night, there was no moon, and the sky was filled with hundreds of thousands of glistening stars; just looking up at the sky made my head swim. We were surrounded by trees and bushes, but could only discern their shapes and silhouettes. It felt as if I was in nature's primordial theatre. When I had drank the Ayahuasca, the shaman started to chant his Icaros, and within a few minutes, there was the song of birds, fireflies flitting everywhere, the jungle around us was responding to the chants of the shaman. It was an exquisite experience, and the following day, when I discussed the opening experience, with the birds and insects appearing when he sang the first Icaro, he replied, "the first chant was to summon and ask the birds, and the insects for their protection".
There are several different kinds of icaros, at the beginning of the session. Their purpose is to provoke the mareacion or effects, and, in the words of Javier, ‘to render the mind susceptible for visions to penetrate, then the curtains can open for the start of the theatre'. Other Icaros call the spirit of Ayahuasca to open visions ‘as though exposing the optic nerve to light'. Alternatively, if the visions are too strong, the same spirit can be made to fly away in order to bring the person back to normality.
There are icaros for calling the ‘doctors', or plant spirits, for healing, while other icaros call animal spirits, which protect and rid patients of spells. Healing icaros may be for specific conditions like ‘manchare' which a child may suffer when it gets a fright. The spirit of a child is not so fixed in its body as that of an adult, therefore a small fall can easily cause it to fly. Manchare is a common reason for taking children to Ayahuasca sessions.
The arts of the Shipibo, especially textile designs, are closely related to Ayahuasca icaros. The words of the chants are symbolic stories telling of the ability of nature to heal itself. For example the crystalline waters from a stream wash, cleanse, and purify a person who is unwell, while coloured flowers attract the hummingbirds whose delicate wings fan healing energies etc. You might see such things in your visions but the essence or core which cures you is perhaps more likely to be the understanding of what is happening in your life. These deep insights allow your inner feelings to unblock so that bitterness and anger can change to ecstasy and love. To awaken from the ‘illusion of being alive' is to experience life itself.
The Icaros demonstrate the emotional bond between the shamans to the world of nature, and the spiritual powers of the rainforest. The Following Icaro ‘ Icaro Madre Naturaleza', shows this relationship between man and nature.
English Translation by Peter Cloudsley.
Don't leave me, don't leave me
My mother nature
Don't leave me, don't leave me
My mother nature
For if you will leave me
I would die or of the pain
My tears of desperation
My mother nature
Yes you have the gift of life
Sacred purification in you hands
Blessed mother nature
Don't leave me don't leave me
My mother nature
Don't leave me, don't leave me
My mother nature
For if you will leave me
I would die or of the pain
Tears of desperation
The white veil that your you have
As it covers this child
Clean my body and spirit
With the breath or of your lips
Dearest miraculous Mother.
Don't leave me, don't leave me
My mother nature
Don't leave me, don't leave me
My mother nature
For if you will leave me
I will die of the sorrow
My tears of desperation
In the mountains or upper jungle
Where you give me peace and prosperity
Without regrets neither bitterness
Dearest pure Mother
Don't leave me , don't leave me
My mother nature
Don't leave me , don't leave me
My mother nature
For if you will leave me
I would die or of the pain
My tears of desperation
Where you Take a bath with the plants
Blessed Child put onto me
Your crown of health
Eternally in my heart
Related Tags: healing, amazon rainforest, shaman, shamanism, ayahuasca, icaros, ayahuasca retreats, sacred chants
Howard G. Charing, is an accomplished international workshop leader on shamanism. He has worked some of the most respected and extraordinary shamans & healers in the Andes, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Philippines. He organises specialist retreats to the Amazon Rainforest He is the author of the best selling book, Plant Spirit Shamanism (Destiny Books USA), and has published numerous articles about plant medicines. Website http://www.shamanism.co.uk
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Five Brilliant Tips For Learning To Play Acoustic Guitar
These little guitar lessons have been put together for the newbie acoustic guitar scholar who feels - Acoustic Guitar Instruction For Up-and-coming Guitarists
These little guitar lessons have been put together for the beginner acoustic guitar scholar who feel - Which Are The Best Guitar Lessons?
There are many music lovers in world and many like listening to music. Some music lovers take the ne - Piano Bench Buying - Three Purchasing Tips
Before purchasing a piano bench it's in your best interests to consider the model and style and how - Sade Tickets Soldier Of Love Tour
Soon enough the sector may don't have any drawback in correctly saying her name. Born Helen Folasade - 5 Ways To Learn To Play The Guitar
Proud owner of a new guitar! What now? How do you learn how to play? It used to be a friend taught y - How Gucci Mane Mixtapes Helped Establish A Star
Most people have never heard of Radric Davis, but almost everyone knows him by his rapper alias, Guc - The Double Piano Bench - A Buyers Guide
The adjustable double piano bench has dual adjustable seating, allowing each player to adjust to the - Recording Studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally, the space is specifically - Jbl Car Speaker
Among the most famous car speaker brands JBL car speaker are then popular in that which is especiall
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Hotmp3download.com Review
After having a chance to take a look at the site from several different angles, I decided to post th - The Complete Definition Of The Music
Music PortalMusic is a form of art that involves organized and audible sounds and silence. It is nor - The Blues Scale & Cool Stuff You Can Do With It
Most of us who took piano lessons as kids are all too familiar with scales, and most of us hated pra - Your Playing the Guitar All Wrong!
Each time you pick up the guitar it should be an enjoyable experience, if you are frustrated you are - Trendy Music
Music forms as an amazing remedy to get of this stress in life. Music is the only language which is - Can You Still Find A Gem In The LA Music Scene?
At the Whisky a Go Go, Saturday, January 6, 2007, the opening band was Vekstar (Can hear them on my - Keyboard Bags
Keyboard Bags - Anybody who buys his/her first keyboard generally buys a stand and a keyboard bag al - Guitar Strings - Are Coated Strings Right For You
When it's time to change guitar strings you're faced with a dizzying array of makes and types. One - Piano Chords: How Many Are There?
An interesting experiment is to ask people how many chords there are in music. You'll be surprised t - Rediscovering Radio With Satellite
It's been many generations now since radio was born. A crackling signal carrying serial dramas and c