Traditional despachos can be complex and intricate ceremonies.

However, the manner in which Rochelle received the essence of the Despacho Gratitude Ceremony has evolved into creating an opportunity for each person to express gratitude from their heart and make an offering to life with their own hand. This approach is simple and universally applicable, as many mother cultures have offerings to the land and to life woven into their culture. Rochelle extends her gratitude to her time in Peru, doing daily despachos with the Q’ero for many years before being given the assignment to go find some things in nature and speak from your heart what you are grateful for as you offer them.

The Quecha word for this ceremony is Hariweequi, which means to offer with one’s own hand. The more commonly used name is “despacho,” which is Spanish for “to send.” It can also be called a “gratitude ceremony.” The Q’ero and bridge workers, those who the Q’ero have shared teachings with with the intention that they share with others, have expressed their blessing for these simple ways to say thank you to pachamama be practiced.

The simplest way to understand a despacho as it is done in the container of Qoya is that we give offerings to the Earth to say “Thank You.” Frequently this involves some biodegradable paper laid flat on the ground or on a table and surrounded by small
containers full of biodegradable offerings. These can include:

- Flowers
- Nuts/Seeds/Beans
- Cacao/Chocolate
- Rice
- Leaves
- Shells
- Corn
- Rice/Other Grains
- Sugar
- Herbs
- Dried Sage or other incense

Offerings made to a despacho are offered to the Earth in one of three ways - given to a body of water, given to a fire, or buried in the ground.

Given the sensitivity of our ecosystems at this time, it’s important to consider the impact of your offering on the living world to which you give it.

When working with waterways, the least taxing offerings are made simply by gathering natural objects that naturally occur within that environment (for example - shells, sand, coastal plants or river stones). They can be assembled around a beautiful large plate or dish and
offered to the despacho in this manner. Once the offering is ready to be made, the dish can be taken to the water and ceremonially dropped under the surface, allowing the offerings to float up, sink to the bottom or be carried away by the water.

When making offerings to fire, there is more spaciousness to work with what appeals to you. Be sensitive not to burn items containing chemicals or plastics, as this negatively impacts our bodies and the environment.

When making offerings to the body of the Earth, it’s important to use biodegradable paper with no plastic components and make sure the offerings going into the ground don’t contain preservatives or other damaging chemicals. Again, remain sensitive to the particular
ecosystem to which they are being offered. There may be times when you wish to offer the despacho wrapped in paper, as a gift. There may be times when you simply wish to pick some plants and lay them like a mandala directly on to the Earth. The essence is the same. We are giving a gift to the Earth to say “Thank You” for all that she has given us. Allow your intuition and the truth in your body to guide you towards the most resonant way to offer this ceremony at any given time.

Watch the video below to be guided on how to create a Despacho:

The steps for a despacho as practiced in Qoya are:

• Gather your offerings around a biodegradable piece of paper in small containers in a place where you will be comfortable to sit for an hour or so. Put aside three leaves and a flower per person participating in the despacho to use at the en

• Call in sacred space in the way that feels truest for you. Offer your gratitude to the Q’ero people for their generosity of heart in preserving and sharing this practice.

• Make a cross to honor the four directions and a circle that connects us all with sugar in the center of the sheet of paper to open the despacho.

• Take an offering and allow it to speak to you. You may intend to do this despacho with a specific intention (i.e. to honor the end of a relationship) or it may be open ended.

• Speak the gratitudes that come up in your heart in relation to the intention for the
  despacho (or whatever gratitude emerges in the moment) then blow the prayers into your offering. Place it on the paper.

• If multiple people are participating, take turns to go around making offerings until all the offerings are used. If doing a despacho on your own, continue to make gratitude offerings until you are complete. You know you feel complete when anything that crosses your mind, you can imagine saying thank you for it.

• Take your two groups of three leaves and flower petals to create a two ‘Qintus.’ Traditionally, you would have one red petal and one white petal; however, using flowers that are local to the land or inspire you with their beauty are wonderful options as well. The Qintu is a closing offering representing the three worlds - the earth, the world below, and the world above. Blow any remaining prayers into the first Qintu and then offer it to the despacho. For your second group of three leaves, know that the best place to plant the seeds of your prayers, hopes, wishes and desires is in the garden of gratitude. Take some time to dream and vision what you’re feeling called to co-create with spirit and blow that prayer into the leaves and flowers. If it feels right, pass the Qintus around, blowing into each Quintu as it is passed, so each one is blessed by all participants. You may choose to speak this process out loud as you blow into the Qintus communally using a phrase such as, “Please hear our sisters’/brothers’/friends’ prayers.”

• Place the Qintus on top of the other offerings.

• Wrap the despacho and invite all participants to lift their hands up while closing their eyes for a minute or so to be open to receive from the energy vortex that has been created. Some may receive a message, others a vision. Some may simply know their willingness to be open. When complete, bring your hands to your heart to a moment of silence to say Thank You together.

• Close sacred space by thanking the energies you invoked for their support. Send your love to the Q’ero to wish that their people and traditions receive our love and gratitude.

• One option is to clear everyone’s energy with the despacho being moved across their energy field or even touching their body, similar to using a sacred smoke.

• Offer the Despacho back to the water, fire, or earth. This might happen immediately or it may travel with you until a specific time. Ideally, it is offered within two weeks. It might happen with the whole group present or with one person making the offering. Each despacho is different.

• Allow yourself to feel the healing effects of feeling full of gratitude. This is often palpable in the room as the ceremony is happening and can be felt for some time after.

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