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Macchu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to Lake Titicaca

REFLECTIONS OF OUR JOURNEY
Cantu – 13TH GATE      In March of 1999 while I was in Peru, I received the message to go back to Lake Titicaca in the year 2000. There was something about the energy of 13 - some work we would do in that regard. Lake Titicaca is the 13th Chakra of Earth and the frequencies of 13 are beginning to return. (I can't say that I exactly understand what this means - I just hear what I hear and enjoy the signs and synchronicities.)
I have been very much into the #11 - and then some 12's…now 13 jumps in. My friend Corrin Codye (also author, teacher, and Tai Chi Master) came on this adventure to Peru for the March equinox. She had been working with 11's and the energies were moving to 12 and 13 for her also. We left for Peru on March 11. March 13 we began our day in a stunningly gorgeous spot above Cusco, doing Tai Chi. We then moved on to the Moon Temple above Saqsayhuaman to celebrate two 13th day of the month birthdays and were greeted by a wonderful shaman: Martin, from the Pachatuson Mountain. He would be doing a despacho (a blessing and payment to Mother Earth) for our group of 22, for our sacred journey.
Roger had told me about Martin, as he is from "our" mountain –Pachatuson- the mountain facing our land in the Sacred Valley. Roger had also radioed the far away mountain of Asungate about a month before to find Nasario. Nasario is a wonderful shaman that he wanted to meet. Roger had not received a message back.
     While our group was still walking around enjoying the energy, a taxi arrived with Carmen, from Roger's office, and Nasario - who had just "arrived". Roger was very excited to see him. He and Martin did a super powerful ceremony together. An auspicious beginning. We had the entire band Metaphora there - to celebrate 2 birthdays. It turned out to also be the birthday of one of the band guys. We celebrated with a beautiful picnic lunch and fabulous chocolate cake - with 360-degree vistas - and we shared with a bunch of fun Peruvian kids.
The day before, Roger had been telling how the stones were laid at 13-degree angles and Cusco was 13 degrees latitude. Oh those 13's again. So, on to Lake Titicaca. I had a strong feeling I would make one flower essence this trip. The Cantu kept coming into my mind and when I asked Roger if it would be in bloom - the guy who knows nearly everything said he didn’t think so. Several years before I had made an essence from Cantu and was told to let it go - It wasn't time yet. It was curious that it kept coming to me.
     When I packed for Taquille Island I had to think about the bowl. Should I take it? This is a pack-light-for-one night carry-your-own-stuff affair. I packed the bowl. We had a great boat ride to the Island. We got off the boat and regrouped in a beautiful meadow. Beautiful does not aptly describe Taquille. You have to go there to feel it. It is peaceful and pure. No cars, no electricity. (Now a little solar stuff is happening). They speak in whispers. Located in the middle of the lake of the eternal city - Lake Titicaca.
     I began the hike to our host's home, where our group would stay. At the top of a hill I was greeted by a young boy with - YES! A Cantu necklace. Of course I immediately knew today was the day and the Cantu was it! Cantu is the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. It is bright red and a natural hummingbird flower. We arrived at our host's home, where lunch was served. The Cantu was calling. I often fast while I am making essences - so I easily made the decision to skip the tempting meal.   I grabbed my equipment and went off to make the essence. Pure ecstasy is the only way I can describe it. I found a perfect terrace with Cantu surrounding me. I had the perfect spot to sit with the flowers - who were all saying "YES" and "choose me". I began cutting flowers into the bowl of water. At one point I stopped and thought - "How many flowers?" and I thought, well, maybe 22. I began to count the flowers in the bowl - and then got a good laugh. There were 13. That was perfect. I sat with the flower essence. I went into euphoria. When the essence felt complete and I was thinking it was time to bottle it, when two little kids and a baby, maybe 18 months old, approached. They were quite intrigued by me and watched my process, the two bigger ones (a girl and boy - maybe 4 and 5) smiling - the baby a bit apprehensive. When I finished, I took what was left in the bowl and splashed some on the kids - then went ahead and splashed the baby. She then started giggling and laughing. What a blast!
     I then went back to where we were staying and everyone in our group was doing their own thing - either painting or writing or walking or sleeping or hiking with Roger - which was great - as I was still in an altered state from my encounter with nature. I took a walk and ended up in the town square. I went to the "restaurant" there because I needed a bottle of alcohol to put the mother essence in. I like alcohol because I can dump it out or give it away - and have a very clean bottle. (I preserve the Mother with alcohol once I get home.) They didn't have any - but pointed me toward a store a block over.
     There were no signs - so I had to look into each adobe doorway . Then - there it was - a little tienda (store) and on a shelf - a couple of bottles of "Licor Puro": 2.5 soles, less than a dollar. So, bottle in hand, I headed back - completely enjoying this walk and this purpose. As I was returning, I came upon Bette, a member of our group, a 75-year-old amazing, strong, powerful, angelic super-being of light. She had tears pouring down her face(Tacquille can do that to you) in awe of the beauties and wonders and kindness of Mother Nature. We hugged. It was another peak moment. I returned and bottled the Cantu into the "pure liquor" bottle. The next morning I returned right after sunrise to the special terrace - to sit with the Cantu again. The hummingbirds came. They told me that my job, just like theirs, was simply to drink the nectar.

Take the 13th Gate essence and drink the delicious sweetness of what is happening all around us and be in ecstatic harmony with it. The Cantu is another divinely timed precious gift from nature and I AM SO GRATEFUL.

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