There are many plants in the forest used medicinally, and every native tribe has their own unique ways of working with the plants. Not every tribe uses aya* as a medicine, nor do they practice dietas.

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The Shipibo are an indigenous tribe, traditionally residing around the Ucayali region of Peru, and have been working with the medicine for the past 2,000 years. They have a very specific way of working with aya* and other medicinal plants for healing, learning, apprenticeship, learning icaros (medicine songs) and merging their consciousness with that of the spirit of a plant. This practice is known as curanderismo, and they are infamous for the practice of "la dieta," a practice of following a strict diet of no salt, sugar, high fats, oils or processed foods, no sex or intimacy with self or others, & being isolated in the jungle, not ingesting (physically or energetically) any other plants (of strong power) except for the one(s) they are dieting, and that of aya* and mapacho (Peruvian tobacco), and perfumes. 

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The Shipibo, and most native jungle people recognize that everything; plants, trees, animals, rivers, all have a spirit, or a consciousness. In the Shipibo world, every plant has a spirit- a personality, different things it teaches, has its own songs, has different healing powers, and has its own medicinal healing properties for the physical body. Plants are like people, every person is a unique individual with different medicine and wisdom to offer. And not every person is for everyone, just like not every plant is for everyone. 

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One of the reasons entering a dieta for healing is so powerful, is because this process is not just addressing the physical aspects of healing, it addresses also the healing needed of the mind and spirit. In our Western world if you go to a doctor with a problem, they will most likely give you a diagnosis and a quick fix, a pill perhaps, or a protocol. In the jungle, instead you are given a plant, or plants to work with that will address your physical problem, and also, the emotional and spiritual aspects that are needed to heal this issue. From a shamanic point of view, many of our physical ailments are manifestations of issues that have not been dealt with, felt, expressed. We bury our emotions, we don't process things that need to be processed, we bottle up our anger or sadness, have unprocessed trauma, and/or we are carrying the baggage of our ancestors and it needs healing- this all attributes to problems manifesting as physical. We are more than just our physical body, we need to heal on all levels, and this is why master plant dietas are SO powerful. 

In addition to healing, the path of dieting can be very expansive for personal growth, and is incredibly transformative, providing wisdom, teachings, and clarity for one's path. 

For those on the medicine path, one continues to dieta in order to continue connecting with the plant spirit world, and learning new ways of healing and navigating the medicine space.

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Aya* is more often than not, an important part of this process. She is a highly intelligent plant medicine that will show you truth, bringing things you have hidden under the rug right in front of your face for you to deal with. She is called the vine of the soul because she truly helps you to see life in a different way, she shows you what you need to see at this time, in order to expand and grow as a human being. She connects you with the universe, your most expansive self, pachamama, all that is. Her medicine is incredibly beautiful, and also can be incredibly challenging. She is not for the faint of heart, but will offer you new perspectives, healing, and the opportunity to take her teachings and walk forward with them in order to make changes to your own life.

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Dietas are traditionally "opened" and "closed" in an aya* ceremony with a highly skilled curandero (vegetalista/medicine person, one who works with the plants). You will be individually sung to, and the plant spirit will be implanted into your body for the time in which you will be dieting together (which can be anywhere from a week, to months, or years!). I like to think of dieting as entering a monogamous relationship, you are making a disciplined commitment to your plant, and in return your plant will grant you what you are ready to receive. You will be spending time alone with your plant in order to fully be able to commune with it, this is why not exerting your energy outwardly is important, so you can connect as deeply as possible. Messages come in the silence, or through the song of your own voice! In aya* ceremony however, your dieta plant is able to meet you in an entirely different way. Aya* slightly steps aside, allowing your dieta to come through and speak to you more directly, show you its personality and visionary world, and activate different levels of healing. It is truly a profound and rewarding experience, that may also have its challenges as it may bring a lot to the surface. This is part of the beauty though, healing happens once we show up and believe in ourselves and desire to make changes. 

When it is time to close the dieta container, you will have a final ceremony, in which the curandero will sing to you a specific song called an "arcana," which is incredibly important, and essentially safely packs your plant dieta into your body for safekeeping. Once you dieta a plant, it is with you for life, unless you wish to have the energy removed. You can always call upon it, or ingest it another time to reconnect or ask for insights. It also serves as a protector of your energy and an enhancement of your spirit. 

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Although not always easy, it is incredibly rewarding and beautiful experience.

I am honored to introduce you to sitting with and dieting with our Shipibo curandero Loyver, a humble, gentle yet strong, beautiful individual who I have had the gift of sitting with and dieting with since 2018. To this day, I feel he is one of the most integral and unique, safe medicine men I have ever sat with. He knows how to hold the divine feminine with his soft presence. A visionary artist and father, he also paints the room with his beautiful songs that read into what the space needs at any given time. People return to Novalis time and time again because they love working with him. I am confident that you will not be disappointed in opening a dieta with Loyver when you choose to join us.

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With love, Fatua

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To visit the Novalis website & learn more about our team and the beautiful land you will be visiting, click here.

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