San Pedro is known to be a grandfather spirit and comes from a cactus of South America. The Incans used to use this medicine to walk for days on end – San Pedro gave them energy and a greater connection to their purpose as well as the Earth. If you are going to take part in a San Pedro ceremony, we first recommend that you ensure you are doing so with a respected and experienced medicine man or woman and that it is in a space you can trust.

Once you have ensured this and are ready to sit around the fire with this powerful medicine, we recommend the following ways to prepare for a San Pedro ceremony. 

1. Meditate on Your Intention

As in any ceremonial experience, it is crucial to have an intention that you would like to work with the San Pedro medicine. This purpose will be something you can come back to any time, and it will help direct what you will see, feel, and experience throughout the ceremony.

It can be a question or a simple word for how you want to feel, like peace or joy. If you are not clear on what purpose, we recommend starting with gratitude for everything that has happened in your life so far.  

2. Be Gentle and Clean With Your Diet

Having a mostly whole-food diet light in spices, fats, and sugar is the best route before the San Pedro ceremony. Ideally, eliminate drugs, meats, alcohol, sugars, citrus, and foods high in spices or fats 3 days prior to a plant medicine ceremony. It is also best to not engage in sexual activity during the days prior.

3. Continue or Begin a Meditation Practice

Breath can be your anchor during a plant medicine ceremony. It is possible that there are intense moments, both physically and emotionally, and the more you practice coming back to your breathing, the better! You can also try a yoga nidra practice or guided meditation before the San Pedro ceremony to rest and center. 

4. Rest!

A meeting with San Pedro is best done when you are well-rested and nourished. Especially for all-night ceremonies, it is crucial to take a nap or take it very easy that day. The more energy you can conserve, the more you can use to focus on your intention.

5. Wear Something Beautiful and Comfortable

When we go into a ceremony around the sacred fire, it is believed that our ancestors come to join us to see how we are doing. So, we recommend wearing something nice for these spirits to see you doing well!

You can wear something meaningful to you, like jewelry or a special scarf. For women, a long skirt or dress is highly recommended – as a way to honor our connection to the Earth, and it offers a ring of protection. However, do not wear a tight dress or a very itchy pair of pants – you want to ensure your focus during the night is on the fire and your purpose, not on your discomfort. 

6. Wear Protection and Braid Your Hair

Traditionally, people will wear a protection belt, or a “faja” as they are called here in Ecuador. It can be wrapped around your womb area and almost feels like a seat belt – this protection can help you feel more grounded and contain your energy. 

Braids are also recommended for longer hair as it is a way to weave your energy in connection to the Earth.

7. Listen to Some Medicine Music

In traditional San Pedro ceremonies, the person who is leading the drum goes around the circle with a rattle and staff, offering each participant a turn to sing sacred prayer songs with these sacred instruments. It is good to have some songs prepared in case you feel the call to sing. 

By listening to some San Pedro ceremonial songs, you can get an idea of what kind of songs are appropriate. Check out the Pájaros de Luz album for some beautiful prayer songs. We recommend songs that mean something to you and that come from tradition, such as traditional songs from your childhood (not pop songs).

Join Us Around the Fire in a San Pedro Ceremony

Going into a ceremony with a mind and body that is prepared will make all the difference for your encounter with this powerful medicine of San Pedro.

Reach out to us if you have any questions about these recommendations or our upcoming retreats and plant medicine ceremonies. We hope to see you around the fire soon!