The apacheta is similar to a cairn, a stone marker, that one might find near rivers or along trails in nature. Cairns are human-made piles of stones, creations that have their origins in pre-history, are crafted for all sorts of reasons: Directional markers in woods, on mountains, and along shorelines; trail beacons; offerings made with the hopes of receiving protection from spirit; tributes and commemorations; ceremonies, art… (Do a Google search on them, you’ll be amazed.) These handmade stone formations are tangible connections of humanity and nature for primal purposes that may be practical, whimsical, or spiritual. 

Apachetas are much bigger than cairns, constructed of many large size stone relatives. They were particularly important to the Incan Empire. While they have been found throughout the Americas, the practice of building apachetas has taken place predominantly in South America. Created with the intention of using time-honored rituals, an apacheta serves as an altar or energy vortex, a portal through which we can profoundly connect with Pachamama, who upholds our vibrations of prayers and ceremonies within the vast blessings of nature. Mona received direct training for this tradition from the shamans, curanderos, curanderas, Q’ero, and regions of land in Peru and Ecuador, during her extensive travels.

For more information about apachetas, contact us here.

Please click here on Heart of the Healer to learn more about the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition of Cross Cultural Shamanic Arts.

We recently discovered a very interesting “Glossary of Terminology of the Shamanic and Ceremonial Traditions of the Inca Medicine Lineage,” which includes the definition of an apacheta. Check it out!