Table of Contents

Introduction

The Mystery of San Pedro
Ross Heaven

Part 1
San Pedro Shamans and Shamanism

1 Shamanism and Curanderismo
The Approach to Healing in Peru
Ross Heaven

2 Traditions of San Pedro Healing: Ancient and Modern
An Interview with Rubén Orellana
Ross Heaven and La Gringa

3 San Pedro, the “Miracle Healer”
An Interview with La Gringa, an Andean San Pedro Shaman
Ross Heaven

4 Working Practically with San Pedro
Michael Simonato

Part 2
The Western Mind

5 The Anaconda and the Hummingbird
Sacraments of the Lowland Rain Forest and the Highest Mountains
Eve Bruce, M.D.

6 Notes on Getting Cactus Lodged in Your Reducing Valve
San Pedro and Psychic Abilities
David Luke, Ph.D.

7 Heaven and the Hummingbird
Morgan Maher


Part 3
San Pedro Healing

8 San Pedro Healing--An Overview
Ross Heaven

9 San Pedro and the Cure of Addiction
Tracie Thornberry

10 Healing an Abusive Past
Alexia Gidding

11 New Insights, Emotional and Physical Healing
Robyn Silvanen

12 The Universal Heart
Daniel Moler

13 Deciding to Live Not Die
Sonna-Ra

Part 4
San Pedro and Creativity

14 San Pedro in Art and Music
Ross Heaven

15 San Pedro
Inspiration and Art
David “Slocum” Hewson

16 San Pedro and the Healing of the Divine Mother
Peter Sterling

17 The Songs of San Pedro
Ross Heaven

Conclusions
The Gifts of San Pedro
Ross Heaven

Appendix
San Pedro Testimonials

About the Author

Index

About the Author

Ross Heaven is a psychologist, healer and workshop facilitator and presenter with extensive training in the shamanic, transpersonal, and psychospiritual traditions. The author of more than 10 books, including Plant Spirit Shamanism, he teaches workshops on shamanism and plant medicines in Spain and England and coordinates trips to Peru to work with indigenous plant shamans. He lives in Spain and the United Kingdom.

Reviews

“This is a simply splendid book! Ross Heaven has written and edited an insightful and information-filled volume including reports from several shamans who have worked for many years with San Pedro. We finally have a definitive book on this remarkable psychedelic plant. Thank you for opening so many doors, Ross Heaven.”
*James Fadiman, Ph.D., author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide*

“An amiable, intelligent, and passionate introduction to the sacred medicine of the Andes. Ross Heaven’s Cactus of Mystery is valuable not only as an orientation toward the ancient Huachuma tradition but also as an exploration of the experiences of healing and creativity common to all sacred medicine traditions.”
*Robert Tindall, author of The Jaguar that Roams the Mind and The Shamanic Odyssey*

“This book brings to light the possibilities that await us as an evolved conscious species if we reach out and communicate with plant species in a true ‘communion.’”
*Rahasya Poe, Lotus Guide Magazine, April 2013*

“In conclusion, due to the paucity of literary information on San Pedro, this is a particularly needed book for not only does it bring this cactus to a wider audience, raising awareness of its potentials for healing, it also manages to bring together diverse and interesting disciplinary takes on the plant. Heaven, whose own knowledge and experience is clearly a wealth in itself, has collated an admirable selection of texts that provides the reader with a thorough perspective.”
*Psychedelic Press UK, August 2013*

“Ross details the rituals surrounding the traditional ceremonies involved – from the Mesa (or ‘control panel’) required to focus the ceremony, the songs sung to invoke particular energies of cardinal archetypes, to the diet required for the shaman to approach the spirit of the plant in an impeccable fashion – an absolute necessity for a successful healing session, and much more. Comes highly recommended.”
*Odyssey Magazine, October 2013*