— SACRED TIME —

Inti Raymi

June 24 · Andean tradition · Peoples and regions

Fixed date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Inca Sun festival at the southern winter solstice: the Sun is asked to return when it is at its weakest. Reciprocity (ayni) between humans and the cosmos.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Waiting for the sunrise with arms open towards the east
·Offering of the despacho, a ritual bundle burned or buried
·Chicha poured to Pachamama

Traditional foods

·Maize chicha
·Ritual maize and potatoes

Offerings

·Despacho with coca leaves, seeds, fat, sweets
·Three coca leaves (k'intu) blown towards the mountains

Taboos to respect

·Do not touch the despacho with your left hand
·Do not ask without offering

Associated symbols

Sun disk · Coca leaves · Apu, mountain spirits