The Andean Medicine Wheel - Sachamama’s Wisdom in the South
How Sachamama Guides Healing and Transformation
In the sacred traditions of the Andean Medicine Wheel and Shamanic Energy Healing and Medicine the serpent is regarded as sacred. Rather than being feared, it holds a place of reverence. Called Sachamama, the Great Serpent of the South, one of four animal archetypes on the Andean Medicine Wheel, she preserves the wisdom of the old Earth knowledge. She imparts to us the skill of release, the beauty of metamorphosis, and the possibility of rebirth. We are encouraged to let go of the stories, identities, and scars that no longer defines us, just as the serpent sheds its skin.
The South of the Medicine Wheel: A Path of Release and Renewal
The South direction is our first gateway on the Medicine Wheel. It is where we meet ourselves raw and real, often still tender with past hurts; yet, it is also the beginning of transformative healing. This is the realm of the body, the emotions, and the earth. It is about remembering with our bones, not just our minds. It opens up our new sacred path.
Sachamama invites us to:
Layer by layer, release what we have outgrown and reclaim the truth of who we are.
Renew our relationship with the land and the current moment.
This allows us to return to our nature by means of this shedding.
A Personal Encounter with Sachamama
I remember during my own initiation into the South, Sachamama would appear to me in visions of a cave - deep in the belly of the Earth. The air was thick and smelled like soil and stone, and the silence was ancient. She would emerge slowly, her great body coiled with presence, and look at me - not just at me, but through me. In her gaze, nothing could hide. And without needing to speak or search, the things I was meant to release would rise to the surface - old wounds, forgotten memories, worn-out identities. It was powerful. Magical. A kind of truth that bypasses the mind and goes straight to the soul.
Meeting the Serpent in the Body
The serpent, revered for its quiet strength and ability to shed its skin, embodies stillness and transformation. Through this connection, you can release what no longer serves you, embracing renewal and a deeper alignment with your core essence. As you connect with the serpent, allow her qualities of adaptability and resilience to guide your healing journey.
Walking in Right Relationship: Sachamama and Ayni
Walking alone is not part of the Andean custom. We walk in Ayni, in right relationship, with all of life. We help others to heal as well as ourselves. We free ourselves to allow flow, compassion, and reciprocity. Embodying the wisdom of Sachamama invites us to:
Live in gratitude, offering back what we’ve received
Stand in community, recognizing we are part of a larger web
Act with compassion, honoring all beings as sacred reflections
An Invitation to Life
What are you ready to shed? What story have you worn like a second skin, long after it’s outlived its truth? Maybe today you could lie on the earth and whisper to Sachamama what you are ready to let go.
Let her hold it.
Let her lead the transformation.
Because this is not just symbolic. It is a path of returning. A path of becoming. A path of remembering the sacred ember within.
Transformative offerings at Sacred Ember
At Sacred Ember, Master Practitioner Alrina guides clients through personalized sessions, igniting the sacred ember within. Through one-on-one Shamanic Energy Medicine sessions, online courses, and animal healing services, individuals and animals alike can experience the profound benefits of holistic healing.
Harnessing the teachings of Sachamama, Sacred Ember supports the journey towards healing, balance, and purpose. By walking the path of the serpent, you embrace transformation and discover the radiant essence that lies within.