The Sacred Apus
and a proposed tax increase on private jets
Dear sacred beings,
Reciprocity is an increasingly popular concept, regularly referenced in the pseudo-psychological dating advice on social media, as well as the articles and white papers heralding the new science of psychedelics. The growing popularity of this word is part of western society’s growing awareness of the energetic exchanges at the root of our collective reality and the essence of our connection with the natural world.
For the Q'ero Nation of the Andes, reciprocity has been a central pillar of their culture for thousands of years. As the world has become increasingly transactional through the spread of global capitalism, the Q'ero have prayed for reciprocity, specifically through its connection to ayni, a key principle of their culture, and all cultures that live among the Andes.
To learn more about the incredible traditions of the Q'ero, be sure to read this week’s eco-story.
🗞️ In Climate News
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🇿🇦 South Africa's largest city battles unprecedented water crisis
🌍 33 African countries in need of external assistance for food
🌸 Earlier springs have cascading effects on animals, plants and pastimes
🌡️ Drought, heat and mismanagement make getting fresh water an increasingly tough task
📈 Cool Trends
♾️ eco-story
The Sacred Apus: an encounter with the Q'ero Nation
In the high peaks of the Peruvian Andes is the sacred home of a community who live with the great apus, the mountain spirits they call by name: Apu Markusani, Apu Qocha Moqo, Apu Panpa Kuchu, Apu Anparaes, Apu Pitusiray, Apu Ausangate and Apu Salqantay (among others). These sacred mountains are rarely visited — until recently they could only be accessed by foot — and despite the recent construction of a road halfway up the mountains, the trip is still arduous and often too expensive for locals. The result is a largely untouched region with several lagoons of clear water, a special place that is protected by the Q'ero Nation, who humbly live with love for Mother Earth. The Q'ero people took refuge in these heights to escape the scourge of imperial Spaniards, and have since lived isolated from the rest of the world for around five centuries.
Since the time of the great ancient empire of the Incas — known locally as Tawantinsuyu, it was the largest empire in the pre-Columbian Americas — the apus are respected as divine entities that protect the local population and the land. The heritage of the Incas is still present with most Peruvians knowing the name of the apus in their region and how to pay respect to them. The Q'ero Nation is known in Peru as the people who listen to the voice of the apus. As descendants of the Incas, they have always been intermediaries between the spiritual and material worlds, in dialogue with all elements, making commitments to carry out the apus’ calls for harmony among all living beings.
🌏 The Culture Column
📺 What we’re watching: Fungi: Web of Life
📸 Profile of the week: @mnyomb1
📖 What we’re reading: Post Growth: Life After Capitalism, by Tim Jackson
🤯 Shocking fact we learnt this week: In terms of greenhouse gas, internet use accounts for 3.7% of global emissions