
Foundational Shamanic Apprenticeship in the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition – Valley Forge Mountain 2025
Foundational Shamanic Apprenticeship
A 100+ hour, in-depth study in the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition
a Peruvian based Cross-Cultural Shamanic Tradition
with Amy Mermaid Isakov
Shamanic Practitioner and Sanctioned Teacher
You are invited on a sacred transformative journey to..
Learn and Grow: Apprentice traditional ceremonial arts of Peru
Discover the Multiverse: Explore a soul-animated, user-friendly multiverse
Commit to Transformation: Participate in 5 initiatory intensives and 12 Community Healing Ceremonies.
Deep Immersion: Benefit from 100+ hours of in-depth apprenticeship with a lineage-sanctioned teacher.
Embrace Your Role: Reclaim your life as a heart-awakened steward of Mother Earth
Sacred Hoop: Be part of a sacred cohort, a hoop of like-minded, spiritual aspirants.
Global Community: Join a worldwide community of shamanic initiates
Create and Connect: Craft your personal healing altar and medicine ground
About the Shamanic Apprenticeship
The Pachakuti Mesa Tradition: Cross-Cultural Shamanic Arts for Personal and Planetary Renewal is a series of immersive intensives that aligns the traditional teachings of Peru and the wisdom of its heritage with the needs of the present day.
Providing a comprehensive foundation and profound initiation into the living heart and soul of the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, this apprenticeship ensures participants cultivate a deeper relationship with nature and the unseen world, receiving multiple opportunities for self-exploration, empowerment, and personal growth.
This powerful series is open to all people who desire to be of service to themselves, their families, their community, and Mother Earth, whether they are long-time mesa carriers or new to this tradition. The Pachakuti Mesa was originated by Oscar Miro-Quesada, known worldwide as a Peruvian Kamasqa curandero.
Benefits of the apprenticeship
Profound Connection: Strengthen your bond with spirit, nature, and a heart-centered community.
Healing Power: Learn tangible ways to offer healing to yourself, others, and the world.
Sacred Wisdom: Carry forward the ancient teachings of Peru, keeping them alive for future generations.
Guidance for Modern Times: Gain a compassionate, practical outlook for navigating today’s challenges.
Safe Exploration: Access non-ordinary realms of consciousness through a time-tested, experiential path.
Who is this Apprenticeship For?
Seekers of Meaning: Anyone looking to find deeper spiritual relationships and communion with our Great Originating Mystery.
All Levels: Beginners, intermediates, and advanced practitioners of shamanic arts.
Helpers: Those from all walks of life who wish to maximize their presence as sources of healing light in the world.
Nature Lovers: People who adore adopting rocks, crystals, feathers, shells, and other natural treasures.
Dedicated Healers: Healers seeking a tradition to hold and evolve their practices within.
If you are reading this, this apprenticeship is for you—Welcome Home!
What Will You Gain?
By the end of this apprenticeship, you’ll be equipped with powerful healing tools to support your own journey and those around you—be it your friends, family, pets, clients, or our beloved Earth.
You’ll also be part of a sacred circle that honors unity in diversity, teaching love and compassion through the way we live.
This apprenticeship empowers you to embody the role of a heart-awakened steward of Mother Earth, making a meaningful impact in your life and the world around you.
“The PMT Foundational Apprenticeship was truly life-changing. Through this journey, I felt myself grow into deeper resonance with both myself and the world around me. While some aspects of the experience are beyond words, it gave me the tools to listen to the world with intention and meaning and to navigate life, work, and relationships with greater care and compassion.
The community and space we created together were transformative. It was a place that encouraged learning “outside the box” in ways I never expected. Safe, open, and honest communication, energizing and meaningful ceremonies, and intentional, compassionate approaches to life were invaluable parts of the apprenticeship.
I am immensely grateful to the PMT community, to Lance and Amy for their guidance, and to this lineage for shaping my journey. My time in the apprenticeship, with my teachers, and with my hoop members will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
“The PMT apprenticeship has changed my life. I view everything with so much more appreciation and awe as well as with a greater sense of personal responsibility. In each of the five weekends over the year, I learned so many things (material, meditations, practical applications and more) and then had the opportunity to go home and integrate it into my life for a few months and then reconvene to do it again. Each weekend, my understanding grew deeper. I wish it didn’t end, but I so appreciate the community I am now a member of and look forward to more classes in the future. My personal and community connections continue to grow through the Wednesday night link-ups and other gatherings. ”
APPRENTICESHIP SCHEDULE
Training includes:
5 Initiatory Intensive Weekends:
Dive deep into shamanic practices Friday-Sunday, with immersive, hands-on training.5 Virtual Sessions:
Join us on select Tuesday evenings from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM for continued learning, guidance, and community support between the in-person weekends.Monthly Community Shamanic Earth Healing Circles:
Held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7:45 PM - 9:00 PM, these circles provide a space for collective healing and connection.
Location
7 Stars Medicine Lodge
(Address available upon registration)
on Valley Forge Mountain
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Dates & Times:
In-Person Weekends
Friday 7-10 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Weekend I: September 12-14, 2025
Weekend II: December 12-14, 2025
Weekend III: March 13-15, 2026
Weekend IV: June 12-14, 2026
Weekend V: September 25-27, 2026
Virtual Trainings
Via Zoom
Tuesdays 7-9 PM on the following dates
Prep Call: August 26, 2025
(Orientation and preparation for Weekend I)October 14, 2025
January 13, 2026
April 14, 2026
July 14, 2026
Community Shamanic Earth Healing Circles
2nd Wednesdays of the month 7:45-9 pm
October 8, 2025
November 12, 2025
December 10, 2025
January 14, 2026
February 11, 2026
March 11, 2026
April 8, 2026
May 13, 2026
June 10, 2026
Weekend Details
Weekend I: The Call to Heal (Releasing the Past)
This apprenticeship initiates participants into the Pachakuti Mesa, focusing on creating and working with mesas for self-empowerment and transformation. You'll explore the three worlds of the Andean cosmovision, sacred sound, and ritual language.
Weekend II: A Balance of Power (Transforming the Present)
Apprentice in the center of the mesa, focusing on the kaypacha (middle world) and traditional Peruvian healing practices. This weekend covers elemental matrixes, the magico-spiritual power of the moon, and celestial death and rebirth.
Weekend III: The Condor’s Quest (Creating the Future)
Initiate into the Andean Shaman/Priesthood mystical path, connecting with sacred mountains and the five virtues of the mesa. Journey to the hanaqpacha (upper world) to deepen your connection to spiritual resources.
Weekend IV: The Hummingbird’s Ascent (Living the Mystery)
Explore the upper world, working with the flow of kamasqa (the power of Creation). This weekend includes creating despachos to honor Mother Earth and preparing for a sacred pilgrimage.
Weekend V: The Shamanic Self (Serving the Earth)
Deepen your experience of soul and spirit through ritual processes, working with ancient breathing techniques, and initiating into the lineage of this revered tradition, empowering your connection to cosmic awareness.
Tuition
The tuition below covers the entire apprenticeship, including everything mentioned above, email and phone support, and access to a private group. Additionally, participants receive 50% off private shamanic healing sessions with Lance throughout the apprenticeship year.
Pay in full: $3600 if paid in full (via Venmo) upon registration
Payment Plan :12 Monthly payments of $350. The initial payment is due upon registration and continues for 11 months. Other arrangements can be made if requested.
NOTE: Early Birds - Fill out the application by June 1st 2025 and save $300 off your payment
Note: We never turn anyone away for financial reasons.
Cancellation Policy
We know that schedules can change and cancellations are sometimes necessary. Tuition will be refunded less cancellation fees according to the following schedule:
$300 cancellation fee up until 4 weeks before the first day of class.
No refunds for cancellations less than 4 weeks prior or no-show. (In cases of family emergency or illness we will put your tuition towards a future apprenticeship.)
All cancellations must be in writing, by email that has been acknowledged and responded to by us. Cancellation dates are the date of an email response by us. Refunds will be processed within 2 weeks of request.
For Questions: Contact Amy
Interested in Applying?
Please use the form below
Once we review your application we will be in touch with next steps.
Please take your time to thoughtfully answer the questions below

The Art of Despacho Apprenticeship - Communing with Mountains & Despacho Building
Join Amy for Llankaypaq Munaypa: An intermediate Apprenticeship into the art of Despacho.
Based on the teachings of don Oscar Miro Quesada, this is an opportunity to develop advanced skill and intelligence in the ceremonial application of ayni through the art of despacho making.
The Pachakuti Mesa Tradition of shamanism provides a comprehensive understanding of the ritual cosmology and healing use of the sacred powers and forces revered by Andean wisdom-keepers since time immemorial.
These practices are relevant for people from all walks of life who are seeking to maximize their presence as sources of healing light in the world. Working with teachers sanctioned by don Oscar Miro-Quesada and the PMT Lineage, you’ll be apprenticed in ritual arts derived from Peru’s northern coastal kamasqa curandersimo and southeastern highland paqokuna shamanic traditions.
This level of shamanic medicine contribution to the Great Work is needed more than ever in the world, especially given the current alarming level of systemic intensification in prophesied Pachakuti witnessed at a global scale. All said and done, Now is the TIME, and the Time is NOW to emphatically ‘roll up our sleeves’, or better even, ‘pull out our Ajuar de Artes’, and lovingly embrace and honor the soul-empowering medicine ways of our shamanic ancestors.
By pursuing this course of study, you can:
Develop a deep personal relationship with the five unseen Guardians of Ayni: Tirakuna, Awkikuna, Malkikuna, Machula Awlanchis, and Apukuna.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific offerings and their uses when engaging the Guardians of Ayni for healing in despachos.
Establish a comfort level with creating despachos for personal, communal, and planetary healing.
Serve your community as an empowered ceremonialist, leading despacho ceremonies and integrating them into your spiritual practice.
Receive a minimum of 36 hours of in-person training on the ritual arts of despacho creation and offering in healing service of an individual (Self), the community (Culture), and the planet (Nature).
Experience and understand the three primary ways of offering despachos – burying, burning, and offering to water.
Honor the traditional roots of Andean despacho making and explore the contemporary and regional additions to this art.
Create and maintain your own despacho kit.
This exceptional hands-on training will include:
Quechua Sacred Words
Vibrational Music
Platonic Solids
Elemental Colors
Breathing Techniques
Shamanic Journeying
Exploration of the Cosmovision
and more shamanic tools to expand your healing practice
In addition to the Course Essentials book, you will receive a never before offered Despacho Handbook including ceremonial components, an exhaustive list of ingredients and their symbolism, and intention-specific ceremonies offered by The PMT Lineage.
Who is this training for?
These practices are relevant for people from all walks of life who are seeking to maximize their presence as sources of healing light in the world. Working with teachers sanctioned by don Oscar Miro-Quesada and the PMT Lineage, you’ll be apprenticed in time-tested healing arts derived from Peru’s northern coastal kamasqa curandersimo and southeastern highland paqokuna shamanic traditions.
PLEASE NOTE: This level of training is for students who have completed the Foundational Apprenticeship, OR Have a Pachakuti Mesa or are a Mesa Carrier, OR one online or in-person class with don Oscar Miro-Quesada. Please connect with Amy if you have any questions.
Next Date (see below for the full 5 Weekend schedule*)
*You may take the full apprenticeship or choose individual weekends
October 7-8, 2023
Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6pm
The Practicums take the apprentice even deeper in exploring the symbology of despacho ingredients and offering methods. You will also build your skills as a ceremonial leader and learn to plan intention-specific ceremonies.
Practicum 1: SELF: Attaining Individual Wholeness at the Intrapersonal Soul Level
Practicum 2: CULTURE: Attaining Communal Wholeness at the Interpersonal Soul Level
Practicum 3: NATURE: Attaining Planetary Wholeness at the Transpersonal Soul Level
Tuition
$355 per weekend
*no one turned for financial reasons
Location: 7 Stars Medicine Lodge, Valley Forge Mountain, Phoenixville, PA (directions sent when registered.)
Pre-requisite: One (1) or more online or in-person courses with don Oscar and/or completion of the Foundational Apprenticeship.
Note: You can participate in the entire series or choose individual weekends. In order to participate in the practicums, you must participate in at least one of modules 1-5.
Advanced Apprenticeship Full Schedule
May 20-May 21, 2023 - COMPLETED
Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6pm
Module 1: Deepening One’s Relationship with the Tirakuna – The ‘Watchers’ are protectors of rocky outcroppings and other sacred Earth sites. They feed on the life-force of animals and offerings to them are key to the well-being of one’s physical body.
Module 2: Deepening One’s Relationship with the Awkikuna – The Nature Spirits or ‘Doctors of the Heart’ are the keepers of great gardens and forests. Vegetal life is the appropriate offering in gratitude or appeal for one’s emotional health.
June 10-11, 2023 - COMPLETED
Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6pm
Module 3: Deepening One’s Relationship with the Malkikuna– Maintaining a balanced relationship with the ‘Tree Deities’ is vital to our spiritual well-being. Offerings of crystals and other elements from the mineral world are most welcome.
Module 4: Deepening One’s Relationship with the Machula Awlanchis – Associated with the realm of intellect and skill, these ‘Benevolent Ancient Ones’ are elevated human ancestors who are powerful resources to aid our personal and cultural acumen. They deeply appreciate our crafts and other creative expressions.
September 2-3, 2023
Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6pm
Module 5: Deepening One’s Relationship with the Apukuna – The magnanimous ‘Mountain Deities’ are mediators between Heaven and Earth and offer power, protection and blessings to all. They are honored with sacred untu, incense, and k’intus.
Module 6: Building the Ayni Despacho – Once the apprentices establish a solid understanding and connection with each of the Guardians, it is time to address the ceremonial honoring of them in the form of a despacho.
October 7-8, 2023
Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6pm
The Practicums take the apprentice even deeper in exploring the symbology of despacho ingredients and offering methods. You will also build your skills as a ceremonial leader and learn to plan intention-specific ceremonies.
Practicum 1: SELF: Attaining Individual Wholeness at the Intrapersonal Soul Level
Practicum 2: CULTURE: Attaining Communal Wholeness at the Interpersonal Soul Level
Practicum 3: NATURE: Attaining Planetary Wholeness at the Transpersonal Soul Level

Mugwort Tea Time Party - Summer Solstice Celebration
Join Amy Mermaid Isakov, Sanctioned Teacher of the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, on the Summer Solstice to call in the highest vision for our future, together through the visionary gifts of Mugwort.
We will gather in the yurt where Amy will facilitate a communion with one of her favorite plants and then lead a shamanic journey through time.
No experience is necessary.
NOTE: Mugwort is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Who is this for?
This class is open to everyone and absolute beginners are encouraged to attend!
What to bring:
a yoga mat/towel/blanket,
Journal or Paper/Pen
Where?
7 Stars Medicine Lodge is located on Valley Forge Mountain in Phoenixville.
Address and Directions will be given upon registration.
The class will take place in the Yurt with open airflow. Space is limited. Masks are optional
Cost:
$25 OR $20 each if you come with a friend (use the code “BUDDY” at checkout for the discount)
Note: this ceremony has very limited space- so please reserve your spot by paying below - note: If the class is full and you would like to be on the waitlist please email Lance at Bewell@Villagewellness.net
Sorry, no refunds or transfers. Credit to village wellness will be given for emergency cancellations only.
About Amy Mermaid Isakov
How to Talk to Rocks
Join Shamanic Teacher Amy Mermaid Isakov for a dive into the subtle waters of your own superpowers.
Please bring a favored stone or crystal to commune with and you will learn how to understand the metaphysical properties of any given stone or crystal.
This is a process you will be able to apply again and again so if you’re interested in deepening your personal relationship with the sacredness all around you, this class is for you!
When? October 14th, 7:30-9:00 pm
Where? Zoom - Link sent upon registration
How much ? $22