Don Oscar’s apprenticeship with the famed healer and huachumero don Celso Rojas Palomino from Salas, Chiclayo, Peru took place between 1969 and 1986. After don Celso transitioned to the Spirit World, don Oscar started a four-year apprenticeship within the Andean Paqokuna shaman/priesthood with famed kuraq akulleq don Benito Corihuamán Vargas from the village of Wasao. Don Celso had insisted that the only way to safeguard these ancient healing traditions was to bring them to Western acculturated peoples. This led don Oscar to originate the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition of cross-cultural shamanism replete a healing altar (mesa), ceremonial practices and ritual arts.
“As we construct our altars, we re-claim deep connection with ourselves, our communities, and Pachamama. As we call forth the power of nature into our altars, we recognize that we are not alone, we are luminous strands within the whole.” ~ don Oscar Miro-Quesada