The Apus, Sacred Mountain Spirits
Ever since ancient times, Andean people understood that the world of humans, the world of nature, and the world of the Gods shared life together, and that these worlds are always interconnected. The Apus are spirits of the sacred mountains and other powerful deities, and as such, they are the lords of these three worlds, guiding and taking care of them so that all can live in harmony.
We, the people of the Andes, know that the mountains - large or small - have life, have spirits. These Apus guide, rule and protect all living beings.
And so it is that one cannot help but feel the Apu Spirits in the Beauty and Energy of the magnificent scenes that surround us here in the Andes. The Apus have helped awaken a dream that has lain dormant in me for many years: the dream of following this beautiful spiritual path of my ancestors.
So here I am today, answering the call of my heart to share this path with you.
Welcome to my Andean home.
Apus and Animus
The Apus are the spirits, which we call "Animus," of the sacred mountains. "Animu" is a very special word to us. It means the force that gives life energy to everything in the world: to people, plants, animals and all the deities.
According to native Andean cosmology, deities are Divine Forces of nature, including the sun, moon, stars, as well as mountains, rivers, lakes and even Pachamama herself. To the Andean people, all is alive!
Each Animu of every person, being or deity is unique; no two are the same. Our animu accompanies us for all our lives. The Apus are the guardians of all the animus, and also give strength to each one, so Life can exist. This is why the Andean people always pray to the Apus, asking for their blessings.
The Sacred Geography of Cusco's Mountains.
Gazing from the top of the mountains of Cusco's Valleys, we are shown an amazing and surprising panorama of cosmic magnitude that these protector Apus and Deities grant us and that reign over the geography. These are the snowcapped mountains of Ausangate, Salkantay, Wakay Willka (also known as “Veronica”), Chicón, Pumawanka, Sawasiray, and Pitusiray, earthbound beings whose peaks tower in the sky, separating the mountain ranges from the jungle below. Their altitude and majesty appear to hold the valleys in their slopes.
