Thank you Pandora for your welcoming and openhearted answer. I see stories similar to ours everywhere – people who've had a difficult past, recovered from addiction, and turned to psychedelics for healing. It feels good to know that there are more people out there who understand this path that to so many others may seem illogical.
Therapeutic, yes – very much so. It brings rhythm and regularity in a way that is very healing to me. Working with your body is good. Creating is good, taking care of life is good. After a day's hard work, you feel content, your sleep is deep and you wake up well-rested. It's a life of simplicity.
I was lucky to find work at an upstarting permaculture garden this summer. It was a life-changing experience – I have completely reconsidered what I would like to do for a living in the future. Now that I'm back in school it feels like I'm going insane sometimes. Sitting still all day, using my head but never my body, feeling the sun on my skin only while waiting for the bus? Oh, it's just not the way I want to live. Let me shovel some dung now, please!
Also... knowing the whole life cycle of the plants that in turn bring me life, has changed the way I look upon the world and place myself in it. I could call it turning away from an anthropocentric worldview, perhaps. I'm beginning to understand the plants as beings. Starting to wildcraft plants for medicine has also led me to this insight. I can't quite put it into words yet, but I hope that it'll be clearer soon.
Up until now, my only gardening space has been my balcony, but when next year's growing season begins, I'll have my very own allotment. It's going to be hard work and I'm so much looking forward to it 
I'd be delighted to hear your thoughts about gardening, too!
The brewing process will be careful. I enjoy rituals.
In a few weeks' time, I'll dedicate a weekend to Aya. Friday night, I'll clean up my space, smudge, prepare and decorate the area where I'll spend the next day.
Saturday, I'll get up early and start brewing. I'll meditate. I'll talk to the brew... it'll be a way to figure out my intentions, connect with my feelings, pour all my love into the brew and just be open, soft, and present. I'll stay close to it all day. When the brew is reduced and the bucket is lined, I'll drink.
Sunday will be spent reflecting and writing – which hopefully will lead to a post on this forum.
The proportions will probably be 1:2 of Chakruna:Yage. I have read recommendations ranging from 1:1 to 1:7, and I still don't understand in which way the proportions affect the finished brew. But maybe it doesn't matter. I figure 1:2 is a good starting point from where I can develop a personal relationship to the plants, and after I while I'll know how it works.
Thank you.
