THE ANDEAN MARRIAGE.

In the Andes of Peru the cosmogony of the Incas associated with a wedding is highly mystical and sacred so it does all the ritual performed by an Andean Priest (Shaman) along with all the forces of nature.
For many centuries the Andean people, continuing the tradition on their descendants, keeps the practice of these sacred ceremonies. They consider the union of man and woman a perfect balance of forces, so, in maintaining the harmony of the union they will prosper and happiness, left in the hands of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth), will come in material and immaterial abundance. The protection of the Apus, who are the guardians against the forces of the enemy who desire evil, is guarantee as long as the harmony of forces exists.
Then an Andean marriage is perceived as a spiritual and mystical bonding ceremony of a couple of opposite forces and at the same time complementary, that its meaning and preparation causes more deeper and subconscious effects. In the duality of the union, the presence of Universe and the Mother Earth (Pacha Mama) is symbolically represented by the 4 elements of nature, Water, Wind, Fire, and Earth. The couple will obtain the sacred power channelled through the Andean Priest, in which the divine energy is received in an exact way as if a baby is born through the union of the forces of the Universe and the Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). All these energies initiate the new life of the spouses.
The sacred ritual has to be performed by an Andean Priest or Shaman who knows the ancient and sacred tradition of the Andean marriage (Arac Masin), and all its details. Many times he is accompanied by an assistant, who is called "Aclla."
To perform the ceremony, it is necessary for the couple to commit themselves to the ritual, in which all of the natural energies present at the site are including in the union symbolizing the connection between nature and humanity. That is the reason why the couple need to go to a site surrounded by mysticism and sacred energy, full of nature and peace, and they have to wear the typical attire.
The opening of minds and the expansion of the hearts produce the universal connection and interaction of this duality of forces that will transcend to eternity. The beautiful and magical landscapes and colorful flowers along the way mystified the event. The manifestation of Love is so pure and profound.
It represents much more than a traditional and common conjugal union between two individuals in which the marriage is an event filled with pressure, cliches and such little spirituality.
The Andean ceremony is a live interaction in which not only do the people present participate, but also are present all the sacred deities considered part of the Andean religion. We can mention here the main ones that constitute the Andean duality which is composed of the Apus (Mountain Spirits), representing the masculine force and the Pacha Mama (Earth Mother), representing the complementing feminine force, and in addition to these two main forces, Water has to be present as is perceived as the element that represent Purity, and the presence of Fire which symbolizes the mystical Journey/Path or Strength.
The couple carry their 3 coca leaves that represent the serpent, puma, and condor (3 levels of existence) and with all of their intentions drop it in the River. The River carried their coca leaves, as a symbol of their everlasting love for each other able to surpass any obstacle along their journey.