Fate, Fortune, and Mysticism in The Peruvian Amazon

Fate, Fortune, and Mysticism in The Peruvian Amazon
By Marlene Dobkin de Rios

An anthropologist’s journey into divination, healing, and the art of shaping destiny.

In this fascinating and deeply personal account, medical anthropologist Marlene Dobkin de Rios explores the world of Amazonian and Peruvian healing traditions—where divination, ritual, and plant medicine intersect.

Through her fieldwork with shamans and healers, she encountered the naipes cards—a traditional system of fortune-telling similar to tarot, used not only to predict the future but to diagnose emotional and psychological imbalance.

What began as observation became initiation, as she was drawn into the Sacred Mystical Order of Septrionism, a path that teaches practical techniques for consciously engaging with and shaping one’s destiny.

Inside this book, you’ll explore:

• The use of naipes cards in traditional Peruvian healing
• How shamans use divination to diagnose and guide clients
• The teachings and practices of the Septrionic Order
• Rituals, meditation, and reflection as tools for managing destiny
• The intersection of anthropology, psychology, and spirituality

What makes this book unique:

• A rare, first-hand account from a trained medical anthropologist
• Blends academic insight with lived spiritual experience
• Explores divination as both healing practice and self-awareness tool
• Offers a grounded yet open-minded perspective on indigenous wisdom traditions

At its core, this book invites the question:
Is destiny something we are given—or something we can consciously shape?

Perfect for:

• Readers interested in shamanism and indigenous healing traditions
• Those exploring divination systems and spiritual practices
• Students of anthropology, psychology, and consciousness
• Anyone curious about the deeper relationship between fate, choice, and healing

Product Details

• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 144
• Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.3 x 1.27 cm