Caapi (Yellow)

One of the ingredients in the famous South American ritual drink known as Yage or Ayahuasca, Banisteriopsis is used as a doorway for entering the astral realm for Shamanic or divination work. It has a tendency to loosen the ties between the astral and physical body for skrying work.

Because of modern psychonaut’s overemphasis on “active” chemicals and pharmaceutical analysis, Banisteriopsis is not well-known as a journeying plant by itself, as it is considered to be merely a potentiator for the “real active ingredients” of Ayahuasca. This is unfortunate, as Banisteriopsis is a gentle but powerful plant, a teacher with much to say but a light-hearted way of communicating.

It is extremely rare and special to have access to any Caapi other than the most common, White, but we are able to offer all four colours of Banisteriopsis- Black, Red, White & Yellow. In their jungle habitat, the subtle differences between them are discernible only to devotees of the Vine; even botanists have difficulty discerning them. In Initiatic use, however, distinct differences between them emerge.

Yellow Caapi is on the gentle side, and is often given to those taking the journey for the first time, or for those journeying for healing (while the curandero leading the ceremony will himself take the Red). Yellow Caapi often gives life-changing insights, and sometimes brings contact with animal spirits. Yellow Caapi brings muted yet vivid visions in black and grey (the “yellow” refers to the colour of the brew made from it).

This Spagyric is featured in my talk Call and Response: Herbs for Magickal Communication.

Caution: if you are currently taking any type of MAO inhibitor or psychiatric drug, pharmaceutical, or herbal, you should consult a physician before using Banisteriopsis, as fatal reactions can occur.

Do not use Banisteriopsis in combination with alcohol, sedatives, narcotics, or other mood-altering substances. Additional potential problems exist; be educated and responsible about your use of this powerful plant.