This is a dramatic account of an American's encounter with Incan mysticism. On a visit to Peru to study little known Andean healing practices, the author (now a licensed family therapist in San Francisco) was entranced with Cuzco, once the proud southern capital of the Inca empire, the city the Indians called "the navel of the world." Perkins was eventually chosen by Juan Nunez del Prado, a priest of the ancient Andean Path, to be initiated into this ancient sacred tradition. She learned of her powers of second sight and was challenged to follow her own intuition or inner guidance. Perkins describes the Andean way as one that reverences nature and explores seven levels of spiritual development. In her adventure, the author describes a rigorous 12-day pilgrimage to Incan temple sites, her contact with mountain spirits, her use of cosmic plates, and much more. Jenkins, a contributor to Shaman's Drum magazine, now leads trips to Peru for those who want to be initiated into what she calls "the feminine mysteries."