Wixarika (Huicholes) The Last Peyote Guardians
Originally published April 2020
Sat in the middle seat between Israel and Andres, a Huichol shaman, I quietly passed the six hour drive. Being very aware that I was a foreigner, I didn’t take it personally that Andres didn't make eye contact or speak to me once for the full six hour drive. It was an honor that I was invited to take part in this ritual.
Arriving at our destination in La Mesa Del Nayar, we began walking through the desert. Along the way, Andres did several ritual clearings on each of us (myself, Israel, another man and his son). He brushed each of us with leaves, prayed, and then shook the leaves on specific large rocks that we passed.
Mesa Del Nayar, Nayarit, Mexico
Finally we arrived at a crack in the Earth where a tiny stream of water emerged.
Offerings of candles, Ojo de dios (beautiful crosses), chocolate, crackers, cookies
In front of the small pool of water, Andres invited each of us to give our offerings to the land. He shared that the spirits understand all languages, so don’t be shy. I appreciated this warm gesture. He performed a healing ritual for each of us and had us drink the water, and wash our hands and face in the water.
My mind had a lot of thoughts! Is it safe to drink this water? Will I get sick!? I did my best to shhhhh my thoughts and to trust Andres and the deeper wisdom and gifts from Earth. Andres shared that this water is healing water (he filled several bottles to take back for healings he performs) and that he himself has never gotten sick! Of course in the end, I was perfectly healthy and felt renewed.
June 2, 2019
This ritual was the first of one several stops in different regions that Andres would make over the course of several weeks to give offerings for the start of the rainy season.
Several days later while catching up with a friend, he told me what an honor it was that I participated in this offering with a Huichol shaman, one of the few indigenous peoples on the planet to really maintain their traditions and protect the Earth’s cycles.
What an honor it was to take part in this sacred experience.
Voices of Amerika, an amazing platform that houses documentaries and media featuring indigenous groups from the Americas is streaming Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians (it’s available to watch for free through April 30th). Click play to watch the trailer.
This documentary beautifully highlights the Wixarika (more commonly known as Huicholes) peoples and their continual commitment to defend and protect their land and sacred sites for the wellbeing of Earth and all of humanity.
I am challenging myself to step up as a protector of the Earth in whatever way I can. This is all of our home. It’s time to unite with a common vision of safeguarding a world that we will be proud to welcome future generations to and where we give our offerings and our thanks for all of the abundance we have.
WATCH HUICHOLES: THE LAST PEYOTE GUARDIANS
huicholes@kaboprofilms.com