Just like in Peru, ancient shamanic practices have been preserved in certain parts of Mexico. One of the indigenous tribes that hold ancient knowledge is the Huichol. They call themselves Wirrarika. In their practices, the shamans of this tribe use fire and a plant of power—peyote. Through the cleansing powers of fire, special songs, and the peyote cactus, shamans heal people and help them delve into the depths of their subconscious. Shamans guide a person on their inner journey, which is just as powerful as Ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru.
The world first learned widely about peyote after the release of the initial books by Carlos Castaneda. He described his experience participating in indigenous ceremonies of the Yaqui tribe, during which he consumed this cactus. In his books, Castaneda called it mescalito, which was likely a fictional term created by the author, as this name is not used in any part of Mexico. The Huichol themselves often call it hikuri. However, there are many other secret and open names for peyote.
Why is the name mescalito unlikely among any indigenous peoples of Mexico practicing shamanism? The word is a diminutive of mescal—the name of one of Mexico’s popular strong alcoholic beverages. It’s somewhat of an equivalent to tequila. Despite the self-irony typical of indigenous people, they would never name their main plant of power—peyote—with a term associated with alcohol.
Features of Shamanic Peyote Ceremonies
Ceremonies in the Huichol tradition often last an entire day. In these ceremonies, fire plays a central role. It is through interaction with fire that purification occurs. You offer the accumulated heaviness in your heart to the fire, and through the fire comes relief and the joy of releasing fears and emotional pain. In the Wirrarika (Huichol) language, fire is called Tatewari, or grandfather. Even when shorter daytime ceremonies are held, shamans always light a ritual fire. In larger ceremonies, there is always a special person who tends the fire. This is a much more complex task than just adding wood in time. The arrangement of logs and ash inside the fire has great symbolic significance. Therefore, maintaining the fire is also an important magical act.
The connection between the shaman and the sacred place of the Huichol and the spirits of this land is of immense importance. Wirikuta—a magical desert, is itself imbued with healing power. Here, the magic of shamanism is alive. The Huichol people, living in other parts of Mexico, undertake multi-day pilgrimages on foot to this desert to perform peyote ceremonies and make offerings to the spirits. Sometimes they walk there for 30-40 days. During this pilgrimage, they also practice special secret rituals that prepare them for their encounter with the spirits of Wirikuta. The main point for offering in the Wirikuta desert for the Wirrarika (Huichol) people is the summit of Cerro Quemado. According to their legends, this is where the sun is born. In Huichol cosmology, the sun is called father.
Besides the summit of Cerro Quemado, there are several other important locations in the Wirikuta desert that the Huichol visit. At each one, specific work is done, with particular shamanic techniques. The amount of peyote cacti consumed by the pilgrims during this work is astounding. They remain in a state of deep trance for many days, in which a person gains the ability to perceive the world entirely differently, seeing things hidden from those in ordinary states of consciousness. In some indigenous people, a special healing power, a gift, manifests, giving them the opportunity to choose the path of the shaman.
One of the main totems, spirits of Huichol shamanism, is the fiery deer, Kauyumari.
According to legend, he is the elder brother who guides all members of the tribe towards the light. He once sacrificed himself to become a guide for all pilgrims. In the Wirrarika belief, he is inextricably linked to peyote. The Huichol people used to regularly sacrifice deer, but now that the wild deer population in Mexico is declining, the tribe has decided to use domesticated bulls in their shamanic rituals.
Another important totem animal for all peoples and tribes working with the peyote plant of power is the eagle. Its feathers are used both in the shamans’ headdresses and in a special shamanic tool called a muveri. This tool is used by the shaman to cleanse the patient, for healing, and for blessings. The eagle’s feathers symbolize a connection with higher realms.
The direct transmission of ancient knowledge, many years of practice and training, an unbreakable bond with the sacred land, and the ability to correctly harness the healing power of its plants—without these, it is impossible to become a shaman in the Huichol tradition. And without authentic shamanic ceremonies, one cannot truly understand what peyote is. Moreover, its unsupervised consumption carries the risk of unpredictable negative consequences.
As with Peruvian shamans, genuine, authentic ceremonies with Mexican shamans can only be experienced on their land.
We organize tours to Mexico usually twice a year. You can follow the expedition schedule on our website. For inquiries about organizing individual programs, please email us at peruodisseia@gmail.com
We caution that bringing peyote into Russia is prohibited by law, and consuming it on your own is dangerous to your health.
