SPIRITUAL AWAKENING WITH THE PEYOTE PILGRIMAGE OF THE HUICHOL INDIANS
The Huichol Indians live in the Mexican state of Jalisco and are particularly known for the Peyote rituals and ceremonies. They live in rough places that are difficult to reach and are therefore hardly influenced by the Western world. Centuries-old customs and traditions are still part of the life of the Huichol Indians today. In this article we would like to explain who the Huichol Indians are and what role the mescaline cactus Peyote plays in their lives.
Who are the Huichol Indians?
The Huichol Indians speak the language Wixarica and are also called Wixaritari, which in their language means “the people” means. The Western world and its views and beliefs have never had much grip on the Huichol Indians until today. The belief of this ancient population is very old and includes gods made up of personalized natural phenomena. They earn a living by working on plantations on the coast of Mexico and by artifacts to sell. Despite that, the Western world hardly touches them.
Want to know more about the Huichol people of Mexico? Watch this YouTube video:
The mescaline cactus Peyote
The most fascinating and therefore the most famous tradition of the Huichol Indians is that of the Peyote cactus. This is a magic cactus without thorns, containing the strong psychoactive substance Mescaline. The small cactus is found in Mexico and southern North America. Like other cacti, the Peyote stores water in the trunk. Due to the extremely hot environment, the trunk has a convex shape. This is very effective for storing what little water the cactus can obtain. The bulbous cactus is easy to recognize due to its small size, pink flowers and silky interior.
Peyote Pilgrimage
Despite the fact that the Peyote cactus plays a very important role in the life of the Huichol Indians, this small cactus does not grow near where they live. The soil and climate of Jalisco is not suitable for the growth of the cactus. That is why the Huichols make pilgrimage to the desert of San Luis Potosi every year on Peyote. This desert is 500 kilometers away. The Huichols used to do this on foot. Today they walk the first part and then continue their way with a bus or truck. Along the way, they stop at sacred places to offer sacrifices.
Use during the pilgrimage
The pilgrimage consists only of male Huichols who are not allowed to wash during the entire journey. Also, they must confess their fleshly sins and then burn them in the fire. In addition, they should not use salt and only a small amount of food and drink. It is actually a kind of fasting period. The women who stayed at home also adhere to these customs during that period. Once there, they have to search with a hungry stomach for the magic mescaline cacti. The plant is green/blue to green/grey, but has the color of earth because of the continuous blowing of desert sand. Because of this good camouflage, finding a Peyote is still quite a task.
Collect peyote
When a pilgrim finds his first Peyote, he often eats it fresh immediately. Then he continues his search. This is to get into a trance and get in touch with the gods. The very bitter taste does not necessarily make it fun to eat fresh. Despite the higher states, the pilgrims usually manage to collect 15 kilos of Peyote in two days. Before the pilgrims are allowed to return to their families, they must first complete a ritual. Every male Huichol Indian is expected to join the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
Consuming and its effects
The portion of the Peyote harvest that is not eaten during the pilgrimage, the pilgrims take home. When the pilgrims return, it's party time! The festival lasts about three days and during this time everyone can eat the cactus, including children. At a low dose, especially starke visuals and hunger and thirst feelings disappear. With a higher dose of the mescaline cactus you go on a true spiritual journey. You will be provided with lifelike hallucinations and visions.
Ingesting the Peyote cactus is aimed at spiritual self-fulfillment and can provide fascinating, inspiring but also confronting insights. In addition, it is very normal for the bitter-tasting cactus to cause physical discomforts such as vomiting and diarrhea. This is completely normal and is seen as an important part of the purification ritual.
(Huichol Art)
Peyote as medicine
The remains of the Peyote are preserved and taken during ceremonies for the sowing, harvesting, and deer hunting seasons. The Huichols also sacrifice a portion to the gods for the sake of a good harvest. Finally, the Peyote is used in various forms by medicine men to combat various ailments, such as snake and scorpion bites, infections, rheumatism and mental illness. The magic cactus has a strong antibacterial effect and can even kill bacteria that are resistant to penicillins.
The use of the magical cactus goes back centuries and is still widely used in rituals and ceremonies today. In our smartshop you can buy this small, but powerful cactus buy whole or grow it yourself with Peyote seeds. Please note, the use of the cactus with the powerful substance mescaline is not suitable for a relaxed evening with friends. Due to its intense effects, it is strongly recommended to view it as a purification ritual for body and mind. The occurrence of strong physical and mental effects can be fascinating, but also confronting. Therefore, always be accompanied by a tripsitter, a sober and experienced person whom you fully trust!
