Wixárika (also known as Huichol) people of modern day Mexico are an ancient culture that have existed for countless generations. They were never colonized and retain their own language, traditional arts, sacred ceremonies and a profound cosmology which is deeply interwoven with daily life.
The Wixárika are widely renowned as expert artisans, using brilliant colors to create “string paintings” with beeswax and beadwork which depict their sacred symbols, including the blue deer (Kauyumari), corn, Hikuri, prayer tools such as candles and feathers and the forces of nature.
Join us in welcoming the elder Ekaa Virikuta Wixárika (the wind of the Wixárika people) — wisdom keeper, master artisan and ceremonial leader — as he shares the wisdom and cosmology of one of the oldest living traditions on earth.
We are grateful for the opportunity to begin our day together in honor and celebration of this precious life and the sacred walk of prayer. I will open the day with a Cacao Ceremony with the blessing of Ekaa Virikuta Wixárika to be with us, who honors us with a visit to share the wisdom of the Wixária ways. I look forward to bringing the love and wisdom of Mama Cacao’s Spirit into our space while wisdom keeper, Ekaa Virikuta Wixárika will teach about the Cosmology and ancient ways of his people. We will also share our morning with contemplation, meditation/prayer, and song in connection with community.
Cacao is gentle yet very powerful plant medicine. When consumed intentionally and in ceremony, it subtly releases energy blockages and barriers that we unconsciously build within our minds. It is a doorway to invite us to open to our consciousness and our hearts. Join us as we collectively create higher frequencies of love through our body, minds, and spirits.
We will continue our day of events after the Cacao ceremony and cultural talk with a delicious vegetarian lunch, followed by an art workshop.
Join Ekaa Virikuta Wixárika as he guides us through the creation of this sacred art. In the art workshop, we will be making God's Eyes. The “Eye of God'' is a sacred symbol and motif in Wixárika (Huichol) art. While they come in many forms, God’s Eyes are often made by wrapping brightly colored strings around sticks in the form of a diamond. These objects of sacred art are prayers for protection of the family and community, and are often placed on altars, as offerings in nature, and on pilgrimage. Art materials will be provided and are included in the cost of the event.
We will then gather for a ceremonial planting of medicinal plants on the land at the Hummingbird House guided by Ekaa Virikuta Wixárika. We will connect to the Spirit of the land we stand upon and the Spirit of the plants we are giving a home to. Plants are sentient beings and learning about them, building relationship with them, and connecting with them can support a deepening of understanding of the rhythms life of the cosmic forces that are within and around us. Plants sustain our life. They feed us, bring us medicine, make clothing, shelter, tools, art, instruments, and more. Learning about the sacred ways of planting and gardening from a wisdom keeper is a very special opportunity.
We will continue with sacred song study that will be direct transmissions from the Wixária. We will sing these songs and more around the fire for our closing ceremony after we share a vegetarian dinner.
We are very honored and grateful to have Ekaa Virikuta Wixárika come to share his sacred tradition and ways with our community. We invite you to a day of immersion in this beautiful cultural event. This event is sliding scale. Your contributions will go directly to supporting him, his community, and to support keeping their tradition alive. Please help us support the preservation of the Wixāria by joining us in a beautiful day of community and cultural hands on education and ceremony.
Schedule:
10am-12:30pm Cacao Ceremony w/Cultural Talk
12:30pm-2pm Lunch (provided)
2pm-3:30pm God’s Eye Art Making Workshop
3:30pm-4:30pm Sacred Gardening Practices
4:30pm-6pm Song Study (Learn Sacred songs directly from Ekaa Virikuta)
6pm-7:00pm Dinner (provided)
7:00pm-9pm Fire Ceremony
WE ENCOURAGE YOUR PARTICIPATION FOR THE WHOLE DAY!