Peyote = Hikuri

Hikuri Peyote is much revered by the Huichol People, a truely e gift from God. Through the ingest of peyote, Huichols create the elaborate designs used in their artwork. It symbolizes the essence, the very life, sustenance, health, accomplishment, good fortune of the Huichol. Peyote cactus contains mezcaline which has hallucinogenic effects, shamanic powers can be achieved throug it. Every year groups of Huichol Natives perform a pilgrimage to "Wirikuta" (Located in the Desert of San Luis Potosi State, México) to collect the peyote. Only the 'purified ones' can participate in the harvest or the peyote will not be found.

Eagle = Werika

Duality of the Gods, it protects heaven and hearth.

All birds are messengers to the gods. The feathers of eagles, and turkeys are especially sought after. The doubled-headed eagle represents the Shaman's omnipotent power and ability to see in all directions. The goddess, Mother Eagle, Mother of the Sky and Queen of the Heavens, is embodied by the eagle or Wealika

Sun = Tao

Tao Jreeku, or Father Sun, rules the heavens, bringing warmth and illumination. Eagle, Mother Goddess of all living things and the sky, is his wife. It is believed all living things receive their life force from Tao Jreeku. He is their grantor of abundant and healthy crops.

Woulf

Wolf People. In Huichol mythology they evolved from wolves. By learning the ways of the gods, hunting the deer and offering the blood of the deer to the deities they were finally able to remain in human form. Shamans proclaim the ability to metamorphose into wolves.

Gourd Offers = Rukuris

Gourd bowls depicted in yarn paintings serve to illustrate to the gods, graphically, that which is desired. Incense burners fashioned of clay are used to transport the burning coals to the necessary sacred locations. The incense or putzee is produced from the sap of the copal tree. When burned the odor and smoke of the copal transports prayers to the deities.

Salamander

Salamanders work the Rain Mother by prodding the clouds into letting go of the rain. Turtles and frogs also are emissaries of the Rain Goddess. Their function is to purify water of rivers and lakes, those anymals "call" the rainnings

Shaman = Mara'akame

Spirit Guides are intermediaries between spiritual and human spheres provided by the gods for shaman apprentices. The guide appears in dreams and visions and are often half-human, half animal, i.e., deer-man or deer-woman. Shamans or ambassadors to the gods are spiritual leaders called Marakame. They are considered para-normal in their powers and are an integral link between the Huichol and the deities.

Fire

Fire, "Tai" in Huichol Dialect, regarded as the most valuable gift of the gods, is honored in all Huichol ceremonies. The Huichol consider themselves sons and daughters of Tai, when we perform Ceremonies we do it around "Tai" the Fire, we feed him with wood, cornmeal cakes, beer or "tepache" and water from sacred springs, and "Tai" feed us with hot meals.

Deer = Maxa

Messenger of the Gods. For Huichol Natives Deer symbolize "Kawyumaire", the spirit guide, teacher and channel of knowledge for the Shamans. The deer hunt, capture and slaying is a very ritualized ceremony. Only the "pure" may participate. For the insurance of a good crop the deer blood is offered to the Deer Mother. Tah Tay Mahjrahlee. As a guardian spirit she is one of the animals of primary importance in the shamanism of the Huichol. The unity of men and women on their spiritual journeys is symbolized by the male and female deer depicted together.