The Huichol are an Aztec descended tribe living in northern central Mexico. Numbering today roughly 18,000 they are a direct connection to shamanic beliefs and lifestyles of pre-Columbian America. They cherish peyote for it is the means through which they experience the spirit world and how they create their intricate artwork. To the Huichol, peyote cactus is a gift from the gods and symbolizes the essence, life, sustenance, health and survival of their people. Each year the tribe selects the "chosen" who are to harvest the peyote and bring back to the village for its ceremonial use. These chosen people can only be women as they are sacred within the tribe and seen as the only ones worthy of handling and preparing the sacred catus. They were special dresses or gowns on their journey specially made with sacred symbols depicting deer and jaguar. The deer, seen as a symbol for peyote is being protected by the jaguar, a symbol of strength and protection. Once brought back to the village the men and women come together for their journey into the spirit world from which they bring back to our world interactions with the gods and images to be reproduced in their stunning artwork.
