THE GUARDIANS

by Mariano Valadez

In the Huichol tradition the four directions and the center position compose the five cardinal points. Each point is represented by guardians and power objects that are accessed by the shamans in their chants and prayers.

The guardians all have objects that pertain to them, such as gourd bowls with sacred water, that represent the corn-mother and other nurturing female deities. Serpents and feathered wands represent the healing male energies such as fire and sun.

The deer is the intermediary between the human world and the spirit world, and the peyote in the centre is the pathway to all knowledge and divine guidance.