Before we enter the temazcal, which translates as “house of heat”, we are bathed in incense made from the copal tree. We enter the earthen dome and set cross-legged as our guide enters last. Volcanic stones that were heated in the fire are now placed in a pit dug into the center of the room. The guide instructs, close the door, and tells us to set in silence. Water that was earlier boiled with several different herbs is slowly poured over the hot stones. The guide chants prayers of healing and instructs us to release all negative energy. The room fills with steam and you can smell the herbs as we take it into our lungs. A single candle lighted the room and I sat in meditation, as I stared at the flame the light seemed to dance around the stone pit. After some time concentrating on the light I could see the image of a bird, which seemed to be looking at me, and a man in the shadow that was controlling the bird. Our guide chanted and beat on a drum as we sweated toxins and negative energy from our bodies. We were relived when the order was given to open the door and felt the cool air enter. Soon the door was closed and we sit through another session, we went through four such sessions and the temazcal was ended. We excited the dome and nearby were hot showers, but it was not yet over, we walked up a path at the side of the mountain and plunged our bodies into cold water, a pool cut from solid rock which was made by Martin for this very purpose, we exit the pool and dry ourselves, and so ended our healing ceremony.
For information on Martin, this experience and how to contact him, drop an email to; Guerrerosales@gmail.com
Ariadna lives in Mexico and has
been a photographer for 10 years. Her work can be found in magazines and has
been featured in exhibitions in the US and around the world. Ariadna has two qualities that are essential to a
great photographer, a curiosity about life, which comes from her love of nature
and a love of art, which she acquired from her father. In this video we’ll talk
to Ariadna and look at her work.
