I extend my gratitude to the elders, both grandfathers and grandmothers, and to the sisters and brothers of the tradition who have opened the doors of their hearts and knowledge to me.
Thank you to Public Goods Club and Public Nouns for making it possible to share and spread these ancestral Mexican practices for the common good among all the participants of these Temazcalli gatherings.

In the final months of 2024, we executed and achieved the objectives outlined in the proposal submitted for the first Do Good Challenge by Public Goods Club, held on Uplink and supported by Public Nouns.
(Proposal: Link to proposal)

Thanks to the collaboration of various tradition bearers and the participants, we are forging a community dedicated to self-care, healing, and the promotion of ancestral practices, inviting us to reconnect with our essence both individually and collectively.

Originating from my personal background and interest in the ancestral Mexican culture, I felt the call to connect with the wisdom of our ancestors. My purpose is to live and practice the tools of the past in order to inhabit my present with the awareness that these practices require. A fortuitous encounter with people who actively practice this tradition inspired me to take an active role in spreading this knowledge, sharing my journey with my brothers and sisters from a place of heartfelt love.

Within the web3 ecosystem and in technology projects, I find great value in merging present-day tools with the legacy our elders have left us, to build futures where all the energies of this planet and the universe coexist harmoniously.

With this proposal, my intention was to offer a meeting space for local communities where ancestral knowledge, introspection, and a reconnection with our conscious self are promoted.
In these fast-paced and ever-changing times, I consider it vital to break free from our daily routines and seek out spaces that foster meditation, understanding, and reflection about who we are and what we do. In doing so, we can embrace memory, practice detachment from what holds us back, and transform ourselves in order to follow the path we desire.

Objective: To offer three free Temazcalli sessions during October, November, and December 2024, using this ancestral practice as a bridge toward healing and introspection for the participants.

The sessions will take place in Xochimilco, my birthplace and current residence, in collaboration with Brother Raúl Ollin (IG: Instrumentos del Maguey) and with the permission of the energies of Caltongo, Xochimilco, where the temazcal for the community is located.

In my quest to reconnect with my origins, I discovered in the Temazcalli a doorway to the wisdom and ancestral knowledge that the ancient Anahuac peoples held to understand their surroundings.
Everything exists in harmony and carries a meaning that celebrates life, being, and coexistence with the whole.

• Tloque Nahuaque: From the Nahuatl Tlokeh Nawakeh, meaning “that which is near and together,” referring to an energy that blends, connecting and relating all things.

• Moyocoyani: From the Nahuatl Moyokoyani, meaning “one who creates oneself,” referring to a being who defines and reinvents themselves.

For me, the Temazcalli is the house of knowledge—a space where our elders connected with everything that exists. It is an encounter with oneself and, by extension, with the whole. It is a celebration and expression of gratitude for our existence, a tool to understand who we are, who we were, and who we aspire to be.

While the temazcal is often compared to a steam bath, its meaning transcends the physical: it is an inner confrontation.
In the temazcalli, the four elements (fire, air, earth, and water) converge, associated with the forces of the four points represented by the Tezcatlipocas:

• Quetzalcoatl (East): wisdom.

• Tezcatlipoca (North): introspection.

• Xipetotec (West): detachment.

• Huitzilopochtli (South): will.

Each element and force has its specific meaning. For instance, the “grandmother volcanic stones” are heated (associated with the grandfather fire, Huehueteotl) and hold the petrified knowledge of existence, while carefully selected medicinal plant infusions enhance the healing process. Through chants, intentions, and prayers, the inner confrontation is fostered, inviting us to be reborn from love for the whole.

This session was attended by 10 people from various parts of the city and different backgrounds. The session followed the schedule and program outlined in the proposal.
The temazcalli ceremony was accompanied by the medicines rapé and melipona honey, guided by Temachtiani (Master) Raúl Ollin.

• Rapé: Made from medicinal plants, it cleanses and centers the body, helping to release emotions and expand awareness, thereby intensifying the healing experience in the temazcalli.

• Melipona Honey: Produced by native bees, this sacred medicine opens the heart and mind, enhancing healing and promoting a deep connection with nature.

After the ceremony, we moved to Lonchería Juanita, a local establishment in Xochimilco with over 50 years of tradition in Mexican street food, to share our experiences and foster dialogue through a communal meal with sacred foods.

During these months, our focus shifted to collaboration and community work. We joined various initiatives that we considered essential for building bridges and reviving ancestral knowledge—even through technological tools like blockchain—for the common good and for all the energies of our planet.

Planetary Gathering with Guardians of the Earth and Ancestral Wisdom
Lighting of the New Annual Fire and the Passage of the Pleiades

This event was organized at Chinampa Viva in Cuemanco, Xochimilco, by a council of elders from diverse ancestral traditions across Latin America (including the Wixarika, Hopi, Lacandona, Mexica Tenochca, Maya, Kogi, Andina, and Purépecha nations).

The gathering took place from November 20th to 24th at the zenith passage of the Pleiades—a date traditionally used for lighting the new annual fire. This fire brought together communities from the ancient Anáhuac and Tahuantinsuyo, united in prayer for the peace and harmony of our planet.

Our participation included several key moments:

• November 22: Acquisition of ceremonial items (seasonal flowers such as “Noche Buena”, water, fruits, and hygiene products for the bathing area).

• November 24: A communal breakfast/lunch for elders and participants.

• November 20–24: We contributed in the form of tequio (community work), offering logistical support, transportation for some elders, and, especially, assisting in the temazcal areas where we acted as “fire eagles,” carefully managing the fire and the “grandmother stones” in the mixed temazcallis.

Admission to the temazcalli sessions had a daily fee, which helped to continue funding the event and ensure proper hospitality for the elders. Although our financial contribution was modest, it proved significant for those who needed it.

In a world in crisis, it is essential to return to our roots. This gathering allowed us to reconnect with the Earth and with guardians who have preserved ancestral traditions, creating a sacred space where ancient teachings and rituals celebrating deep connection and respect for Mother Earth were shared. This call for a collective awakening encourages peace, harmony, and respect for our planet.

The reason for participating in this event aligns with our goal of bringing the practice of temazcalli and ancestral wisdom closer to local communities in Xochimilco. The lessons and connections made have been invaluable for both the community and the emerging project. I am deeply grateful to everyone who shared their knowledge and opened their hearts during these days.

We received an invitation from Temachtiani Raúl Ollin to attend an ancient Toltec temazcalli located in a high area of Xochimilco, where vestiges of our mother cultures are still preserved by the lineage of the indigenous peoples of the region.

This invitation was part of a field expedition for the “Toltec Wisdom” workshop, conducted by Raúl Ollin in Tecámac, State of Mexico. We supported this field learning by providing transportation from the meeting point to San Pablo Oztotepec, where I served as a “fire eagle” in the preparation and management of the temazcalli, which employs distinct techniques for igniting the “grandmother stones.”

We returned to Caltongo, Xochimilco—the venue specified in our proposal for each session.
The day was attended by 11 people, following the established schedule and program.
That day, we offered sessions of chiropractic and acupuncture, guided by Temachtiani (Master) Rubén Hernández.

• Chiropractic: A manual therapy that restores optimal function of the musculoskeletal system by relieving pain through vertebral adjustments and joint manipulations.

• Acupuncture: An ancient technique that stimulates specific points on the body with fine needles to restore energetic balance and promote overall well-being.

After the temazcalli ceremony, we participated in these therapies and later gathered in the chinampa space to share sacred foods and reflections on the experience. Given that it was December, we also held a raffle of sustainable, locally-made holiday gifts, supporting local producers such as Mujer Pájaro Azul (specializing in solid, vegan cosmetics and herbal remedies for natural gynecological care) and Jesús, who cultivates endemic plants and creates decorative arrangements and natural products in collaboration with Raúl Ollin.

Here and now, Huitzilopochtli, on the Mountain of Flowers

¡¡In Teotl Ipalnemohuani!!
¡¡In the sacred, with that which is near and together, with the indivisible whole!!

The Panquetzaliztli is the festival celebrating the birth of the Mexica patron god Huitzilopochtli, symbolizing the triumph of the sun over darkness and the beginning of a new cycle. This celebration takes place every December 21st, coinciding with the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
(The term “solstice” comes from the Latin sol [sun] and sistere [to stand still], describing the moment when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky.)

On this occasion, the community of Atzacoalco Tenochtitlan (calpulli, from the Nahuatl kalpolli, meaning “neighborhood” or “community”) organizes the ceremony in the town of Santiago Tepalcatlalpan, Xochimilco, and at Cerro de la Cruz, Xochitepetl, within the Temazcales Xochitlali.

The event begins with "In Xochitl In Cuicatl", a sacred vigil where flowers are laid out and tzoalli (a ritual dough made from amaranth seeds, maguey honey, cacao, and other ritualistic seeds) is prepared. The ceremony is accompanied by chants and praises as each community member contributes their intention and effort throughout the night’s rituals.

Hours before dawn, the community sets out for the summit of Cerro de la Cruz to await the emergence and birth of Huitzilopochtli. This pilgrimage is undertaken together, accompanied by pre-prepared offerings and chants.
After welcoming the first rays of the sun, the mihtotiliztli (dance) commences, concluding with a voluntary temazcalli session, after which sacred foods are shared.

Though organized by Atzacoalco, this ceremony is a collaborative creation of all its participants. As a gesture of gratitude, we offered candles for the vigil and shared food after the temazcalli, acknowledging the community’s generosity in opening their traditions and wisdom to us.

Throughout this process, we encountered other communities eager to share their work and experiences—a fact worth highlighting for future collaborations:

• Temazcalli YoloHuitzillin: Guided by the dancing sisters of Luna (Tonacacihua Alejandra Cano and Mich Mujer Solar) in Cuemanco, Xochimilco.

  

• Temazcalli Kuetzpallin Nemechtlapaloua: Located in Toluca, State of Mexico, offering exemplary care and dedication to tradition.

• Nación Tolteca/Kinam: A project dedicated to spreading Toltec and Mayan ancestral knowledge through workshops and gatherings, open to collaboration with significant reach.

  

  • Singing circle: Space planted with the love of a family dedicated to sharing the tradition of northern and central Anahuac with song, dance and temazcal

    

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    4. Challenges and Solutions

    Audiovisual Record:
    During the project, I noticed that some images and videos that could have fully captured the experience were missing. However, given the sacred nature of these ceremonies, certain moments are meant to be experienced live. In future gatherings, I am committed to keeping a more comprehensive record without compromising the ritual essence.

    Attendance:
    Although we met our numerical goals for participants, I anticipated a larger internal forum. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, “We are who we are and where we are is perfect,” and the experience was enriching. Collaborating with established initiatives allowed us to share, learn, and join forces toward a common goal.

    Timing and Adaptability:
    We faced logistical challenges and had to adapt to the natural rhythms of the ceremonies, which required adjusting schedules and activities to honor the flow of the ancestral practices.

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    5. Impact and Results

    • We ignited a genuine interest in ancestral Mexican practices among participants, connecting them with individuals dedicated to healing and personal growth through the wisdom of Anáhuac.

    • These gatherings have strengthened a network of contacts and ancestral practices that will serve as the foundation for future initiatives to revive the memory of our ancestors.

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    8. Next Steps

    As those on the “red path” (the Toltec way, in search of the true face and heart) say, “Once you begin, you cannot stop; the path itself compels you to seek answers.”
    This sentiment reflects our commitment: the doors to ancestral knowledge have been opened, and our mission is to share it. Our next steps include continuing to nurture these initiatives by inviting more people to explore the ancestral wisdom of our peoples in Anáhuac.

    I am currently in discussions to establish strategic alliances with similar projects, and in the coming months, we will resume these practices, helping more people find their path freely and lovingly.

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    9. Personal Reflection

    Carrying out this proposal has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life, allowing me to share my journey with people and spaces full of wisdom. The challenges and decisions I faced have reaffirmed my intuition to follow the call of my heart.

    As a builder, I feel deeply grateful to Public Goods Club and Public Nouns for providing these spaces, and to the holders who trusted this proposal—which has exceeded my expectations by laying a solid foundation for a project centered on and for the people.

    It is clear to me that we must listen once again to the voices of our elders. Their wisdom and longevity guide us to move forward in peace and harmony, both within ourselves and with the world around us.

    

    Once again, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the holders of PublicGoodsClub and PublicNouns for supporting this initiative and making it possible to provide safe spaces for self-care, healing and commitment to the teaching of ancestral knowledge.

    This support has been of great help to us to continue sowing love and care in each and every person on this planet.

    Thank you so much! Tlazocamati. (Thank you)