Contribute to our Cultural Restoration

 Our goal is to establish a space that provides accessible opportunities for our (intimate small closed group) Mesoamerican Indigenous peoples seeking a community environment in King and Pierce counties, Washington State. We aim to create a welcoming space where our relatives can engage in drumming, Curandero work, playing the teponaztli, crafting regalia, cooking and sharing cultural and nutritious food, pottery-making, participating in song and dance, practicing herbalism and ethnobotany, and feeling respected and centered in our sacred bodies. Our focus is on inclusivity and making these experiences accessible to individuals of all skill levels. Ceremony is an integral part of our daily practice, and we seek to enhance our access to medicinal tools to reclaim and cultivate intimate community gatherings. 

We have recognized the necessity for forming a safe and inclusive space, particularly for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer,Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic community. Given our past experiences, cis and straight micro-aggressions, we are committed to creating an environment that upholds the values of respect, understanding, and support for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Additionally, we are committed to acknowledging and honoring the land on which our ceremonies take place, emphasizing gratitude and respect for the restorative spaces that facilitate our gatherings.

We intend to hold various intimate ceremonies (for our small closed group) throughout the year, each linked to the agricultural and celestial calendars of the Aztec and Mayan tradition. These ceremonies include:

• Izcalli - Growth - February to March
• Toxcatl - During the dry season and is dedicated to Tezcatlipoca.
• Tozoztontli is associated with agricultural activities and the sowing of seeds. Is celebrated during the 14th month, Feb- March
• Atlacahualo - The Waters Descend - March
• Tlacaxipehualiztli - spring festival dedicated to Xipe Totec, the god of fertility, agriculture, and renewal., April
• Huey Tozoztli - the Great Vigil - May
• Etzalcualiztli - the Eating of Maize and Beans - June to July
• Tecuilhuitontli - the Small Feast of Lords - July
• Huey Tecuilhuitl - the Great Feast of Lords - July to August
• Tlaxochimaco - the Bouquet of Flowers - August to September
• Xocotl Huetzi - the Fruit Falls - September
• Nemontemi - Where in Vain it is Completed - September 
• Tlacaxipehualiztli - This ceremony takes place during the spring and is associated with the deity Xipe Totec and the fertility of the earth.
• Panquetzaliztli - Celebrated in the late fall, this ceremony honors Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of the sun and war. Dec-Jan
• Toxcatl - This ceremony is held during the dry season and is dedicated to Tezcatlipoca.
• Huey Micailhuitl - This is a major festival that takes place at the end of summer and is dedicated to Xiuhtecuhtli, the god of fire and time.
• Ochpaniztli - Celebrated in the early autumn, this festival is dedicated to the deity Tlazolteotl, who was associated with fertility and, purification. 
• Nemontemi - This is a period of five "empty days" at the end of the solar year, serving as a time for purification and introspection before the new year. It does not fall within a specific agricultural season but marks a significant transitional period in the Aztec/Mayan calendar.
• Teotleco - the Teteo Arrive,  October to November
  Tepeilhuitl -  Nov to Dec
• Quecholli - December 
• Atemoztli - the Descent of the Waters -  January
• Tititl - the Stretching - February
  

These ceremonies are integral to our daily practice and our goal is to ensure access to the necessary medicinal tools to facilitate meaningful and restorative community gatherings. We seek to create a space where Indigenous traditions can be reclaimed and celebrated, fostering a sense of intimacy and connection within our community.

For indigenous trans and queer individuals, it is important to establish meaningful connections and respect each other's boundaries when welcoming a new group member. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for our Calpulli family, honoring co-leadership, co-facilitation, individual gifts, and fostering growth with rooted accountability. As part of our welcoming process, we are developing packets for new members, allowing everyone's voice and concerns to be heard, and adapting to the evolving needs of our family.

Example of questions to gain a deeper understanding and respect for one another:

1. What are the significant aspects of your cultural identity that you wish to honor and celebrate within our ceremonial space?
2. How can we best support you in integrating your unique cultural and spiritual practices into our collective gatherings?
3. What are your preferred pronouns and how would you like to be addressed within our community?
4. What boundaries or considerations should be respected to ensure your comfort and sense of safety during our ceremonies?
5. In what ways can we collectively create an inclusive and affirming space for individuals from diverse gender identities and cultural backgrounds?
6. How do you envision contributing to the growth and well-being of our community, drawing from your individual experiences and knowledge?
7. Are there specific support mechanisms or accommodations that would enhance your participation in our ceremonial gatherings?
8. How do you envision weaving ancestral wisdom and contemporary teachings within our community space?
9. What role do you see yourself playing in promoting understanding and allyship within our diverse community?
10. In what ways can we ensure that the space we create is safe and affirming for individuals who have faced discrimination or trauma related to their identity or cultural background?
11. Are there specific rituals, traditions, or customs from your cultural heritage that you would like to share or explore with the group?
12. How can we create a supportive environment for you to share your personal stories and experiences, while also respecting your privacy and confidentiality?
13. What cultural customs or protocols are important to you that you would like the community to be aware of and respect?
14. What forms of support or resources would be beneficial for you to feel fully included and empowered within our community?
15. How can we acknowledge and honor the traditional lands and territories on which we gather, and what actions can we take to support Indigenous sovereignty and stewardship?
16. Are there any specific cultural celebrations, traditions, or significant dates that you would like the community to acknowledge and participate in?
17. How can we ensure that our community spaces are welcoming to individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience?
18. What steps can we take as a community to foster solidarity and support for indigenous trans, queer, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary individuals both within and beyond our group?
19. How can we create opportunities for healing and resilience-building within our community, especially for those who have experienced trauma or marginalization?
20. In what ways can we advocate for inclusive policies and practices that support the rights and well-being of indigenous trans, queer, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary individuals in various social settings?

We invite your assistance in expanding this list and delving deeper into our shared experiences, enabling us to know one another and collectively heal.

Xochiquetzal is a significant deity in Mexica and Nahua mythology, associated with fertility, beauty, love, and arts. In Mexica mythology, Xochiquetzal is often depicted as a beautiful and youthful goddess, reflecting her association with youth and attractiveness. She is symbolically linked to flowers, particularly the marigold, and is sometimes portrayed adorned with flowers or holding them in her hands.

Xochiquetzal is a complex figure with both gender roles represented within her mythology. In Mexica belief, she is revered as a dual-natured deity embodying both feminine and masculine aspects. This duality highlights her connection to the concept of duality and balance, which is a fundamental principle in Mexica cosmology.

In her feminine aspect, Xochiquetzal is celebrated as the embodiment of beauty, love, and fertility. She is often associated with various forms of artistic expression, particularly weaving and embroidery, representing creativity and craftsmanship. Her nurturing and fertile nature aligns with her role as a guardian of pregnant women and newborn children, embodying the maternal and feminine aspects of her being.

On the other hand, Xochiquetzal's masculine aspect is connected to her role as a patroness of the arts, encompassing creativity, music, and dancing. This aspect reflects her association with the celebration of life and the vibrancy of existence, as well as her role as a protector of artisans and craftsmen.

Xochiquetzal's symbolism carries profound spiritual and cultural significance, resonating with the duality of gender, creativity, fertility, and the interconnectedness of life. As a deity embodying both gender roles, she serves as a powerful representation of the fluidity and diversity of gender expressions and identities within Mexica and Nahua belief systems. Her multifaceted nature offers a rich tapestry of symbolism and meaning, reflecting the interconnectedness between various aspects of existence and the harmony of dualities.

Xochipilli, also known as Xochipilli-Quetzalcoatl, is a significant deity in Mexica and Nahua mythology. Often referred to as the "Prince of Flowers," Xochipilli is associated with various aspects of flowering, beauty, love, and the arts. He is revered as a patron of music, dance, poetry, and pleasure, embodying the joyful and aesthetic aspects of life.

Xochipilli is envisioned as a youthful and handsome deity adorned with flowers and butterflies, symbolizing his connection to natural beauty and artistic expressions. He is often depicted seated in a relaxed posture, reflecting his associations with leisure and enjoyment. As a representation of youthful exuberance, creativity, and the celebration of life, Xochipilli holds a significant place in Mexicaspirituality and cultural traditions.

The imagery of Xochipilli is rich with symbolism, including his association with hallucinogenic plants, such as the psychedelic morning glory (tlitliltzin) and the sacred mushroom (teonanácatl). These associations connect Xochipilli to altered states of consciousness, spiritual insights, and transcendental experiences, emphasizing his role in facilitating personal and collective transformation through art, music, and ecstatic rituals.

In some interpretations, Xochipilli is also considered a deity of fertility, with his attributes expanding to encompass procreation, agricultural abundance, and the cycles of birth and rebirth. This multifaceted representation aligns with his broader role as a deity associated with the vitality and flourishing of life in both natural and spiritual realms.