Pagans, priests, & prophets ~ A personal investigation into the living traditions of occult Mexico

Description From the stately Presidential Palace to the dusty huts of Oaxaca, there are aspects of Mexico no tourist ever sees: young Monica Lopez, who has visions of Christ and heals the sick. .. the “Virgin of Las Limas,” an Olmec carving stolen from a muscum and venerated as a statue of Mary … the elf-like Chaneques of Veracruz who kidnap children and return them well fed and unharmed… the Huicholes, who forbid their tribe to marry whites and use peyote as a “truth serum” to uncover adultery. .. Yet, unsanctioned by the Church, has emerged a long tradition of local “saints” —visionaries like Teresa Urrea and Niño Fidenciopainstaking journey across occult Mexico, St. Clair has an even more startling, more important book. Documenting the full history of occult Mexico’s psychic traditions: Catholic mysticism resulted in a new inquisition as well as dubious “miracles” such as the portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Yet, unsanctioned by the Church, has emerged a long tradition of local “saints” —visionaries like Teresa Urrea and Niño Fidencio who perform truly miraculous cures… Spiritualism, the relative newcomer, reached Mexico in the 19th century, but ever since, mediums have been passing discarnate advice to presidents and revolutionary leaders. For the poor, scores of entranced mediums in Mexico City’s “Temple of Faith” dispense readings on an assembly-line basis… Yet underlying all Mexican life is the Tradition of the Ancients, which has thrived since before the Conquest. (The town of Urapan holds a festival for John the Baptist one day and the next, one for the Gods of Rain and Sun.) Local shamans like don Juan, with their legacy of rituals, spells, herbology and Aztec deities, are so effective that wealthy families often employ such rural psychics as “domestics” for constant consultation . . . An enthralling journey into the hitherto unreported secrets of a remarkable land, PAGANS, PRIESTS, AND PROPHETS is a unique chronicle of personalities, mysteries, and miracles that makes for compulsive, eye-opening reading. Hardcover ~ Vintage 1986