| Flordemayo | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Born | Nicaragua |
| Senior posting | |
| Title | Priestess, Curandera Espiritu (healer by divine spirit), Founder and President of the Institute of Natural and Traditional Knowledge |
| Religious career | |
| Teacher | Flordemayo's mother and Don Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj[1] |
Flordemayo was born in Guatemala Flordemayo is a Curandera Espiritu - a healer by divine spirit. Through her work as an indigenous elder stateswoman, Flordemayo gained international recognition through her work as a member of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers - a group of spiritual elders, medicine women and wisdom keepers since its founding in 2004.[2]
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Flordemayo was given her name because of her colour she looked just like a Mayflower flower the native flower of Nicaragua.[3] Flordemayo was the 15th and last child born in her family.[4] Each of her siblings, 4 sisters and 10 brothers, had a don (Spanish for "gift" or "talent") - Flordemayo's gift was to, 'seeing visions'.[5] Flordemayo's gift was perceived and utilised by her mother, a midwife, very early. By the age of 4, Flordemayo had become an apprentice to her mother, and was using her gift to see the baby's future when a baby had been born, Flordemayo claims that people in the neighbourhood would ask for her to come as there was, 'a natural communication' with the babies and herself[6]
Flordemayo would later use her vivid dreams to guide families in counsel.[7]
When Flordemayo was two and a half years old, her father (a Healer) died.[8] Flordemayo claims that her father could manipulate the elements, 'move his physical presence across geographical boundaries.' She claims that he has been active since his death and has appeared physically in front of her on three occasions. Flordemayo claims that he died when she was too young to learn the type of work that he had done.[9]
Because of the political climate in Nicaragua in the late 1950s, Flordemayo's mother and siblings migrated.[10] The reason why the U.S.A. was chosen was that there was very little freedom in Nicaragua for females. Flordemayo's mother wanted herself and her 5 daughters to enjoy liberation and so they chose to migrate to the U.S.A. settling in New York City.[11] A brother of Flordemayo was first to secure home there and with time, and saving money, each sibling was able to migrate.[12]
For many years, Flordemayo had not been able to receive further teachings on healing from her mother. However, whilst her mother was ill, Flordemayo's training was again recommenced. It was at this point that Flordemayo gained the ability to see disease.[13]
Just before Flordemayo was about to marry, her mother died - leaving Flordemayo feeling isolated in a culture that was still strange to her[14]
Flordemayo later moved, with her husband, to the Adirondacks in northeastern New York State. In 1974, a bus filled with indigenous elders stopped outside her door and asked her who her tribe was. Flordemayo was 'stunned' but ended joining in with their mission and translating for them. The elders' goal was to, "[spread] the teachings that we are all One, that there is no separation, and that we must begin to take care of our planet."[15]
This was to be good practice for her involvement in the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. This, however, was of no surprise to Flordemayo because she was foretold of this in her visions.[16]
Flordemayo claims that she began her journey onto the 'medicine path' through using her gift as a seer to diagnose the ailments that her mother began to experience in developing cancer.[17]
During an interview, Flordemayo gave a short description of her healing work as a Seer.
As a seer, what I do is first go into prayer and ask for permission to “look” at someone. I simply close my eyes and instead of seeing a physical body, I see the outline of a body. Through a dance of color, I see movement, and know what is going on with the body. That’s how I first see it. Then I proceed to go and do the healing by an experiential process of merging, doing so through a prayer.[18]
Flordemayo had many visions that she would become involved in the Grandmothers in her early 20's.[19]
After this second experience, Flordemayo says that it, "became a ritual to talk with the Grandmothers."[20]
In 2004, Flordemayo was approached by The Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. These thirteen Grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and Shaman and come from all four directions of the world.[21]
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church to revoke a 15th Century Papal bull and related edicts which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' culture when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees still yet to be revoked.[22]
Although Flordemayo has Maya blood in her veins, her maternal grandmothers came from Guatemala,[23] she claims that she does not speak on behalf of Mayan people. Flordemayo is a Curanderismo who have a mixed tradition - perhaps 500 years old; whilst traditional Maya are not mixed and are thousands of years old.[24]
Flordemayo added that she is able to appreciate both the traditional and non-traditional; but added that she feels she has more freedom in working outside of the 'box' of tradition.[25]
In 2002, Flordemayo founded the Institute of Natural and Traditional Knowledge, a non-profit organisation for which Flordemayo is its President.[26] The organisation was designed to be a, "place to share and learn ways of life that are sustainable and in harmony with Mother Earth and all our relations."[27]