| Julieta Casimiro | |
|---|---|
| Tribe | Mazatec |
| Born | April 2, 1936 [1] |
| Known for | Healing work; her work as part of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers |
| Education | Doña Regina Carrera Calvo (Julieta's mother-in-law) |
| Spouse(s) | Lucio Isaías Pineda Carrera. |
| Children | Jorge Adalberto, Lourdes, Jacinto Librado, Jesuita Natalia, María de los Ángeles, Magdalena, David Lucio, Eugenia, Jazmín, and Omar. |
| Parents | María Petra Estrada (mother) and Maclovio Casimiro (father) |
Julieta Casimiro is a Mazatec Healer. As well as her work as an indigenous healer, Julieta has gained international recognition 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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Julieta's work as a healer centres on the use of Teonanacatl mushrooms.[3] Julieta refers to them as, niños santos (little saints).[4] Julietta was introduced to the 'little saints' at the age of 17, by her mother-in-law, Doña Regina Carrera Calvo, who was also a registered as a midwife.[5] In addition to being a midwife, Julieta's mother-in-law naturally was also a Shaman and a Seer.[6]
Julieta claims that the 'little saints' can see what is in the body and analyze one's body "if you ask them."[7]
Julieta's devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe and God is also invoked during her healing ceremonies,
The work I do is good; I always invoke God and the earth, the rivers, the mountains—and of course the angels and saints—with songs and prayers in my maternal language, Mazatec, as well as Spanish, also with my thoughts, my feelings, and my desires. That’s how I do good.[8]
Although Doña Regina Carrera Calvo, Julieta's mother-in-law, never wanted to show her healing practices to others, Julieta has decided to share her healing ways.[9]
Firstly, in the year 2000, Julieta Casimiro accepted an invitation by the Anthropological Institute in Switzerland to explain her healing 'mission'. Later, she contributed to a book which identified medicinal in her region.[10]
In 2004, Julieta 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.[11]
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' when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees are yet to be revoked.[12]