Sacred Cacti (Austin) Oct2025

Sacred Cacti: Heritage & Healing with Peyote & Huachuma

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the rich history, cultural traditions, and spiritual significance of Peyote and Huachuma (San Pedro). Together we’ll honor the Indigenous communities who have carried these medicines forward and learn how their ceremonial use differs from more familiar psychedelics.

Hosted at ArtUs Co, a locally owned art gallery in the Arboretum, participants will also have the chance to experience a powerful exhibit of Indigenous art from Central and South America. The collection includes vibrant woven kene song cloths of the Shipibo Conibo of Peru’s Ucayali River basin, handmade gamas from the Kogi of northern Colombia, and intricate artwork from the Wixárítari (Huichol) of Mexico. Each piece is alive with prayer and meaning, carrying the spiritual traditions and practices of its people.

This creative backdrop, presented in partnership with the Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange, offers participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in sacred art before and after the panel discussion—deepening the cultural and spiritual resonance of the evening.

Our speakers will share insights on:

1. The origins and cultural heritage of Peyote and Huachuma

2. Their energetic and healing qualities, and how these experiences differ from psilocybin or ayahuasca

3. The political and conservation concerns surrounding Peyote in the U.S.

4. Ways to approach these medicines with respect, reverence, and responsibility

Whether you are brand new to these traditions or a seasoned psychonaut, this conversation will deepen your understanding of sacred cacti and their place in both ancient and contemporary contexts.

Speakers

Rebecca Kline Rebecca Kline, an event organizer at PsyT, will be moderating this panel discussion. A licensed couple therapist specializing in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), Rebecca’s journey to rediscovering her True Self began with her personal experience in psychedelic healing. She believes deeply that we heal in community, not in isolation, making groups like PsyT essential to our Austin community. Rebecca sees psychedelic medicines and community as inseparable forces, guiding us back to wholeness and our true selves.

Mary Olivar 

Part songbird, part wise woman, and a tree-hugging earth-mama-bear, Mary Olivar is a mission-driven leader and community connector dedicated to fostering greater peace and harmony worldwide. She serves as Executive Director of the Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange, a nonprofit that supports Indigenous-directed projects sustaining spiritual traditions and elder wisdom. An ally to Indigenous communities, Mary has been a champion for natural and plant medicines and wisdom traditions as enduring sources of healing and the continuation of ancestral ways. Learn more about this work at shamaniceducation.org.

Carlos Martinez

Originally from Mexico City and now based in Austin, Carlos Martinez is a dedicated fire keeper throughout the Southwest and Mexico. Rooted in traditional medicine practices, he carries forward teachings that honor the sacred fire, guided by ancestral wisdom and a commitment to cultural preservation. Carlos shares insights into sacred medicine and the living traditions that continue to nurture communities today.

PsyT Disclaimer: Version May2025

PsyT does not hold ceremonies or promote illegal activities. We provide a platform to discuss experiences that offer transformation in our personal and professional lives. This is not a space to seek, share, or procure controlled substances. Please do not contact us for such purposes or promote substances or retreats during events. Do not share images of prohibited substances, even for identification, to help keep our space safe for all. You acknowledge that any information we provide is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.