The Temascal consists of a group of people entering the dome you see in the background. The heated rocks are brought in and placed in the center. Then a Chaman (Shaman) in this case Aleph, will douse the rocks with ceremonial water.
This is the inside of the Temascal. The brick circle is where the white hot rocks are placed and then splashed with herb infused water by the Chaman. There will soon be 40 people and eighty super heated volcanic rocks in this space. And brother it will be hot!
These are Aleph's tools. His medicine bag, musical instrument made from a gourd and some gifts that I had given to his sons. The gifts were made part of the ceremony to both honor me and to bring power to them.
Here is the Chaman, Aleph. He played a song before we started the preparation of the Temascal. It was a great honor to be invited to even participate. So to be able to assist in the ceremony (even in a small way) was a once in a lifetime experience.
The foundation for the fire.
Each rock would be presented to the four directions and then he would pause, with the rock close to his head. Almost listening to the rock telling him where to place it.
The fire starts to take shape.
In a Temascal, 80 rocks are heated. 20 will be brought in and the sweat starts.
After the first 20 rocks start to cool, 20 more are brought in.
Almost ready to start the fire.
Yes I am sweating profusely. It is El Salvador in June and that wood did not stack itself!
Aleph preparing the herbs.
The starting of the fire.
This is the fire heating the rocks for the Temascal. A Temascal is a Mayan ceremony the purpose of which is to both give thanks and to ask for any help that one may need.
Here you can see the Temascal in the background. The first step is to make a pile of rocks and cover them with wood. You then wait until the wood is completely burned and the rocks are white hot and the ceremony begins.
Don Mario Ferrufino preparing the pre-Temascal ceremony. The altar is circular and has openings at the four cardinal directions. North, South, East and West.
There are also four tables around the altar on which offerings are placed. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Don Mario Ferrufino. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Offerings of herbs and Tobacco are placed on the altar. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
The altar is almost ready. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
These are all the ceremonial offerings to be burned at the pre-Temascal ceremony. Tobacco, oils, herbs and spices. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
There were lots of people who participated (about 40) and everyone helped to prepare. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
More offerings. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
The Sacred Circle with the altar in the center. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
All offerings to be burned. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
While the pre-Temascal ceremony takes place the preparation for the Temascal itself continues. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Part of the requirements of the ceremony were that after placing your offerings at the altar you always moved to the left to reflect the movement of the sun. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Don Mario Ferrufino, presiding over the pre-Temascal ceremony. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Each person in the circle steps forward and asks for whatever they may need help with. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
This was towards the end of the pre-Temascal ceremony just before the Temascal started. It went well into the night. Costa Azul, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
