The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge Setting & Symbolism

The Spanish term for a medicine man/curer/witch/sorcerer, brujo is how Juan Matus is described to Carlos Castaneda. Full brujos control and ally, while lesser ones rely on power objects as tools of death.

Crows

Crows are Don Juan Matus' species of choice into which to change form under the influence of smoking psilocybe mexicana. Crows are ideal for this because humans and other predators generally ignore them. As a matter of survival, crows distinguish when things are moving too fast or at the right speed. They admire the beauty of the myriad of wriggling things inhabiting dead flesh. It takes a long time to learn to be a "proper crow;" and one does not cease to be human, but becomes "something else." Twice Matus guides Castaneda in turning into a crow, an experience he finds difficult but not painful. He soars happily with three silvery birds. This, Matus explains, is how...
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