Itzel Cruz
Temazcal & ancestral sound
Itzel hosts temazcales and ceremony circles in the Oaxaca valleys, weaving in canto medicina, drums and rattles. She works closely with elders from her family's lineage and offers sessions for travelers who want to approach ancestral practice with respect.
Current sessions
- ◦ Bi-weekly temazcal in Tlacolula valley
- ◦ Cacao + sound circles in Oaxaca City
- ◦ Custom ceremonies for groups passing through
Background
Itzel grew up between Oaxaca City and a Zapotec village in the Tlacolula valley. Her introduction to ceremony came through her grandmother and uncles. After studying anthropology, she returned full-time to ceremonial work in 2021.
How she works
Most ceremonies begin in early evening, last three to four hours, and combine plant medicine — typically cacao, never psychedelics — with vocal songs (canto medicina), drums, and silence. She holds firm container boundaries and asks for clear consent at each stage.
Where to find her
Itzel hosts a bi-weekly temazcal at a partner site in the valley and runs cacao + sound circles in Oaxaca City roughly twice a month. Custom ceremonies for groups are available with two weeks’ notice.