I was born and raised in Galisteo,
NM and have over 300 hundred years of ancestral roots here. I
own and operate Linda Vista Stables on the north side of the
village where I give riding lessons, trail rides and board horses.
I have a great interest in the yerbas (herbs) that grow in this
area and their healing powers. I was told many years ago by my
father, who is a curandero in the village, that people would
make crosses from different plants, cholla, chamiso, etc., placing
certain herbs on them for healing and spiritual purposes, they
would then place them in special nichos in their homes and meditate
or pray for whomever needed healing. I started to collect dead
cholla, and cut them into all sizes of crosses and continued
the custom of making these beautiful, unique, healing crosses.
Each one has its own special purpose and each one has its own
individuality, no two crosses are alike. The price range runs
from $15.00 to $100.00 a piece.
In the near future I would like
to create more beautiful art out of cactus and plants, and incorporate
more into this great art.
You may e-mail Maria at Mariaopino@aol.com.
To read more about the history and the herbs in the Galisteo
area, read Don Jose the Last Patron, by Jose Ortiz
y Pino III. Sunstone Press in Santa Fe NM is the publisher. |
