- How do I join the Peyote Way Church?
- How do I make an appointment for a Spirit Walk?
- What is the doctrine of the Peyote Way Church?
- What is the Peyote Way Church's connection to the Mormon Church?
- Is the Peyote Way Church affiliated with any religious organization or denomination?
- Are there other Peyote Way Churches?
- Can you describe the Spirit Walk?
- Do I have to camp the whole time that I am at the Church?
- Will Peyote interact with other medications?
- I am confused by your abstention from tobacco. I am not myself a Native American, but I thought that tobacco was used in rituals in that heritage. Do you require its abstinence from your members due to its harmful effects on the body?
- What is the extent of accommodation at the Sanctuary? I saw that members are welcome to visit the church three days annually, but no more than that? Do any members choose to live at the Sanctuary, and are they welcome to do that?
- If one were to join your Church, would s/he be able to use Peyote without legal repercussions?
- Where can I obtain live peyote plants or seeds?
- If I come to your Church will you sell me Peyote?
- How many Peyote buttons are ingested during a Spirit Walk?
- Must I come to the Church alone?
- Will I have a sitter during the Spirit Walk?
- Can I visit the Church?
- Can I visit the Church for a Spirit Walk without taking Peyote?
- Why do you grow Peyote?
How do I join the Peyote Way Church?
You can join the church by emailing us your request to become a member. There is a membership fee of $50.00, which can be paid via Paypal or by sending a check to The Peyote Way Church, 30800 W.Bonita-Klondyke Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643. You can email Annie at peyoteway@gmail.com (Please include a mailing address and I will send you a membership application.)
How do I make an appointment for a Spirit Walk?
After joining the church, e-mail us at peyoteway@gmail.com or call (928) 828-3444 and we can decide on a date for your Spirit Walk. It is helpful when scheduling to have an idea what dates would work best for you. Learn lots more on our Spirit Walk page.
What is the doctrine of the Peyote Way Church?
The Peyote Way Church keeps its doctrine pretty simple and can be summed up as: Be good to one another! Learn more in our Doctrine section.
What is the Peyote Way Church's connection to the Mormon Church?
None. The founders of the Peyote Way Church believe that the body is the temple of the holy spirit and that diet is essential to a conscious life. We adopted the Word of Wisdom (Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) as the dietary code of the church as it was concise, well written and voiced our sentiments. We only advocate its adherence. It is not a commandment, but a principle with a promise.
Is the Peyote Way Church affiliated with any religious organization or denomination?
The Peyote Way Church is non-denominational. We have no dogma except perhaps the Articles of Faith. We require no one else to believe as we do. We are more concerned about behavior than beliefs. Peyote is the source and teacher, and we won't contradict anyone's personal beliefs. We do require membership for the Spirit Walk and suggest a donation (see the Spirit Walk page). Donations help us maintain the Peyote House and Sacrament.
Are there other Peyote Way Churches?
There may be other Peyote-centered churches, but this church is not affiliated with any other church at this time.
Can you describe the Spirit Walk?
We schedule Spirit Walks from March to November. The Spirit Walk requires three days - the first day the communicant arrives in the afternoon and begins fasting. The second day, one must find their Spirit Walk area, drink water and rest until sundown. At about five the counselor will provide instructions and a sacramental tea for the communicant to drink. The experience is individual and very personal and unique to each individual and usually lasts 12-24 hours.
The Spirit Walk is a solitary spiritual experience. You can read about it on the website, but here is what will happen. I will email you directions to the Church. The journey alone is a pilgrimage of sorts. You will be asked to fast upon your arrival here. This is so your body will be "clean"-empty, and prepared to rapidly assimilate the holy sacrament peyote. We will talk a little bit about your past experience with psychedelics, if any, and also discuss any fears or questions you may have. You will be asked to take a walk around, while you are fasting, to find a place on the land for your Spirit Walk, and to then prepare the area by getting firewood, and taking water, a lawn chair and/or a pad and blanket (or maybe set up a tent-see the Spirit Walk page), to the chosen place. I make the tea because it is a good way to get a lot of medicine down. What happens while you are at your site, drinking the tea, but it tends to be a time of introspection and repentance followed by an overwhelming sense of forgiveness. Once we have received this gift of forgiveness it is still up to us to forgive ourselves. Those who have a tendency towards reflection may find that their experience is more buoyant. At the heart of it is a personal experience of the mysteriousness of this existence and the many facets which we often refuse to see in our daily life. Please understand I cannot send or sell you the sacrament--I am constrained by Federal laws, not to mention my very limited supply, also affected by Federal laws. You will have better luck checking out the international sites where Peyote is not a controlled substance. The Spirit Walk is by appointment only. Please see the Spirit Walk page for more information.
Do I have to camp the whole time that I am at the Church?
There are two guest rooms in the Congregation House, the church building, where guests are invited to stay during the first night and the next day. Communicants will be encouraged to camp out the actual night of their Spirit Walk.
How will Peyote interact with other medications?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prevent individuals from receiving the full benefit of the Holy Sacrament Peyote.
I am confused by your abstention from tobacco. I am not myself a Native American, but I thought that tobacco was used in rituals in that heritage. Do you require its abstinence from your members due to its harmful effects on the body?
Tobacco is a sacred plant to most North American tribes, but due to the harmful effects of commercial tobacco products on the body, we believe tobacco should only be used for sacramental purposes. The Bylaws of the Peyote Way Church do not require that an Associate member practice the Word of Wisdom, which specifies a set of dietary guidelines including abstention from tobacco, this is merely our recommendation.What is the extent of accommodation at the Sanctuary? I saw that members are welcome to visit the church three days annually, but no more than that? Do any members choose to live at the Sanctuary, and are they welcome to do that?
The Church sanctuary is in the remote Aravaipa wilderness, and a three day stay is usually long enough for most people. Certainly, a member who wishes to return again for a brief stay or extend their stay, or return for a Spirit Walk after an initial visit, can obtain permission. The Bylaws allow 3-7 days, up to a month, upon receipt of a Declaration of Intent that's approved by the Board of Stewards. Members who wish to stay longer, or who wish to live here, must fill out an application. Everyone who lives here has a purpose and an intention that's in accordance with the Bylaws, or has been approved by the Board of Stewards. No one is here just to hang out, waste time, or hide. One of our services to the membership is to provide an environment of serenity, so that each visitor can enjoy the quiet of nature, and benefit from the holy sacrament.
If one were to join your Church, would s/he be able to use Peyote without legal repercussions?
The present political and social climate at this time in the U.S. is such that you may be arrested for your religious practice of Peyotism. The only states that have legal provisions regarding the bonafide religious use of Peyote by non-Indians are Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. In these states, the Church’s "Declaration of Religious Belief" should protect an individual in possession of Peyote.
Where can I obtain live peyote plants or seeds?
You will find a detailed answer to this question in the Seed Sources section of our Peyote Cultivation page.
If I come to your Church will you sell me Peyote?
No.
How many Peyote buttons are ingested during a Spirit Walk?
21 grams of powdered Peyote tops (the equivalent of 12-15 Peyote buttons) in a tea reduced to 12 fluid ounces.
Must I come to the Church alone?
No. But your friend or family member must understand that you should be left alone during your Spirit Walk. Others can be helpful, but can also distract.
Will I have a sitter during my spirit walk?
No. We do our best to prepare the communicant for their experience beforehand and we are available in the event of need, but 'guides' and 'sitters' can also distract an individual in a sensitive altered space. We are also happy to spend time with you afterwards, to discuss the details of your Spirit Walk--if that is your wish.
Can I visit the Church?
Yes! But by appointment only. (You really don't want to travel the rough road to get here, only to find us not here that day!)
Is it possible to visit the church for a Spirit Walk without taking Peyote?
Yes. Request a "Conservationist Membership." It is for people who want to appreciate the land and nature and learn more about our Church and sacrament without actually taking the sacrament.
Why do you grow Peyote?
The current Federal restriction on Peyote cultivation is putting the sacrament in peril. The native growing fields in Texas and Northern Mexico are being depleted with no investment in renewal. We believe that under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, Peyotists have the freedom to grow and protect their sacrament as part of their religious practice.
