We recently connected with Alysha Xóchitl Davila and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alysha Xóchitl, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Seven Dreams Ceremony focuses on the deeper aspects of healing; the roots. This practice began with the intention of reminding people of their own intuitive powers after a stretch of time where I forgot my own.
Growing up my father was studying immunobiology and oncology, and like most little girls I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I began reading many of his old textbooks at an early age, and even if I did not understand half of what I was reading in the latest Janeway Immunobiology textbook I was hooked. From anatomy & physiology textbooks to in-depth perspectives on different cancers and how to treat them I would find a quiet corner somewhere and just flip around until I landed on something interesting.
Fast forward to my junior year of high school where my father helped me secure a small assistant position in his lab. He tasked me with testing different drugs on the A375 melanoma cell line and recording the various results. I was mostly learning how to use basic laboratory tools and resources. My time at this lab, and my many visits to his other labs past helped shape an already lingering interest in medicine, healing modalities, and the innovation that can happen when inspiration sparks.
During college I was on the path to studying Biochemistry, and after about three years a tragedy struck my family, and I had to leave early before graduating. I moved in with an old high school friend here in Baltimore, and it changed the course of my life forever.
I fell in with a bad crowd, allowed darkness to influence me, and I had accumulated unhealthy coping mechanisms as a way to “bandaid” the pain I had so abruptly experienced within my family. I had abandoned my sense of self and was on my own “nigredo” (“blackening”) journey to finding me again. After a few years of metaphorically scraping my knees, something, or someone rather, told me to get up and start over, so I did.
Now I grew up in a Christian household, and I am grateful for that since my time in Sunday school, VBS, and other various youth groups were something that helped mold my morality and keep that compass aligned with my values. When I moved to Baltimore I fell very short from the glory and grace of God, and because of the free will He gifts us I was able to find His light again. Like I said though, “something” or “Someone” was nudging me back onto a safe, healthy, and happy path. Great Spirit, Universe, God, Ancestor; whatever anyone wants to call it I did not fight back against divine timing and divine intervention.
I did not jump directly into herbalism after this experience. I first continued my other passion and course of studying alchemy, spagyrics, and fringe topics. Because one cannot major in “My Government is Trying to Poison Me 101” since I was 15 years old I dove deeply into the works of Paracelsus, Nicolas Flamel, Fulcanelli, Tibetan monks, Bob Monroe, Manly P. Hall, Dale Pendell, and other workers of unseen worlds who were focused on healing from corruption. At 15 or 16 years old I had taken an interest in researching on bibliotecapleyades.net; from Antartica, gematria, etymology, numerology, Royal Bloodlines, alchemy, the AIDS Epidemic, aliens, Carl Jung and his outlook on the “Shadow” self, Monsanto and just about everything related to mysticism, hidden symbolism, and the powers that hide in unseen places.
I still research in-depth about many other topics indirectly related to plant medicine, but it was what guided me here.
During this research it does not take long for one to recognize a sinister pattern and plot; fear + power = unhealthy control. I had seen this within my own government here in America as well as other governments around the world who were and are working together to ensure that their citizens never stumble across their own uniquely gifted powers to heal themselves.
In 2017 I began taking an interest in herbalism, more specifically I began taking & making Lemon Balm, Milky oats and Skullcap tinctures (concentrated extraction of a plant) for the anxiety I had while I was healing from the previously mentioned upheaval and change. I began gardening and started with my love for the cooling and digestion-helper, Fennel. From there I fell in love with growing and working with Lemon Balm, Skullcap, and Amaranth. I excitedly wanted to share with the world that human beings have the innate capacity to heal themselves with the plants around them and the knowledge within them, and I would know because I myself was choosing to do it.
In 2018 I began making & gifting botanical smoke blends, bath teas, and tinctures to help friends with various struggles and ailments; eczema, weaning off of cigarettes, panic attacks, stuck energy, etc. So it began. I slowly began selling at markets and simultaneously enrolling in different herbal curriculums such as Herbal Medicine for the Soul led by Selima Lust. My inner and outer garden were flourishing, and I just wanted to share what I knew.
I now know my purpose is to help people find their light again, to remind them that healing is inside of them, and that there is a way to care for ourselves inside and out to ensure our intuition is being heard by us and others. Not only do I use my knowledge of plants and the differing medicines they can offer, but I also utilize my years of experience on etymology (the power, origin, and magic of words), numerology, fringe topics, and the alchemists that came before us.
You can find me & my wares now at the Mount Washington Farmer’s Market most Sundays. I offer consultations and custom herbal blends for a more tailored experience. I lead different classes & workshops as well as organize a mystical market event called Bazaar Esoterica reminding people of these simple facts. Read more about my offerings below:
Smoke Sorcery – A botanical smoke blending class where I teach participants about various plants and the health benefits of smoking them as well as building ceremony and ritual around this practice. The next one is on Friday June 21st from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Full Moon Acupuncture in Hampden.
Buy tickets here: https://www.sevendreams.co/
Tonantzin Offerings: Creating a Connection with the Earth – In this series I teach about the importance of creating a connection between ourselves and the land, and how we can incorporate small daily steps to strengthen that relationship. Tonantzin is a concept from Aztec Mythology that is associated with various aspects of Mother Earth.
Learn more here: https://live-howardcounty.
Mount Washington Farmer’s Market – Nestled in the forested Mount Washington Neighborhood this farmer’s market sheds light on organic and natural makers from honey, meat, eggs, veggies, herbal medicine (that’s me!) to handmade home items and more!
Learn more: https://www.mwfarmersmarket.
Out of Dark – A series where I guide people in making their own botanical bath teas! Participants learn about various plants and their benefits on both our Soul/Sol Body as well as our physical body and pair them together with different clays, salts, and essential oils for a tailored bath experience.
Bazaar Esoterica – And last but NOT least I bring you Bazaar Esoterica; a marketplace for all things innately esoteric and mystical. We will have over 60 vendors, a food truck, drinks, a botanical bar, two live bands, different healing practitioners and many workshops and classes! Bazaar Esoterica stemmed from a desire for a holistic market where like-minded healers could come together, trade wares, and offer their goods and services to the public. It has evolved into quite an affair, so I hope that I see you at the next one on Saturday July 20th at Hidden Waters Farm from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
I want to thank each of you for taking the time to read this, and as a reminder you really do have the inherent powers to heal yourself, but it is up to you to decide that. I am here as a helper, a tool and a guide, but the answers truly do reside within each individual person.
If there are any questions or interest in participating in the events mentioned above please reach out:
[email protected]
IG: @sevendreamsceremony
Website: sevendreams.co
with gratitude
alysha xochitl
Alysha Xóchitl, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Seven Dreams Ceremony is a sacred and transformative practice that weaves the ancient wisdom of plant ancestors with the profound insights of our dream world. Rooted in the understanding that both nature and our inner landscapes hold the key to healing, this ceremonial journey creates a bridge between the tangible power of plants and the ethereal realms of our dreams. The practice’s holistic approach provides a unique and powerful avenue for individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and reconnection with the natural world.
This practice aims to help you unfold your own sacred journey that will guide you towards holistic well-being. At its core, the practice acknowledges the inherent connection between humans and the natural world, recognizing the vital role that plants play in both physical and spiritual healing; the tonal and the nahual.
The offerings, ceremonies, and workshops are intricately attuned to the elements—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Each element is honored and invoked through the rhythm of ritual and the medicine of sacred herbs; individuals are invited to embark on an inner exploration, tapping into their innate intuitive capacities.
Seven Dreams Ceremony works with the plants around us, the luminaries, the seasons, and their spiritual synergy to bring you hand-crafted small batch herbal wares. Whether it’s the rejuvenating energy of trickling Spring, the vibrant abundance – a dance of fullness & plenty – of Summer, the introspection & magnification of Autumn, or the restorative stillness and silence of Winter, Seven Dreams Ceremony facilitates a harmonious alignment with the sacred wheel and our bodies.
Led by my ancestral guides, I choose to follow and reinvent formulas created by my lineages. My blood goes back to different roots; Mexihca, Apache, Dine, Hopi, Chichimeca, Irish, Spanish. The deep wisdom of each vein of ancestry adds something unique and special to the products I make today. Always remember though that while our rivers may run separate from one another blood always flows back from and to Source.
Almost 100% of the plants are grown and foraged by me & friends, and what I cannot grow or harvest I buy or trade from small and local herbal farms around me.
Made with unconditional love for your Spirit, held in your Body led by your Mind.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I grew up in a Mexican household where both of my parents reminded us all the time where we came from. On my maternal side there is Native American, Irish and Mexican, and on my paternal side there is Mexican and Quauhchichitl. They always taught my brothers and me what that meant, but it never meant we were victims or we were less than because of this. We were told we could do and accomplish anything our peers could do and more.
I had to unlearn not to rely on a victim mindset and become self aware of my strengths and abilities to move past pains necessary for growth. When I first moved to Baltimore at the age of 22 I came as an entirely different person; someone who did not understand what it meant to be grateful for the lessons I had growing up. I felt myself being trapped in a saddened story that did not define my full truth and potential.
I moved here pitying myself, and then one day I felt an immense spiritual presence from God and within myself where I was reminded of my own powers that were already inside of me in the first place.
Much like the efficacy of positive affirmations, negative affirmations work just the same. It is why I stepped back from this way of thinking; this victim mindset. Energy flows where attention goes, so when people spend most of their time and day focusing on what ails them, who oppresses them, and what is holding them back that is the reality that will be amplified, and conversely if someone focuses on the goodness of life, on forgiveness, on gratitude, on humility, and on love then this is the beautiful reality that will reflect from that practice.
In alchemy the basic concept is this: breaking down a base metal and transmuting said base metal into Gold by rearranging the atomic structure. In transpersonal alchemy, or inner alchemy, we are taught that much like base metals when we encounter some traumatic circumstance we are broken down into our basic atomic parts, and it is up to each individual to decide if they are ready to undergo the “transmutation” or the growth. This dark period looks mucky, hurtful and scary, but it is a necessary step to growing into a refined version of yourself.
So the lesson I unlearned, that took much labor on my part like anything worth doing does, is that I am not a victim. I am in control of my own reality. I attract lessons, gifts and abundance each day. I am in control of my actions and my choices which lead to my own autonomous cause & effect. I am not oppressed nor do I have oppressors since each being is a refraction and reflection of me. I show the world love and kindness and the world shows me that in return.
This messaging may leave some with discomfort, and that is ok because discomfort is a part of growth. I too was in opposition many years ago to people who have said similar words, and I am now living in my truth without being the one holding me back.
I want people to know that they are so much more powerful than they give themselves credit for; that we are truly capable and powerful human beings that have the capacity to overcome any and all circumstances that feel like they are holding us back from reaching our true potential.
We are told that there are unseen forces that want our powers to be reserved and contained because once we make the conscious choice to heal ourselves then we would no longer rely on a shoddy healthcare system or rely on poisons disguised as medicine or rely on inexpensive and low quality food that has been grown with harmful chemicals.
I know the benefits of pushing one’s body to the limits and growing past those limits in a healthy and safe way, but when we limit ourselves, physically and by boxing us in with labels, we also limit the potential we have to heal outside of a system that does not want us to.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The Mount Washington Farmer’s Market has been an excellent source of new clients! As well as Bazaar Esoterica which brings people together who are interested or have had years of experience in holistic approaches to living.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sevendreams.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevendreamsceremony/
- Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4jSXRdp0S
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAu59r0eEukiLcfWtLGLQ0A