We Watched a White Woman "Channel" Quetzalcoatl... So You Don't Have To
Can someone really channel Quetzalcoatl? Or is it just another example of New Age spirituality borrowing from Indigenous traditions without understanding them?
In this special bonus episode of Tales From Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl sit down together in the same room for a live reaction to one of the strangest DVDs they've ever encountered: Quetzalcoatl Speaks, a 2010 presentation featuring self-described psychic and trance channeler Cindy Riggs, who claims to allow Quetzalcoatl to speak through her body.
The episode begins after Ruben's visit to New Mexico, where the hosts spend the day exploring Petroglyph National Monument before Kurly talks about stumbling across the DVD at a free table outside a bookstore. Intrigued by the bizarre premise, they decide to watch it together with open minds, hoping for an interesting discussion of Mesoamerican philosophy, spirituality, or history. Instead, they find themselves witnessing nearly two hours of rambling New Age metaphysics, internet metaphors, energy fields, and vague spiritual jargon that bears little resemblance to anything found in Nahua sources.
As the film unfolds, Cindy Riggs recounts her spiritual journey, claiming that an Aztec spirit guide named "Can" prepared her over decades to become a vessel for Quetzalcoatl. She describes psychic development, Reiki, hypnosis, past-life regression, remote viewing, energy healing, and eventually trance channeling before finally introducing the night's guest: Quetzalcoatl himself. The hosts examine each of these claims while comparing them to what is actually known about Nahua traditions and Indigenous spirituality.
Once the "channeling" begins, however, the promised appearance of Quetzalcoatl quickly turns into a stream of generic New Age advice involving chakras, energy frequencies, internet service providers, multidimensional consciousness, extraterrestrials, and raising one's vibrational frequency. Rather than offering insights rooted in Nahua philosophy, language, or ceremony, the supposed Quetzalcoatl delivers what Kurly and Ruben describe as little more than motivational self-help mixed with technological metaphors.
Throughout the commentary, the hosts balance humor with serious criticism. They discuss how Indigenous figures like Quetzalcoatl are frequently appropriated by modern spiritual movements, often stripped of their historical and cultural context in favor of universalized New Age beliefs. They also explore why so many sincere people are drawn to these movements, and how convincing performances can sometimes overshadow genuine scholarship and authentic Indigenous traditions.
The conversation eventually broadens into a discussion of Western occultism, Helena Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Jack Parsons, L. Ron Hubbard, psychedelic experimentation, Theosophy, and how some of these ideas eventually found their way into modern interpretations of Mexicayotl. While acknowledging that these topics deserve deeper research, Kurly and Ruben identify fascinating historical connections worth exploring in future episodes.
Equal parts comedy, media criticism, and cultural commentary, this episode asks an important question: What happens when Indigenous traditions become detached from the people who created them?
Topics Discussed
- Reviewing Quetzalcoatl Speaks (2010)
- Claims of trance channeling Quetzalcoatl
- New Age spirituality and Indigenous appropriation
- Psychic mediums, Reiki, hypnosis, and energy healing
- Quetzalcoatl versus modern spiritual reinterpretations
- Why vague spiritual language can sound profound
- The commercialization of Indigenous traditions
- Theosophy and Helena Blavatsky
- Aleister Crowley and Western occultism
- Jack Parsons, L. Ron Hubbard, and esoteric movements
- Psychedelics, occultism, and historical speculation
- Why historical context matters when discussing Nahua traditions
Memorable Moments
- Discovering the DVD on a free table outside a bookstore
- Waiting nearly twenty minutes for Quetzalcoatl to finally "arrive"
- The hosts' disbelief when the ancient Feathered Serpent begins talking about internet service providers
- Wondering why Quetzalcoatl never corrects the repeated mispronunciation of his own name
- Comparing the presentation to an infomercial, motivational seminar, and software terms and conditions
- Imagining what an actual Nahua philosophical discourse from Quetzalcoatl might have sounded like instead
Favorite Quotes
"We tried to keep an open mind."
"I would have been more impressed if he had just started speaking Classical Nahuatl."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"People will pay for anything."
"The truth is like medicine. It doesn't always taste good, but it is always good for you."
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Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
@kurlytlapoyawa
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
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