Unrested souls sometimes appear in don Pepe’s canteen. They drink, dance and sing. You, Virgin of Guadalupe, please make them rest in peace or make them dance and do their rowdy parties somewhere else. The people got used to this and say: there is mezcal for everything good, and for everything bad, as well, and if there’s no remedy, a liter and a half would help. And don Pepe says: the dead into the pits, the living to enjoy. Holy Virgin, let them rest.

Tultepec, state of Mexico

Inocencio Fernandez was in the bar, being well drunk after a lot of mezcal. He began to see many skeletons. They came close to him, and one of them asked “Why you are alone?” It was the Death in person who tried to take him. He thanks Saint Michael for he could escape safe and sound, running out of the bar, before dying on that November 2. He promised to amend his ways.

Tlaxcala, Mexico

I promise you, Virgin of Guadalupe, that I won’t steal money from my mother to drink mezcal anymore.

Abuncio Villa

Florencio Dominguez had too much mezcal and got so drunk he fell asleep in the mountains. In the middle of the night, he was awaken by laments, and he saw, with fear, the Weeping Woman in front of him. He infinitely thanks Saint Michael the Archangel with this humble retablo for he was able to run away safe and sound and promises to not drink ever again.

Tepoztlan, Morelos

Forgive me, Virgin of Juquila, and I promise not to spend my fortnight salary on mezcal anymore.

Abel Templos

Thanks, Virgin of Guadalupe, for good harvest of pulque and mezcal. Thanks, Virgin.

I went to San Luis desert to gather peyote. I ate some and prepared for a night. It was cold, I started drinking mezcal to warm up myself. Then a magic animal, an incandescent nagual appeared in front of me. He guided me through a marvelous magic trip full of light and hallucinating colors. I never forget what I felt, saw and learnt that night. I thank for living it through till the dawn with so much intensity.

With this humble retablo, I give infinite thanks to the Virgin of Juquila for protecting me on every November 2, because on this night my bar fills with the souls of the dead of the town who come very cheerful to celebrate their day with lots of music and mezcal.

Nicandro Tejeda ~ Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico

Inocencio Fernandez was in the bar, being well drunk after a lot of mezcal. He began to see many skeletons around him. One of them asked him “Why you are alone?” It was the Death in person who tried to take him. He thanks Saint Michael for he could escape, running out of the bar, safe and sound before he died on that November 2. He promised to amend his ways.

With this humble retablo, I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for protecting me on every November 2. This night my bar is filled with the souls of the dead from the village. They come very happy to celebrate their holiday with a lot of music and mezcal.

Ramiro Dominguez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

Inocencio Fernandez, being well drunk after consuming a lot of mezcal in the bar, began to see many skeletons around him. One of them asked Inocencio “Why you are alone?” It was the Death in person who tried to take him. He thanks the Lord of the Wonders for he could escape, running out of the bar, safe and sound before he died on that November 2. He promised to amend his ways.

Huamantla, Tlaxcala

I thank Saint Pancras for protection me every November 2, because that night my bar is filled with the souls of the dead of the town. They come very cheerful to celebrate their Feast with music and mezcal.

Filomeno Arriaga
Oaxaca, Mexico