There was a legend in my town about a ghost of a villista who rode the horse on the Night of All Saints. I never believed that but that night I drank too much mezcal and on my way back to my hut I bumped into that ghost. He told me to go with him to the Revolution. I prayed the Virgin of San Juan, and that moment the ghost disappeared. I thank for I didn’t die of fear.

Feliciano Piña
Durango, Mexico

Because my husband spent all the day riding a horse, drank some mezcal and ate some hot snacks, he couldn’t pee that evening. He suffered all night, and no remedy helped him. So I implored Saint Paschal, and he got cured by the dawn. I thank for that with this retablo.

Puebla, 1924
Francisca Ramos

Doroteo Juarez used to drink a lot of mescal. One evening he saw a giant nagual in shape of dragon. The nagual asked for a drink, and Doroteo got so frightened that he promised to the Virgin of Guadalupe to stop drinking if she chase the nagual away. The nagual disappeared like smoke in the air. The Doroteo’s wife thanks the Virgin because her husband doesn’t drink anymore and his life is happier now.

Virgin of Guadalupe, I promise not to drink pulque nor mescal, or the death would take me. O, Mother Holy Virgin, help me not to get drunk again.

Inocencio Tapia was drinking in the bar. He had so much mezcal, he started to see skeletons. They surrounded him, and one of them asked: “Why are you alone?” It was Death in person who tried to grab him. Inocencio gives thanks to Saint Michael for he managed to run away safe and sound and not kicked the bucket. It happened on November 2. Inocencio promises to behave well.

Tlaxcala