Meet Mariah Bottomly | Practitioner of Curanderismo, Full-Spectrum doula, Educator, Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariah Bottomly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariah, what inspires you?
My inspiration comes from observing and learning from people, practices, ceremonies, rituals, art, being a mother and being in community. I draw from the part of me that excites me and resonates with what I’m observing. I get most inspired by art and dance (same thing), singing and really connecting with the elements of our great mother (Earth.) I love to document my surroundings. Through photography and visual art, it reminds me of my learning and to be in reverence of it all. I am a danzante with Kalpulli ColorAtzlan. It is a beautiful prayer that fulfills many aspects of my life and pushes me to lean deeper into my learning and practice.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Aiyiyi! There is soooo much! Lets see…I am very multi-faceted. I have a lot of tools in my medicine bag. I am a practitioner of Curanderismo/folk medicine, an ancestral wisdom and medicine keeper, a mother, educator, full spectrum doula, professional photographer and owner of Sacred Expansion Wellness, LLC. I have mixed ancestry rooted in so many different places but mainly, the Americas, Spain, the UK and Ireland. I combine different sacred elements and modalities in my work using curanderismo, folk medicine, intuitive medicine, quantum healing, herbalism, and integrative holistic care. I also work in the non-profit realm as administration to the 6th Sun Calmecac; a school of “higher learning/education” founded by Debora Montoya.

I have been a single mother for 23 years so, the path on this journey has not been easy. It took me forever to figure out how to truly step into my gifts and incorporate all I have learned into my practice. I taught in a Montessori setting for over 18 years, while simultaneously going to school to get my associates degree in photography and certification in holistic healthcare. The struggle with trying to find out what I wanted my career to be and working within so many arenas, broadened my perspective. I lived in San Diego for 7 years and it was there, that I started to see things in a broader scope. I participated in a lot of activism work with different groups for justice around migrants, Xicano and Indigenous rights, reproductive rights and environmental justice. I was noticing a pattern in our people who were getting energetically taxed, burnt out, and their nervous systems were getting shot. I had been incorporating holistic medicine in my life since I was a teen, and friends kept coming to me for some holistic advice to help remedy ailments they were having. Fast forward a bunch of time and I found myself living in Denver. I was working for an herbalist who specialized in chiropractic care and Neuro Emotional Techniques. Working directly with the plants allowed me to deepen my relationship with plants and plant medicine. I think I truly realized that I was an herbalist when I could hear the plants talking to me.

Because everything is energy, I started working with the energetics of all things directly in my life and really saturated myself in my own healing. It is a forever job that will forever be unfolding. Eutimia Cruz-Montoya introduced me to Nataline Cruz of Strawberry Moon Energetics and I embarked on a four year long apprenticeship in curanderismo, the Maya path, and all kinds of different modalities and practices. I’m now in my seventh year. My doula practice came into full swing as well during this time, when I kept getting asked to support births. Because of my healing practice, I started to get more calls for support not only around birth but also around birth trauma, postpartum care and to support those who had lost their babies. I also found myself starting to steward death and to help those who were struggling with the transition of life. More of the trans community started to reach out to me as well, for support in these realms because of the huge lack of support, resources and understanding around trans birthing bodies. All of these intersectionalities started showing up simultaneously and it helped to deepen my understanding that everything is all connected, which is a true integrative philosophy.

My newest journey has been working with Tonja Reichley who founded Dancing with the Wild. Tonja stewards and midwifes us into returning to our Celtic and Irish roots so that we may heal ourselves through the mythic resistance. I had gotten the message from my spirit guides and ancestors that I needed to (re)member and (re)learn these practices and integrate them in to my curanderismo practice. I also got the message that it is time for me to go to “the other motherland” so that I can connect with the land, incorporate ritual and ceremony practices to bring back to the Americas so that people with European ancestry and DNA stop commodifying and appropriating indigenous practices, ceremonies and rituals that belong to the people of the Americas.

When I asked the universe to guide me, I found Tonja whose philosophy is greatly aligned with mine. She is exactly who I asked for when I was seeking a way in which to approach this part of me that I had been denying for so long. She holds such a deep reverence and expanse of knowledge that is so enriching, beautiful and necessary.She is anti-racist, centers inclusivity, and brings awareness around colonization and how that has interfered with our indigenous ways and transformed into the systems that we have in place. I have been working with Tonja for the last year in a cohort that has led us up to a pilgrimage in Ireland this autumn. I’m so excited to go to Ireland and abroad, and to bring back with me the essence of the land so that I can realize/revitalize my purpose, and get to use it in my work.

Through this interweaving of cultures, medicines, divine and ancestral knowledge, I can better serve all commUNITIES for the greatest and highest good.

My greatest support has been my family- blood and chosen, my teachers and my commUNITY. I call myself a practitioner, because this is all a practice. I am a life-long student and I will always be learning. It feels really good to be held and supported by my commUNITY. We all realize how necessary and important all of this work is, and it feels very nourishing. My intention is reciprocal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start of the day at Prodigy Coffeehouse to get an iced oat milk lavender honey coffee. Next, I would bring them to Indian Hot Springs to get in the waters and the caves.
We would end the day at Kahlo’s restaurant in Westwood.

The next day would consist of breakfast and coffee at Crema on Larimer.
We would then stop off at Alchemy Ritual goods to stock up on supplies and introduce them to all the magic people there.
Lunch would be getting pupusas at 3 Girasoles
We’d probably trek up to Red Rocks depending on the time of year and explore the trails.
We’d end the day at Raices brewery.

Day three would be spent at the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Butterfly Pavillion or somewhere nature based.

Day 4 we would make it down to Greenwood Village for some candle magic, a tarot card reading and perhaps a healing at Cosmic Tea Holistic shop. The owner there, Elizabeth Filkin will tell you how it is with no shame and literally “reads” you. I may also be biased because I work there two days a week and I really enjoy my work there.
Next door is Spice Trade Brewing company which has the best fries, and all of their beers are brewed without gluten which is a plus since I’m gluten intolerant.

Day 5 would consist of Meow Wolf even though I’ve haven’t been yet. I like to go on adventures I have yet to take as well. We would then end the day at Adelita’s to eat and then stop over at Dos Luces brewery for some pulque and/or tepache,

Day 6 I would like to take my friend to Tocabe, an American Indian Eatery. Cultura Chocolate in Westwood, Tonantzin Casa de Cafe on Santa Fe, Gypsyhouse Cafe on Broadway, Mercury Cafe, Hope Tank, Herbs and Arts… there’s so much on the list!

Day 7 would be a picnic at La Raza park and a tour around the North Side. There’s so many great people to see and things to do there. Perhaps a tour of my favorite murals. I know so many great artists, I’d love to highlight their work. The late Alicia Cardenas, Diego Florez, Victor Escobedo, Anthony “Birdseed” Garcia just to name a few.

I would probably have a gathering at my house. I know so many amazing people here, I would want them to meet them all!

Honestly, it would be more of a food tour of all of my favorite places to eat! Denver is such a plethora of good people, art, magic, cultural richness, and beautiful sights.

I would take them to all the wonderful places to eat like: Welton Street Cafe, Moods, Beats, Potions, Gaetanos, and whatever taqueria we could find!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have inherited, been taught, gifted, and (re)learned many rituals and practices by many inspiring, respected and renowned teachers, elders and other medicine keepers from the expanse of earth. My mother, Patricia has helped guide me onto the pathway of this journey and has primarily led me, supported me and nourished me into who I am becoming. My greatest teachers have been: Elena Avila, Nataline Cruz and the Strawberry Moon Community, Eutimia Cruz-Montoya, Kalpulli Teocalli Ollin and life experience, honestly. I have now embarked on incorporating my Celtic roots with my practice and Tonja Reichley has helped to steward my (re)learning with this. There are so many people included in this, it’s difficult to name them all!

Website: www.sacredexpansionwellness.com

Instagram: @sacredexpansion or @mariahbblessed (Personal)

Facebook: Sacred Expansion Wellness

Image Credits
Pardees Goshtasb Kelly Eileen Shroads Myself