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Bufo Deaths & Fraud Involving Toad “Shamans” Octavio Rettig & Gerry Sandoval

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Thyme4Mind:
Hey folks! I wanted to post about a man named Octavio Rettig, who has become well known amongst psychedelic academics and nuagers. I think he is well worth a mention here. He is reputed for his work with 5meoDMT, a powerful hallucinogen, in which he provides "sacred and ancient" ceremonies. He claims that he apprenticed under a "Don Pancho" and was taught the ancient rites and rituals of the Seri. He has been spending the past several years working with the Seri people of Mexico in an attempt to treat methamphetamine addiction.

Octavio is well known in the psychedelic scene for being the "5meo guy" who often misrepresents data and scientific information. For example, he frequently makes the claim that bufotenin, when exposed to heat (eg when you smoke it), converts to 5meoDMT. Anyone who knows anything about chemistry or pharmacology knows this isn't true. Furthermore, there was allegedly an open statement online that was given by the Seri people and other indigenous folks of the Sonoran area which demanded that he cease his research and return all of the toad venom (which he harvested from indigenous land without permission). This statement also supposedly declared that the Seri people do NOT endorse Rettig, despite his claims, and that he has no right to represent them or perform ceremonies. The document was taken offline and I have not been able to find it since. This alleged statement is unverified and I don't know if it is legitimate or not.

However, while looking around, I found this "letter of recommendation and support" to Rettig, signed and endorsed by the traditional government of the Seri nation. http://imgur.com/gallery/QnlnpH9

Rough translation of the letter:

--- Quote ---JANUARY 22ND, 2014 PUNTA CUECA, SONORA, NATION COMAC AC, MEXICO.
TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN:

Throughout this medium we extend a cordial salute and we inform to all the people members of our community of the towns and tribes of the world, that Mr. Dr. Ocatavio Rettig Hinojosa, is the spokesperson of the understanding and knowledge provided by the Ancestral Medicine of the Desert of Sonora, “OTAC”, found in the secretion of the glands of the Bufo Alvarius, Toad of the desert of Sonora.

Dr Ocatavio Rettig, with his work within the Seri community with such medicine, since November of 2011, he has brought back the before mention knowledge, which it had been lost for centuries. Since his arrival into our community, he has successfully healed several of the members of our tribe suffering serious problems of addiction to chemical drugs like methamphetamines (crystal) amongst many other physical ailments, proving the curative powers of the before mention substance, endorsing Dr. Octavio Rettig Hinojosa as a responsible, capable and trustworthy who during the 5 months he lived with us and the more than two year of knowing him has showed congruence and human quality.   

Pioneer, researcher and promoter of the rescue of the ancestral technics of purification and cultural affirmation in benefit of the tribes of Sonora, Mexico and the whole planet earth to whom we backup, support and protect due to his rendered services to our community always in an altruistic manner and without perceiving any income, collaborating in the protection, diffusion, preservation and enrichment of our traditions, uses and customs. Promoting a culture of conservation and care of the species Bufo Alvarius, under his care by creating the project OTAC.

Dr. Rettig has brought a new hope for the Seri tribe, helping not only with his medical knowledge but also with economic support  and serving as a bridge so the Seri community could receive support from others.

We certified Doctor Octavio Rettign Hinojosa as a medicine man and the carrier of the message of our tribe to the word.

We publicly acknowledge on the side of our internal authorities the person of Doctor Octavio Rettig, extending this letter of recommendation to be used as he may see fit. Punta Cueca, municipio de Hermosillo, Sonora, Nation Comca ac, January of the current year.

We value and thank the services rendered to the nation Comca ac. reiterating our friendship and compromise to share our intangible and cultural heritage with whomever so wishes to do so.

All be welcome to participate in our millenary wisdom in the hands of our benefactor and friend.

Axatipe, Yooz Quij, mish Masaia

Yours truly : Traditional government of the Seri nation Comca ac, Honorable council of elders, traditional territorial guard and members of the community
--- End quote ---

Again, I don't know the authenticity of this document. It looks legitimate from the picture, so perhaps he is endorsed by the Seri people--but I feel I am not qualified to make this distinction myself.

Here is a link to the facebook page for his upcoming film: "OTAC The Sacred Ancient Medicine Ceremony"
https://www.facebook.com/OTACtheFILM/info?tab=page_info

--- Quote ---Over the past eight years, Dr. Rettig has been conducting research on the ancient sacred use of 5-MeO-DMT in the Sonora desert. Three years ago, he re-introduced the use of this medicine to the Seri Tribe to successfully treat methamphetamine addicts. He learned the ancient rituals, chants and rites of the Seri tribe and became an apprentice of "Don Pancho," a Seri elder shaman.

By combining the chants he was given as a gift from the Seri people, with the "Sacred Medicine" he created a therapy technique. He now performs this "Ancient Sacred Medicine Ceremony" authorized by the council of elder Seri shamans, to treat addicts, and also to initiate adepts from around the globe into the spiritual realm.

This film narrates and documents the anthropological, ethnomusicological, archeological and pharmacological aspects of Dr. Rettig’s fantastic story, and as director Leonardo Bondani has described, “It is also, a journey into the mind and the soul, the search for enlightenment, the human condition...and the fabric of the cosmos.”
--- End quote ---
(quote taken from promotional video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b04GFWrl8iA)

I haven't been able to find anything about this "Don Pancho", but I am weary of any kind of nuage claim of apprenticeship or authorization.

Here is a link to a segment done on him by the popular VICE magazine. VICE is extremely sensationalist and for them to report on anyone claiming to have the right to perform ancient ceremonies sends up a huge red flag for me. Disclaimer: this piece is absolutely chock-full of misinformation, though that should hardly be surprising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOFSX6nezEY&feature=youtu.be

And finally, a link to his facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otac2012
AFAIK, he is pretty open to dialogue and encourages skeptics to contact him.

Thats everything I could I dig up. I've known about Rettig for a while now; like I said his name comes up frequently in psychedelic circles. I don't believe he sells ceremonies or makes a profit (could be wrong), but the fact that he is claiming the right to perform indigenous ceremonies warrants some healthy cynicism. I'll keep looking for information about this "Don Pancho" character, but so far I've found nil. Anyways, despite his bad science, this guy might be legit--I just wanted to bring him up here where you folks with more knowledge/experience could see and judge for yourself.

Thyme4Mind:

--- Quote ---We certified Doctor Octavio Rettign Hinojosa as a medicine man and the carrier of the message of our tribe to the world.
--- End quote ---

From what I've learned here, this seems extremely unlikely.  ???

Ingeborg:
Important points are e.g.: does he cash in, and in which countries.


https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=381102988665552&id=304947006281151

A Michael Rice from Ireland announces 'ceremonies' with Rettig this summer, and more later on in Czechia and Slovakia. From further comments, Rettig will also go to London, and has been to Australia in April. He is also actively selling his stuff in California.

This is at least six countries and three continents within some months this year.


--- Quote ---Axatipe, Yooz Quij
--- End quote ---

Googling these terms, all you get out of the world wide web is two sites... One is Rettig's own, the other is connected to him.
Both present an English text. I somehow doubt the Seri would have conveniently issued such document in English language, instead of Spanish. But publishing a Spanish version of that means: publication in a language understood by the Seri. I may have a dirty mind, but I do wonder whether this is exactly what Rettig seeks to avoid...


Rettig is also asking for donations to do a film. The text reveals his attitudes:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-sacred-ancient-medicine-ceremony


--- Quote ---"The Sacred Ancient Medicine Ceremony"
Over the past eight years, Dr. Rettig has been conducting research on the ancient sacred use of 5-MeO-DMT in the Sonora desert. Three years ago, he re-introduced the use of this medicine to the Seri Tribe to successfully treat methamphetamine addicts. He learned the ancient rituals, chants and rites of the Seri tribe and became an apprentice of "Don Pancho," a Seri elder shaman.

By combining the chants he was given as a gift from the Seri people, with the "Sacred Medicine" he created a therapy technique. He now performs this "Ancient Sacred Medicine Ceremony" authorized by the council of elder Seri shamans, to treat addicts, and also to initiate adepts from around the globe into the spiritual realm.

Dr. Rettig has been successfully using this substance in therapy sessions (hundreds of them documented) for thousands of people. He has also used this therapy effectively on crystal methamphetamine addicts where it affects neural receptors. The addicts no longer crave the drug and it opens a spiritual gateway for them.
[...]

It is urgent to preserve the vanishing culture and ancient knowledge that the Seri people have almost forgotten, now alive in just a few shamans who remember how to guide the initiate into the spiritual journey of the soul.
[...]

Dr. Rettig and director Leonardo Bondani were personally invited by the King/President of the Seri tribe to return for the New Year’s two day-long celebration on June 30 and July 1, 2014 in Punta Chueca, Sonora Mexico, an autonomous nation (and a closed area to the public, national government, agencies and institutions).
--- End quote ---

Some of this is racist rhubarb, some of it is rhubarb from a medical point of view, mixed with several Nuage buzzwords, and all of it is constructed to polish the alleged fame of Rettig. One also notices some discrepancies between Rettig's claims to be an "apprentice" and his ignorance about the social structure of the Seri nation - as in: "Their king or president".

We probably want to add to our dictionary "English / New Age":
"Their king/president" -> English: "Well, whatever they happen to call their head honcho - I don't give a flying one in the effin' first place".

So it rather looks Rettig is exploiting Seri knowledge and traditions for his profit, and abuses the Seri nation as a whole.

Epiphany:

--- Quote ---Don Pancho, the oldest Seri Shaman who now does The Sacred Ancient Medicine Ceremony in the ancestral spiritual form.
--- End quote ---
Images and quotes from these Facebook pages. Note that Rettig believes he can now claim anything he wants since his information comes from an "ancestral spiritual form".

https://www.facebook.com/OTACtheFILM/info?tab=page_info
http://m2.facebook.com/OTACtheFILM/photos/a.419762038191677.1073741838.278415132326369/419762054858342/?type=1&source=48&refid=17&_ft_=top_level_post_id.419762218191659&__tn__=E

Thyme4Mind:
I saw his indigogo page, but somehow I missed his comment about "their king/president". What kind of person who immerses themselves in a culture doesn't even know the proper title for cultural leaders? Someone who clearly couldn't care less about about accurate representation. Rettig seems to be more concerned with convincing folks of his own spiritual/cultural authority than he does about actually learning about said culture.


--- Quote ---Both present an English text. I somehow doubt the Seri would have conveniently issued such document in English language, instead of Spanish. But publishing a Spanish version of that means: publication in a language understood by the Seri. I may have a dirty mind, but I do wonder whether this is exactly what Rettig seeks to avoid...
--- End quote ---

The original text was written in Spanish, at least according to this image: http://imgur.com/gallery/QnlnpH9
Not that this makes the document anymore credible...but I don't think it was originally in English. Rettig, iirc, is a native Spanish speaker so I don't think he'd have a difficult time writing up his own letter of approval. Perhaps I also just have a dirty mind that likes to assume the worst.

So the director of his video project is a man named Leonardo Bondani. Here is his twitter page: https://twitter.com/leonardobondani

Here are some of the more shameless and savory tweets:


--- Quote ---Want to have a DMT experience and help a documentary be done? We and the Seri Tribe's chants need your support!

Interested in having a DMT experience with the Seri tribe Shamans? Join us in life time adventure, support our film

Interested in a real DMT shamanic experience with the Seri ? WE ARE CLOSING THE ROOM/HOTEL AVAILABILITY TOMORROW! 

LAST CALL! TODAY- CLOSING RESERVATIONS to a real 5-Meo-DMT shamanic ritual "THE SACRED ANCIENT MEDICINE CEREMONY"
--- End quote ---
[/b]

And here is an excerpt from the following link: http://2junky.com/video/5274620/dr-octavio-rettig-on-salt-spring-island-adam-healing.html (I didn't even bother watching the video. And just a heads up, I got a lot of pop-ups from this site just as a disclaimer)

--- Quote ---M.D Octavio Rettig is a medical surgeon graduated from the University of Guadalajara specialized in treating addictions. He has been working for over 15 years with traditional medicinal plants recognized as sacred plants or power plants within mesoamerican cultures. He is a spokesman for the message of the councils of elders of indigenous communities in northern Mexico. He has been entrusted by the Seri and Yaqui tribes to communicate their message and spread their traditions and understanding. Dr. Rettig's sessions incorporate ancient healing chants with which the experience with the Bufo Alvarius medicine (toad from the mexican desert of Sonora) achieve much more powerful results.
--- End quote ---

It seems clear to me that not only are ceremonies openly being sold, but that Rettig claims he speaks for the Seri people while also seemingly under the impression that he knows Seri tradition better than the Seri.

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