Spirits of Meal Time
Content Warning: discussion of food, shared meals, and ancestral/learned narratives about food; however there is no discussion of EDs.
Have you watched Taco Chronicles on Netflix?
Each of the 2 seasons take viewers through the geographical, historical, and cultural stories of 13 different types of tacos.
The show is entirely in Spanish, with some Indigenous language speakers as well, and each episode is narrated by the taco filling - it works, I swear.
In the US, we are used to walking into a restaurant of a generalized culture, and being able to order from dozens options, without any understanding of the cultural significance of any of them.
We are so used to having access to everything, but tacos - an Indigenous food - are unique to regions, to the ecology of a place, the cultural or historical significance of the animal being prepared, the ritual process of preparing these different animals and meats (like many culturally significant foods around the world).
The show connects food to region, to people, to animals, does not shy away from identifying colonialism’s influence on many of these different preparations of food, and showcases the indigenous origins of different preparations, the indigenous people (primarily women) who are continuing the traditions of the food today.
Is it perfect? No. There are too many white or light skin latinx people in the interview portions, especially since the show focuses on restaurants and chefs owned and operated by majority indigenous, dark skin people. The discussions on colonialism get so close to saying The Thing, but ultimately shy away from calling a spade a spade.
With that said, as a kid who grew up watching Food Network showcase white dudes like Rick Bayless cooking Mexican food and other cultural foods, it’s REALLY COOL to watch the PEOPLE who the food BELONGS TO making it, speaking about it, eating it, sharing it.
To craft a meal well is alchemy - a skilled cook is a true Sorcerer. Taking the wilted greens from the bottom of a produce bin, a few pantry staples, and their love of feeding others, and transforming these elements into food, filling bellies with nourishment of the body and the spirit.
Sharing a meal is one of the best ways to commune with the spirits. Our cravings our often the cravings of the spirits themselves. When we are in the kitchen making a family recipe, our ancestors are present in the room with us through the process. When we break bread with people we love, the spirits who love us delight and participate in the celebration.
Think of the spiritual, religious, cultural, or familial mythos you know about food and the sharing of a meal. Do the first associations that come to mind bring pleasure or pain? Perhaps a mix of both?
What messages are these sensations sharing with you? What do these messages tell you about your relationship to food and nourishment? Where you discover needs for support, ask your spirits to assist you. Where you discover moments of joy, follow them until they lead you to a gift.
The spirits are present with us always: during meals, on our commutes, during our most intimate conversations. Always near, engaging, advising, influencing. When we learn to intentionally commune with them, their presence in these moments becomes a welcome blessing.
If you would like to learn more about living intentionally with the spirit realms, join me this May for Into the Veil. Registration for the class of 2022 closes on April 30th. This is my only offering of Into the Veil this year. You can find complete details here.
