Tales From Aztlantis

What does the 2nd Mexican Empire, Confederate soldiers on the run, and the TV show The Office have to do with a white supremacist secret society in St. Louis? Author and historian Devin Thomas O'Shea joins us to talk about his fantastic new book "The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis." Strap yourselves in, dear listeners, you are in for a wild ride!

Our guest: 
Devin Thomas O&r...

If you were to walk out onto the street right now and ask the average person to close their eyes and picture an “American Indian,” what images would flash across their mind? For most, those images wouldn’t be of contemporary indigenous lawyers, scientists, artists, or tribal leaders navigating the complex realities of the 21st century. Instead, their minds would automatically drift to a beautifully lit cinematic l...

In the blistering heat of New Mexico’s sun-baked earth, under the protective gaze of Okuu Pin–the Turtle Mountain that majestically stands guard over Albuquerque–a strange and persistent legend has taken hold. It’s a story of hidden Jews, of ancient rites disguised as Catholic rituals, and of shadowy ancestors who supposedly hid their true faith during the Inquisition. This is the tale of New Mexico’s ...

Today, we’re talking about how we tell history, and specifically, how the media treats indigenous cultures. We are diving into the recent cultural history of the so-called Aztec Death Whistle. I’ve wanted to look into this topic for a while, but a recent horror movie about the whistle prompted a discussion on the Aztlantis discord, so I felt the time was right to dive into it. The main question at hand is how and why di...

Well, dear listeners, here we go again.

Like a brainless zombie emerging from the grave, a long-dead statue of Christopher Columbus has lurched back to life in order to reign terror on Washington DC.

And as his statue’s reanimated corpse claws its way up from the depths, it pauses momentarily to once again draw breath and utter…

“It’s a Me, Christopher Columbus!”

If you don’t know what I am referrin...

What is the actual history of Cinco de Mayo, what importance does it hold for Chicana/Chicano/Chicanx communities, and most importantly why is it celebrated in the United States? Well dear listener, if you have ever asked yourself any of those questions, you're in luck. Today's episode explores why we celebrate. Enjoy!

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Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in cel...

On the morning of April 20, tourists climbed the ancient steps of the Temple of the Moon at Teotiwakan, taking in the grandeur of the once-thriving Mesoamerican metropolis. From personal experience, I can tell you that the air that day was probably thin and dry, and the stones were likely still cool from the night before. Families would have paused briefly to catch their breath as they ascended a path that had been walked for centu...

During a 1990 visit to Mexico, Pope John Paul II confirmed the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, officially beatifying him. This act set in motion the process of canonizing Juan Diego as the first saint Indigenous to the Americas. The Juan Diego Faithful were, of course, elated at the prospect. They only had to deal with one tiny problem: Juan Diego never existed.

In this episode we delve into the myth of Juan Di...

When people hear phrases like “human sacrifice” or “cannibalism” their minds don’t immediately jump to the Crusades, Rome, medieval Europe, or the Bible. They jump straight to brown skin, feathered headdresses, and temples drenched in blood. Type in a quick Google search for the phrase and Mesoamericans (the Mexika/Aztec, in particular) become humanity’s favorite villains. “Savage.” &...

In this episode we explore the origin and meaning of the word Chicano. What does it mean to be a Chicano? Do Mexican Americans who hold right-wing views get to call themselves Chicano? Join your hosts as we dig into these topics!

End song: Indigena by Aztlan Underground
Used with permission (Tlazkamati, Yaotl Mazahua!)
https://youtu.be/DZTmWj2pQJE?si=8ZbmUSi5hTM8Dhv9

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In this episode we address the loss of those who have loved and inspired us, as well as those who have betrayed our trust.

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Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are...

The year is 1966, in Santa Monica, California. Inside a large, dimly lit room, members of a controversial and increasingly violent group known as Synanon gather in a circle. At the center sits a single figure—another “Synanite”—alone on a folding chair, surrounded on all sides. Around the edges of the room, a few silent observers watch, waiting.

Then it begins.

One by one, the circle turns inward. Voices rise....

Today we join Kurly as he descends into madness doing Archaeological fieldwork in southern New Mexico!

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Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenou...

In this episode, Tlakatekatl investigates the idea that the Nawatl language is somehow related to Turkish.

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Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indig...

Archaeological fieldwork can be a lonely undertaking. For this special dispatch, we join Kurly as he does fieldwork in Taos, NM. Let's' just say that things get...interesting.

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Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natura...

For our Season 5 finale, we reflect on some news items, discuss whether a Chicano can be a trump supporter, and reflect on some of our favorite moments from 2025!

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Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of t...

The Last of The Aztecs!

Online racial conspiracists often share historical photos of a man and woman dubbed "The Last of the Aztecs." But who are the individuals in the photo? What is their actual story? And what do they have to do with a showman and circus tycoon from Connecticut? Lets find out as we delve into the tragic story of...The Last of The Aztecs!

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Today, we’re peeling back the layers of a name we use every single day, often without a second thought: America. But we aren’t just looking at a map; we’re
looking at a philosophical crisis. It’s a crisis that really came to a head in 1958. That was the year Edmundo O’Gorman—one of Mexico’s most brilliant modern historians—published a book that sent shockwaves through the academic ...

Well, dear listeners, it’s that time of year again: when the mainstream media and their corporate overlords conspire to wage war on the winter holiday meant to celebrate the birth of our savior and erase our annual traditions. We are referring of course, to the birth of Witzilopochtli as our sun reborn, and the associated feast of Panketzaliztli. But fear not, dear listeners, because here in Aztlantis we proudly say “Me...