Los Aluxes: Mysterious Mini-Creatures of the Forest

Are there such entities as inter-demensional beings? Is there a way to interact with them? Do they have special abilities and perhaps an important role in the lives of us humans? Many Mayan people have heard of or claim to have seen certain magical creatures that rule the forest and farmlands, known as Los Aluxes.  They are often compared to Leprechauns, perhaps because of their small stature and clever, if not mischievous ways. They are rarely seen and very playful.

There are offerings made to them in hopes that they will not cause harm like sickness in people, especially children, and the milpa where all the food is grown.  Our friend, Edgar Peraza Chan, is the curator of X-Kansil (place of learning) Botanical Gardens in Acanceh, Yucatan and a J-Meen (traditional holistic doctor) who first brought my attention to the existence of Los Aluxes. There in the garden of 300 cataloged  medicinal plants is also a plaque dedicated to the story of the Alux.

They only come out at night and "sprout in the light of the moon." Los Aluxes demand respect and sweets. If they do not get what they want there may be problems for the people that inhabit the land where they also live by night. It is especially bad to think of them as a menace or evil. Crops can be destroyed, sickness can ensue, and the illness is both spiritual and physical including fever, etc. They prefer pozol and honey, and apparently they are easily pleased and willing to protect those who provide an offering for them.

I believe I may have witnessed their presence while aboard a night bus heading East toward Cancun's airport from Merida, Yucatan, but I didn't know then about them. Looking out into the bush I saw a softly illuminated large, rectangular area with these bright balls of light bouncing around like crazy. I think it must have been them. So far, I have never heard of them referred to as illuminated beings, but remembering that they are said to be created in moonlight, there is the possibility.

Making an offering to God, the ancestors, and Los Aluxes is perhaps the most important aspect of the job of a Mayan priest, but anyone can make an ernest offering. Being open to these ultimately beneficial entities can have a surprising effect on a connection to such mysterious phenomena.