PaDeva Church and Seminary

A syncretic Ayahuasca based church that grew out of Wicca and a desire to return to Gnostic, European, Indigenous paganism.

Padeva FAQ’s

The most obvious question: Who and what is PaDeva?

The current PaDeva is what some might call a syncretic church that arose from a Wiccan coven that began to incorporate Ayahuasca in its ceremonies. Eventually, their belief structure shifted such that Ayahuasca became the central sacrament and source of their faith.
PaDeva translates roughly as “to consume the goddess” referring directly to our belief in the imbibing of ayahuasca being a divine.
PaDeva is open to anyone who seeks Spirit through the plant teachers.

1. How long have you guys been around?

In one form or another, we have been holding ceremonies for about 6 years. The church has changed substantially in those years, mostly because of the direction given to us by the wisdom of the plants.

2. Are you a Wiccan group?

Many Wiccans are very emphatic in telling us we are not. We were at one time a very traditional Wiccan coven; however, we were unsatisfied with many aspects of our practices. That void was filled when we discovered the sacrament Ayahuasca. As we began to follow the teachings of the plants we found it increasingly difficult to follow dogmatic beliefs and practices. There were many times we had to chose between being “traditional” or follow what we were being shown. Eventually we resolved that following the lessons from the plants and our contact with Spirit was the law, not adherence to tradition, sacred texts or gurus.

The influence of our Wiccan origins is clearly evident in many of our practices, rituals and formal training. Is that enough to make us a Wiccan group? We don’t strive to be Wiccan. We strive to be students of the plants, stewards of the Earth, and practitioners of the spiritual healing and life lessons we gain from our journey.

3. Who started the Church?

Joseph Boudreaux was the person who originally drafted the concepts behind the church.

He felt that to much dogma had crept into the Wiccan community and had moved to far away from what it was when the statement was issued by the Counsel of American Witches. He taught that human beings gained wisdom FROM the Earth, not by its attempts to master it.

“Joey” wanted a group that gathered together, not because they were “supposed to” but because we enjoyed one another’s company and because we shared certain passions and hopes. A family of people that held very firmly to simple core values. Together, we were stronger, could accomplish more, and, most of all, our presence in one another’s lives made it all the sweeter.

Joey, his wife Jeanie and Xythos began to put these ideals into action. Unfortunately, before he could see his work come to fruition, Joey died of a seizure. Within a couple of months his wife died of a broken heart.

4. What do you believe?

I. We are pantheistic. We don’t see the divine as being a person who runs our lives. Instead, life itself is the manifestation of Spirit. In the past, for convenience of conversation and ritual, we would personify Spirit as a male and female, God and Goddess who were embodiments of the divine. Hindu and Buddhist religions are generally regarded as being pantheistic in nature.

II. We are animistic. We believe that plants and the world around us is filled with certain intelligences. The spirits of certain plants are particularly powerful and evident.

III. Of all the teachers, mortal or immortal, past or present, none is more important than the plant teachers. While we acknowledge the Spirit in all plants and beings, no plant teacher is as essential and fundamental to our existence and spiritual growth as those plants from whom we gain the Tea, Ayahuasca.

IV. We believe that a church should be more like a “university” than a “center of indoctrination.” By that we mean that people are studying different things, gaining different knowledge and have different interests. This is as true for spirituality as it is for academia. With common interests and values, we can honor and support each other’s studies, travels and wisdom as we move through life. A church should be a safe place to share our work and find encouragement.

V. We feel the hallmark of spiritual growth is not what we learn, but what we do. What matters the most is what we put into action, not what we see, know or believe.

VI. Faith in something greater than ourselves and the life we live is the boat that helps us to navigate and carries us through this existence in this time and in this place. We all may define faith slightly differently, but we know what it is, and we strive to refill our faith when it is low and put it into action when it is full.

5. Do you have “standard ceremonies?”

Yes. We have great flexibility in these, but there are several “standard” ceremonies we perform, from Blessing of Children, to Marriage and Death. We also hold service every full moon and on certain Holidays. There are some times that are mosty observed in private or small group ritual, such as new moons.

Mostly, this “playbook” of rituals is part of the formal training of the Clergy.

6. What are your practices?

In keeping with the idea of a church being a “spiritual university” it would depend strongly upon whom the congregation is being led by and, most importantly, the members that are working there. As each group follows the lessons of the plants within the culture and environment in which they live, they will be taught different lessons and different rituals and practices.

Being involved in a branch of the church isn’t about converting or conforming. It is about adding your own song to a concert, or laying your own bricks on the path we are taking together.

7. What do I have to do to be a member?

You must be a participant and supporter of the church. A person is made a member when they have shown they want to join our family and have shown they support who we are and what we do.. We also have “friends” who are free to work with the church and “associate members” who have not yet become full members.

8. Where are you located?

We hope to build church communities, literally, all over the world in the coming years.

So you believe that Ayahuasca is the source of Divine Knowledge. Ok, then….

9. Can I drink Ayahuasca with your church?

Individuals who have shown a sincere desire to work with and know Mother Ayahuasca are welcome at our gatherings.

10. Can I join your church and brew ayahuasca on my own?

Yes, but it would not be a function of the church and may be illegal in many States and countries. We would neither condone nor condemn your decision to learn from the plant teachers outside of a church ceremony.

11. Can anyone drink ayahuasca on their own and it be a recognized function or service of the church?

Yes, members of the clergy and members who are in the Seminary and going through formal training or apprenticeship.

12. Who are the clergy?

Members of the clergy are individuals who have gone through an apprenticeship either with our church or recognized curandero. We define clergy not as someone “appointed by God” but as people who have shown through commitment and dedication that they are individuals who sacrifice of themselves to steward, serve and care for others.