Magical, Mystical Pena de Bernal, Mexico

I sat at the foot of Pena de Bernal, the world’s third tallest monolithic rock, and concentrated on what I felt. Residents in the tiny town of Bernal de la Pena insist that the formation, which is exceeded in height only by Gibraltar and Sugarloaf Mountain in Brazil, has mystical powers. Some say it exudes a magnetic force, others say its energy comes from giant Amethyst crystals buried deep within its core. One legend insists there is a hidden cave within Pena de Bernal where a giant snake sleeps. Anyone who can get past the snake and into its secret lair will discover riches and learn the origin and destiny of the human race. What we do know for sure is that this eroded volcanic plug was formed in the Jurassic period 180 million years ago, but a giant thumb of cooled magma does not explain the strange and mysterious things that regularly occur in Bernal de la Pena.

Pena de Bernal - third tallest monolithic rock in the world - towers over the tiny village of Bernal
Pena de Bernal – third tallest monolithic rock in the world – towers over the tiny village of Bernal

Although I could never confirm the rumors, the town is reputed to be home to more centenarians than any other town in Mexico. I read one claim that the average life expectancy in Bernal de la Pena is 94.5 years, and indeed many elderly residents still work every day in the artisan shops that surround its pretty town square. At the edge of town is the Capilla de las Animas – literally the Chapel of the Lost Souls of Purgatory. According to another legend, a merchant who was being chased by robbers hid in the bushes at the site of the present day chapel and entrusted his safety to the souls of purgatory. When the robbers passed him by, the merchant built a church to honor the lost souls. Today they are still seen wandering by night, their faces lit up by candles. Even more mysterious are the sightings of flying saucers in the area; if Pena de Bernal looks strangely familiar it may be because it strongly resembles the rock in Wyoming that was the sight of the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which drew speculation that these formations are pointers to extraterrestrial travelers.

Wedding at the Temple of San Sebastian Martir in the central square of Bernal de la Pena
Wedding at the Temple of San Sebastian Martir in the central square of Bernal de la Pena
Moorish influenced Castillo is the City Hall
Moorish influenced Castillo is the City Hall
Typical street in Bernal, one of Mexico's Pueblos Magico
Typical street in Bernal, one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magico
Plaza de San Sebastian in Bernal, Mexico
Plaza de San Sebastian in Bernal, Mexico

I’d had my own mystical experience in Bernal. Earlier in the week, upon arriving in Queretaro, I was sitting up in bed writing, when I was struck with a heavy chest pain in the center of my breast bone. When it didn’t go away, I closed my laptop and laid down to rest, which seemed to help. Because I’d been carrying a heavy pack I assumed it was muscular, but the idea of a heart attack did cross my mind. And I was exhausted. I’d been traveling for about two months, moving every few days. It’s not an easy way to travel, especially when simultaneously trying to manage a writing career. By the next morning the pain was gone so I never gave it a second thought, but upon arriving in Bernal a dull throbbing ache had resumed and I felt completely drained of energy.

About the same time I learned that Bernal is home to an inordinate number of Shamans, curanderos and healers. Curious, I started asking around. Again and again, locals referred me to Veronica – “Vero” – a local curandera who worked with crystals. No one knew her last name or where she lived, but everyone was adamant about her ability to heal. I turned the process over to the Universe – if I was meant to find Vero it would happen. Within two hours she was delivered to me by a woman who worked in the kitchen of a restaurant where I’d had dinner. An hour later, Vero was working her magic on me, and I have felt marvelous ever since.

Can’t see the above slide show of Bernal, Mexico? Click here.

Now, sitting beneath the Pena de Bernal, I speculated whether it has some mystical power to heal. Mexicans believe it does; they flock to the town every weekend, hoping to absorb some of its healing energy. Indeed, Bernal is one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos, or Magic Towns, a designation awarded to villages with symbolism, legends, history, or important events – in other words, “magic” – in its social and cultural tapestry.

Weekend Light and Sound show at Pena de Bernal
Weekend Light and Sound show at Pena de Bernal

I looked up at the massive rock as daylight waned and gave a start; a glow seemed to emanate from within it. Hundreds of hawks swirled around the massif, crossing in and out of the golden band that outlined its jagged edges. Suddenly, the fountain in the courtyard began to spout and dance to music, reflecting rainbow colors from colored lights. When the last rays of daylight had faded, powerful spotlights were fired up, alternately illuminating Pena de Bernal in shades of green, purple, blue, and red. My hands, held palms up in my lap with thumb to forefinger, grew hot. Energy swirled and throbbed like two miniature suns, radiating from my palms outward until my entire body was completely enveloped in a calming warmth. An hour later I departed, filled with the most incredible sense of well-being. I don’t know about extraterrestrials or giant Amethyst crystals, but I can say with certainty that something special is going on in Bernal.

15 thoughts on “Magical, Mystical Pena de Bernal, Mexico”

  1. many years ago i met Joshua Shapiro when he toured Australia & learnt about crystal skulls & through this connection was chosen to become custodian of an ancient crystal skull that was found deep underneath pena de bernal & it is a huge amethyst skull & is just incredible (the moment it arrived at its new home was a sizable earthquake reported & there had been no earthquakes before or since , a little too much magic was witnessed from this magnificent skull so she has been left to rest in a secret location until i plan a trip to Mexico to return her to her magical home

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    • Hi Michael: Yes, I did learn about the Otomi-Chichimec chapels when I was in Queretaro, however did not have time or a car, which would have been necessary to visit them. I would love to return and visit this area more thoroughly someday. Thanks for sharing the videos;; they were really well done.

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  2. if you think peña de bernal is magical try keep heading the same road to la sierra gorda. now thats something you wont belive and if you dare to go further than te average gringo tourist keep heading to ” la huasteca potosina ” in sanluis potosi 🙂

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    • Hi Inigo – Just added them to my list for future travel. SLP is definitely a place I wish I’d had time to see this trip.

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  3. First of all – I’m glad you are feeling better – but take care of yourself! Slowly, slowly…that’s what my Kilimangaro guide always said and it applies to everything.

    Second – I have no idea how you are going to come back to the US and be back to dull colors of buildings! All of the towns you go to in Mexibo are so colorful!

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  4. I am so glad that you feel better! Reading your wonderful account about your healing experience brought memories to my mind when a similar thing happened to me in a different power place.

    You bring magic to my screen! In words and photos. Bernal is an other place to fall in love with. No wonder, Mexicans are always homesick 🙂

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  5. I keep an open mind about most things and I totally believe in the energy within. I would love to experience what you did. The light show was beautiful. Thanks.

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  6. This was one of the most enjoyable blog entries that I have read on ANY site in quite awhile. Thank you for sharing your very special time in this wondrous place. Your photos are so colour-drenched that they too are magical!

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    • Thank you, everyone, for your compliments and kind comments. Bernal was definitely a special place in Mexico, and I understand there are now 35 Pueblos Magicos in the country! The ones I have seen so far are stunning.

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  7. Fascinating. I like to think I am a practical person, but I have a very open mind about things which we cannot, at this stage in human development, explain……”There (being) more things in heaven and earth than (are) dreamed of in (our) philosophy.”

    Your photos are absolutely stunning. The colors so rich and vibrant.

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  8. Just because we can’t explain it doesn’t mean there isn’t some reason or cause for these phenomena and the extended longevity. Maybe it is simply the power of positive belief and thinking and the fact that the people keep working at something they probably enjoy. What a fantastic sounding place.

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  9. I will go here one day, if for only the off chance of seeing a UFO. My travels are often motivated by some weirdness and it’s as good of a reason as I can think of to head to Bernal 🙂

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