Gregorio Acuña

Gregorio is a shaman, spiritual guide and personal coach who has been providing counsel, guidance, and traditional shamanic healing to people for 25 years. 

His personal story is deeply intertwined with his family history and spiritual path.

Growing up as a “mixed blood” with Syrian and Mexican grandparents (Yaqui Grandfather), Gregorio was exposed to a rich cultural experience. He was encouraged by his grandparents to be himself and live a life that made him happy. This upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of self and a desire to follow his own path, which ultimately led him to his calling as a shaman and healer.

Gregorio’s professional background is diverse. He excelled in athletics, earning the Most Valuable Player award for Tennis his senior year in college at a Division I University, where he received a degree in Organizational Communications and Business Management.

After graduating, he successfully owned and operated a denim stonewashing plant, turning it into a million-dollar business with 150 employees. And he was the North American Apparel Manufacturing Manager for Doc Marten AirWair, USA. These experiences taught him valuable business and leadership skills that he later applied to his work in the non-profit sector.

Gregorio’s transition from the corporate world to shamanism was sparked by a profound experience in a sweat lodge. This experience led him to realize that the life he was living was not the one he wanted. 

He left his business behind to fully embrace his calling as a shaman and healer.

In 1996, Gregorio was initiated into the order of shamans/Marakames of the Huichol Indian tribe in Jalisco Mexico. He also apprenticed for 10 years, studying divination/mediumship with Don Ernesto Nerey from Mexico. Additionally, he is a certified NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioner. This combination of ancient and modern healing practices has given him a unique and powerful approach to healing and personal growth. 

Gregorio’s work has impacted the lives of many people, particularly youth. In 2000, he founded and managed FUEGO, a non-profit organization in Portland, Oregon. FUEGO provided traditional Indigenous ceremony and healing practices, nature-based healing, personal coaching, and spiritual retreats for at-risk, foster, and homeless Native, Latino, and African American youth in the State of Oregon. It was the first non-profit in Oregon to contract with the Department of Human Services to provide these services.

Gregorio has a long track record of working with youth and adults facing personal and life challenges.

In 2019, Gregorio returned to the Southwest in Arizona where he currently provides services to people from around the world through his organization, Counsel Fires.