As our founder, Eliot Cowan is the ambassador that brings the mission of Blue Deer to all of his endeavors. Today, Eliot serves as a healer, counselor, teacher, public speaker, guide to apprentices, author, and ceremonial leader.

Eliot is recognized as a Tsaurirrikame or elder medicine man in the Huichol tradition. He has trained and initiated over twenty-five medicine people who are helping their clients in the U.S and other countries.

Eliot had a thriving practice as an acupuncturist for over 10 years.  In his longing to deepen the healing of people, he gave new life to an ancient form of healing by wedding shamanistic approaches with Chinese Medicine. This modality is known today as “Plant Spirit Medicine.” Eliot went on to author a book about this healing and has trained hundreds of practitioners.

He is a musician at heart and loves taking walks along the river with his wife Victoria.