Plantas y Calaveras Celebrates Día de los Muertos in a Major Way
While many were busy celebrating Halloween, it's important to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a deeply meaningful holiday that honors and pays respects to deceased loved ones. Celebrated primarily in Mexico and other parts of Latin America, Día de los Muertos takes place on November 1st and 2nd, following Halloween. This holiday is a time to honor family members, friends, and ancestors who have passed away, with festivities that include altars (ofrendas), offerings, food, and joyous remembrances.
On Sunday, November 3rd, Latinas In Cannabis and Mogu Magu teamed up to present Plantas y Calaveras, a special Día de los Muertos celebration that fully embraced the essence of the holiday. The event not only commemorated the spirits of the departed but also served as a personal tribute to Susie Plascencia, the founder of Latinas In Cannabis and co-founder of Mota Glass.
As Plascencia shared during the event, “Día de los Muertos is a pre-Hispanic holiday rich in tradition and meaning. It’s a space where indigenous practices are honored, but it also allows us to connect with the spirits of our loved ones who have passed. For me, this year has been especially emotional, as my grandfather passed away. I’m bringing his photo to the altar tonight. The ofrenda is a powerful way to reconnect with our ancestors and celebrate them on this day.”
Upon entering the venue, guests were immediately immersed in a sensory celebration of life and memory. The room was alive with vibrant marigold flowers, cannabis, mezcal, and traditional Mexican foods. The altar (ofrenda), a central feature of the event, was a communal space where attendees could place photos and mementos of their deceased loved ones. The altar itself, adorned with colorful papel picado and candles, invited guests to reflect and connect with their ancestors. Guests were also invited to have their faces painted as calaveras (skulls), a symbolic gesture meant to invoke the presence of the deceased and allow them to "live on" through the celebrants for the day.
Plascencia emphasized the event's deeper purpose: “We're asking people to really be intentional about this celebration. Yes, it's fun, but it’s also an educational event. It's meant to help people explore their own cultural traditions—whether they’re Mexican or otherwise—and to create a space where all can honor and learn about the beauty of Día de los Muertos. It’s a day filled with emotion, and many people here have already shed a few happy tears, remembering their loved ones. I know my grandfather is with me tonight.”
Christina Wong, co-founder of Mogu Magu, also shared a personal connection with the event, wearing her late grandmother’s jacket as a way to bring her grandmother’s spirit into the celebration. Although Wong is not of Mexican heritage, she expressed her deep respect for the cultural practices surrounding Día de los Muertos, a sentiment that resonated strongly with Plascencia. "It’s important for all of us to honor and hold space for each other’s cultures," said Plascencia. "Christina wearing her grandmother’s jacket shows how universal the act of remembering and honoring loved ones can be."
Attendees were treated to thoughtful gifts, including a gift bag from Cannabiotix, a cannabis brand, as well as a delicious spread of traditional tamales, lovingly prepared by Mogu Magu co-founder Wendy Zeng. The event successfully blended the celebration of life, cultural education, and a sense of community. It served as a reminder that Día de los Muertos is not just about mourning, but about celebrating life and the eternal bond between the living and the departed.
Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and hold space for our ancestors. It encourages us to celebrate each other while we are alive, and to remember that death is not an end, but a transition to something beyond. It’s a time to honor the memories of those who have passed and to come together as a community to cherish our shared traditions, cultures, and stories.
