There are various cues that may indicate someone is a witch. **These cues can range from physical characteristics to personal interests to behavior patterns.** While these cues don't necessarily mean someone is a witch, they can provide insight into a person's potential connection to witchcraft. One common cue is the presence of **unusual birthmarks or markings** on the body. These birthmarks are often associated with witchcraft and are believed to be signs of a person's magical abilities. For example, a birthmark in the shape of a pentagram or a crescent moon may indicate a connection to witchcraft.
Spanish colonizers immediately prohibited many Aztec health plants like psychedelic mushrooms, but kept chocolate around, even adopting the beverage for themselves (probably because they realized that it was delicious). It eventually became a mass-market phenomenon, with people drinking it every day as opposed to reserving it for special occasions. Chocolate’s popularity became a symbol swept up in the developing patchwork Latin American culture, which was a melting pot of indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures.
Santería favors ritual correctness over personal belief, so if you want to try your hand at accessing some of the religion s power, make sure you find a trustworthy santero. Engagement with Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian or indigenous religions varies widely among the religiously unaffiliated ranging from 45 who report medium to high levels of engagement in Nicaragua to 22 in Argentina and Mexico.
For example, a birthmark in the shape of a pentagram or a crescent moon may indicate a connection to witchcraft. Another cue is **an affinity for nature and the elements**. Witches are known for their deep connection to the earth, and individuals who have a strong love for nature, spend a lot of time outdoors, and feel a special bond with animals may have a natural inclination towards witchcraft.
Brujería in Latin America
A couple of weeks ago I was talking on video call with my fiancé who is, as some of you already know, Honduran. He was telling me about how someone we know had done something wrong, but that it was okay and forgivable because that person had clearly been cursed and wasn’t in their right mind. That was his total explanation, and he was okay with it. I, on the other hand, thought that he was joking. There’s no way he could be serious, he didn’t actually believe in magic and curses and voodoo. First of all, we’re both practicing Catholics. Doesn’t that go against some kind of Church teaching? But as he went on, I realized just how serious and normal this was for him. In retrospect, I remember various instances of him and his family making references to voodoo and strange curative foods and recipes, all of which I had taken as jokes at the time. I was left dumbfounded, completely without comprehension.
It wasn’t a judgement thing, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t understand it. My whole life I grew up with the understanding that Ouija boards were fake and magic could only be found in books, movies, and my imagination as a small child. I knew that there were different groups of people who followed Satanism or believed in Shamanism or were just really focused on chakras and vibes. I knew maybe 1 or 2 people who personally believed in any of these things. But I had never imagined that ideas like this formed a natural and popular part of a whole culture. So I want to try to understand it. For that reason, I plan to complete my final project with a focus on brujería (magic or witchcraft in English) as a part of popular culture in Latin America. A little farther down the line I will likely find a more focused focus within that focus, but for now I have found an article to get me started on the topic.
The article “Merging Magical Traditions: Sorcery and Witchcraft in Spanish and Portuguese America” by Iris Gareis goes over a lot of the history of the understanding of magic in Latin America, discussing it’s different roots and evolutions over time. Gareis describes the effect of colonization on concepts of witchcraft, and how different forms of colonization made way for different common understandings of magic. The article also describes a general acknowledgement of the perceived difference between witchcraft and sorcery, and details how these two types of magic are seen as different. These descriptions were interesting to me as they matched much of what has been explained to me personally. This was only a small part of the many interesting things described in the article, and I look forward to sharing it all (or as much as I can) in my project.
My question to the class is this: do you believe in magic or witchcraft? All of it? Parts of it? Why or why not?
This affinity for the natural world often extends to an interest in herbalism, gardening, and conservation. **A heightened intuition or psychic ability** is also a common cue. Many witches possess a strong sense of intuition and may have experiences with precognition, telepathy, or mediumship. These individuals may have a knack for sensing energies or reading people's emotions and intentions. They may also have a natural talent for divination methods such as tarot reading or scrying. **Engaging in rituals or spellwork** is another potential cue. Witches often have a practice of conducting rituals, casting spells, or performing magickal ceremonies. These actions can take various forms, from creating altars and using candles, crystals, and herbs, to more elaborate rituals involving specific deities or spirits. Engaging in these practices can indicate a person's connection to witchcraft. **An interest in occult knowledge and esoteric topics** is also a cue that someone may be a witch. Individuals who constantly seek out information on topics such as astrology, crystal healing, energy work, and other occult practices may have a natural inclination towards witchcraft. They may enjoy reading books on witchcraft, attending workshops or classes, or engaging in online communities related to these topics. It is important to note that each individual is unique and these cues should not be used as a definitive way to determine someone's status as a witch. Witchcraft is a deeply personal and individualistic practice, and someone may display some or all of these cues without necessarily identifying as a witch. **Ultimately, it is up to the individual to explore and define their own spiritual path.**.
Reviews for "7 Strange Signs That Could Mean You're a Witch"
- Jenna - 2/5 stars - I found "Cues that you are a witch" to be highly disappointing. The writing lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional. I also felt that the plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Overall, I was quite bored while reading this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
- Mike - 2/5 stars - "Cues that you are a witch" was a letdown for me. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with slow moments dragging on and important events feeling rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt unnatural and forced. There were moments where I found myself cringing at the interactions between characters. Overall, I was hoping for a captivating witchy story, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.
- Samantha - 1/5 stars - I couldn't finish "Cues that you are a witch". The writing style was confusing and hard to follow. The lack of proper editing made it even more difficult to engage with the story. The excessive use of clichés and predictable plot twists only added to my frustration. I was hoping for a captivating and unique witchy tale, but this book fell flat. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
- Paul - 2/5 stars - "Cues that you are a witch" had an intriguing concept, but I found the execution to be underwhelming. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was simplistic, almost like it was targeting a younger audience. I was left wanting more complexity and nuance in the storytelling. Overall, while this book had potential, it ultimately didn't deliver a satisfying witchy experience.