Witchcraft from Mexico has a deep-rooted and rich history that dates back centuries. It is a fascinating blend of Indigenous beliefs and practices, mixed with Catholicism and other influences brought by Spanish colonizers. This unique fusion has resulted in a vibrant and diverse witchcraft tradition that continues to thrive in modern-day Mexico. In Mexico, witchcraft is often known as Brujería, which translates to "witchcraft" in English. It encompasses various magical and folk healing practices that incorporate herbalism, spellcasting, divination, and energy work. One of the most prominent figures in Mexican witchcraft is La Curandera or Curandero, a traditional healer who uses natural remedies and spiritual techniques to treat ailments and provide guidance.
One of the most prominent figures in Mexican witchcraft is La Curandera or Curandero, a traditional healer who uses natural remedies and spiritual techniques to treat ailments and provide guidance. These healers are highly respected within their communities and often operate in a blend of the spiritual and physical realms. Many Mexican witches also pay homage to ancient Mesoamerican deities and incorporate their worship into their practice.
Mexican Witches Cast Year-End Spells
Chain-smoking and near tears, Maria de Los Angeles Macedo told her sad story to the witch. After seven years of marriage and two children, her husband ran off with another woman, and she wanted him back for the New Year.
Doctor Aura, a self-proclaimed witch with large eyes and a necklace of little wooden skulls, nodded confidently. She wrapped 10 lemons in black silk, placed them in a plastic bag and doused them with an oil guaranteed to sap any sweetness out of the fruit. That night, she promised, she would visit a graveyard and bury the bitter bag near the tombstone of a woman named Maria, asking her spirit's help to drive a wedge between the wayward husband and the home-wrecker.
"Soon they will be fighting nonstop; If they stay together, I won't let him rest," said Doctor Aura, collecting about $10 to cure Macedo in a cramped little booth deep in the labyrinth of Mexico City's Sonora Market.
At this most hopeful time of year, many Mexicans are seeking a change in their luck, not through New Year's resolutions, but through this nation's remarkably large number of witches. Looking for love? Want to be rich? Just hoping next year will be better than this one? Mexico's witches offer their help, for a price.
"It's very busy these days; a lot of people are trying to discard all the bad energy before the New Year," said Aura, one of a long line of witches in her family.
Fortune-tellers, swamis, shamans and soothsayers of every stripe can be found everywhere from New England state fairs to the bazaars of India, but fewer places can boast a culture of witchcraft as thriving and lucrative as Mexico's. Witches from all over Latin American hold annual conventions in Mexico, and bookstores are full of stories from the coven and recipes for black magic. Some witches wind up in the official limelight, hired by police departments to help find victims of kidnappings or retained by politicians to help plot strategy.
Early last year, many top-ranking witches gathered at the National Press Club of Mexico City to announce they had cast a spell on the presidential election to make it, for the first time in recent memory, clean and fair. The gathered crowd of foreign journalists nearly choked on their skepticism, but the witches turned out to be dead on.
And witchcraft is clearly big business. There are no reliable estimates of how much money witchcraft pumps into the Mexican economy, but a visit to the Sonora Market, where Doctor Aura works, suggests that it is immensely popular and profitable.
Sonora Market covers a couple of city blocks. It buzzes with commerce, in everything from pottery to hamsters, as well as witches and other spiritual mediums peddling their expertise and the tools of their trade. For $1.50, "love sprays" in aerosol cans promise an end to unrequited love. A dash in the right direction and the object of your affection is under your spell.
Sacks of grasses and seeds and roots and twigs and powders are stacked atop each other, all promising some different power. Want a better job for 2001? Try the green liquid. Want a better lover? Try the scorpion oil aphrodisiac or the "Come to Me" soap. Looking for money, or--more specifically--a new motorcycle? Spray yourself with the huge blue aerosol can of "Rain of Luck."
Stalls are buzzing with customers asking about different potions and clerks stuffing potion after cure after lotion into plastic bags. At one given moment on a recent day, a half-dozen people waited in line for Aura. They each paid about $10--a day's wages for many of them--for a consultation in her tiny corner office.
Witchcraft is so much a part of Mexican culture that academics have studied it and thousands of people have made it their life's work. There is a National Association of Sorcerers in the capital, and a town in the state of Veracruz has crafted a busy tourist industry by touting itself as a national center of witchcraft.
To skeptics, the brand of witchcraft practiced at the Sonora Market, with its promises of immediate fixes for heartache and physical pain, is a goofball theme park of snake oil salesmen. But for believers, it is a place of potential magic, where the power of other worlds is available to those seeking answers to everyday problems.
Macedo, the downcast wife who had come to seek Aura's help to get her husband back, perked up and began smiling when Aura went to work on the lemon concoction that was supposed to sour relations between the cheating husband and his mistress.
With one of her small daughters clinging to her side, Macedo said she believed the witch's spell was her best hope for saving her marriage. She said she had seen Aura on a television show and had come to the Sonora Market to tap into her magic to get her husband back.
"I miss him," she said.
Aura says the witchcraft practiced in the market is a blend of religious beliefs and ancient rites passed down through the centuries. The cramped quarters where she works is a mishmash of religions and cultures. Jesus Christ hangs on a crucifix next to a two-foot statue of the Grim Reaper, not far from a plastic rooster and some books explaining the Santeria religion. There is also a Buddha and a Sitting Bull-style Indian headdress. Mexican witches say their power is drawn from the blend, which covers everything from fresh herbs picked yesterday to recipes for potions that are said to date from Aztec traditions of pre-Columbian times.
While it is impossible for an outsider to judge Aura's talents, it is clear she is a focused listener and a keen observer of her customers' facial expressions and body language. She seems gifted in the art of sizing up the person before her; she has a politician's empathy and power of persuasion.
Under different circumstances, she could earn big money as a "Yes! You Can!" motivational speaker touring American corporations.
"Your problems will be over, and you will find stability in 2001, but you must let your worry go," she told one customer after a reading of Tarot cards. "March will bring money. . . . September will be your best month, an excellent month."
Aura said two basic truths keep her in business: People have too little money and too many cheating husbands. And she said that those problems, and many more, make the last days of December the busiest time of year for witches. The new year, she said, is a time for leaving the bad luck behind and moving on to something better.
"We're very busy this time of year," she said.
All that was left of my would be great great granduncle was an empty crib and the pain in the hearts of his parents. Fast forward around a hundred years, I'm born. The first born son of my generation, the eldest of all the grandchildren like the child would have been. My grandmother forces my baptism as early as possible.
For example, practitioners may work with Aztec gods and goddesses such as Quetzalcoatl or Tezcatlipoca, drawing on their power and wisdom for their magical workings. Catholicism also plays a significant role in Mexican witchcraft, as many practitioners have integrated Catholic saints and rituals into their practice. This syncretism is seen in rituals such as limpias, which involve cleansing rituals using eggs and prayers, and offering rituals that involve candles and prayers to specific saints for assistance and protection. In addition to healing and spiritual work, Mexican witchcraft also encompasses forms of magic aimed at protection and hexing. Protective magic is often used to ward off negative energies and evil spirits, while hexing is seen as a means of justice and self-defense. It is important to note that, like with any form of witchcraft or spirituality, practices can vary greatly from one individual or community to another. Mexican witchcraft is deeply connected to regional traditions and folklore, resulting in a diverse range of practices within the country. Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing that modern Mexican witchcraft is not solely rooted in ancient traditions but also continues to evolve and adapt with the changing times. Many witches in Mexico today incorporate elements of new age spirituality, energy healing, and other esoteric practices into their craft. Overall, witchcraft in Mexico is a multifaceted and deeply ingrained part of the country's cultural and spiritual fabric. It serves as a powerful tool for personal empowerment, healing, and connecting with the larger spiritual forces at play in the world..
Reviews for "Cultural Appropriation and Mexican Witchcraft: Navigating Complexities"
- Sarah - 1 star
I can't believe how disappointed I am with this book. The title "Witchcraft from Mexico" had me intrigued, thinking I would learn about a fascinating cultural aspect. Instead, all I got was a mishmash of vague and poorly explained concepts. The author didn't provide any useful guidance or practical tips. It felt like she was just rambling about her personal experiences without offering any real substance. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a serious and informative read on witchcraft or Mexican culture.
- John - 2 stars
I was really excited to dive into this book, hoping to learn more about the rich history of witchcraft in Mexico. However, "Witchcraft from Mexico" turned out to be a major letdown. The writing style was incredibly dry and academic, making it difficult to engage with the content. Additionally, there was a lack of structure and organization, leading to a disjointed reading experience. I also felt that many of the concepts discussed were not explained in enough detail, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. Overall, I didn't find this book enjoyable or informative, and I would suggest looking for alternative sources if you're interested in learning about Mexican witchcraft.
- Emily - 1 star
I regret wasting my time and money on "Witchcraft from Mexico". The author seemed more concerned with promoting her own personal beliefs and experiences rather than providing a comprehensive guide to witchcraft in Mexico. The book lacked depth and failed to deliver on its promises. There were inaccuracies and inconsistencies throughout, which made me question the author's credibility. I would highly advise against purchasing this book if you're seeking an authentic and informative exploration of witchcraft from Mexico.
- Daniel - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witchcraft from Mexico", but unfortunately, it fell short. The writing was confusing and convoluted, making it hard to follow the author's train of thought. The lack of clear explanations and examples left me feeling frustrated and disconnected from the subject matter. I expected more depth and analysis, but instead, I found surface-level information that didn't provide any real insight into Mexican witchcraft. Overall, this book left me unsatisfied and wanting more.