A practical, beginner hands-on guide to Mexican-American folk magic.
American Brujeria is about the fascinating blend of American and Mexican folk magic currently practiced by those living in the US but whose roots are steeped in Mexican culture. The author, who has named this tradition “American brujeria,” explores this magical system, while also offering practical advice on using it. American brujeria is a living, vital tradition that — while it shares things in common with other folk magic traditions, such as American Conjure–also features its own unique traditions, as well as familiar ones, such as the veneration of saints, both canonized, such as Guadalupe, and folk saints like Santa Muerte.
American Brujeria includes stories from Mexico (folk saints, the story of Guadalupe), the influence of Catholicism, the art of limpias (spiritual cleansings), spell casting, oil crafting, praying the rosary (in English and Spanish), making an altar to Guadalupe, using novena candle magic, crafting protective charms from saints’ medals, and more.
It is heavily steeped in Catholic mysticism and is focused with a modern Mexican- American Folk Magic stance- it doesn’t have a focus on the Indigenous Roots of the practice or the further back traditional roots.
Why we love it
This book has a lot of information packed in about the fusing together of US based folk magic and Mexican folk magic. Although not being a main focus, the book touches on the indigenous magic that seeps through, and gives it respect and honour- including discussing appropriation. The dual faith aspects of the craft are approached with great respect and with lots of context. The spellwork is easy to follow, and the book contains a lot of suggestions for things to use in spellwork- such as traditional colour correspondences.
It should be noted that this book takes a very Americanised view of Santa Muerte- if you want to know more about the Indigenous Roots of Santa Muerte, we suggest looking to other books.
240 pages
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Alex Goddard (verified owner) –
If you’re at all a folk Catholic there is much here of value, although it is obviously Mexican-American (and absolutely fascinating throughout!), many parts are sound advice for any Folk Catholics regardless of cultural background. Very highly recommended!