Guide to Mexican Witchcraft

by William Madsen, Claudia Madsen

madsen m thin sc 1 word written on last page

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1977

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book as a gift. It’s an old copy published in 1989 here in Mexico. However the research was done in the mid 50’s by these two anthropologists, William and Claudia Madsen. The subject is so vast it’s hard to grasp every aspect of it in such a small book, but it’s more like an introduction to the subject itself. It has some case studies of their research, and they pretty much cover the principal aspects of witchcraft here in Mexico.

They talk about the general differences among curanderos, brujos, nahuales, etc. How they make a living, where they learn their craft and if they are accepted or rejected in their communities. I myself have the privilege of knowing a Mexican Shaman, and I have learned a lot from him. And I have seen pretty interesting and unbelievable things with him. Witchraft and curanderismo are very different but powerful techniques. You can harm or heal at your will. And people are willing to spend a lot of money in these crafts to heal, for revenge, to find love, to get money, become successful, etc. But whoever knows one craft necessarily must know the other, since you have to know how to counteract the other.

If you are interested in the subject, and happen to be in Mexico City a visit to the market of Sonora (Mercado de Sonora) is obligated. There you can have a very interesting and colorful experience with what takes place there. That’s where the curanderos and brujos alike get their working “tools”. You can find anything from herbs to live animals for all kinds of rituals. Another visit worth the trip is to Catemaco, Veracruz. But beware and be cautious, you don’t want to upset these masters of the craft, and be watchful lest you fall into the hands of a charlatan either.

[Sean A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to believe this books was written by two established academics, even if yea it was in the 1950s. The sympathy and insight of say, a Joseph Campbell, these folks certainly don't have. If taken literally most of this book is pretty bad, colonialist, and naive to boot. If taken with a grain of salt, it is wildly entertaining and somewhat insightful. The way in which it describes witchcraft can be seen as a colorful and magical way of relating to the world. Obviously no matter with what seriousness you take this book, it is describing something that is fading with rise of modernity, post modernity and so forth.
Also, the end of it has a beautiful woodcut illustration and some listings of witches talismants which are cool as well as i guess you would say an epilogue written by another academic who makes vastly more sense and seems more serious, for better or for worse.

[Kyriaki Gkourgkouli · Rating 3 out of 5]

really interesting even though it felt like the author was simply stating stories with no further examination- it's impossible to remember more than a few of them...

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

just started reading it this morning, and it's fantastic so far, like a magic realism story with unintentional humor because of the outdated language, that it is hard to believe this is real research conducted by two anthropologists who graduated from 'elite universities'. i've been telling everybody that this makes me want to devote my life to studying magic.

[Ellen Marcoux · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations in this booklet **very** much. The text was ok. I don't feel like I've learned anything particularly substantial from reading this book.

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to find a copy of this in a botanica I frequent, and it cracked. me. up.