Mexican Magic: Brujeria, Spells, and Rituals for All Occasions

by Laura Davila

Mexican Magic offers an overview of magic and spells from all across Mexico for daily use.  Algunos nacen con estrella y otros estrellados. This dicho (saying) roughly translates to “Some are born with a star, while others are born starry.” It refers to the Mexican belief that good luck is a matter of fate, something you are born with or not. Mexicans attribute their good or bad luck to a greater force, to God’s will, even to the stars in the sky. Being born with a star is a blessing.   While some gain their luck through fate, Laura Davila believes even more in faith, virtue, and purpose. While there are some people who are born with a natural gift for magic, there are many others for whom life itself pushed them toward using magic. The best brujos and magical people are not those who necessarily started off in perfect circumstances but those who looked at magic as a skill to be mastered.  Mexican Magic shares this knowledge and offers an overview of magic from across Mexico. Spells are the focus of Mexican Magic. The book features magical recipes, spells, tips, and advice for a wide variety of intentions, including love, lust, sex, good luck, money, protection, commerce, gambling, justice, pregnancy, travel, education, and more.   Although the spells may be practiced by anyone, their flavor is Mexican, as they are deeply rooted in Mexican folk beliefs and magic. Davila also shares direction on how to be a magical person and live a magical life, with examples given from some influential Mexican historical and spiritual figures.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Witches, Latinx, Magic, Spanish Literature

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2024

Reviews

[Lydia]

It is so interesting what a regions spiritual practices can tell you about the hardships they faced. Even within occult and esoteric practices- the claws of Catholicism are present. And how DID Catholicism reach Mexico? Oppression from the white man continues- we are tired.

“this magic comes from resistance; it was born from necessity and suffering.” Pg 64

[Mary Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Mexican Magic: Brujeria, Spells, and Rituals for All Occasions in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher; it’s much appreciated. This book is powerful without being overwhelming. I’ve always been interested in Magical Realism set in Mexico so I was happy while reading this information about Magic, expressed in a lovely way. I’m not going to be performing spells anytime soon, but I’m glad I have the option. There’s Magic in everyone.

[Viviana Olvera · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly such a beatiful book i’m so glad i picked it up!

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davila is a fifth-generation Mexican witch, describing herself as a bruja de rancho-- a "ranch witch," which she describes as having a knowledge of botanicals and the natural world, which she incorporates into her book Mexican Magic. Unlike other books on the topic, Mexican Magic is not so much a how-to-guide, but instead a list of spells and rituals for different occasions. Chapter One briefly introduces Mexican magic, discussing the guiding principles, virtues, and cultural significance. I thoroughly enjoy reading about other cultures and practices. Reading widely promotes empathy and understanding, and puts a lot of Mexican culture into perspective, making me a better teacher, friend, and community member.

The introductory chapter is followed by chapters full of spells and rituals for everything from kitchen magic to curing baby hiccups. These spells incorporate saints, angels, and icons infused with botanicals and other natural ingredients. I loved reading about the different animas, their history and folklore, and how to invoke them for different purposes. My favorite chapter, however, was on magical Mexican ingredients, which includes how to use tortillas to enact revenge or warm a cooling relationship. In the kitchen magic chapter, there are spells for using aguas frescas for financial prosperity or to encourage someone to fall in love with you. There are recipes and spells for connecting to your ancestors with coffee or using chewing gum to stop gossip. I learned so much from this book and walked away inspired to work with new ingredients in my own practice, with respect of course.

I do not have any Mexican heritage, so incorporating Mexican magic into my practice is not something I feel comfortable doing (it's right in line with cultural appropriation), but the techniques are universal. For example, while I won't incorporate the chewing gum spell as it's written in Davila's work, I can figure out a way to use chewing gum in the future to stop gossip, seal someone's lips, or otherwise stop them from talking about me. This is another reason I love reading about the practices of other cultures. They often approach the world from an entirely different view than I do, allowing me to better see and understand how I can work with other elements in my life, ones I may have never thought to use. It opens the doors of my creativity and often inspires me in times when I lack inspiration or the desire to create. For what is witchcraft if not creativity?

My only complaint about Mexican Magic is that it was too short! I wanted so much more history and folklore than what Davila was able to offer in this short book. Despite this, I highly recommend picking up Mexican Magic: Brujeria, Spells, and Rituals for All Occasions by Laura Davila, whether you are Mexican or not. It is a great way to begin this tumultuous year by increasing your empathy toward those different from you, inspiring your own practice, and expanding your understanding of the world around you. I hope it sparks your creativity like it sparked mine.