Woman Who Glows in the Dark: A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health

by Elena Avila, Joy Parker

"An autobiographical account of how a psychiatric nurse specialist became a folk medicine healer; this also explains the origins and practice of one of the oldest forms of medicine in the New World."--Kirkus.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Indigenous, Feminism, Witchcraft

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 1999

About the author

Elena Avila (1944-2011) is the author of the national bestseller Woman Who Glows in the Dark: A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health. Before becoming a spiritual counselor, Avila studied nursing and psychiatric nursing. In addition to her book, Avila also wrote poetry, plays, and gave lectures throughout the United States.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically a personal memoir for the author and her transition from the Western medical world to her own spiritual approach to healing. I remember reading reviews on Amazon.com. She got a lot of venomous reviews from curanderas and such. They were upset that she actually wrote a book on this topic -- like she told a forbidden secret. However, from my reading, she simply shares practices and does not divulge anything that would tarnish a sacred practice. To me, she simple offers a way to view the spirit, soul, and energy. This book changed how I view healing.

[Jerry fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book over a week trip to Fresno, CA. I was astonished by the intro to the book written by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D. Her prose was poetry and she is a poet, psychoanalyst and cantadora. Let me share a few sentences I found most enchanting. "One takes into account not only the stories of a person's life, the psyche's dreams, the mundane situation, but also, in investigation the life of the soul in depth, one prays over the person." "There becomes a disconnect from the observable essence, from the affecting vitality of all things. It is not supposed to be this way for humans. Relationship to all matters and aspects of the world is meant to be complementary, wherein one is able to feel the electricity, and the condition of that electricity, inside of all things."

I was very moved by the methods of "limpias and platicas" for "susto" which is loss of soul and for soul-retrieval. My views and perspectives have been expanded, my mountains unshrouded, the waters clear. I am inspired to write and let my own poetry emerge.

[corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is an RN, MSN and a curandera, an experienced teacher and student from numerous traditions. The explanations of traditional illnesses that curanderas treat were extremely revealing and educational to me as a different way to look at the human condition and how to treat human suffering in a holistic manner that also includes our spiritual selves. The Aztecs are such a brilliant people as has been obvious for millenniums and to learn such an in depth look at their healing practices was quite a treat.

I would really love to bring a curandera into the community of healers that have changed my life and helped me on my path to wellness and wholeness. I wish Elena Avila was my vecina and I could swing by for a platica.

[TimeyWimeyBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up I was raised to think that "Curanderismo" was bad, that it had to do with the devil and to basically stay away from it. I realize now this is all brain-washing by the colonial powers & Catholicism that has made it's way down generations all the way to me. I also realize they were not entirely successful as herbal remedies and certain behaviors are still very much alive in Mexican culture. I liked this book a lot and look forward to reading more about similar subjects.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful blend of memoir, clinical information and spiritual guidance. It shares information on curanderismo in a very respectful way. As a Xicana I find this book to be a wonderful bridge between cultures. It creates a space that honors both traditional indigenous Mexicano healing and the modern lives of Latin@s in the States.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The following is solely *MY* opinion, so, take it with a grain of salt, as they say.
I wish I hadn't opted for the audio book for this one. However, audios are usually my preferred choice, as I can listen and work at the same time. BUT..... but, but, B-U-T..... ugh.... I almost stopped listening to this audiobook almost immediately after it started.
The. Narrator. Was. Awful!!!
Out of aaaaaany bilingual narrator that would have been able to actually PRONOUNCE the Spanish words correctly, they chose *this* one?? Really?!??? I thought my ears were going to start bleeding at any given point. It was like listening to fingernails slowly dragging down a chalkboard. I *THINK* the content of the book was good. Notice how I capitalized 'think'?? I couldn't really concentrate on the book because I was concentrating on the narrator destroying each and every Spanish word and/or sentence, which quite literally, took away from the book itself for me. I gave it a generous 3 stars, though seeing some of the other reviews out there, it may have merited a 4 or maybe even a 5 star review. But, we will never know, will we?
*Sigh* yeah... I really wish that whomever the powers that be (author? agent? literary mucky muck?) chose who the narrator of any given book would be, that they would SERIOUSLY consider the fluency of said narrator of the language(s) used in the audio books to be narrated.
So, yeah. Womp womp. I had such high hopes for this one. Oh well. Neeeeext!!!

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting reading. I myself DO NOT practice Santeria or anything else like that. But I do believe in some of this. I think back on my childhood and remember certain things my mom told us to do and not to do. You'd be surprised how much your upbrining involved some of the traditions in this book.

[Spider Goddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for a very long while, and it was not until my book group decided to read this as one of our selections that I actually made the time to read it. The timing was perfect for me!

In this book I learned so much. It also reaffirmed my own spiritual practices and beliefs. Reading and truly taking it in was very healing for me. The author relayed her story perfectly!

[Mrs.Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sure could use a curandera like Elena. Nobody around here so I guess I will have to do my own soul retrieval and limpias, at least now after reading this book I have an idea of where to begin.

What she writes about most western medicine doctors is so true, you get 15 minutes after waiting hours and an automated response like you are just another number. It is so rare to ever find one who "sees" you, beyond the broken mechanics of your body that is. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Busy, busy, busy. Pill, pill, pill. Mas Nada .....

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting take on curanderismo from Mexican-American, south-westerner perspective. Great insight into various treatments and methods of healing for curanderos. Also, really appreciated Elena's personal journey throughout realizing herself as a curandera.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot to offer, but the good stuff is buried beneath this weird new agey kinda outlook. I think it's a nice place to start, but there's a lot more to be had out there in terms of knowledge.

[Leah Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The journey to healing is always an interesting one. This true story merges a woman's drive for success and acceptance in western culture with her rediscovery of her ancestral heritage. It's a great read for anyone in a healing practice balancing between mainstream academic knowledge and traditional native wisdom.

[Zari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information presented in this book. The text is dry- written from an ethnographic point of view, so it gets pretty slow and redundant in places.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

riveting

[Peivand · Rating 3 out of 5]

یکی از محورهای تاکید شده کتاب این بود : امروزه تعداد بیشتری از دانشکده های پزشکی درحال ادغام شفای ذهن و جسم در برنامه درسی خود هستند و دانشکده های پرستاری نیز شیوه های کل نگر و آداب مراقبت از بیماران در فرهنگهای دیگر را آموزشمی دهند . من بر این باورم که روزی شفاگر سفید پوش مطب و شفاگر پر عقاب در دست متحد خواهند شد...

خب ! تا اینجای قضیه منطقی به نظر میاد و قطعا در پزشکی جامعه نگر تاکید به جنبه های روحی و فرهنگی در ایجاد و درمان بیماری ها دائم درحال پررنگ شدنه
اما در متن و مثالهای کتاب اولا که توضیح روشهای شفاگری و مثالهای شفای بیماران (گرچه که در بعضی موارد مفید و بسیار جالب به نظر میرسه) اما تقریبا هیچ جا واضح و قابل توضیح نیست ، باتوجه به اسم کتاب دنبال روشهای تمدن عظیم آزتک ها برای درمان هستیم اما چیزی که ارائه شده گاها در حد درمانهای ابتدایی عامیانه به اصطلاح «ننه درمانی» تنزل میکنه .
درثانی ، مثل خیلی از فرقه های طب سنتی و شبه طب های دیگه که از عمد یا غیر عمد ، دیدشون رو بر وجود شاخه بزرگی از بیماری ها به اسم روان_تنی یا psychosomatic در تمام منابع رسمی طب نوین بستن ، در این کتاب هم نویسنده بارها با تاکید بر ذهنی بودن ریشه بیماریها و این ادعا که : «در طب نوین علت بیماری شما یا معلوم نیست و یا نوعی میکروب است!» سعی داره علم نوین رو در تشخیص و درمان این دسته از بیماری ها ، ناتوان و نادان جلوه بده.

با این توضیحات و با توجه به همه جاذبه ای که عنوان کتاب و پارامدیک بودن نویسنده اون داره و با توضیحاتش در صفحات ابتدایی مبنی بر اینکه سعی داره شفاگری که پیش میگیره «علمی » و «برگرفته از تمدن عظیم مایا و آزتک ها» هم باشه ، متاسفانه انتظارم برآورده نشد

در آخر لازم میدونم که بگم : شفاگر عزیز ماهم مثل شما به دخالت مستقیم روان بر جسم معتقدیم
روش قابل توضیح مفیدی برای درمان دارید؟ بسم الله !

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, and it had so many great pieces of traditional knowledge in here but the use of mestizaje in the central argument seems out of touch.

[Wildefire Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a spiritual and inspiring journey reading this book. Thoroughly enjoyed learning more about curanderismo and Mexican/indigenous cultures.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book while I was living in Mexico in 2014. It’s such a great book! Definitely recommend!

[Lourdes Cambridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as an honorarium...after completing a series of spiritual retreats and meditations. At one time in my life I participated in much soul doctoring. I remember this book as being very helpful for female traditional healers from multiple cultures...now residing in the modern world. I wish we could have been even more mutually supportive.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this book after having previously read it some years ago. It is a wealth of knowledge on how to heal, restore, and ground. This book can help you to restore your physical and spiritual health, or it can guide you to restore others.

[Sirama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elena Avila explains diagnosing and treatment of illness within the healing system of Mexican curanderos, the discovery of a woman's path in life and ancestral roots, all the while sharing endearing anecdotes, like a true comadre. Super quick read. Inspiring.

[Fabiola Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanto este libro. Elena Avila is an excellent storyteller, she abundantly shares her journey of becoming a curandera in the southwest, and how her personal life experiences is very much woven with her transformation on her path in curanderismo.

[Aimee C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stupid New-agey title, pretty awesome book.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for anthropology of medicine; made me a believer in holistic HEALING, not just curing of disease

[Ivon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and informative. It is wonderful to see a person who is trained in western medicine speak and follow ancient healing traditions that are not practiced in mainstream.

[David]

Best book on curanderismo out there from a person that actually practices the art.

[Kristina]

Very good read!

[Marlha Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! Kinda sad I finished already. Very well written, lots of information, history and personal stories

[Logan Sparks]

I highly recommend this, particularly for those interested in how traditional and modern forms of knowledge about wellness can be bridged. This woman embodied that essential reality.

[Peggy Troyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives fascinating insights into the health perspectives in the Aztec and perhaps other Amerindian cultured.