The pretending-not-to-understand trick is universal and works everywhere in the world. But I would have enjoyed reading what the diminutive sorceress had in store for you!
I was too scared she might burst my high! We were 2 days into our new life and I didn’t need any maligners putting negative thoughts my way. I’ve seen my share of psychics and held my own countenance on spiritual matters by that time.
So cool to learn about this magical place filled with sorcerers, brujas and curanderos. It's interesting to see how indigenous cultures integrated Catholic ritual and saints into the local belief system.
I was waiting for this! I knew you'd have something wonderful to say. Those banana, coffee, and mango trees sound incredible, I could use some of that vegetation here in Mexico City!
Thank you for sharing the info about the cultural mix and male witches in the Catemaco area, new news to me
So glad you liked it, Nadine! I think it's fascinating that it was a little island to itself--till the railroad came to town, and still no roads! And that it was a place of refuge. There are so many many fascinating places in Mexico, each with such a unique story. The male-female brujo/bruja thing was interesting.
Thanks Mikel. Mexico is such a huge country and there are so many interesting cool places to go. Driving through for a few years was a good way for us to catch some of them.
Drove Nadine. And we brought Max. Stayed at a great older hotel near or on square and he was fine when we went for dinner. We drove first few years as we’d stop in Santa Fe and visit BFF and shop for more used books as they had gads of spiritual stuff. It got expensive to drive, hotels, gas, finally flew.
Ah the porous line between magic and religion! Really enjoyrd this, Jeanine and reading it spurs us to revisit the Yucatan as we never made it to Quintana Roo
Enjoyed your anti-climatic retelling of your encuentro with a bruja! We staying a couple nights years ago on the lake, such a peaceful place. It was hot and humid the first day and then a northerner blew, I mean BLEW in much cooler weather, apparently quite common in that part of Mexico.
It was anti-climatic, just the way I wanted it. I was more superstitious then than now, and I truly didn't want any bad ju-ju--not yet, haha. I've always been a student of the mystic, and have always done my own readings, mostly astrology, tarot. I studied palmistry and numerology, even Theosophy, and admire I Ching, but the others rose to the top. At one time I wrote an astrology column for an alternative paper in Mendocino County, CA, titled "Stars in Your Eyes," by June Gemini.
The pretending-not-to-understand trick is universal and works everywhere in the world. But I would have enjoyed reading what the diminutive sorceress had in store for you!
I was too scared she might burst my high! We were 2 days into our new life and I didn’t need any maligners putting negative thoughts my way. I’ve seen my share of psychics and held my own countenance on spiritual matters by that time.
wow, super fascinating! that picture in front of the church in Catemaco is awesome
Thanks Sylar!
So cool to learn about this magical place filled with sorcerers, brujas and curanderos. It's interesting to see how indigenous cultures integrated Catholic ritual and saints into the local belief system.
Thanks Paulette. Yes, it really is amazing how they managed to do that. Pretty ingenious.
I'd forgotten reading about Catemaco. So fascinating. I never visited but now I definitely want to!
Thanks Jennifer. It’s so beautiful up there. The lake was gorgeous.
I'd love to see it. I haven't spent much time on the mainland as you know. But there's still time to return.
I was waiting for this! I knew you'd have something wonderful to say. Those banana, coffee, and mango trees sound incredible, I could use some of that vegetation here in Mexico City!
Thank you for sharing the info about the cultural mix and male witches in the Catemaco area, new news to me
So glad you liked it, Nadine! I think it's fascinating that it was a little island to itself--till the railroad came to town, and still no roads! And that it was a place of refuge. There are so many many fascinating places in Mexico, each with such a unique story. The male-female brujo/bruja thing was interesting.
Literally and therefore metaphorically isolated! Sounds like somewhere I might like to live haha!
This is a fascinating article, Jeanine. I had no idea about this place or the people or culture.
Thanks Mikel. Mexico is such a huge country and there are so many interesting cool places to go. Driving through for a few years was a good way for us to catch some of them.
Is it safe to bring my cat?
We brought Max, our kitten at the time. Left him in the hotel room alone and he did seem a little freaked out when we got back--but he wouldn't talk!!
Did you fly him over or drive? Always been curious if I had to leave Mexico how I would take the kitties...
Drove Nadine. And we brought Max. Stayed at a great older hotel near or on square and he was fine when we went for dinner. We drove first few years as we’d stop in Santa Fe and visit BFF and shop for more used books as they had gads of spiritual stuff. It got expensive to drive, hotels, gas, finally flew.
Ah the porous line between magic and religion! Really enjoyrd this, Jeanine and reading it spurs us to revisit the Yucatan as we never made it to Quintana Roo
Enjoyed your anti-climatic retelling of your encuentro with a bruja! We staying a couple nights years ago on the lake, such a peaceful place. It was hot and humid the first day and then a northerner blew, I mean BLEW in much cooler weather, apparently quite common in that part of Mexico.
It was anti-climatic, just the way I wanted it. I was more superstitious then than now, and I truly didn't want any bad ju-ju--not yet, haha. I've always been a student of the mystic, and have always done my own readings, mostly astrology, tarot. I studied palmistry and numerology, even Theosophy, and admire I Ching, but the others rose to the top. At one time I wrote an astrology column for an alternative paper in Mendocino County, CA, titled "Stars in Your Eyes," by June Gemini.