A modern Mexican bruja is a powerful person, one who reads the tarot and performs spellwork and rituals of devotion to their spirit guides and deities. Brujeria, which translates as witchcraft in Spanish, is a unique form of spirituality that blends core elements of Afro-Indigenous beliefs. Having originated in Mexico, brujeria is now practised in Latinx communities across the world.
A Spiritual Tradition Rooted in Ancestry and Power
Brujería, the practice of Mexican witchcraft, is more than just spells and rituals—it is a deeply spiritual path interwoven with ancient Indigenous, African, and Catholic influences. For generations, Mexican brujas and brujos have worked with spirits, deities, and natural energies to heal, protect, and empower their communities. Unlike the fearsome reputation witchcraft has in some cultures, brujería is often a source of guidance and a bridge to one’s ancestors.
The Ancestral and Afro-Indigenous Roots of Brujería
While mainstream Western witchcraft focuses on elements and celestial alignments, brujería is rooted in the traditions of Indigenous Mexican peoples, mixed with the African spiritualities that arrived through the transatlantic slave trade. Practitioners draw on curanderismo (folk healing), shamanic journeying, and Catholic mysticism. This fusion makes brujería a uniquely syncretic tradition, adaptable and deeply personal to those who practice it.
Sacred Tools and Elements in Brujería
A bruja‘s spiritual practice is enriched by sacred tools, which include:
- Altars (Altares) – Often dedicated to deities, ancestors, or folk saints like Santa Muerte. These spaces hold candles, offerings, statues, and personal artifacts.
- Herbs (Yerbas) – Used in spellwork, healing baths (baños espirituales), and purification rituals.
- Crystals and Stones – Amethyst for intuition, obsidian for protection, and quartz for energy amplification.
- Candles (Velas) – Each color holds a different meaning: red for love, black for protection, and white for purity and guidance.
- Divination Tools – Tarot cards, pendulums, egg cleansing (limpias), and smoke readings (tabaquismo).
- Sacred Symbols and Sigils – Handcrafted symbols that carry spiritual energy for protection and manifestation.
- Incense and Resins – Copal, myrrh, and palo santo used for spiritual purification and connection to higher realms.
Santa Muerte: The Holy Protector of the Marginalized
One of the most important figures in modern brujería is Santa Muerte, the Mexican folk saint of death, justice, and protection. Unlike traditional saints canonized by the Catholic Church, Santa Muerte’s following has grown organically among those seeking refuge from violence, oppression, and hardship. Her devotees include marginalized groups, from LGBTQ+ individuals to the working class and those involved in underground economies. Altars dedicated to her often feature scythes, skeletal figurines, red apples symbolizing devotion and wisdom, and offerings such as liquor, coins, and fresh flowers.
Practices of a Modern Mexican Witch
The modern-day bruja blends traditional wisdom with contemporary mysticism. Some common practices include:
- Spellcasting for Love and Prosperity – Using sigils, herbs, and incantations to attract abundance.
- Shadow Work with Ancestral Spirits – Connecting with departed loved ones for guidance.
- Spiritual Cleansings (Limpias) – Using eggs, sage, or copal resin to cleanse negative energy.
- Moon Magic (Brujería Lunar) – Working with the phases of the moon for manifestation and release.
- Sigil Crafting and Protection Spells – Sealing homes and bodies from spiritual harm.
- Dream Work and Astral Travel – Using lucid dreams and astral projection to receive messages from the spiritual realm.
- Bone and Shell Readings – A traditional divination technique passed down through generations.
- Daily Offerings and Devotionals – Honoring deities, ancestors, and spirits with gratitude and prayer.
Deities, Saints, and Spirits in Brujería
Beyond Santa Muerte, practitioners of brujería may work with:
- Guadalupe (Tonantzin) – The Virgin of Guadalupe, representing divine feminine energy.
- El Niño Fidencio – A folk healer and spiritual guide.
- La Santísima Muerte – A more formal name for Santa Muerte, often invoked in justice and protection spells.
- The Orishas – African deities syncretized into Mexican spirituality, such as Eleguá and Yemayá.
- Tlaloc and Quetzalcoatl – Ancient Aztec deities tied to rain, wisdom, and transformation.
- San Simón (Maximón) – A folk saint known for granting wealth and protection to those in need.
Initiation and Ethics in Brujería
Unlike structured religions, brujería does not require formal initiation, but some practitioners undergo mentorship from seasoned brujas. Ethics play a crucial role—many brujas follow the principle of reciprocity, ensuring that magic is practiced responsibly and with clear intent. One must always consider the consequences of their workings, especially when influencing another’s free will.
- The Rule of Three – The belief that whatever energy you put out, whether positive or negative, will return threefold.
- Respecting the Spirits – Building a relationship with spirits and ancestors through continuous offerings and prayers.
- Karmic Responsibility – Understanding that every magical action carries ethical and energetic weight.
The Role of Brujería in Social Justice and Resistance
Historically, brujas have played key roles in rebellion and healing in oppressed communities. During colonization, Indigenous healers were demonized as witches. Today, many modern witches use their craft for activism, empowerment, and resistance against systemic oppression. This includes:
- Hexing Corrupt Institutions – Using spellwork to expose and dismantle oppression.
- Healing Circles and Community Rituals – Creating sacred spaces for healing from generational trauma.
- Land and Environmental Protection – Calling upon Earth spirits to safeguard sacred lands.
- LGBTQ+ Spiritual Protection – Providing guidance and empowerment for queer practitioners.
How to Start Practicing Brujería
If you feel drawn to this path, consider these steps:
- Research and Read – Books like The Mexican Witch Lifestyle by Valeria Ruelas provide deep insights.
- Set Up an Altar – A sacred space with candles, herbs, and meaningful symbols.
- Practice Divination – Use tarot, bones, or runes to gain spiritual insight.
- Connect with Ancestors – Honor your lineage through prayer and offerings.
- Learn Herbal Magic – Study how to use herbs for healing and spellwork.
- Create a Spiritual Journal – Document dreams, signs, and spells for reflection and growth.
- Work with the Elements – Fire for transformation, water for intuition, earth for grounding, and air for communication.
Living as a Bruja: A Lifestyle of Magic and Resistance
To be a bruja in the modern world is to reclaim a suppressed heritage and reconnect with the power that colonization sought to erase. Brujería is an act of self-liberation, healing, and resistance. Whether practiced in secret or openly celebrated, it offers a deeply personal spiritual journey that empowers individuals to stand in their truth.
By embracing the teachings of brujería, one does not simply practice magic—they embody it. The Mexican Witch Lifestyle is a path of transformation, one where history, culture, and the supernatural blend into an ever-evolving tapestry of spiritual enlightenment.