“Te hecharon mal de ojo!” In my culture this belief that someone has wished you the evil eye is something passed on to us from birth. Our mothers were warned to watch-out for the evil eye. How does this play out as adults? It manifests as envy, jealousy and people truly wishing you ill intent. I was raised to protect myself. I was taught all kinds of superstitious beliefs like always carrying a dollar in my purse so I’d never be broke, putting a black fist around the ankle of a newborn to protect them from illness, envy, mal de ojo, or wearing red around my wrist to ward off the evil eye... the evil eye was the one superstition that as I get older resonates the most. There truly exist people who wish others ill—who wish babies ill. As a child I didn’t believe anything the elders were teaching me, I found it humorous. I didn’t believe in the power that these beliefs possessed. I didn’t know that the mysteries were also a way of preserving our history, our story and protecting those we love. Superstitions, omens, possession, beliefs, old wives tales, fukú, ásabache amulets, resguardos all things I was raised with and now observe closely as warnings and as spiritual guidance to having a good life and ward off evil spirits. . . . What are some origen stories, superstitions or beliefs your grew up observing? What do you carry for protection? . . . (Essay in progress—would love your contributions to this piece—respond in the comments, DM me or email me) 🌪⚔️🔨🗡⛏⚒🔧⚙️🛠🔩⛓ #maferefuneggun #maferefunellegua #maferefunoggun #maferefunoya #lasantera #brujarituals #cowriereading #loscaracoles #tarotreading #tarotreader #spiritualreading #spiritualcleansing #spiritualawakening #brujeria #santeria #21division #vududominicano #dominicanvoodoo #eggun #superstition #maldeojo #asabache https://www.instagram.com/p/CERyzXUDD5A/?igshid=1ce9q7w0uqsef