J. Allen Cross - American Brujeria: Modern Mexican American Folk Magic

J. Allen Cross has done an extraordinary job of providing us with a book filled with rich invaluable information about our culture and magical traditions. He has done a superb job of sharing this information with genuine heartfelt authenticity, love, and respect, which makes it an absolutely delightful read! Gracias!

Erika Buenaflor, MA, JD, author of
Cleansing Rites of Curanderismo

J. Allen Cross opens a box of secrets and spells deeply linked to the culture, myth, history, and blood of his ancestors. American Brujeria explores folklore as well as history, and guides readers through spells and rituals. Learn how to do a limpia in the morning, afternoon, night, or anytime you are drinking your cafe con leche.

Elhoim Leafar, author of The Magical Art
of Crafting Charm Bags and Manifestation Magic

A landmark book that blends the living traditions of folk magic, culture, and modern spiritual belief, American Brujeria is cross-cultural and deeply impactful. J. Allen Cross has made sure that this work will be accessible to not only this generation but future generations, as well. The magic is potent, raw, and real. Each page had me more excited and energized than the last.

Temperance Alden, author of Year of the Witch

In American Brujeria, J. Allen Cross finds a way to explore the heritage and practices of Mexican folk and spiritual traditions by building on their foundations and making them approachable to American (and beyond) audiences searching for the magia (magic) and wisdom of their own culture. We need more authors of color like Cross to illuminate these rich and time-honored practices.

Alexis A. Arredondo and Eric J. Labrado
of City Alchemist, authors of Magia Magia

A much-needed book, American Brujeria serves a communityMexican Americanswho find themselves trying to find spaces where they fit. It combines aspects of Mexican Brujeria with various American magical influences, including even Puerto Rican Espiritismo. It's a great place to start if you find yourself in this twilight space and need to know where to begin. American Brujeria offers a great foundation, as well as various practices that a reader can engage in to begin this wonderful journey. Beautifully written and something any reader is sure to enjoy.

Hector Salva, author of The 21 Divisions

American Brujeria offers a good look into a culture that I feel many folks outside of that culture don't understand. I especially love the part about the only person the devil fears is a grandmotherit makes me think of my mother-in-law who blessed us every night before we went to sleep at her house. American Brujeria opens the door for outsiders to look in and to be able to feel the power of Mexican American culture through the works provided here. This is a great book that will help many.

Starr Casas, author of Old Style Conjure

J. Allen Cross, your book is pure magick, and could only have been written by you. I am grateful that you're spreading the knowledge of the magickal part of our ancient culture with respect, honor, and love, and also for reminding usthe people in betweenof the strength, charm, power, and pride that is our ancestors' legacy. When I read your book, it produced in me a limpia of my soul and reinforced my spirit with passion and courage to keep on spreading our Brujeria. You did a remarkable job researching our ancestral magick. This is a must-have book in the personal library of every serious student of magick.

Martha Ileana Moran Gonzalez, founder and director
of Witchmart, high priestess, and proud bruja

Bravo for American Brujeria by J. Allen Cross. This book is a folkloric gem, a magical treasure trove, and a wisdom-window into some of the time-honored practices of Mexican Brujeria, and his own Mexican American Brujeria. Cross is a beacon of cultural competence and respect in this well-written, sincere, insightful, and practical book. It offers historical context, cultural education, applicable and relevant recipes, potent magical and healing workings, and culturally unique lore. To all this, he adds a unique gem indeedsound ethical advice for interested potential practitioners who are not of Mexican descent on how to honor and respect the tradition, its culture, and the ancestors. Now, open this wisdom-window of a book and see what it will open in you.

Orion Foxwood, author of Mountain Conjure and Southern Rootwork

A treasured volume packed full of magic, and deeply steeped in the history and lore of J. Allen Cross's rich culture, American Brujeria is filled with folk stories, saints, and spirits alongside prayers, spells, baths, floor washes, and cleansings. A much-needed and long-awaited guide that is sure to be a foundation for young witches while still providing deep knowledge and practices for advanced practitioners, Cross's dedication to his path and culture comes across beautifully in this book, which is sure to be an instant classic.

Annwyn Avalon, author of Water Witchcraft
and The Way of the Water Priestess

American Brujeria demystifies Mexican American folk magic and makes it accessible to anyone wanting to get in touch with their magical heritage, as well as those interested in this beautiful magico-religious practice. J. Allen Cross's wonderfully rich book explores the history and bridges the generational and cultural gap between Mexicans and their Mexican American descendants. American Brujeria serves as a comprehensive guide for beginners as well as seasoned practitioners wanting to reconnect to their roots. An excellent tribute to this powerful tradition.

Mary-Grace Fahrun, author of Italian Folk Magic

This edition first published in 2021 by Weiser Books, an imprint of

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

65 Parker Street, Suite 7

Newburyport, MA 01950

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2021 by J. Allen Cross

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and

retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.

Reviewers may quote brief passages.

ISBN: 978-1-57863-745-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

available upon request.

Cover design by Kathyrn Sky-Peck

Interior by Steve Amarillo / Urban Design LLC

Typeset in Adobe Sabon, Marmelad, and Archer

Printed in the United States of America

IBI

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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This book is dedicated to anyone who
has ever felt stuck in between.

This book contains advice and information relating to herbs plant, and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or prescribe. It should be used to supplement, not replace, the advice of your physician or other trained healthcare practitioner. If you know or suspect you have a medical condition, are experiencing physical symptoms, or if you feel unwell, seek your physician's advice before embarking on any medical program or treatment. Readers using the information in this book do so entirely at their own risk, and the author and publisher accept no liability if adverse effects are caused.