As a Latina, I grew up fully aware of the dangers of mal de ojo and the healing powers of baños. These beliefs felt natural, passed down, unquestioned, and deeply embedded in everyday life. Yet I had never paused to consider where these practices originated. Being Bruja: A Young Mystic’s Guide invites readers to do just that, tracing cultural traditions back to the Indigenous ancestors who practiced them long before colonization. Rivera reveals how much of what we now call brujería is rooted in natural remedies and a reverence for the healing power of the earth.
These traditions were practiced by Taíno communities and many other Indigenous and African peoples until conquistadors arrived, unable—or unwilling—to understand their customs. What they could not name, they labeled as witchcraft, deeming it dangerous and incompatible with their religious beliefs. From there, stigma took hold, casting a shadow over practices that were once central to ancestral life and community care.
Being Bruja thoughtfully unpacks the origins of the “bruja” label while offering meaningful context for traditions many of us still hold close today. Rivera approaches each topic with clear reverence and respect for the cultures that form the backbone of these beliefs. The book is further elevated by Jennifer Dahbura’s illustrations, which are not only visually stunning but also bring warmth, movement, and magic to every page.
For readers curious about the difference between a limpia and a baño, how to meditate, align chakras, or begin manifesting with intention, this book is an inviting guide. Yet its true beauty lies beyond its practical tips or cultural insights. At its core, Being Bruja emphasizes a powerful truth: we are the magic. When we learn to trust our intuition and listen inward, transformation becomes possible.
In a world that so often silences or dismisses our inner voices—especially those of young Latinas—this is a message worth amplifying. Trust yourself. Honor your intuition. The magic has been within you all along.
