SUPERSTITIONS & MYTHS by Gloria Martinez Alcozer There are many cultural beliefs, that according to western society's standards, are considered as superstitious or just myths -- But, how many have a solid foundation to reality or truth? Twenty years ago to opt for an herbal remedy to treat a cold or indigestion was considered superstitious or giving in to old wives tale remedies. But, today they have become recognised as alternative medicines that need to be taken with a certain amount of caution and moderation - As you would do with any prescription drug. Should the theory of spiritual healing be given similar consideration? |
| MEXICO Within the Mexican culture the practice and use of a 'curandera' is widely used by both the indigenous people and the professional. The 'curandera' is seen as a: doctor, healer, marriage counsellor, and sometimes fortune teller. The more popular practice or recourse of the 'curandera' in Mexico, is for the removal of the 'evil eye'- And, the persons most commonly afflicted by this malady are usually... children! TREATMENT The child is generally brought in with a high fever or discomfort. The curandera uses several methods but the most commonly used is the egg. While firmly holding the egg (a fresh egg is the most popular) in her hand, the curandera blesses herself by making the sign of the cross. She thus proceeds to bless the child, praying and rubbing the egg along the child's body. This method is called, 'cleansing' it's believed that the negative energies and evil are being pulled outside of the child and forced into the egg! The curandera then cracks the egg into a cold glass of water, which she has blessed prior to the cleansing and hands the glass of water to the parent. She then instructs the parent to place the glass underneath the bed of the child. The glass will stay under the bed overnight collecting any additional negative energies or evil. The following morning, in most cases, the families will find the child's fever lowered or the discomfort gone...AND the egg has mysteriously cooked overnight while in the water! The parent will then dispose of the egg as it had been instructed the previous day by the curandera. The healing of the child's malady can be considered as 'psychosomatic' but there is no clear or logical explanation to why the egg had cooked overnight in a cold glass of water! |
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| LATIN AMERICA |
| Superstitions & Myths was a weekly column that appeared in the Houston Post Newspaper |
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| HOUSTON POST NEWSPAPER |
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