This was such an interesting listen. I had so many great moments with it and had some moments that felt flat for me.

Being an American citizen with immigrant parents from Mexico, I really connected with this story. There were so many relatable things said that happened in my life... like the chancla lol

I really enjoyed the narrator and the way she would explain everything! She would also go into detail and I related to it even more.

I listened to this audiobook, and I think it would be easier to understand as a written book. I enjoyed listening to the different spells, saints, and stories but there were points where the author suggests to go back and reference a past section which is difficult in the audio form.

This is a well-written in-depth look into Mexican-American culture and the adaption of traditions over time. It is a really interesting subject matter, and I appreciated the author including warnings about cultural appropriation and the dangers of approaching work that is not meant for non-Mexican people.

There is so much practical and helpful information packed into this book. It is definitely more than a reference book, it is a love letter from Cross to his ancestors and everyone who practiced Brujeria before him. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is interested in magic, spirituality, or even just learning about different cultures and their traditions.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for an advanced listener copy of this book. This is my honest review.

First and foremost, I think this book is better off as a book and not an audiobook. There are many sections that exist as reference points to come back to, and an audiobook doesn't lend itself to that. The narrator is also kind of lacking. There are many notes of humor in this book that she doesn't deliver on. Instead, everything is delivered in the same flat tone.

The information in this book is really interesting though. I think it's a well-written insight into something that is often misconstrued by pop culture and is turned into another trend to join in on. (See the chapter on Santa Muerte for a prime example of that) I've always been interested in learning more, and I feel better educated after having listened.

AMERICAN BRUJERIA: MODERN MEXICAN AMERICAN FOLK MAGIC was written by J. Allen Cross, a practicing witch of Mexican, Native American, and European descent. He works as a psychic medium and occult specialist for a Portland-based paranormal investigation team. Cross’ tradition is steeped in Mexican culture, and he has written this book to explore a magical system that he named “American brujeria.”

WHAT IS AMERICAN BRUJERIA
Cross describes American brujeria as: “the folk magic that has been brought to the United States by Mexican immigrants.” This system includes the lighting of novena candles, calling upon saints, the veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, spiritual cleansings through limpias, and the casting of spells known as hechizos.”

AMERICAN BRUJERIA VS TRADITIONAL BRUJERÍA
Traditional brujería is secretive and accessible to few people. You must be mentored by an elder brujo/a/x and are unable to talk about it openly.

American brujeria is the natural deviation from tradition due to immigration. The word brujo/a/x in Mexico and the United States mean very different things. In Mexico, a brujo/a/x will most likely be interpreted as someone who doles out curses or sacrifices living creatures. It’s a word that strikes fear. In the United States, it means someone who’s a nature-loving spiritual healer and is working to connect to their ancestors and reclaim beliefs that were lost due to assimilation and colonization.

In the introduction, Cross summarizes his experience reaching out to his community, who embraced this project and eagerly shared what they knew. Some of the people he spoke to went as far as to reach out to their own families for more information on their stories, beliefs, and memories.

I appreciated that the author was careful to emphasize how the methods our families use trump anything in this book. Our methods become more powerful when we tap into our ancestral lines. When we follow their recipes, spells, and methods, it’s as if our ancestors are guiding our hands.

VAPOR RUB MAGIC IS REAL
My favorite part of the book was the section on the magic of Vicks VapoRub. I grew up experiencing the healing powers of this mostly petroleum jelly substance. My mom would rub VapoRub on my nostrils and over my chest when I had a cold. So it was nice to see this tradition validated as magic and to read about why it is so powerful.

The book goes over several topics, including:
Crash Course in Catholicism
Santa Muerte
Altars
The Rosary
Candles
Limpias
Herbs
Florida Water
Red Ribbons
Oils
Holy Water
And more

As a Latina who is actively attempting to connect to her own ancestors, I found this book to be incredibly relatable (I should note that I’m not of Mexican descent, but Nicaraguan). From watching the ladies at church lighting candles and whispering prayers that were basically spells, to praying the rosary three times a week with my mom, most of the traditions in this book were a part of my childhood. The great thing about this book is that it provides much-needed context to the witchcraft most of us American Latinx brujo/a/x practice every day. At the same time, it’s beginner-friendly. For example, the candle section of the book explains the basics of candle dressing and stresses fire safety. So whether you’re an experienced or beginner American brujo/a/x, this book will have something for you. Needless to say, I highly recommend it.

AMERICAN BRUJERIA: MODERN MEXICAN AMERICAN FOLK MAGIC was released on May 1, 2021. This post was possible thanks to an audiobook provided for free by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

American Brujeria is an interesting and doable way of improving ones life with important rituals and ways passed down from generation to generation. Listening to this brought back Grandmothers stories and the daily prayers and rituals she did for us when we were sick. My mother said she wished she had learned from Grandmother all the things she knew. I thought it was lost really. Then I heard this book and much came back that I had heard or witnessed as a child, Thankfully now it isn't lost anymore. Mr Cross has added an important book to the story of folk medicine and rituals for health and life. The cultural context of this subject is addressed respectfully and in a understandable way. Anyone expecting to use these ways with anything other than complete respect for the people that they came from is making a mistake . That said , healing and goodness is something all humans have inside them and can return if approached correctly and patiently. This remarkable, very well read and explained audio book is a must for those who have forgotten or those who want to learn abut other cultures healing and traditions.

This was a really interesting book that glimpses into cultural Mexican lore and traditional folk magic. I chose this book to learn more about magic. Informed by Catholic beliefs, Aztec traditions, and Mexican healing arts. And while it does teach readers about spiritual cleansing through cleaning, candle casting and honoring the saints, it is more than just a reference or lesson-book. Dedicated to Mexican-Americans, this book is for those who feel they are both and neither, who are caught in-between. It explores ancestors and descendants, and seeks to reclaim the magical and religious traditions of Mexico. Filled with cultural advice, this book hopes to bring confidence back to the generation of Mexican-Americans who have been assimilated and colonized, and lets readers know that they are not alone. If you feel a pull back to the magic of your ancestors, this book is written for you.

I first heard about American Brujeria when J. Allen Cross was on the "Occultism with a Side of Salt" podcast episode on folk magic. Despite not being Mexican-American or practicing their folk traditions, I found this book very interesting. Many of the spells and prayers Cross mentions are similar to Italian-American folk practices that I'm familiar with. I particularly liked how efficiently Cross wrote and was able to get so much information packed into this book without making it feel weighed down. The chapter on Santa Muerte was so important; and I was happy she got that much room in the book to really let people know who she is and what she can do. I plan on looking into many of the candle rituals and ancestor veneration into their Italian equivalents.