Tradition or Superstition
Tradition or Superstition
Have you ever heard of keeping your feet covered whilst entering people's homes? Of course certain cultures or maybe friends or family you are visiting have a rule of not wearing shoes in the house. For some it's more about energy attachment. Walking barefoot in someone else's space can cause an attachment of negative energy that you can carry with you. This also applies when you invite people into your own space. You should feel energetically safe with people you invite into your home. I had never heard of keeping your feet covered before and it got me thinking of certain family traditions or superstitions I was told when I was younger. Here are a few of my Mexican-American superstitions or rituals I remember.
No purses on the floor!
"Purse on the floor means money out the door." My mom really engrained this one in me. Putting my purse on the floor would signify having bad luck with money.
Knock On Wood.
I feel like this one isn't specific solely to Latino culture but I definitely still do this! When talking about fortunate events we knock on wood (or the top of my head if wood isn't nearby) to avoid misfortune.
Rule of 3.
Unfortunate things happen in 3's. The first memory I have of my family mentioning this was during a period when our family lost 3 elders and ended up attending 3 funerals in a row. I recall the family talking about deaths coming in 3's.
Itchy Palms.
Don't scratch that itch! If you do, money will be paid out. Instead slip your hand in your pocket to bring money in!
Babies & The Evil Eye.
Keep babies covered in public so strangers don't stare or touch your baby lest they be cursed with The Evil Eye or Ojo, negative energy or bad luck. Babies can wear an Azabache bracelet or necklace to neutralize any negative energy.
Tequila Cures Colds.
I remember my parents taking a shot of tequila before bed when they suffered from a nagging cough. The agave plant not only soothes a cough but can aid in reducing bacteria and relieve a sore throat.
Did you know during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic in Mexico doctors prescribed their patients to drink a mixture of tequila, lime, and salt as a remedy!? Tequila is an actual medicinal spirit!
Vicks Heals Everything!
My grandma used to make my mom and Tia's eat a teaspoon of it when they had colds. So gross, I can't even imagine. But I did and still do use Vicks on my kids chest and soles of their feet when they are sick!
Cold Weather + Wet Hair = Death Of Cold.
I'm pretty sure this one isn't Hispanic specific either and I know it's been debunked but it's embedded in my brain and I definitely tell my girls they will get sick going outside with wet hair.
Egg Cleansing.
Egg Cleansing is an ancient practice used by a Curandero or Curandera, which means to heal. This ritual aids in removing mental, emotional, physical or spiritual illnesses or imbalances. From what I have learned there are a variety of ways to do this I will share how my grandmother practiced this cleansing.
My grandma used to do this when we were sick or had a really bad fever. An egg is gently rubbed all over the body to extract any illness or Ojo. She would say the Lord's Prayer, make the sign of the cross with the egg and then crack the egg without breaking the yolk into a glass of water. The glass would then be placed under the bed underneath the head of the sick person. After a few days she would discard it by flushing it.