Dona Juana: Journeys of a Bruja, Espiritista and Healer

By Papa Hector Salva

Enter the world of Brujeria and Puerto Rican Espiritismo, Witchcraft and Spiritism, as you read about Dona Juana, a Witch, Spiritist and Healer. Read about her path as a Spiritual Worker and stories of beauty, healing and abundance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9780359123223

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Dona Juana: Journeys of a Bruja, Espiritista and Healer

Dona Juana:     Journeys of a Bruja, Espiritista and Healer

Copyright © 2014 by Papa Hector Salva

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2014

ISBN:  978-1-312-72751-9

Salva’s Spiritual Supply

www.mysticalwork.com

Dedication

To Mama Juanita, an Angel, Healer and Prophet who led many to a better life.  And Don Raphael for his constant support of La Obra.  Words can never express the love, affection or gratitude I have for you both . .. .

To all who supported me in my journey, Many Thanks

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: WEAVING MAGIC AND FAITH

Chapter 2 : UNTIENG THE KNOT

Chapter 3: WITHOUT THEM, THERE IS NO ME

Chapter 4: THE AWAKENING

Chapter 5: THE BRUJA'S GARDEN

Chapter 6: THE ROOTS OF THE TREE

Chapter 7: THE STAIN THAT MARKS THE SOUL

Chapter 8: GIVING LIFE AND LIGHT

Chapter 9: A DAY OF HEALING

Chapter 10: THE MAINLAND

Chapter 11: WORKING IN TWO WORLDS

Chapter 12: IT STARTS WITH A SEED

Conclusion:

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all of those who served as a Guide to me on my path.  Also to my family and friends for supporting me in my work.  To Soley, my assistant and Godchild, who has assisted me in many ways to accomplish more in less time.   Lastly, I would like to thank all those who are my enemies or have opposed me, for your continuous pushing has helped me to always reach new heights.

Thanks for all that you have done for me. 

Introduction

In this work I present to you the story of a one of a kind woman, a Puerto Rican bruja, espiritista and healer.  Through her work, she has touched the lives of countless persons.  This woman is known as Dona Juana or Mama Juanita.

Throughout this text, I have included Mama Juana's story as she related it to me.  Also there are notes on interviews and conversations that I had with her, her clients, her family, and her friends.  All of the information was gathered first hand via my experience.  To make it clearer in certain chapters in which the conversations were more like an interview, I put the initials appropriately before the speaker.  PH is me, Papa Hector and DJ is Dona Juanita.  I used other initials as appropriate.

Also to leave a bit of the flavor of the experience, I have included some of what we said in Spanish as all our conversations were in this language.  As much as possible, I have tried to put the English translation next to it. 

She was only four foot eleven inches tall but her presence filled a room without effort.  Her character, ethics and values were present in all she did. Her hair was down to her mid back and was various shades of shiny bright silver.  She often referred to herself as not much more than a simple Jibara, Puerto Rican country woman, but it was clear that she was much more than that.

She was known to many people in many different ways.  Some of those that came to her referred to her as a bruja while others called her an espiritista.  I've heard others refer to her as a healer or a medium.  A few called her teacher, and many called her mother, grandmother, and godmother.  But all knew her as a pure source of love, compassion, and the Holy Spirit.

These are just a few of the miraculous experiences that I had with La Dona.   It took me quite some time to decide on what to include in this volume and what to leave for another time.  Some of the experiences that I have had with her were too much for even me to believe had I not experienced it myself.  So I have left these out and have tried to give a well-rounded view of her work.

Juanita never charged for her spiritual work.  She would just require the person to bring in their own materials to have the spiritual work done.  People, however, as is the custom brought in gifts, left donations, brought necessary items, such as household items and groceries or would often do things that they saw needed to be done in exchange.

This is a very rare practice, especially nowadays.  But back in Juanita's youth this was the custom.   But even by the time I had come around into this work, most charged some type of fee.

When I asked her about this she said

Dios y los Santos always have made sure that I have all I need when I need it without so much as asking.  When I need someone brings it or leaves enough money for me to do what I need to do. Gracias a dios

When I asked her what she thought of others charging money she responded

To each their own this is how Papa dios and my guides have told me to do.  So that is what I do.  But every spiritual person works different.  I wouldn't want them to expect me to work like them and I don't expect them to work like me.  Everybody has to work according to their cuadro espiritual, spiritual frame.

Puerto Rican brujeria and Espiritismo is as varied as its practitioners.  You will never find two practitioners that totally work in the same way.  These practices have been referred to under various names.  Some call it Espiritismo Folclorico, folkloric spiritism, others simply brujeria or witchcraft.  Yet is also known as Espiritismo de La Mesa Blanca, white table Spiritism, as well as Espiritismo del Pueblo.  These spiritual practices encompass a great number of different beliefs and practices from various cultures that have influenced the island and the people of Puerto Rico.  Including but not limited to influences from the religious traditions Taino Natives of the Island, European Witchcraft and practices of the enslaved Africans brought to Puerto Rico.

Dona Juana grew up in a time when many of today's practices of Espiristimo were just starting or beginning to become solidified practices in Puerto Rico.  The way and manner in which Espiritismo was practiced at that time and the way it is done now has undergone a great number of changes.  However, Dona Juana is representative of the practices of the ancestors in a time when Espiritismo was really starting to take off on the island and her experience and practice demonstrates that!

Chapter 1: WEAVING MAGIC AND FAITH

There I sat entranced by the way her hands were quickly and effortlessly braiding many colorful ribbons finishing it off by attaching a medal of Saint Anthony.

Carry this with you for 9 days, everyday asking San Antonio to bring him back to you, then you tie it around a tree branch,  when he's back, you come back and we'll go from there

This was the famous Doña Juana doing a trabajo helping her client Linda to resolve her problem.  Her man had left her and she really wanted him back.

Linda, like many others, had been in to consult Dona Juana the week before. When Linda came in that week before, Dona Juana had automatically recognized her problem as soon as she walked in her home, where this powerful bruja espiritista consulted, helped, and healed people weekly.

Opening the door to let Linda in, Juana immediately said entra hija entra, stop crying over that man we will bring him back to you, sit down, how do you like your coffee?

Sitting her down at the dining room table, Dona Juana  brought Linda some coffee and then sat at the table with her, proceeding with her consultation.

"Mija, don't worry we will bring him back, I see you have gone many places but none have helped you, you don't know even if you should believe anymore, but you said to yourself before you came, that this would be the last time, the last time you would try, but they say he does love you, he just doesn't know how to come back,