11 Books To Help You Tap Into Your Inner Bruja

I grew up Catholic in a Mexican-American household. I was baptized and completed my Holy Communion and Confirmation, and my family attended Mass every Sunday.

As I grew older, I realized that the way Catholicism was practiced by my family, and by many Latin American families in general, differed from orthodox Roman Catholic traditions in the U.S. For instance, I remember my mom consulting a curandera when my little sister was sick, and my grandmother, along with many of the women in my family, spoke about encountering spirits. I eventually learned that Indigenous tribes preserved their ancient customs by blending them discreetly into the Catholic religion introduced by European colonizers.

When I hit my teens, I decided to rebel against my Catholic upbringing and explore alternative spiritual paths. I became interested in Wicca, witchcraft, and esotericism. Over the years, I’ve done more research into Indigenous religious beliefs to connect with my ancestry.

I feel that many of us in the Latinx community are searching to reconnect with our Indigenous roots and ancestors. Learning about and practicing brujería is one enlightening way to do this, which is why I curated the following list. This roundup includes books that delve into various spiritual practices of Latin America, from curanderismo to Santería.

Disclosure: Every product is independently selected by our editors. Items purchased through our links may earn us a commission.

1. American Brujeria by J. Allen Cross 

I was drawn to American Brujeria ($17.62) because of how it fuses Mexican folk magic and Catholic influences. There are chapters dedicated to working with the saints and La Virgen. The author also distinguishes between American Brujeria and the traditional brujería that’s practiced in Mexico. To practice traditional brujería, you need to be taught by a real brujo/a. However, this book highlights the spiritual practices brought over by Mexican immigrants, sharing how Latinx individuals living in the United States can utilize this magical system to reconnect with their roots. It’s a great book no matter where you’re at on your spiritual journey, and it has a 4.7 rating out of 800+ reviews. 

American Brujeria, $17.62, available at amazon.com.

2. Bewitching the Elements by Gabriela Herstik 

Gabriela Herstik is a modern-day bruja who is Mexican and Jewish. She is making waves in the worlds of esotericism and witchcraft, encouraging women to embrace their feminine power through magic. In Bewitching the Elements ($15), the author shows readers how to work with the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit to achieve a higher level of enlightenment. She offers guidance on meditation, breathwork, working with tarot, and more. Her book has garnered a 4.7 star rating out of 284 reviews.

Bewitching the Elements, $15, available at amazon.com.

3. Blood Sex Magic by Bri Luna

Bri Luna, a.k.a. The HoodWitch, launched her platform to educate people on how to tap into their inner mystic. Luna, who is Black and Mexican, also wanted to create more visibility around African and Indigenous spirituality. Blood Sex Magic ($20.37) is a treasure trove of insightful information. The author talks about her ancestry, explains how to strengthen your intuition and silence your enemies, shares self-love rituals, and offers various spells for self-empowerment. Out of over 100 reviews, the book has scored a 4.8 star rating. 

Blood Sex Magic, $20.37, available at amazon.com.

4. Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color by Lorraine Monteagut Ph.D

Cuban-Colombian writer Lorraine Monteagut is on a mission to decolonize spiritual practices and encourage individuals to return to their ancestral roots. Monteagut was drawn to the magical path by her great-grandmother who was an espiritista in Cuba. Her book, Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color ($24.29), brings BIPOC witches to the forefront. She shares the stories of these brujas and how their spiritual customs have also crossed over into social activism. So far, the book has garnered 4.7 stars out of 140+ reviews. 

Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color, $24.29, available at amazon.com.

5. Electric Santería by Aisha Beliso-De Jesús

If you’re interested in learning about Santería through an academic lens, Electric Santería ($31.13) is the book for you. Author Aisha M. Beliso-De Jesús is an anthropologist and professor at Princeton University. While she doesn’t delve into rituals in this work, she does examine santería as a transnational religion. Her research is a deep dive into a concept she calls “copresence.” While the ideas presented are complex, it’s an excellent read for those who enjoy a scholarly approach. Out of 34 reviews, the book has received a 4.6 star rating.

Electric Santería, $31.13, available at amazon.com.

6. Mexican Sorcery: A Practical Guide to Brujeria de Rancho by Laura Davila

Author Laura Davila reveals how brujería is practiced in the rural regions of Mexico in Mexican Sorcery: A Practical Guide to Brujeria de Rancho ($17.43). She comes from a long line of brujas and is making the spiritual customs of her ancestors accessible to readers. The book provides insight into the practice of brujería and hechiceria (sorcery). Chapters cover limpias, talismans, herbs, and more. Even certain aspects of Catholicism are interwoven into the ritual work. Out of 240+ reviews, the book has received a 4.8 star rating. 

Mexican Sorcery: A Practical Guide to Brujeria de Rancho, $17.43, available at amazon.com.

7. The Mexican Witch Lifestyle by Valeria Ruelas

Valeria Ruelas, also popularly known as The Mexican Witch on social media, has become an authority on brujería in the U.S. She’s a modern bruja/brujx who wants to make witchcraft more inclusive to the Latinx community. The practice of brujería was part of her upbringing and through The Mexican Witch Lifestyle ($16.73), she hopes to put to rest many of the stigmas that are attached to this spiritual way of life. Within these pages, you’ll learn how to set up your altar, work with crystals, and make the most of your shopping trip to your local botanica, just to name a few topics. The book has a 4.4 star rating out of more than 105 reviews. 

The Mexican Witch Lifestyle, $16.73, available at amazon.com.

8. The Modern Art of Brujería by Lou Florez

Lou Florez is a Chicano who identifies as a queer man of color. He is a devout spiritual worker with a deep appreciation for Latin American and African spiritual customs. His book, The Modern Art of Brujería ($17.95), draws upon Latin American and Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices, putting a modern twist on traditional witchcraft. Besides providing some historical context regarding brujería, he also discusses candle magic, communicating with ancestors, and spells for self-improvement. His book has gotten a 4.6 star rating out of 55+ reviews.     

The Modern Art of Brujería, $17.95, available at amazon.com.

9. Sacred Energies of the Sun and Moon by Erika Buenaflor M.A., J.D.

You can say Erika Buenaflor was born with mysticism in her blood. Her great-great-grandmother was a highly respected curandera in Chihuahua, Mexico. Buenaflor herself has been a practicing curandera for over 20 years and has worked with shamans and curanderx in destinations such as the Maya Yucatecan jungle and Peru. In Sacred Energies of the Sun and Moon ($15.59), she shares how to work with the lunar and solar energies according to ancient Mesoamerican customs. From mantra chanting to shamanic breathwork, you’ll learn a whole new way of healing your body and soul. With over 160+ reviews, the book has scored a 4.8 star rating. 

Sacred Energies of the Sun and Moon, $15.59, available at amazon.com.

10. La Santa Muerte: Unearthing the Magic & Mysticism of Death by Tomás Prower

For a long time, Santa Muerte had a reputation as being a figure of evil. However, that view has gradually shifted. The saint of death has become quite popular over the last several years, especially with groups who have felt ostracized by society, from the LGBTQ+ community to the impoverished. Her influence has stretched beyond Mexico and Latin America, and she is revered worldwide. I have a deep respect for this figure, which is why I was attracted to this book. La Santa Muerte: Unearthing the Magic & Mysticism of Death ($15.95) seeks to do away with the negative connotations and show how working with her energy can empower individuals. Tomás Prower is a devotee of Santa Muerte and talks about the mythology behind the figure, spellwork, rituals, and more. Out of nearly 300 reviews, the book has received a 4.6 star rating.   

La Santa Muerte: Unearthing the Magic & Mysticism of Death, $15.95, available at amazon.com.

11. Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within by Juliet Diaz

Award-winning author Juliet Diaz is Cuban-American with Indigenous Taíno blood. She comes from a family of brujx and spiritualists and is devoted to keeping her ancestral customs alive. In Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within ($11.49), she draws upon her experience as a healer and seer to help others unleash their magickal prowess. Join her as she guides you on how to set up your altar, craft potions, perform rituals, and more, all with the intent of helping you to embody your higher self. The book has a 4.8 star rating out of an impressive 7,211 reviews. 

Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within, $11.49, available at amazon.com.