Bless Me Ultima

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Bless Me Ultima

• Witchcraft

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Witchery in the Southwest

• Witchery in the Southwest has its roots in the
  Spanish and Native American cultures of the
  northern provinces of New Spain (which became the
  American Southwest).
• Spain's witch crazes differed from the witch
  crazes that occurred in Germany, France, England,
  Scotland, Switzerland, and other European
  countries during the fifteenth and sixteenth
  centuries.
• In those countries, millions of persons accused
  of witchery were put to death. The burning of
  Joan of Arc in France in 1431 probably best
  symbolizes these crazes.
• In Spain, however, there was only a increase of
  trials and burnings during the Inquisition.

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More

• Nevertheless, the Spanish reflected the views of
  the European Middle Ages and divided the universe
  into opposing forces of good and evil. They
  believed in monsters, giants, wild men, and
  dragons, and tended to associate witchery with
  women.
• For the explorers of the sixteenth century, the
  Devil had an earthly home, and sightings were
  reported in many areas of the New World.

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• Like the Spaniards, the indigenous peoples of the
  Western Hemisphere held views of good and evil,
  but these forces were seen as part of life, found
  in every human and god.
• The Mayans believed in Ixchel, a death god
  equated by the Spaniards with the Devil, and the
  Aztecs held Tezcatlipoca as the lord of the night
  and the patron of the witches.
• In contrast to European views, witches among the
  Aztecs tended to be men.
• The Emperor Montezuma was himself a dabbler in
  witchery, and when he learned of the four-legged
  monsters with humans growing out of their backs
  (the Aztecs had never seen horsesnor men on
  horseback), he consulted his soothsayers.
•  

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• Aztec witches were ordinarily held in high esteem
  because their black practices were believed to
  have been assigned by the gods. However, if they
  fell in disfavor or overplayed their role, they
  could be executed.
• Witches were thought to have the powers to change
  themselves into animals, cause sickness and
  death, and fly through the airsometimes in the
  form of a whirlwind.
• These superstitions were similar to those in
  Europe. Other commonalities included inducing
  illnesses. The methods differed, however, in that
  the Spanish used the evil eye (mal ojo) and
  jabbed dolls with pins while the Aztecs drew
  blood, introduced worms or pebbles into the body,
  or captured the soul.
• Other differences included the lack of
  organization and harmful qualities among those
  cultures in the New World. Spanish witchery was
  more organized and widely perceived as a general
  threat to social order.

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• Witchcraft (brujería), sorcery (hechicería), the
  evil eye (mal ojo), and other forms of occultism
  became part of the cultures of the Southwest.
• The use of potions, magic stones, dolls, the evil
  eye, black rituals, and other methods of witchery
  has been documented in the region for the past
  three hundred years.
• Spells of different sorts have been believed in
  by members of the populations in the region. A
  rain of stones has been part of this mythology.
• Medicine men and curers have been part of the
  folklore surrounding witchery, and their
  perceived involvements in dark magic have varied
  with the movements against, and executions of,
  "witches" that have arisen from widespread fears
  of bewitchment. The connection between them is
  herbalism, which is linked to both medicine and
  witchcraft.
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• Witches, it was believed, could be born or
  inducted, with practitioners conducting schools
  for those who wished to learn the power of dark
  magic.
• Others could become witches by entering into
  pacts with the Devil. These were known as Satan's
  witches, and their compacts with the Devil were
  attended by ceremonial gatherings.
• Villages believed to be infested with witches
  were often associated with sightings of bright
  flickering lights, balls of fire, and ceremonies
  involving goats and snakes.
• People believed that witches facilitated their
  travel by taking on the legs and eyes of coyotes,
  cats, and other animals. They also roamed the
  skies as balls of fire.
• Owls were seen as allies of witches and, often,
  as omens of bad luck. Should a family hear the
  hooting of an owl over its rooftop, the members
  would interpret it as a sign that evil was about
  to visit the home.

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• Among the Chicano/as of the Upper Río Grande,
  Catholic Christianity provided a bulwark and
  protection against the evil work of witches.
• The cross was seen as the most effective
  safeguard against supernatural attack, and devout
  churchgoers believed themselves to be protected
  against enchantment.
• Men named "Juan" were believed to have special
  powers to catch witches, and when a spell was
  perceived, a "Juan" would be sent out to catch
  the witch who cast it.
• It was believed that black magic could be turned
  against its spellbinder, and if it was done, the
  fate of the victim was reversed to the person who
  dispensed it. In such an instance, the witch's
  evil boomeranged.
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Quote Chapter 11- page 115

• The orange of the golden carp appeared at the
  edge of the pond. . . We watched in silence at
  the beauty and grandeur of the great fish. Out
  of the corners of my eyes I saw Cico hold his
  hand to his breast as the golden carp glided by.
  Then with a switch of his powerful tail the
  golden carp disappeared into the shadowy water
  under the thicket.

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Meaning

• Represents Tonys most important confrontation
  with a non-Christian faith.
• Golden carp is a natural, pagan deity compared to
  the Christian God that Tony is used to
  worshipping.
• Style used by the author, Anaya, emphasizes the
  awe-inspiring beauty of the carp rather than the
  crisis of faith that confronts Tony.
• Language is simple, yet powerful. Narrator
  describes the carp rather than Tony. This
  creates a stronger sense of reverence that the
  carp inspires within the boys. They are silent as
  the carp shows itself. Cico puts his hand on his
  heart, a simple gesture that shows his devotion
  to this pagan idol.

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Quick Write 5

• What is your opinion of witchcraft and
  superstition? Are there such things? Do these
  ideas conflict with your religious beliefs?
• 200-250 words
• Give examples within your discussion