Territories of the Unexpected

          Magic of the Ordinary

Superstition can be understood as an unreasonable belief resulting in a series of acts, signs and objects created to the symbolic charge. An ensemble of apparently anecdotal elements, charged with powers that can trigger good or bad consequences. Superstition or rather superstitions as beliefs in omens or signs which, if they are not the same from one culture to the other, come together in the fact that they result from an irrational and magical attitude and sometimes give rise to the creation of objects with varied aesthetics.

My thematic and plastic research in this project will be consecrated to everyday superstitions that are not recognized by science nor by religion. It explores the power of the magic of words and actions, charms, acts to preserve evil or attract the good eye, as well as signs of the miraculous and omens in everyday and ordinary life.

Having grown up in Colombia, superstition is an integral part of my culture. In fact, it is a country where the Christian religion is deeply rooted, and where the heritage of African cultures and pre-Columbian indigenous practices are melted down in a syncretism peculiar to this territory. This results in a very specific iconography and popular practices of superstition that of spirituality, to which all layers of society are permeable.

T H E  H E R B A L  C H A R M S

" A witch is a "shaper" a creator that bend the unseen into form, and so becomes of the Wise, one whose life in infused by magic"

"Magic is the craft of Witchcraft, and few things are at once so appealing, so frightening, and so misunderstood, To work magic is to weave the unseen forces into form; to soar beyond sight; to explore the uncharted dream and realm of the hidden reality; to infuse life with color, motion (...) to leap beyond imagination into the space between the worlds where fantasy becomes real ; to be once animal and god. Magic is the craft of shaping, the craft of the wise, exhilarating, dangerous. the ultimate adventure"  

 Starhawk- "The Spiral Dance" 1979

I have created 6 Herbal Charms inspired in those suggested by Starhawk in her book "The Spiral Dance" 

"I wish to love and to be loved in return"

Red Velvet, Heart, Moon Stone, Copper coin, wish Ribbon, Rose Buds, Cinnamon sticks, Lavender, Jasmine petals

"May abundance fill my days and my pocket"

Herbal charm to attract Money

Green Velvet 3 Silver coins, One-dollar bill, Green Onyx, Bay leaves, Pink Salt Crystals from the Himalayas, Saffron

"What was once broken be restored"

Herbal charm to heal a Broken Heart

Blue Velvet, repaired Lovers' Handkerchiefs* charm, needle, golden thread and thimble, Carnelian Stone, Chamomile, Poppy petals, Jasmine petals, Cloves

* The Portuguese tradition of embroidering handkerchiefs with messages of devotion originated in the 17th century among aristocrats but by the 18th century it had been adapted into this courtship ritual and become part of popular culture. The designs became more colourful and although spelling mistakes were rife, the handkerchiefs were bright and cheerful. Once a girl reached marriageable age and had set her sights on a young man, she would embroider a handkerchief of love especially for him. The designs she chose were symbols of romance and their future relationship and she would usually embroider a written message or poem declaring her affections for her intended. The young woman would know if she had successfully won him over if the man wore her handkerchief in public.

"Let the light within me make me powerful and true'"

Herbal charm to inspire Inner strength

Violet Velvet, Wand charm, Rutilated quartz, Vervaine, Orange flower petals, Bay leaves, Hibiscus petals, Star Anise, Pepper Mint

"Let Evil be revoked and reduced to nothing. I will be not harmed' 

Herbal charm to promise protection

Blue Velvet, Shell, Red Raspberry leaves, Rose Buds, Pink Salt Crystals from the Himalayas, Lotus Flower leaves, Black cardamom

"Let the doors that were sealed be open"

Charm to attract chance and attain new opportunities

Green Velvet, Old key, Orpiment stone, Calendula, Cornflower, Cinnamon sticks, Lavender, Black cardamom