Catemaco: Witches, sorcerers, and shamans in Mexico

For shaman Félix Oseguera , during electoral times., witchcraft and sorcery gain momentum in Catemaco , in the south of the state of Veracruz , where notorious politicians travel to carry out rituals to obtain positions and candidacies .

Félix Oseguera

is an expert on occultism . He explains that before every election process and presidential election, high-profile politicians and contenders ask for help.

“They come looking for cleansing rituals and goof vibes for their pre-campaigns and campaigns for this year's election,” Oseguera said.

Catemaco: Witches, sorcerers, and shamans in Mexico

They all demand “political binding rituals ” to have good luck in their political careers. They arrive and say: “I'm a pre-candidate, I'm going to run for office and I want you to give me good luck,” said another shaman ,

Héctor Betaza Domínguez

, aka El Cuervo (The Crow), who is considered as the most powerful Catemaco sorcerer , is often visited by famous artists and politicians . El Cuervo explains that on the first Friday of March , thousands of people travel to the ceremonial zones located in Tuxtlas to obtain new energy or get rid of negative energy .

He added that the majority of the visitors purchase special amulets to get back together with their lovers , attract good luck for their businesses or professional careers , or to protect themselves.

In Catemaco , a cleansing ritual costs between MXN $50 and MXN $200 but if the person requires a more complex ritual , it can cost between MXN $3,000 and MXN $5,000, says Héctor Betaza Domínguez .

During a ritual that takes place on the first Friday of March, shamans and sorcerers in Veracruz use cosmic energy to heal or hex people, to bring couples together or end their relationships, or to attract success or curse others.

This date is special in the Tuxtlas region, the witchcraft hub in Mexico , because of the large demand for white and black magic .

Tuxtlas is located 200 kilometers away from the Veracruz port, and the Catemaco municipality is considered the world's witchcraft capital.

Witches, sorcerers, shamans, and healers

There are around 80 witches, sorcerers, shamans , and healers between Santiago Tuxtla and Catemaco , who offer their witchcraft and rituals to tourists, politicians, and artists.

El Cuervo

says that “anyone who goes to Catemaco looking for help has to do it with respect, seriousness, and a lot of faith ” and added that there is “a lot of criticism and some people don't want to recognize that we inherited these practices from our ancestors .”

That mysterious date in March, the black magic invokes Satan and the Santa Muerte , while white magic invokes all saints and the Del Carmen Virgin ,

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