#Grace Alvarez Sesma

[hedgewitchgarden]

"Creator, sacred winds of the four directions, Grandmother Moon, with this sacred smoke I greet you and say thank you for your blessings of love, peace and good health. Nanita, as your light and power affects the tides, waterways and our body, may it also help steady our light in the midst of the darkness of ignorance and fear. May your power anchor us safely upon Mother Earth that we may walk in balance. Thank you for the darkness it helps me see more clearly our ancestors in the night sky. May their wisdom guide my actions. Thank you for the blessings of happiness, good health, and protection for my family, elders, friends, students, and all beings connected to me and of all those who come to me for help. I offer these prayers with a good heart and for the benefit of all my relations."

— Grace Alvarez Sesma

[hcalderon17]

Creador, bendice mis ojos para que pueda ver con amor, bendice mis labios para que pueda hablar con amor, bendice mis orejas para que pueda escuchar con amor, bendice mi corazón para que pueda dar y recibir amor, bendice mis manos para que todo lo que toque sienta amor, bendice mis pies para que mi caminar sea un rezo sobre la Madre Tierra.

Grace Alvarez Sesma

[papacurandero-blog]

http://www.curanderismo.org/

https://www.asu.edu/courses/css335/page2.htm

http://www.curiouscurandera.com/acatalog/curanderismo_info.html

Curanderismo.org is a website for an individual, Grace Alvarez Sesma, who has served as the administrator for a psychiatric program and later consultant for other programs. Now she serves as a lecturer and advocate for blending curanderismo with modern medical practices for the sake of improved mental and physical health. The website breaks down curanderismo through a series of links to dedicated pages within the site. Among them are “What is Curanderismo?”  and “Common Terms” pages (which are in line with prior sources) as well as step-by-step descriptions of a curanderismo session and an introduction to bereavement counseling offered in the tradition of curanderismo. The authors of the page make it clear that curanderismo is not a replacement for medicine and that a doctor should be consulted before beginning any curanderismo based treatment.

Curiouscurandera.com stands in stark contrast to the information on curanderismo.org. The author of this website (identified only as Concha) emphasizes the magical and religious aspects of curanderismo, going as far as to uses bible verses to both contradict the idea that Catholics can’t use witchcraft and reaffirm her (I assume her as the feminine form of curandera is used in the page name) abilities as based in spirituality and magic. The author takes this route until after establishing that curanderismo is a mixture of “mind, body, and spirit” (such nebulous terms are difficult to pin down) and results are dependent on both the patient and practitioner. 

Bridging the gap between the two pages is Arizona State University’s page on curanderismo. It takes a brief look at all aspects of curanderismo from an educational standpoint, giving referenced summaries of the nature of curanderismo and again highlighting terms. The ASU page adds a term: cura or curandero. This is “the spritual leader of a community” in Mexican society. ASU provides a neutral look into curanderismo. There is no attempt to sell services or ideals. It is information with links to further information.

[hcalderon17]

Creator, bless my eyes that I may see with love, bless my lips that I may speak with love, bless my ears that I may listen with love, bless my heart that I may give and receive love, bless my hands that all that I touch feels love, bless my feet that my walk may be a prayer upon Mother Earth.

Grace Alvarez Sesma