Reclaiming witchcraft

Ancient brujería — or Latin American and Caribbean witchcraft — has seen a resurgence in recent years as some U.S. Latinos, including here in Austin, reclaim the once-taboo traditions to connect with their roots, exercise self-care and build community.

The big picture: The resurgence comes as younger generations of Latinos increasingly embrace other parts of their heritage, speaking Spanish, using accent marks, or, in some cases, praying to folk saints, Noticias Telemundo's Marina E. Franco writes for Axios.

Background: Brujería arose from a mix of African and American Indigenous rites, later fused with some Catholic traditions. During colonial times, they were shunned as part of a clampdown on non-church-sanctioned activities. But many still practiced the traditions in secret.

• Over the last few years, brujería gained traction in the U.S. Major publishers have released numerous books about it and an increasing number of social media accounts devoted to its practices have emerged.

What they're saying: Brujería "just opens up a lot of doorways to get back to our roots, feel more connected to them," says Eric J. Labrado, who owns a witch shop in East Austin, and has co-written two books on Mexican and Mexican American brujería.

• "In my case, that's helped me grow as a person and understand myself better," he says.

• The rituals can "help better ourselves by removing blockages, tackling grief and pain that maybe we even carried from our ancestors so we have the courage to move forward."

Older hierberias, like Cantu's Mexican Imports & Healing Center, on South First Street, similarly sit at the intersection of religious practice and indigenous customs.

What we're reading: This account by a Texas eighth grader, known as "brujita" to her mother and relatives.

• "I am a descendant of intuitive, powerful, hard willed, don't and won't live by no man's rules women," Luisa Villalobos writes.