Sastun: My Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer

Panti continued to soothe her, telling her sons that she could go home
after he treated her for another hour or so. He seemed satisfied by her
improving condition, enough to relax a bit and sit down in his customary
chair.
How did he know it was black magic? I asked. “The symptoms are in
the story,” he explained. “The boy’s mother announced her intentions when
she stepped off the doorstep with that curse. And evil things usually begin
on Tuesday.” Also, that her pulse was fat, jumpy, rapid, and high up on the
arm was clear evidence.
“There is no lack of people to do these evil things, but there is a lack of
people to cure them,” he said to everyone as we gave the woman, much
subdued, another draft of Zorillo, which she eagerly downed in just a few
gulps. He showed the sons how to mix up the concoction and also
instructed them how to place the Copal mixture under her seat so that she
would get the full effects of the billowing, healing smoke.
“Close all your doors and windows this Thursday and carry the smoking
incense around the rooms, saying nine times, ‘All evil leave this place as it
is doing much harm. In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and the
Holy Ghost.’”
Panti said it would take nine days to heal her. “It will take that long to
fully cleanse this malignant spirit and its effects from her body,” he said. “It
is a very bad one and may be the devil himself. Sometimes he likes to do
the work himself, especially if the victim has led a very good and religious
life. That person is a special prize for the Prince of Darkness. But have no
worry, my sons, God is on my side.”
“Don Elijio, are you not in danger in this work? How do you protect
yourself from being killed or harmed by these bad spirits?” asked Roberto.
“I was curado by my maestro. No one can harm me because I am
protected by his spirit.” Jerónimo had said the sacred special prayers for
him and had given him protective teas to drink for nine Fridays.
“No, try as they may, they cannot touch me. They get very angry, I
know, because I undo their evil nets of filth and greed every day. And,
sadly, there is only me left to fight against many who know how to do this
evil.”
He believed the use of maldad had increased greatly over the years,
especially after a how-to book was brought back from the United States. He