By Melyssa Guzmán
When I incorporate the traditional four elements of earth, air, fire, and water into my moon rituals, I use the Virgen de Guadalupe candle (a traditional Mexican symbol depicting the Virgin Mary) as my fire sign. I am Latina, and I have seen other Latinas use the same candle in their moon rituals. When I see other women practice their spirituality like me, it lets me know that I’m not alone.
After all, I was raised Catholic. I did all my sacraments, went to Sunday school, and attended Mass while growing up. So when I first began to believe in healing crystals and the lunar phases and connecting with this part of my spirituality, I felt an immense guilt.
To me, it felt like breaking away from my family and their traditions — the religion I was raised in — and creating my own path. Even now, I don’t know exactly what to call myself, but I believe in God and heaven but I also meditate with healing crystals and perform moon rituals.
I have always suffered from anxiety and depression, and in the past two years it has become worse. But spirituality has significantly helped me to take time out of my day and take care of my own energy as well as my mental health. My spiritual side makes me view the world in a more positive light. And now I have a more intimate relationship with myself, and I have more confidence to reach my goals because of that foundation.
My family still doesn’t totally understand how I can be Catholic and also be into crystals and develop this part of my spiritual life. Honestly, even I still don’t know how I can be all of those things myself.
However, this is a personal journey and I do not need the approval of others. I no longer feel afraid to post screenshots of my horoscope or my altar where I have my crystals surrounded by the four elements and my statue of the Virgen de Guadalupe; I’ve embraced how spiritual I am, because through my personal journey, I have become a more loving with myself and with others.
Some people may think there can’t be a blend of Catholicism and New Age spirituality, however, I have found peace and happiness in my own spiritual practices — which is something I haven’t felt in a while.
And, when I meditate, I still speak to the Virgen de Guadalupe. I know we’ll always have a connection.