Seeking Iberian Celtic Folk Magic; Portuguese/Spanish Witchcraft?

[Phillian]

Greetings,

As some may know, I am currently diving deep into the traditional folk magic and witchcraft of the Iberian Peninsula, Portuguese & Spanish traditional folk magic & witchcraft, as well as the underlying pre-Roman practice, the Iberian Celtic traditions that survive through the test of time. I am hoping to plant a seed in this community with this post and find other practitioners who walk this same path, share insights, or want to exchange knowledge.

Beyond the Iberian Peninsula, I am also deeply interested in how these traditions evolved, adapted, and syncretized through colonization and migration. I am actively looking to expand my research into the folk magic and traditional practices of countries and cultures once colonized or deeply influenced by Portugal and Spain (such as Brazil, Spanish-speaking Latin America, the Philippines, and beyond).

At the same time, I am on the hunt to expand my library and practical toolkit. If you have resource recommendations, personal insights, or if you are simply a practitioner interested in connecting around these traditions, I would love to hear from you.

May the universe smile upon you, and blessed thanks from this humble witch.

 

[speculumphilosophi]

I can help you with the Roman aspect, after all Seneca was from Cordoba. As to the Hispanic aspect, I know Spanish language but very little about the folk magic aspect.
This may sound humorous but I sometimes watch The Incredible Hulk TV series and in one episode they go to see a bruja in Mejco. The bruja has her caravan in the Hispanic pueblo and heals people via psychic surgery. In reality, maybe some communities took knowledge from the Inca civilization in Peru.

 

[Phillian]

Well, from my research so far, there are some ties between the Celticiberian mythos and the Roman & Greek pantheon, one of them being the Ataegina, who is associated with the Roman Goddess Proserpina (analogous to the Greek Goddess Persephone), while Nabia is also associated with Diana, Juno, or Victoria, depending on the source or region, which is not strange since the Roman Empire tend to mix the culture of the regions they conquer to unify and give the false precedence they were all part of the same nation.

As for bruja in Mexico, there is a clear link between cultures, and like most former colonies, there is a mix of customs and practices. I know in some Latin American countries they mix knowledge from Europe and from Peruvian, Mayan, Inca, and Aztec mythology & cultural traditions. A similar thing also happens in Brazil and in some former colonies of Portugal in Africa and Asia. Is also due to this that I am extending my practice and investigation beyond my geographic region. The other reason is that some of the things witnessed in the colonies were imported and given a new meaning, usually a bad one, to feed the narrative of the liberating nation. An example of that is how Europe twisted the art of being a Voodoo Doctor to the point that nowadays, if we hear about that, we immediately think of witchcraft and causing harm to others, when in reality that was the narrative they sold in Europe. So, I am also trying to separte was is rebranding from actual practice and rituals, and in the process making a bridge between the past and the present with my own craft.

 

[speculumphilosophi]

"since the Roman Empire tend to mix the culture of the regions they conquer to unify and give the false precedence they were all part of the same nation."

I found that, contrary to the line promoted by mainstream academia, the Roman army became culturally and ethnically divided, into German, African, Parthian, British legions. Not just bearing those names as academics claim, but ethnic groups. This led to countless civil wars, for example, the Gallic legions revolted against Severus Alexander and the African legions rose against Maximinus.
However, back to the thread.
I still know Spanish quite well and used to live not far from Calahorra, a Roman town in Navarra. By quite well, I mean I can still watch some films on Spanish audio, though I don't use it actively any more. If you really feel like going deep into your subject, learning Latin is worth it, although it's a difficult language. I found Latin to be saturated with paganism and witchcraft, even absorbing Greek sources. I mean, part of the British Isles were dominated by the Romans and English language has more Latin in it than people realise. True, the Druids had their own beliefs but even then we have some idea of them from Latin accounts.
I would say Peru is a goldmine for you due to the Inca.
Yours is a specialised aspect it seems not many have explored. Hopefully you will find something of real value.