La Llorona means the Weeping Lady. In addition to being a Woman in White – a lady ghost who wanders by lonely roadways at night – La Llorona is also considered by some communities to be a demon or even a tulpa.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
La Llorona, also known as the Weeping Lady, is a prominent figure in Mexican folklore, often portrayed as a ghostly woman in white who weeps for her lost children along riverbanks and canals.
This tragic spirit has variations in other cultures, such as the Banshee in Irish folklore, emphasizing the universal theme of mourning women and lost souls.
In Mexican folklore, the legend of La Llorona serves as a cautionary tale, warning children against disobedience and wandering near dangerous bodies of water, instilling a sense of cultural and moral lessons.
The origin of La Llorona dates back centuries and has inspired countless stories, books, movies, and even annual festivals in Mexico, showcasing the enduring power of this haunting tale.
Contents
Folklore
In most communities, La Llorona is thought to be the ghost of a woman who was betrayed by her lover, who murdered her children for revenge. In Texas, she is thought by some to be the ghost of La Malinche. In life, La Malinche was an Aztec woman who served as a translator for the Spanish colonizing Mexico in the time of Hernan Cortes.
Tradition has it that she was Cortes’ mistress who bore a son for him, but was abandoned by Cortez in favor of a highborn Spanish wife.
Children in Miami know La Llorona as a demon feared even by Satan. She feeds on the fear of children and rejoices in their death. Her curse can be caught by glancing into a mirror by accident in a darkened room and seeing her face. Once La Llorona has seen the face of a person, she can always find them.
Connecting with La Llorona
Connecting with La Llorona as a witch can be a way to work through your own experiences of grief, loss, and emotional pain. She represents the parts of ourselves that feel overwhelmed, unheard, or abandoned. Her story is tragic, but it also reflects real feelings that many people, especially women and mothers, can relate to. When you include her in your practice, it’s not about summoning something scary, but about facing emotions that are often pushed aside.
For witches, especially those with a connection to Latin American culture, La Llorona can be a symbol of ancestral pain. She stands for the struggles that get passed down through generations, especially around motherhood, love, and survival. By acknowledging her, you’re not just connecting with a legend; you’re giving space to the emotional and cultural history that she carries.
She can also help with shadow work, the process of looking at the parts of yourself that are hard to accept. La Llorona doesn’t offer easy answers, but she teaches you to sit with difficult feelings instead of avoiding them. In that way, she can become a guide, not a goddess or a perfect figure, but someone who reminds you that pain doesn’t have to be hidden. It can be seen, understood, and even transformed.
How to Honor la Llorona?
Honoring La Llorona in your practice can be simple and meaningful. Let’s see the best way to honor her and welcome her into your life and practice.
- Start by acknowledging her story with respect, not fear. You can set up a small altar or space for her, especially near water or with a bowl of water to represent the rivers she’s tied to. Add items like white candles, a piece of fabric or ribbon in black or deep blue, flowers (like marigolds or white lilies), and a glass of water or even a few tears, yours or symbolic ones. These offerings reflect her sorrow and your willingness to listen.
- If you live near water, visiting and sitting quietly by a river or lake with the intention of listening to her story can be a powerful act of connection.
- You might choose to speak to her quietly during your rituals, especially if you’re working through grief, guilt, or emotional healing. Light a candle and say her name. You don’t need to ask for anything; sometimes, just acknowledging her presence is enough.
- If you feel called to, you can write her a letter, share a story about your own pain or a family memory, and leave it on your altar or burn it as a release.
Other similar spirits
Another wandering spirit lady in Miami is the Blue Lady, related to Yemana, who exists to give hope to children.
La Llorona and all of the other stories of predatory roadside women relate to Hecate, witch goddess of the crossroads, and to the demonic version of Mustang Sally as entities that know secrets, are filled with malice, and whose images are similar among several cultures.
The myth of Medea in Greek mythology is similar to the stories of La Llorona. There is something very primal about a woman who slays her family in a fit of passion and is cast out of society to wander the world forever.
Conclusion
La Llorona is an entity that usually brings a sense of fear with her but there is so much more to work with and embrace. She can be a powerful support of a deep exploration of our soul giving us the chance to channel some energy and make the most of it.
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