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Guest Post
GYPSY
MAGIC: SPELLS, FOLKLORE, AND CUSTOMS IN THE
F.I.G. MYSTERIES
by
Barbara Casey
One of the most interesting topics I researched when writing The F.I.G. Mysteries involved the history of the Romany – their history, folklore and customs. I was fortunate enough to discover old, out-of-print volumes of gypsy medical treatments which included the use of herbs and spells, some of which I write about in this series. There is one particular scene where Carolina, the young woman who has been hired to keep the three orphans – Dara, Mackenzie, and Jennifer – on a “short leash” is critically ill because a curse has been placed on her. Her mother, a gypsy choovihni or wisewoman, attempts to save her:
"Amari Develeskeridaj, Our Mother of
God," said Lyuba when she saw her daughter. "What has he done to you?" Dara, and Mackenzie sat on the floor against
the wall, far enough to be out of the way, but close enough to be near. Jennifer sat on the floor as well, her foot
touching Mackenzie's. The stone in her
chest had gotten large again, and the cadence was dissonant and
loud—fortissimo—even clashing, suggesting a child's terror. She didn't need to write down the notes; she
knew them by heart now—each note, each phrase, and each movement. She folded her arms tight against her, trying
to ease the pain.
Lyuba pulled out several bags of dried
herbs and began mixing them into the oils she had brought with her. "Bring me a small spoon," she
said. Mackenzie ran down to the kitchen
and quickly returned. It took all four
of them, Lyuba and the FIGs, but eventually they were able to get some of the
concoction into Carolina's mouth. And
then they waited. After a while, Lyuba
prepared tea extracts from the asparagus and olive leaves she had brought with
her. Once again the four of them
administered the thick liquid, and they waited.
Later, when there still was no change,
Lyuba asked for a bowl of egg whites and a clean handkerchief. She soaked the handkerchief in the egg whites
and wrapped it around Carolina's feet, but even with this, Carolina's fever
didn't break. At some point Mother
Granchelli insisted that they come downstairs and eat something. Only the gypsy woman stayed behind, not
wanting to leave her precious daughter alone.
Lyuba remains in the lives of Carolina and the three F.I.G.s, watching over them from a distance, through the innate gifts and instincts she was born with as a choovihni. Because of these gifts and instincts, she understands Dara, Mackenzie, and Jennifer – the three F.I.G.s. She also knows why her daughter Carolina was brought into their lives and their purpose.
Enter the Giveaway:
THE SERAPHIM'S SONG Book Tour Giveaway
Jasmine, I sincerely appreciate your continued interest in The F.I.G. Mysteries and for your spotlight presentation of Book 5 in the series - THE SERAPHIM'S SONG. I wish you and your bloggers my best. ~Barbara
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