Curandero: A Cuento

Complete with folklore on the art of mystic healing in the lost mountains of Northern New Mexico, this cuento, a legend, is first and foremost a love story. Antonio discovers affection early on for the various types of herbs found around his homeland. But he is also infatuated with Marianela. Will Antonio remain in the village of San Lucas, wed Marianela and raise a farm and family to support their future? Everything in this young man's life directs him toward a calling he cannot afford to ignore. Antonio will become a curandero, Northern New Mexico's version of a healer, a mysterious individual schooled in the magic of collecting and combining herbs with convalescent powers. But this blessed individual must also be well versed in the ecstasies of the Catholic Church as well as brujeria, black magic, in order to defeat the spiritual and physical enemies that can curse one's health and well being. Antonio follows his destiny in this romantic tale. Jose Ortiz y Pino III is a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University. He has served as an officer in the U.S. Army as a Santa Fe County Commissioner and as a New Mexico State Senator. As Chairman of the New Mexico State Parks Commission, he was instrumental in building the Villanueva State Park in San Miguel County and the Zoological and Botanical State Park at Carlsbad, New Mexico. Mr. Ortiz y Pino presently owns and operates the Galisteo Historical Museum. He is known as a curandero himself and has practiced privately for many years.