conjuro

Conjuro is a noun in Spanish and Portuguese that denotes a spell, charm, or incantation used to influence events, people, or natural forces. It can also refer to the act of conjuring, especially the invocation of spirits or powers as part of a ritual. In various folklore and traditional practices, a conjuro is typically delivered through spoken formulas, gestures, and ritual objects and is associated with aims such as protection, healing, or warding off harm.

Etymology and related forms: The term derives from Latin conjurare, meaning to join together in oath or to summon. In Spanish and Portuguese, related words include conjuración (the act of conjuring), conjurar (to conjure or cast a spell), and conjurador/conjuradora (a conjurer).

Cultural context: In many Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities, conjuro practices appear in folk medicine, spiritual rites, and popular beliefs, often performed by healers or spiritual practitioners such as curanderos or brujos. These practices may involve spoken invocations, gestures, and the use of objects like candles, salt, herbs, or amulets. The social function of conjuro encompasses protection, healing, or the reversal of misfortune within a communal or personal context.

Literary and modern usage: In contemporary literature and media, conjuro is used to describe fictional spells or magical rites and is often positioned alongside or contrasted with terms such as hechizo (enchantment) and magia (magic). The word appears in discussions of folklore, occult traditions, and fantasy storytelling, reflecting its broad association with ritual power and spellcasting.

Related terms include hechizo, magia, conjuración, conjurar, and conjurador.