Milagros: A Book of Miracles

By Helen Thompson

Book Overview

Let the ancient power of milagros work miracles for you Based on traditional Latin American talismans, these tiny silver charms are reminders that a miracle can fit in the palm of your hand. Throughout Latin America and the American Southwest, milagros are offered at shrines and sacred sites by believers as requests for divine assistance, or as thanks for blessings received. Modern day milagros may be carried in a pocket to protect from illness or harm, kept in the office to insure success, or placed in the car to avoid accidents--whenever you need a little magic in your life. Milagros: A Book of Miracles is a wonderful introduction to this ancient tradition. Filled with beautiful milagro -inspired imagery, thoughtful meditations and reflections to enhance your daily life, and inspiring true stories of real people who have been touched by the magic of these ancient charms, this book proves that miracle do happen IF YOU BELIEVE ... A young newlywed pins a milagro to a statue of St. Francis after her husband suffers a near-fatal accident. After his miraculous full recovery, she returns every year to give thanks. A heartbroken man carries a heart-shaped milagro in his pocket after losing the love of his life-shortly after, they are reunited. A surgery patient fastens a milagro above his heart and is restored to better health than his doctors ever anticipated. Milagros --Spanish for miracles --come in an endless variety of shapes and sizes. Since before recorded history, these offerings to the gods have been an essential part of Latin American culture. More than just symbolic gifts, milagros are thought to be magical: if you believe and make your desire known with good faith, the milagro may work its wondrous power. This book is an inspiring introduction to the beauty anddivine blessings of these ancient talismans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062515632
• ISBN13: 9780062515636
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.6" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction

I have been interested in Mexican Folk Art for quite some time and often admired Milagros. They are such beautiful little pieces of art that look as though they are crafted with such care. I have been hesitant to start purchasing or collecting these due to a lack of knowledge on their history and meaning. Enter this great little book by Helen Thompson entitled "Milagros: A Book of Miracles." What a great resource this is for someone like me who has a genuine interest in these little miracles and is searching for their meaning. In it you get a brief history of Milagros and their continued use. Then you are shown the Milagros that relate to the human body, mind and spirit. This is where we are given some amazing stories that drive home the powerfulness of the Milagros! This book of miracles ends with a bit on making your own Milagros. As an avid crafter, I found this to be an incredibly interesting section of the book. With just a bit of imagination, you can make some beautiful Milagros of your own.This was a great introduction for me and now I'm off to further my Milagro education.

This book feeds both the eyes and the spirit

This vibrant book blends historical tidbits, personal testimonies of the magical and miraculous and practical advice for using milagros in a vivid colorful array of exquisite artwork. The art pieces are more than just supportive of the text. Their fiery colors and quirky 3-D combinations of tin, wood, paint and traditional milagros create a real convergence of a latin folk art look and a contemporary, more universal look. This is a treasure to own and a natural gift book.

This is more than a good thing!

With a text that matches the great art, Thompson and Bruce have compiled an enchanting record of this important and enduring folk art tradition.