Johanny Ortega | Have A Cup Of Johanny LLC

The Ordinary Bruja

For fans of Mexican Gothic and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, The Ordinary Bruja is a psychological horror and magical realism novel about grief, ancestral secrets, Dominican brujería, and one woman’s fight to reclaim the magic her family tried to bury.

When strange messages appear in mirrors, and the scent of cigar smoke follows her through her small Ohio hometown, Marisol Espinal must confront the ghosts of her past, the truth about her mother’s death, and the family curse waiting for her on Hallowthorn Hill.

Her family buried the magic. Now it wants out.

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The Healing Power of Stillness


pedestrians passing by woman standing on street

Have you ever felt that sinking feeling of anxiety when things aren’t going as planned? That’s exactly what happened to me at Latina Fest, standing at my author table watching people walk by without glancing at my books. My stomach tightened as those insidious thoughts crept in: “Maybe I won’t sell anything today. This was a waste of time.”

But then something magical happened – a microsecond of perfect stillness descended, slowing my perception of everything around me. Suddenly, I noticed the joy permeating the festival – the music, the laughter, the community celebrating together. A voice inside whispered, “Wait, this is perfect just the way it is.” The revelation transformed my experience: the accomplishment wasn’t in selling books but in being present, in feeling the joy of community. When I released my attachment to outcome and embraced the moment, I started smiling and dancing by my table. People began to notice, wave, and approach me to learn more about my work.

This episode explores a counterintuitive truth: sometimes stillness isn’t a pause in your healing – it IS the healing. After completing my emotionally demanding “Why Behind the Bruja” miniseries, I found myself in a quiet emptiness that felt uncomfortable for someone who thrives on productivity. Yet that discomfort held an invaluable lesson: I had been moving too fast, meticulously crafting my message while forgetting to leave room for myself in the process. What if the real power isn’t in perpetual motion but in the courage to stand still?

Where in your life might stillness offer you clarity that constant motion cannot? Where are you rushing when you could be noticing? Before you push harder, consider whether softening might be the braver choice. Share this episode with someone who needs permission to be still, and message me about what resonated with you. Remember, stillness isn’t weakness – it’s sacred.


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