Shelves filled with candles, tarot card decks, crystals, sprays, silver jewelry and herbs greet customers as they enter Botanica Victoria. The products are commonly used in spiritual practices to release negative energy, attract good luck and support a person’s intentions.
Botanica Victoria, located in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, reopened in June 2022 after being renovated. The Latine-owned business has operated in the neighborhood for over 30 years.
The store sees increased foot traffic and sales early in the year as visitors seek guidance for the months ahead.
Victoria Espinosa, the store owner, often leads customers through the cleansing process and performs “baños,” or smoke rituals.
“I use incense and the gifts that the Three Kings brought to cleanse people,” said Espinosa, referring to the biblical story about the Magi bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. “Everyone has their own unique practice. It depends on the person. I like to practice with the four elements of the Earth.”
In this ritual, individuals stand on a throw blanket with a printed tree, symbolizing the elements: fire, water, wind and earth. Espinosa then uses a smoke pan to cleanse the individual, starting at the feet and making her way upward and across their whole body.
Afterward, while reciting a prayer, Espinosa grabs a bundle of herbs tied together with a ribbon and swats away all negative energy. The ritual ends as the individual rubs salt between their hands and throws it into a fire. Darker smoke indicates the release of a stronger negative energy and greater healing.
Paul Mireles, DePaul class of 2025 graduate school alum, was introduced to “botanicas”, a spiritual and herbal store, as a child. He continued to learn different practices of spirituality as an adult, leading him to botanicas throughout Chicago in search of specific items for healing and ceremonies. Over time, he built relationships with many spiritual practitioners.
“Spirituality, like religion, requires faith in something larger than yourself. The difference is that many of our traditions also work with sacred plants and movements that promote natural healing, where religion may only focus on God healing you,” Mireles said.
Many customers come to Botanica Victoria to buy herbs such as sage, chamomile tea and other sacred plants. Evan Cano, Espinosa’s grandson, said the store also sells other items that are believed to carry their own special significance.
“We sell silver teaspoons, as silver has its own spiritual connection, which helps someone set their own intentions when mixing herbs together to make tea,” Cano said. “With this tea, you can manifest your wants or needs and then consume it.”
Silver is seen as a sacred metal by some. Using a silver teaspoon when making tea is said to create more protection, Cano added.
Some rituals are considered to require a “don,” or a gift. For Espinosa, this gift roots back to her mother and family back in Michoacán, México. Michoacán is often called the soul of México, known for its deep spiritual ties to Latine traditions that honor nature, ancestral connection and the cycle of life and death.
Michoacán is home to one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations and to “limpiadores,” also known as cleansers, who perform various rituals.
Espinosa’s family has practiced “curandera,” or traditional spiritual healing, for generations, making it feel only natural for her to open her own store. Michoacán locals encourage people to embrace their don, it’s viewed as part of identity and life as a whole.
“I picked up a card deck from Barnes & Noble just for fun but from there I realized I was actually predicting things,” said Rosalinda Cano, Espinosa’s granddaughter. “I did a card reading for my mom and told her she would get married and have a baby. Sure enough, she got married and nine months later came my sister.”
Botanica Victoria is one of the few Mexican storefronts in Humboldt Park, a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood. Offering a shared cultural space, its practices bring the Latine community together.
With increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Latine communities over the last year, there has been a decline in sales and even a stillness in some Chicago neighborhoods.
“I have customers who are worried about coming outside, worried about their status or their safety,” Espinosa said.
The store is taking steps to protect customers by posting signs that ICE officers are not welcome, distributing “ICE OUT” pins and handing out whistles.
Espinosa’s grandson intends to take over Botanica Victoria, inspired to continue her legacy and keep the family’s tradition alive.
“In Humboldt Park especially, botanicas are more than just random religious stores. They serve as community spaces, healing spaces, and cultural anchors that tie us back to our ancestors and land,” Mireles said.