A GUATEMALAN PACKAGE AMULET:

MAXIMON HERB PILLOW

This tiny pillow-like package amulet from Guatemala measures 2" square and is made of red cloth stuffed with unknown material to which eight clusters of herbs and minerals have been affixed, four on the front and four on the back. Glued to the front of the package is a tiny black and white photocopy image of a mustached man in a black suit sitting on a chair out of doors. This is the Mayan underworld god Maximon, also called Saint Simon or Simon-Judas. The package amulet is finished off with a covering of clear vinyl film, blanket-stitched with green yarn, which also forms a handle for hanging.

Except for the method of construction, the materials in this package amulet are identical to those found in the Guatemalan charm vial, and the printed description given with that item will serve for this as well [with my comments in brackets]:

"Flor de Hermano Pedro -- flower of Brother Pedro, brown flower which cures the sick." [These whole, crumpled flowers smell a bit like black tea mixed with mild tobacco.]
"Lagrima de San Pedro -- San Pedro's tears, a grey seed from Esquipulas which heals when it is cooked." [This looks like a species of Brassica or at least a member of the Cruciferae.]
"Piedra de Ara -- a grey stone which attracts money." [This appears to be milk quartz.]
"Frijol Colorado -- a red bean which protects against the evil eye." [Until i determine the proper name, i am calling this "medium-sized red legume species A." See the page on red beans for more about the "good luck" qualities of the several species of psychedelic, intoxicant, and lethally toxic legumes known as huayruru seed, tento, coral bean, frijol colorado, crab-eye, and frijolitos]
"Semilla de Chameleon -- chameleon seed which attracts money." [This is a species unknown to me.]
"Mustard Seed -- protects against all harm." [This is a yellow-brown mustard seed, Brassica sp.]
"Romero Cortado -- an herb to protect the individual" [The narrow, stiff leaves look like rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) to me, but may be a related plant.]
"Mira Compuesta -- an herb to prevent jealousy." [This brown, wrinkled, soft herb is visually unidentifiable.]

Here are all the illustrated package amulet pages in the Archive:

Latin American package amulets, general information

Guatemalan package amulet: miniature horseshoe with print of Maximon

Guatemalan package amulet: miniature pillow with print of Maximon

Mexican package amulet: miniature horseshoe with print of San Martin Caballero

Mexican package amulet: El Secreto de la Virtuosa Herradura

Mexican package amulet: saint wallet

Mexican package amulet: three coins, Holy Trinity, and the Seven African Powers

Mexican package amulet: stuffed bag with print of San Martin Caballero

Peruvian package amulet: collage of magical items

Peruvian package amulet: metal saints, broom, and Ormosia seed

post-modern package amulet: matchbox shrine

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