This amulet invokes the power of the Mano Poderosa, also known as the Brazo Poderosa.
The Mano Poderosa is an extremely popular and powerful amulet, especially for practitioners of the occult in Mexico, because it possesses secret and kabbalistic power within its symbols. There are different versions of this icon, with earlier representations showing the saints in different conjuctions with the fingers on the hand. The modern version shows the Child Jesus on the thumb, but that of 19th century Mexican retablos showed in on the middle finger. Generally speaking, however, the other saints will always be Santa Maria, San Jose, Santa Elizabeth and San Joachin (the parents of the Virgencita Santa).
The upward-pointing late Roman Hand of Power talisman continues in popularity today in the form of the Roman Catholic Powerful Hand (Mano Poderosa in Spanish) which is sold on holy cards and applied to votive candles. The meaning of the hand is the same as in ancient times -- magical protection and benediction -- but in the modern Catholic version, the fingers are all stretched upright, as is the thumb, and various saints and angels are standing on and around the digits.
For a similarly protective hand image, see the Helping Hand, an African-American hoodoo symbol, an open hand held horizontally; it frequently appears on candles and . The Jewish and Arabic hamsa hand is another protective hand; it hangs downward. Downward-hanging milagro hands are common in Mexico; one can be seen in the Mexican Snow Globe Pyramid of Luck. Related hands, used to guard against the evil eye in Italy, are the downward-pointing mano cornuta and mano fico. In Southern Europe, North Africa, and India, the downward-pointing eye-in-hand also averts the evil eye.
This is the English version of the Spanish Prayer to the Mano Poderosa
"O Powerful Hand of God! I place my Christian soul before you, and in my despair and anguish, beseech you to aid me with your almighty power. At your feet I place the devotion of my sorrowful heart that I might be delivered from my suffering. May the loving kindness of your power help me and give me strength and wisdom to live in peace and happiness. (Here present your petitions). Amen."
The amulets that come with these images are properly blessed in the proper fashion, by a person who we believe has the power to accomplish this. This amulet has been "prepared", which is to say, it has been rendered effective and given power by a Mexican curandero, Carlos Cisneros, of Gomez Palacios, Durango, who used the curing method from the ancient grimorio La Clavícula del Rey Salomon.
This involves a series of special prayers to the seven spirits of the seven days, plus setting the amulets out in the light of the waxing moon, and the use of both incense and special perfume.
One of the early predecessors of the Mano Poderosa was a Roman charm known as the Mano Panthea. This featured a whole host of symbols designed to ward off evil and impart power in the owner of this object.
