The noun simpatia – from the Greek sun (with) pathos (feeling) expresses in Portuguese a feeling of friendliness or tenderness toward people,places or things: nós temos muita simpatia pelo Brazil, we are very fond of Brazil.
You can use the adjective, simpático(a) to refer to a person: Clara é simpática, Clara is friendly; or even to a place: o restaurante é muito simpático, the restaurant is very nice.
In Brazil, the word simpatia, is also used informally to mean a type of ritual or superstitious act to help obtain something desired. In this sense it can be loosely translated into enchantment: ela fez uma simpatia para achar um namorado, she conjured an enchantment to find a boyfriend.
In Brazil, there are simpatias para o amor, for love, para o trabalho, for work, para tirar olho gordo, against evil eye, and para dar sorte, for good luck, to mention just a few.
Since this the month of Valentine’ Day, let’s look at some simpatias para o amor:
Simpatia para achar namorado(a), enchantment to find a boyfriend/girlfriend:
Early in the morning on the eve of Valentine’s Day, write your name on a blue ribbon then at night, before going to bed, and without pointing, count seven stars in the sky while asking Saint Valentine to help you find a person to love. On Valentine’s Day, tie the ribbon around an icon of Saint Valentine, and leave it there until you find a new love.
Simpatia para um conquistar um amor, enchantment to conquer a love:
Make a magic potion by mixing farinha, flour, pimenta, pepper, canela, cinnamon andglitter, glitter, wrap small amounts of this mixture in small square pieces of cellophane, tie the little packages with a yellow ribbon and give one to each of your best friends (among whom the person you wish to attract).
Simpatia para reconquistar um amor, enchantment to rekindle love:
This has to be done on a Monday evening when the moon is full. On a brand-new white porcelain saucer put a bit of honey mixed with three drops of your favorite perfume, then with a red pen write the name of the person you love on a piece of white paper, fold the paper and dip it in the honey. Leave the paper with the honey and perfume mixture under your bed for three days.
Simpatia para esquecer um amor não correspondido. Enchantment to forget an unrequited love:
On any evening when there’s a full moon, make any type of tea, put it in a mug and go alone to a place in your house from where you can see the moon. Look at the moon, holding the mug on your right hand, and say to the moon: Lua, ajude-me a esquecer a pessoa que me deixa triste, Moon, help me forget the person making me so sad. Lua, livre a minha mente da pessoa que me faz sofrer, Moon, rid my mind of the person making me suffer. After that drink a bit of the tea and throw a bit to the floor, as an offering to the moon.
Viva o amor! A cheer for love!
