Cures, spells and love potions

Jakartans may consider themselves modern, but when a problem arises, whether it be about their health, career or marriage, some still seek advice from mystics instead of modern experts. Some of them share their opinions with The Jakarta Post.

Mita Setiani, 39, a housewife who lives with her family in the Pejompongan area, Central Jakarta. The university graduate sought the services of a shaman in Kramat, also in Central Jakarta, two years ago. He apparently managed to heal a skin ailment she had:

Mystic? Why not? As human beings, we must do our best to solve our problems in life. If I went to a shaman, it was because he could help me with my health problem.

I had a skin disease two years ago, but as no doctors could heal it, I tried alternative medicine. I visited a shaman recommended by my best friend. I felt better after two visits. He only gave me a glass of fresh water and asked me to bathe with certain ingredients such as some kind of powder twice a day.

The shaman told me my skin problem was caused by black magic. Apparently someone disliked me.

Anyway, I have consulted the shaman again since then. I have also taken my father to visit him to treat his cancer, but he also undergoes modern medical treatment.

I don't care what people say about me visiting a shaman. The most important thing is that I am better. We always should seek alternatives in life, shouldn't we?

Rosie, 33, an employee of a noted financial company on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. The energetic woman who graduated from a university in the UK started consulting a psychic earlier this year in an attempt to help her find a husband:

You may say I am irrational but, yes, I am a client of a psychic. I never thought I would believe in such things, although I used to read horoscopes when I was a teenager.

I started to visit the psychic earlier this year after I read an article in a women's magazine. It's only an alternative to solve my problem.

I put a lot into three past relationships, but none ended in marriage. I have tried several modern ways but to no avail. My friends urged me not to give up. My psychologist says any man who becomes my husband would be lucky as I am attractive and successful, but I don't believe him. So I decided to visit a psychic.

She didn't tell me to burn incense or pray on a grave. Instead, she only gave me a bottle of water. I only have to drink a glass a day and spray it on my face, that's all. She also told me to control my emotions and to pray.

Currently, I am seeing a man. So far, everything is fine. I hope he is the one.

Bardi, 45, owner of a store in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta. He makes offerings to the spirits every Friday at the advice of his spiritualist:

As a Javanese, I believe the existence of spirits. They play an important part in our lives. I burn incense when I meditate every Friday to communicate with them.

I don't ask anything but their blessings. Life is hard and we must remember the divine and be cautious, otherwise we could face more and more problems.

My wife and children do not practice it, but they support me. My wife usually buys me incense or flowers for the offerings.