The mermaid, the witch, and the sea is a captivating tale that combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and romance. Set in a world where mermaids exist and witches possess powerful magic, the story follows the journey of a young mermaid named Flora. Flora is not your typical mermaid. Instead of yearning for a life beneath the waves, she dreams of exploring the world above. Tired of the restrictions imposed on her by her underwater kingdom, Flora makes a bold decision to venture into the unknown. In her quest for freedom, Flora encounters a mysterious witch named Selene.
In her quest for freedom, Flora encounters a mysterious witch named Selene. Selene is known throughout the realm for her formidable powers and enigmatic nature. Flora is both intrigued and wary of the witch, uncertain of her true intentions.
Iván's File Cabinet
Nothing can stop the man’s perennial belief in miracles. Not even the most advanced sciences that seek answers to the unknown. People are always going to believe in something. Or in someone.
Be it God, Mohammed, Sai Baba or the newly beatified John Paul II. And also in the healers. The cure that medical science can not always give makes sufferers of AIDS or malignant tumors, not content with waiting to die in bed, go to seek remedies from anywhere.
They run in pursuit of a miracle. In Cuba there are several amazing healers. But the best and most famous is called Lino Tomasén. Near La Guardia paladar, at 410 Concord Street between Gervasio and Escobar, Centro Habana, Dr. Tomasén has his office.
There, in the marginal black neighborhood of San Leopoldo, in a room with about 40 seats, Lino greets his patients. It is a blend of science, spectacle and mysticism.
Daily, over a hundred people are treated by Tomasén. The consultation is cheap: 20 pesos (less than a dollar). From the early hours of the morning, people come from all over the country, lining up to be one of the first.
The seriously ill, with advanced cancer, AIDS or a brain tumor, take precedence. In the waiting room, the people are not holding back praise for the man who heals with his fingers.
Ana, a woman with three children who suffer from chronic asthma, would erect an obelisk to him if she could. “Thanks to Lino my children are no longer asthmatic. After four visits, the asthma disappeared as if by magic. Now I come to thank him and give him a box of Cohiba cigars”, she says, sitting on the narrow path in front of the Tomasén’s clinic
What is said about Lino is lined with fable. Carlos, a white-haired and robust man, shows a photo of a wrinkled guy with death reflected on his face. “That was me six months ago, when doctors diagnosed my case with no solution. I had advanced cancer in my bones. With his treatments, Lino cured me. At the last scan I did, the doctor was speechless and asked: Carlos, what drugs have you taken?. I told him of my sessions with Lino. He took note and wrote down the address. And said that from now on, patients that science could not save, are going to be referred to Tomasén Lino”.
So it goes. When you await the start of the consultation, listen to the endless stories of patients who were on the verge of death or could not walk and now are healthy.
At about 8 o’clock in the morning Tomasén Lino arrives. He has the ways of a prophet. And not the occult. In therapy sessions he constantly repeats: “I am the best, the foremost in the world. I can cure anything, even AIDS. I’m the height of healing”, Lino repeated like a refrain.
Tomasén is black, tall, overweight, full of necklaces and with a cigar that never leaves his mouth. He was born on December 4, 1961, the day of Santa Barbara, who in the Afro-Cuban religion is Changó, one of the most powerful orishas. He is a doctor by profession. According to some physicians, has been banned for his non-traditional methods of healing.
In quick sessions that do not exceed 5 minutes, Tomasén attends to each one of his patients. By sight, without a medical history to hand, he tells them their condition. Right now, with incredible force, he is lifting a man of 120 kilos and with the tips of his fingers he touches various areas of his body.
He recommends that he returns. “Your case is complicated, but I will cure it”, and prescribes him green medicine. Of the hundred or more people in the room, almost everyone waiting their turn is sick. But there also is the curious, the doubters, and even foreigners with health problems who, passing through Havana, and through the Internet have seen the miraculous cures of Lino, decide to go to his clinic.
Osvaldo, an old friend of the physician-healer, tells that Tomasén came to the world marked by a lucky star. “Several spiritualists predicted to his mother that she was going to have a child prodigy. The portents were confirmed. Since childhood, Lino has had a knack for predicting things. He played sports and was never physically exhausted, he was a marvel. Then in college, only by passing his hand over his friends he cured them of certain ailments. Tomasén is an inexplicable example, for now, of the extraordinary abilities that some human beings have”, said Osvaldo, a graduate in biology and with doctorates in various scientific fields.
Meanwhile, Lino continues on his way. Serving in turn his patients, to whom he often applies a technique known as chiropractics, based on massages to different parts of the body combined with acupressure, reflexology and an Asian method known as Chi Kung.
Of course, Lino Tomasén has many detractors. Many see him as a weirdo. Something that borders on an entelechy. But there are no few Cubans who when science has labelled them to die, race to find solutions in the clinic of 410 Concordia Street.
Video: From the documentary ‘Aborto de la Naturaleza’, by Felipe Vergara Vargas
Tanslated by: Araby
Be it God, Mohammed, Sai Baba or the newly beatified John Paul II. And also in the healers. The cure that medical science can not always give makes sufferers of AIDS or malignant tumors, not content with waiting to die in bed, go to seek remedies from anywhere.
As Flora spends more time with Selene, she uncovers the depths of the witch's power and the secrets she holds. Selene possesses the ability to control the sea and has been using her powers for her own gain. Flora realizes she must choose between staying true to her mermaid heritage or standing up against Selene's tyranny. Along her journey, Flora also crosses paths with a young sailor named Ethan. Ethan is equally fascinated by the mermaid's beauty and charm as he is by the stories of the witch. Together, Flora and Ethan embark on a quest to challenge Selene and restore balance to the sea. Their journey is fraught with danger as they face treacherous storms, deadly creatures, and betrayal from unexpected sources. Along the way, they also discover the captivating beauty of the ocean and the complexities of their own feelings for each other. As Flora and Ethan confront Selene in a climactic battle, they must draw upon their strengths and the power of their love to overcome her dark magic. In the end, they succeed in defeating Selene and restoring harmony to the sea. "The mermaid, the witch, and the sea" is a mesmerizing tale that explores themes of freedom, identity, and the power of love. With its richly imagined world, complex characters, and thrilling plot, this novel is sure to enchant readers of all ages..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Secrets of Mermaids, Witches, and the Ever-Changing Sea"
1. Emma - 2/5 stars
I was so disappointed with "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea". The story had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself getting bored and losing interest in the characters. The world-building was also lacking; I wanted to know more about the magical elements in the story, but they felt underdeveloped. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me.
2. Alex - 2/5 stars
"The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea" didn't live up to the hype for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them, which made it difficult for me to care about their journey. The plot was also messy and disjointed, with too many subplots that seemed unnecessary. The writing style was also not to my liking, as it felt choppy and disjointed. Sadly, this book did not leave a lasting impression on me.
3. Sarah - 3/5 stars
I'm torn when it comes to "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea". While I appreciate the diverse representation in the book and the attempt to tackle important themes, I felt that it was poorly executed. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The character development was also lacking; I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters and found their actions and motivations to be inconsistent. Overall, it was an okay read, but it didn't leave a lasting impact on me.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars
I had high expectations for "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea", but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The world-building was also confusing and lacked clarity, which made it hard to understand the rules and dynamics of the magical elements in the book. Additionally, I found the romance in the story to be forced and unrealistic. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't meet my expectations.