The main theme of the story is healing through spirituality and nature, which is often prevalent in Hispanic literature. Marcelina has her first experience with this spiritual realm when she sees her mother's departing face and also sees herself as if she is looking into a mirror. A few years later Marcelina is presented with a piece of paper containing only a few words of travel instruction and makes the journey guided only by her instincts and no formal word from her mother.

There is much hard work involved in the process of becoming a curing woman and Marcelina learns the religions prevalent in Spain and then journeys to Mexico to learn the spiritual practices of that culture. Marcelina's physical travels symbolize the spiritual and emotional journey she is also taking and when she arrives in California she knows she will always stay there as...