Where to Start with the Voodoo?

Question for today: Where does one begin with the Voodoo? Spells? Oils? Candles?

This is a very good question. So many people think of Voodoo as simply a system of magick, which is truly tragic. It is so much more than magic. As I have said before, it is a way of life for those who believe.

The preconception of Voodoo as simply a system of magic is understandable given the manner in which it is protrayed in popular media as well as on many websites. The focus is typically on what "it" can do for you and how quickly and effectively "it:" can do it. Alternately, the focus is on what a person can do with "it" to change people, places, and things.

Sure, there is a lot that can be done with "it". But first, it is a good idea to know what "it" is, dontcha think?

For those of you who already know, bear with me. This post addresses those who are not in the know.

When I speak of Voodoo, I speak from the tradition in which I am familiar, and that is New Orleans Voodoo. This is the tradition into which I was born, and all of my responses to questions are couched within this context.

Voodoo is a religion first; though, the religion does include a magickal tradition. Voodoo is a way of interacting with the world; it is a tradition based on healing and walking in harmony with the forces of nature - earth, wind, fire, and water. It is a tradition in which we acknowledge the interrelatedness of all things, and we acknowledge the world of the Visible as well as the Invisible. We acknowledge our relationships with self, family and community, and with our ancestors past, and our ancestors yet to come.

So where is the magick?

Well, I never recommend starting with the magick, because the magick is irrelevant if there is no relationship with our ancestors. If you are just starting out, forget the candles, the oils, and the spells. I recommend a person starts with the ancestors.

The ancestors are not just my ancestors...those with whom I am related by virtue of blood. The ancestors include all of those who have gone on before us - universal, archetypal, yours, mine, and ours.

Answer to today's question: You start with your ancestors. Make an ancestral altar and develop a relationship with them. The rest will be shown to you.

To learn how to create an ancestral altar and the basics of ancestor reverence, join Planet Voodoo's Conjure Corner where you can find all of that information and much, much more.

Can I Change the Past with a Voodoo Doll or Magic?

Every once in awhile (okay more than once in awhile) I am asked a question about changing something that has happened in the past. Some of those requests I can understand; for example, when someone would like to change the fact that they were abused. This is just evidence that the person is in a lot of emotional distress and in need of support from a professional, not a voodoo doll. As effective a spellcaster as I am, I am not that good. But boy if I were, I would change the world.


However, there are some things people ask for that is just evidence of a person who does not want to take personal responsibility for the choices or actions that have made in the past. Even if I could change those situations I wouldn't because sometimes we need to face the music, as it were, in order to never repeat the mistake again.


So here is a question I was asked recently and my response to the question:


Question

I recently failed college and was suspended as a result. I need my grades changed in my university's system and make everyone forget that I was ever flunked and then make my university think they made a mistake then reinstate me as a student. I need to change it so I made a 3.7 each semester.

Answer

Unfortunately, I think your request is unrealistic. Magick isn’t magic like the kind you see in Bewitched or Harry Potter, it is an art that works in tandem with Universal forces to manipulate situations to a desired end. However, that desired end needs to be realistic. What you are wanting is to change the past and something that has already happened and that can’t be done. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you and is just ripping you off, so think long and hard about hopping from spellcaster to spellcaster until you find someone who says what you want to hear.

Surely there is another course of action you can take, albeit a harder one. Sometimes, it is necessary to face things head on and do what you need to do to change it, instead of wishing upon a star.


Now, I know this person is going to go to another spellcaster and ask the same question and that other spellcaster will take a lot of money from this person and do a spell for them. And, it won't work. The person will not only have a lot of anxiety about their situation, they will also be out of a lot of money.

I could have easily preyed upon this person's vulnerability, but that is not how I operate. Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same ethics as I do.

What does arms and legs tied up on a voodoo doll mean?

Question of the day: What does arms and legs tied up on a voodoo doll mean?

a. The doll is tied up at the moment and can't see you
b. Someone had nothing better to do than to tie up a doll
c. The doll's creator is into S&M

See the answer at WikiAnswers